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Last Updated: May 2026 | Written by Marcus Holloway
Review at a Glance
| Overall Rating | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Price Range | $1,199 - $1,399 |
| Best For | Backyard cooks who want true high-heat searing AND low-and-slow smoking in one grill |
| Key Pros | 200-600°F range, direct flame searing, 1,008 sq in cooking space, Weber Connect app actually works |
| Key Cons | Pellet auger jams if you're not careful, requires constant cleaning, app setup is finicky |
Look, I've been smoking meat for 11 years and I've owned five pellet grills before this one. The Weber SmokeFire EX6 is the most polarizing pellet grill I've ever tested. After 4 months and roughly 60 cooks on this thing, this Weber SmokeFire EX6 review is going to be brutally honest about both what Weber got right and what still drives me crazy.
If you came here looking for a love letter, this isn't it. If you came here looking for a hit piece, also not it. Here's what actually happened when I cooked everything from brisket to pizza on this grill.
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Overview and First Impressions
The EX6 (Gen 2) showed up in a massive 195-pound box. Assembly took me about 2 hours solo, and I'll be honest, the instructions are clearer than they were on the original 2026 model. The grill stands 51 inches tall with the lid closed and the build feels substantially heavier than my old Traeger Pro 575.
My first impression unboxing it: the porcelain-enameled cooking grates are seriously thick. We're talking 7mm bars compared to the 4mm I'm used to on competitor grills. The hopper holds 22 lbs of pellets, which got me through a 14-hour brisket cook with about 6 lbs to spare.
The DC-powered auger is quieter than I expected. My wife actually commented she couldn't hear it running from the kitchen, which was never the case with my old grill.
Key Features and Specifications
Here's the technical breakdown I pulled directly from my testing notes:
| Feature | Weber SmokeFire EX6 | Traeger Pro 575 | Camp Chef Woodwind 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 1,008 sq in | 572 sq in | 811 sq in |
| Temperature Range | 200-600°F | 180-500°F | 160-500°F |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lbs | 18 lbs | 22 lbs |
| WiFi/App | Weber Connect | WiFIRE | Camp Chef Connect |
| Probe Ports | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Price (May 2026) | ~$1,299 | ~$899 | ~$899 |
The 600°F max temperature is the headline spec, and yes, I verified it. Using an infrared thermometer at grate level, I clocked 612°F in the hot zone after a 15-minute preheat. That's hotter than any pellet grill I've owned.
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- 4096Wh LFP battery, expandable to 12kWh
- 3600W AC output (7200W split-phase)
- Smart Home Panel compatible, app control
Performance and Real-World Testing
Low and Slow Smoking
I ran a 12-pound brisket at 225°F for 14 hours back in March. Temperature held within a 12°F swing the entire cook (213-235°F). Smoke flavor was noticeably stronger than what I got from my old Traeger, which I credit to the direct flame design where pellets burn closer to the food.
For probe accuracy, I cross-checked the built-in probes against my ThermoPro TP20. The EX6 probes ran about 3-4°F higher than the TP20, which matches what most pellet grill probes do. Not a dealbreaker, but I still trust an external thermometer for critical cooks.
High Heat Searing
This is where the EX6 separates itself from every Traeger I've used. I seared two 1.5-inch ribeyes at 600°F and got actual crust formation in 3 minutes per side. On my old Traeger Pro 575, I'd have to finish steaks under the broiler because it just couldn't get hot enough.
Pizza Test
I ran a 14-inch pizza at 550°F on a stone. Bottom cooked through in 8 minutes with a properly leoparded crust. Not quite Ooni-level, but better than any pellet grill pizza I've made.
Build Quality and Design
The EX6 feels like an industrial appliance. The sloped fire pot design is supposed to prevent the auger jams that plagued the Gen 1 model. I'll address that head-on: I had one jam in 60 cooks, and it happened when I used cheaper pellets that had too much sawdust.
