NEWSLETTER
When Weber launched, and his first pellet grill in 2020, the new era of the company reached some Speedbumps. Weber Connect technology was for aspiring outdoor chefs at any level of skill, but suffered large temperature fluctuations, pellet feed problems and was prone to fire. Those problems led many people.
In 2024, the company debuted a completely new model, since it sought to overcome the problems of its first. (<a target="_blank" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=badf54a2-772c-452c-8d1c-be025e347b0b&featureId=text-link&merchantName=amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1dlYmVyLVNlYXJ3b29kLTYwMC1QZWxsZXQtR3JpbGwvZHAvQjAwT0JIUTQ4VT90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiYWRmNTRhMi03NzJjLTQ1MmMtOGQxYy1iZTAyNWUzNDdiMGIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vV2ViZXItU2Vhcndvb2QtNjAwLVBlbGxldC1HcmlsbC9kcC9CMDBPQkhRNDhVIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAAS6-pulBwMhRAnxuudzn7Y5cORvHnQM6xiWZY-Royd6I&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWeber-Searwood-600-Pellet-Grill%2Fdp%2FB00OBHQ48U” class=”rapid-with-clickid”>) offers a new design with an internal construction reworked for a more direct endless route for those granules. It is still an intelligent grill, so Weber Connect is on board once more. But the largest changes are a lower price and a manual mode that allows it to cook with the open cover without sacrificing performance.
Weber Searwood design
While Searwood has an overlapping barrel similar to smoke fire, there are some notable changes. First, the pellet hopper moved back to one side, being the new location what much of the competition offers. This also simplifies the Ageger route, which should remedy some of the problems that users found in the previous version. The screen and controller are now on the front edge of the grill instead of the back, which facilitates access. The hopper was relocated where the little shelf was, but you can use the top of the pellet support to rest any tool or pans.
Another great change in Searwood is his legs and wheels. Where smoke fire had resistant legs with lasting wheels in each, this version has two regular wheels at one end and only legs in the other. This makes Searwood more difficult to move, and means that you will have to collect an end to relocate it. All heavy things are on the side of the wheels, so this is not a great elevator, but the lack of wheels means that it will need more space to maneuver.
Billy Steele for Engadget
The new wheels are completely plastic and the legs are not as robust as what was in smoke fire. Maybe this is an area where Weber felt that I could save money to reduce Searwood's price. If the grill is not moving much, this will probably not be a concern, but the lack of quality here stood out for me. You get a large shelf under the grill, which is something that smoke fire did not offer.
Returning to the controller and the screen, Weber did an excellent job with the update there. The numbers are bolder and easier to read from a distance and the controls of a single gentleman are easy to use. The screen may show that it establishes the temperature, the real temperature, the temperature of the probe and the timers, in addition there are indicators of mode and a fuel meter that maintains eyelashes in the granules. Around it, the new screen and the controller is an update on what was in smoke fire.
Inside, the ranks of the company's flavoring bars were replaced by a single deflector that protects the fat pot and food remains. All these waste and pellet dust can scrape at the bottom of the grill to facilitate the elimination through the sliding tray underneath. You will probably want to use a vaccine for deep cleaning, but you can get rid of many waste with just a scraper.
Cook with Weber Searwood
Billy Steele for Engadget
Like all pellet grills, the Searwood has a wide temperature range that allows it to use slow smoking and a quick burning. More specifically, these numbers range from 180-600 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is also possible to bake, roast and more. Mainly use grills for hand pellets, low and slow barbecue of large cuts such as breast, pork shoulders and ribs. That's where I focused most of my tests, although I made sure to give some tests of this grill.
To smoking slowly, Searwood is a reliable machine, keeping heat throughout the cook and quickly recovering every time I open the lid. That last feature is thanks to the rapid react system of the grill that also preheats the device in 15 minutes or less. The Searwood taught lovely smoke in several foods, but pork shoulders (Boston Butts) and our thanksgiving turkey were my two favorites. My wife no longer allows me to cook our Christmas bird in another way after smoking it in a Searwood.
Most pellet grills have a configuration that allows you to improve the flavor with more smoke at certain temperatures. Weber calls this smoked, but only works at 180 degrees. I would have liked that this was available at any temperature of less than 225 degrees, such as Trager's offers in their products, to obtain more versatility. Weber recommends that you use smokeboost at the beginning of your cook for a little smoke before raising the temperature at the desired level. To be clear, the grill puts a lot of smoke in its food without this, so if the low start temperature is unpleasant, it certainly does not have to use smoked.
