Hi, I'm new here!

[PattiA]

Hi, I'm Patti from southern NH and I'm new to pellet grilling and smoking. I got my EX4 set up on Sunday. Hubby installed new outside outlet and light for it and I fired it up! Trying to install updates with bluetooth connection did not go well, but once I got it connected to our wifi, everything worked like a charm. I've been grilling on a Weber Q propane grill. I am already in love with wood-fired grilling. Sunday I did lamb sausages, last night burgers. My first smoking adventure will be either a chicken or a meatloaf. I have a few briskets stockpiled in the freezer. Looking forward to pizza making on the SmokeFire. I have some Misen baking steels so I will be trying them on the SmokeFire. Also have a variety of traditional pizza stones.

I'd like some advice on tables. I can already tell that I want more work surface while grilling. Wondering about front table vs side table. I am short (5"3", so I wonder how reaching over the front table to open and close the grill. I've been looking at reviews of both tables on Amazon, which I know I have to take with a grain of salt. I'd like to hear your thoughts on front table vs side table for a shorter person.

Another thing I am wondering about is the best ways to add more hooks for hanging grilling tools. I like the placement of the two hooks and want at least one more next to those.

 

[MrPhilGrillTX]

Welcome!

Side table space is always available, but the front table loses some area close to the grill to the handle when opening and closing the lid.

 

[PattiA]

That's a great point. Thanks for the insight!

 

[MackeyC34]

As for extra hooks, I found these that I bought on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Command-1703...=3m+adhesive+hook&qid=1657061745&sr=8-39&th=1
They are 3M and removable if at some point you want to take them off.

 

[bbqking]

Welcome to the pellet family. You will love your SmokeFire. It can add a Smokey flavor to anything. The front handle is really a pain if you have a front attached table. It does cut into the space of the table. I’ve put the handle more than once in my food…maybe suggest a cart on wheels. You could place it right up next to for the transfer. That’s my plan. I’m just looking for the right cart. Cheers, and we love pictures. Meatloaf does well on the SmokeFire, chicken with skin on is a little tuff to learn, skinless is good.

 

[PattiA]

As for extra hooks, I found these that I bought on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Command-17032BR-4ES-Small-Metallic-Strips/dp/B07NZYJHRM/ref=sr_1_39?adgrpid=1345802796990414&hvadid=84112914651782&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=101906&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84113021389064:loc-190&hydadcr=7552_13497281&keywords=3m+adhesive+hook&qid=1657061745&sr=8-39&th=1
They are 3M and removable if at some point you want to take them off.

Thanks. I also just remembered that I bought a set of 2 magnetic metal hooks to hang a wreath on the front door. I'll try one of them.

 

[PattiA]

Welcome to the pellet family. You will love your SmokeFire. It can add a Smokey flavor to anything. The front handle is really a pain if you have a front attached table. It does cut into the space of the table. I’ve put the handle more than once in my food…maybe suggest a cart on wheels. You could place it right up next to for the transfer. That’s my plan. I’m just looking for the right cart. Cheers, and we love pictures. Meatloaf does well on the SmokeFire, chicken with skin on is a little tuff to learn, skinless is good.

I've thought about a cart of some type too. Did a little poking around but haven't seen anything that fits the bill.

My oven is not working well right now. All signs lead to the oven controller being the issue but the controller is no longer available anywhere, so the SmokeFire is going to get a lot of use while I research a replacement for the oven.

 

[folder]

Hi, I'm Patti from southern NH and I'm new to pellet grilling and smoking. I got my EX4 set up on Sunday. Hubby installed new outside outlet and light for it and I fired it up! Trying to install updates with bluetooth connection did not go well, but once I got it connected to our wifi, everything worked like a charm. I've been grilling on a Weber Q propane grill. I am already in love with wood-fired grilling. Sunday I did lamb sausages, last night burgers. My first smoking adventure will be either a chicken or a meatloaf. I have a few briskets stockpiled in the freezer. Looking forward to pizza making on the SmokeFire. I have some Misen baking steels so I will be trying them on the SmokeFire. Also have a variety of traditional pizza stones.

I'd like some advice on tables. I can already tell that I want more work surface while grilling. Wondering about front table vs side table. I am short (5"3", so I wonder how reaching over the front table to open and close the grill. I've been looking at reviews of both tables on Amazon, which I know I have to take with a grain of salt. I'd like to hear your thoughts on front table vs side table for a shorter person.

Another thing I am wondering about is the best ways to add more hooks for hanging grilling tools. I like the placement of the two hooks and want at least one more next to those.

I was faced with the same dilemma when I got my EX4 (Side table or front table for first accessory purchase.) I went with the front one. For me, that front shelf is more valuable as a place to quickly rest things as you’re managing several pieces of meat at or near sear temperatures, and even at the beginning as you’re placing a bunch of burgers, etc onto the cooking surface. I’ll be getting the side shelf next. Would have gotten it sooner, but it goes out of stock quickly where I am, which may be because it’s compatible with both the EX4 and EX6.

Only gripe I have about the front shelf is with regard to the door handle. the handle will end up knocking into the food you may have on a tray that’s sitting on the shelf. So, I have to usually rest the corner of the cookie sheet I use on the shelf, and open the door with one hand. Then, I slide the cookie sheet the rest of the way onto the shelf. I wish they had that door handle mounted maybe 1“ or 2” higher than it currently is. That would make things easier. Too bad they didn’t do that with the new “Stealth” models they just started selling. I probably would have jumped on one of those if they had.

 

[abmet]

Welcome and enjoy! As others have mentioned the handle does limit space on front table, but for me it’s more useful than the side table when putting food on and off. My front shelf is one that was built by fireringguy because Weber didn’t have the shelves available when I got my SF.