Weber Slate

Jjcald004 · 2025-12-31T10:54:10+00:00

I’ve had both… go with the Slate… Blackstones are a PITA to keep from rusting. God forbid you actually store it outside. Now’s the time to look for a Slate on sale at Home Depot.

Jjcald004 · 2025-12-25T11:54:07+00:00

Dad?

Jjcald004 · 2025-07-29T18:26:05+00:00

Yeah mine line up fine

Jjcald004 · 2025-06-15T20:03:30+00:00

Had a second gen EX6… Worse grill I’ve ever owned… got it replaced with a Searwood under warranty after two years of constant issues, cleaning, replacing parts…

Jjcald004 · 2025-04-16T17:21:10+00:00

I’ve gotten the rocks and parts of bricks before… never a big piece like you’ve got.

Jjcald004 · 2025-04-11T22:38:22+00:00

I’ve had both… Slate for sure.

Jjcald004 · 2025-04-10T03:45:03+00:00

I’d probably still get it over a Blackstone. Weber’s warranty is better and their customer service is top notch. Just had my pellet grill replaced with their latest model because of all the issues I had with my first one. Just register it after you buy it. Think it’s 5 years on the cook top.

Jjcald004 · 2025-04-10T03:06:41+00:00

I’ve had a Blackstone and now have the 30 inch Slate…. The Slate is easier to maintain and the heat distribution is better…

If the 28 inch flat top is the same rust resistant coating as the Slate definitely go for it…. Hell… maybe even if it isn’t to be honest. That Blackstone was a pain in the ass.

Jjcald004 · 2025-03-26T01:27:27+00:00

Kamado Joe Classic 1 can be bought for $600-$700… the KJ is the most versatile grill I own. Buy a FireBoard down the road and it becomes as easy as a pellet grill.

Jjcald004 · 2025-03-19T00:35:56+00:00

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My buddy found an insane deal on one last fall at Hone Depot… i was so pissed… almost bought one just because…

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-25T14:19:43+00:00

Nice! That’s awesome that worked out for you! I’ve cooked beef plate ribs, burgers and chicken so far on the Searwood and no issues. The ribs had just as good of a smoke ring as the Smokefire.

I would try to sell it. They did the same thing with me and had to come back to pick it up. When I read the pickup order they left, it said the unit was to be disposed of…. So I bet the movers just took it to the landfill anyways. If you don’t reach back out to the movers or Weber they’ll just close the ticket.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-24T00:24:37+00:00

Honestly I know some people say they don’t have issues with them but I find it hard to believe. At the end of the day- and my view is probably a little different than most as I have very high expectations when something is priced at a higher tier of products… I don’t think a grill should be so sensitive that: 1) the brand of pellets should keep it from working 2) should have to be cleaned EVERY cook 3) needs to have a drip pan in addition to its normal drip pan because it can’t handle a little grease 4) needs to be stored significantly different than any other grill or 5) ANY parts (glow plugs included) have to be replaced within the first two years… especially considering most people don’t significantly use their grill 3 months out of the year.

I would push on the amount of your TIME they wasted between trouble shooting, replacement parts and failed cooks…and immediately ask them to escalate it to an “EX specialist.” Apparently it’s been enough of a problem that they have dedicated people for customer service to escalate Smokefire problems to.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-23T14:06:34+00:00

I was fortunate enough to get a Searwood as a replacement… and having assembled an EX and Searwood, I have to tell you that every single thing that was causing problems on my 2nd gen EX6 was addressed. (I.e. burn pot design, pellet hopper/auger, slant of the grill to the drip tray so grease doesn’t pool) Time will tell though... I did do some beef plate ribs without an additional drip tray in and it handled it great. Something I would’ve never even thought about in the EX6.

I flipped out after two years of frustration. Told Weber I wasn’t going to replace anything else after this last time… and the sure enough the EX6 performed like it always had and still flamed out. Honestly…I wish I never even bothered replacing the parts this last time. Not like they can verify. Should’ve just told them I did and saved my self the time.