Billy Steele for Engadget
A great addition to Searwood is the manual mode that allows you to use the grill with the open lid. This means that you can use it for a direct speed jet or as an iron, if you have the right insert to make the latter. Unlike many pellet grills, Searwood's manual mode maintains constant fuel and fan speed with the lid, so it can keep the exit at times when other grills stopped. Simply select a 1-10 level corresponding to how hot cooking and the grill makes the rest. This works well, but you will probably still want a coal a tea for living fire in most cases. During my tests, I preferred to use the Searwood as a plate instead of a SEAR machine.
The smart characteristics of the Searwood come through a Wi-Fi connection to the Weber Connect application. This is the software that the company debuted in 2020 when it first launched its smart grill platform. However, Weber has significantly updated the application in recent years and the current version offers an experience without problems. With Weber Connect, you can monitor temperatures and control the grill remotely, there are also live graphics that draw your progress, notifications to tell you when the food is ready and there is a ton of recipes when you need some ideas.
Weber Searwood Accessories
The degree to which it can customize a new grill is almost as important as its factory characteristics. Weber has been providing accessories through its Weber collection prepared for a while, and some of those articles are compatible with the Searwood. Once you have the required frame kit, you can use a smaller iron insert, a double -sided rack, pizza stone and grill basket. My favorite accessories for this grill are the grill and full -size plate insert for $ 130 and $ 149 respectively.
If you need more space on the shelf, you will have to buy additional pieces. There are folding options that are attached to both the front and next to the Searwood, and both count $ 75. It must replace the side mango with the shelf if it goes on that route.
The competition
Billy Steele for Engadget
At $ 899, Searwood 600 is $ 100 cheaper than the ex4 smokefire was at the launch. Like its predecessor, Searwood comes in two sizes, with the largest <a target="_blank" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=badf54a2-772c-452c-8d1c-be025e347b0b&featureId=text-link&merchantName=amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1dlYmVyLVNlYXJ3b29kLTYwMC1QZWxsZXQtR3JpbGwvZHAvQjBDWFk4VktNQj90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiYWRmNTRhMi03NzJjLTQ1MmMtOGQxYy1iZTAyNWUzNDdiMGIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vV2ViZXItU2Vhcndvb2QtNjAwLVBlbGxldC1HcmlsbC9kcC9CMENYWThWS01CIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAAZemG4tidxNzvP4y4rFtDaexH064wH7bRzDkEWn8fk85&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWeber-Searwood-600-Pellet-Grill%2Fdp%2FB0CXY8VKMB” class=”rapid-with-clickid”>. Smoke's fire is no longer available, but Weber has just announced at $ 699 and $ 899, respectively, if you want alternatives from the same company. These new grills have a simplified controller and other simplified changes, but the general design is similar to Searwood. I hope to check the smoke at some point in this spring.
Trager recently announced his Woodridge alignment and the medium level option in that trio is a solid alternative to Searwood. He It is more expensive than Searwood 600 to $ 1,000, but it is also a larger grill. The entrance level is a battle horse that manages the basic concepts without some of the characteristic practices of Trager. Jump to Woodridge Pro and you will get shelves, the super smoke mode and a pellet sensor in the hopper.
Conclusion
Don't call it back, but <a target="_blank" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=badf54a2-772c-452c-8d1c-be025e347b0b&featureId=text-link&merchantName=amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1dlYmVyLVNlYXJ3b29kLTYwMC1QZWxsZXQtR3JpbGwvZHAvQjAwT0JIUTQ4VT90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiYWRmNTRhMi03NzJjLTQ1MmMtOGQxYy1iZTAyNWUzNDdiMGIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vV2ViZXItU2Vhcndvb2QtNjAwLVBlbGxldC1HcmlsbC9kcC9CMDBPQkhRNDhVIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAAS6-pulBwMhRAnxuudzn7Y5cORvHnQM6xiWZY-Royd6I&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWeber-Searwood-600-Pellet-Grill%2Fdp%2FB00OBHQ48U” class=”rapid-with-clickid”> It is a good rebound of the stumbling blocks of smoke. The grill is definitely more reliable than its predecessor and most changes improve the general cooking experience. The manual mode is a good advantage, as is the addition of a fuel sensor in the pellet hopper. My greatest complaint is the base, where I would like the company to have gone with something more resistant as bringing implemented in the Woodridge base model. Even so, Searwood is a versatile smart grill without headaches, and that is exactly what you want when you spend a beautiful time cooking outdoors.
This article originally appeared in Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/weber-searwood-review-second-times-the-charm-153037440.html?src=RSSS