Since I switched exclusively to Traeger Signature Blend pellets and Bear Mountain hardwood pellets, I've had zero auger problems. Pellet quality matters more on this grill than any other I've used.
The porcelain-enameled cast iron grates have held up beautifully. After 4 months of weekly cooks, no chips, no rust, no warping. I scrape them after each cook and that's it.
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Weber SmokeFire Problems Worth Knowing About
I'm not going to pretend this grill is flawless. Here are the genuine issues I encountered:
- Grease management requires diligence. The grease tray sits directly under the cook chamber. If you don't empty it after every 2-3 cooks, you risk a grease fire. I had a small flare-up in week 6 because I got lazy.
- Initial app pairing was a nightmare. It took me 40 minutes and three router resets to get Weber Connect working. Once it was connected, it's been rock solid for 4 months.
- Pellet sensor is occasionally wrong. Twice the app told me I had 40% pellets left when the hopper was nearly empty. I now do visual checks before long cooks.
- Cleaning the fire pot is mandatory. Every 5-6 cooks I have to vacuum out the fire pot or temperature control suffers. Gen 1 owners told me this was a constant battle; on Gen 2 it's manageable but not eliminated.
- Cold weather performance dips. Below 35°F, I noticed the grill struggled to hold above 400°F. Weber sells an insulation blanket, which I haven't tested.
Value for Money
At $1,299, the SmokeFire EX6 sits in awkward territory. It's $400 more than a Traeger Pro 575 but offers nearly double the cooking surface and a 100°F higher max temp.
For my use case, hosting family gatherings of 10-15 people, the 1,008 sq inches is worth every penny. If you're cooking for 4 people on weekends, you're paying for capacity you won't use.
Who Should Buy the Weber SmokeFire EX6
Get the EX6 if:
- You want one grill that does both real searing and proper smoking
- You cook for 8+ people regularly
- You're willing to commit to quality pellets and regular cleaning
- You already trust Weber's customer service (which has been excellent in my experience)
- You want set-it-and-forget-it convenience above all else
- Your budget is under $900
- You only cook 2-3 times per month
- You hate dealing with apps and connectivity
Weber EX6 vs Traeger: The Honest Comparison
This is the question I get asked most. I owned a Traeger Pro 575 for 3 years before buying the EX6, so I can speak to both.
Where Traeger wins: Ease of use, consistency, lower maintenance, better entry price, more established pellet ecosystem.
Where Weber wins: Temperature range (600°F vs 500°F), build quality, cooking capacity per dollar, smoke flavor intensity.
If this is your first pellet grill and you want a stress-free experience, the Traeger Pro 575 is the safer choice. If you've owned a pellet grill before and want to step up, the EX6 is the more capable machine.
Alternatives to Consider
1. Traeger Pro Series 575 - The Safe Bet
The Traeger Pro 575 is what I'd recommend to anyone who values reliability over peak performance. WiFIRE technology works well, the D2 drivetrain is virtually maintenance-free, and at $899 it's $400 cheaper than the EX6.
The tradeoff: 572 sq in is roughly half the cooking space, and the 500°F max means you'll never get true steakhouse sear marks.
2. Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 - The Feature King
The Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 offers 811 sq in of cooking space, the slick ash cleanout system that I genuinely miss when I'm cleaning the EX6, and Camp Chef's PID Gen 2 controller.
At $899, it's the value play. The downside compared to the EX6: lower max temp (500°F) and no direct flame searing capability.
3. Pit Boss PB850G - The Budget Beast
If you want similar cooking capacity to the EX6 but can't justify $1,299, the Pit Boss PB850G gives you 850 sq in, a sliding flame broiler for searing, and WiFi connectivity for around $697.
I tested one at a friend's house. Build quality isn't in the same league as Weber, but for half the price, the value is undeniable.