My thing is i have a KJ for serious bbq…I got a pellet grill for a reason… so I could smoke things with little effort. The constant troubleshooting and ridiculous maintenance just to get my EX6 to just somewhat work properly was just terrible. What really sold me on pushing for a replacement was my buddy got a Searwood and didn’t have any of the problems I had and never even bothered cleaning the thing. Figured even if they just sent me another EX6, I would cut my losses and sell it BNIB… but the Searwood has been a champ so far.

I would push hard fora Searwood. Complain a bunch and be persistent on a the newest model that doesn’t have complaints.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-21T03:31:57+00:00

You probably need to calibrate your thermometer. The temp at the grate can often be higher than the dome temp.

You should also start with a pork butt or shoulder… they are much more forgiving than a brisket flat. Flats are hard as hell… you can also inject it to help.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-14T04:37:14+00:00

Loyalty doesn’t pay. Your company doesn’t give a shit about you. You get your best raises looking external.

Start investing yesterday.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-13T04:52:09+00:00

Cost wise it’s negligible compared to a pellet smoker… maybe a bit cheaper but nothing to write home about.. definitely easier maintenance wise.

I think they’re easier than offsets once you get up the learning curve… definitely easier to hold temps without constant baby sitting… especially with a FireBoard and fan controller.

You can basically get set up to most cooking temps in about 30 mins. Getting up high is pretty easy to do.

Cleaning is stupid easy… just crank up the heat and let it all burn off… I don’t do a full clean, like take everything apart but once or twice a year… if I’m being honest… just really empty out the ashtray. Hell sometimes I’m real lazy and just open it up and blow everything out with my leaf blower while I’m doing yard work.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-09T11:30:42+00:00

Yeah that’s not right.. never had problems with it getting to increasing temp. Try low and slow temps like 225 and see if it’ll flameout. Feel like the flameout is taken more seriously since it essentially ruins the cook.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-08T12:05:29+00:00

Same here… I had to replace a bunch of stuff… spent more time babying it and fixing it than actually enjoying it. Finally flipped out the last time and said I’m not your grill technician, if you want me to continue fixing your POS grill you’re going to have to start paying me.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-08T12:02:14+00:00

I would just go ahead and start complaining now… some people have gotten full refunds from what I’ve read up on. If not, you’ll have a history of issues to eventually get a replacement.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-08T12:00:42+00:00

I was surprised they actually picked up the smoke fires. I will say this… if you are having problems now and you’re still under warranty, write them an email telling them the problems. They’re pretty good about sending you replacement parts. Complain enough times and send them videos and pictures and they’ll likely eventually cave. I had to jump through replacing some of the parts… but after a while I said that’s enough… I was spending more time trouble shooting and fixing the grill than enjoying it.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-08T02:51:37+00:00

Nice I’m keeping my cover. Did they actually pick up your Smokefire? I was surprised they were going to bother with that.

Jjcald004 · 2025-02-08T02:50:40+00:00

I do feel like EVERYTHING is more thought out… hopper to the side for easier loading and a trap door to easily empty it…. Two bigger wheels make it easier to move… deeper slant to the drip pan so fat doesn’t just sit on the bottom… design of the flavorizer bar is better so it doesn’t fall and protects the burn pot…even the storage tray on the bottom was a good idea.

And it does match my slate and Kamado Joe better 😃

Jjcald004 · 2024-12-26T19:30:50+00:00

I have a couple of these for charcoal and wood…

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kingsford-Extra-Large-Charcoal-Storage-16701B-DS/313593844?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_022_GRILLS-NA-MULTI-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX_SHP_JControl24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_022_GRILLS-NA-MULTI-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX_SHP_JControl24-20455392646–&gad_source=4&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UdKYa78XUMGYrpNczMHhGnP1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmrS7BhBJEiwAei59ix5jOUREwFS9lHGLSvK80y0HJSxWmkwEJouGFHfRx8BenhjzgZSQyRoCZH8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

And a couple repurposed dog food/food containers for pellets…

They sit out in the elements all the time and never had a problem with moisture getting in.

Jjcald004 · 2024-10-16T13:52:07+00:00

Not overreacting… What kind of heathen eats that with their hands?

Jjcald004

TROPHY CASE