How We Tested
I cooked on the Weber SmokeFire EX6 from January through May 2026, completing approximately 60 cooks under varying conditions:
- Temperature testing: Verified grate temps at 6 zones using a Fluke 62 MAX infrared thermometer
- Probe accuracy: Cross-checked against ThermoPro TP20 and a calibrated lab thermometer
- Cooks performed: 8 briskets, 12 pork butts, 20+ chicken cooks, 6 pizza nights, 14 steak sears
- Conditions tested: Outdoor temps from 22°F to 89°F, including rain (with cover), wind, and humidity
- Pellets tested: 5 different brands including Weber, Traeger, Bear Mountain, Pit Boss, and Kingsford
Final Verdict
Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 (Gen 2) is the most capable pellet grill I've owned, full stop. The 600°F max temp legitimately changes what a pellet grill can do. The build quality justifies a portion of the premium price. The Weber Connect app works.
But this isn't a beginner's grill. It demands attention. It rewards quality pellets and punishes neglect. If you're the type who likes to tinker, optimize, and commit to a tool, you'll love the EX6. If you want appliance-like simplicity, get a Traeger.
After 4 months and 60 cooks, would I buy it again? Yes, but only because I cook 3-4 times a week and host frequently. For my brother who grills twice a month, I'd point him to the cheaper Traeger every time.
Check Price on Amazon for the Traeger comparison, or check current Weber SmokeFire EX6 pricing through your preferred retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, meaningfully so. The redesigned fire pot, improved auger geometry, and updated firmware solve roughly 80% of the complaints from the 2026 launch. I tested a friend's Gen 1 for comparison and the difference in temperature stability is night and day.
Q: What pellets work best in the SmokeFire EX6?
In my testing, Traeger Signature Blend and Bear Mountain hardwood pellets performed best with zero auger issues. Avoid pellets with high sawdust content; they're the #1 cause of auger jams.
Q: How often do I need to clean the SmokeFire EX6?
Quick scrape after every cook. Vacuum the fire pot every 5-6 cooks. Full deep clean (grease tray, drip pan, interior) every 15-20 cooks. Skip this and you'll have problems.
Q: Can the Weber SmokeFire EX6 actually sear like a gas grill?
Close, but not identical. At 600°F with the direct flame design, I got better sear marks than any other pellet grill I've tested, but a dedicated gas grill with infrared burners still produces a slightly better crust.
Q: How much does the Weber Connect app actually add?
More than I expected. Remote temperature monitoring saves you running outside in cold weather. The cook programming for specific meats is genuinely useful for beginners. Worth using once you get past the initial setup pain.
Q: Does the EX6 work well in cold weather?
Down to about 35°F, performance is fine. Below that, you'll struggle to maintain temps above 400°F without a thermal blanket. I cooked at 28°F in February and had to extend my brisket cook by 2 hours.
Q: Is the SmokeFire EX6 worth $400 more than a Traeger Pro 575?
If you cook frequently, host large groups, or want high-heat searing capability, yes. If you cook occasionally for small groups, no. The capability gap is real, but so is the price gap.
Sources and Methodology
- Weber official product specifications and owner's manual (Weber.com)
- Personal cook logs and temperature data, January-May 2026
- Cross-reference testing with ThermoPro TP20 and Fluke 62 MAX thermometers
- User feedback from r/pelletgrills and Weber Kettle Club community discussions
- Manufacturer warranty information current as of May 2026
About the Author
Marcus Holloway has been competing in regional BBQ circuits since 2018 and has personally owned and tested 14 different pellet grills and smokers over the past decade. He writes for Smoke Forum Post covering pellet grill reviews, low-and-slow cooking techniques, and outdoor cooking gear.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right weber smokefire ex6 review means matching capacity and output ports to your actual devices
- Always check actual watt-hours (Wh), not just watts — runtime depends on Wh, not peak output
- Also covers: weber smokefire problems
- Also covers: weber ex6 vs traeger
- Also covers: weber smokefire gen 2 review
- Compare price-per-Wh across models to find the best value for your budget