New guy moving from a WSM to a SF (soon)

[Brokegunner]

New member here, just ordered an EX6 from our local ACE Hardware. I've been smoking on my Weber Smoky Mountain 22.5" for around 7 or 8 years I think... it's been quite a while. I have always resisted the temptation to go with a pellet cooker but I am just tired of having to babysit my WSM on a long cook so I finally gave in and made my order. It is scheduled to be delivered this Friday so I am doing some research and found this group.

I ordered the EX6 because my wife and I have kind of a regular routine where I will smoke 5 or 6 butts on my WSM and then pull it all and portion it into vacuum sealed bags. That way we can pull a bag out of the freezer when we want a quick dinner and don't have time to do the full cook. I'm not a big proponent of frozen foods but I have been very happy with how good that smoked pork tastes after being reheated. I've also done probably 30+ briskets on the WSM and learned a lot on what NOT to do, but the family has been pretty consistent on wanting me to continue cooking for all of our get togethers so I guess they like my BBQ skillz

Anyhow, that's my story and I am really excited to get started with this new toy. I do have a question... I am wondering if anyone knows which accessory temperature probes are the correct ones for the SF? I have been looking on the Weber website and ordered a few extras like the porcelain-enameled cast iron grill grate and the optional front shelf. Since I will be doing multiple butts on this unit I would like to be able to plug in a few probes so I can monitor a few of them to check the progress.

Thanks!! Brian

 

[MrPhilGrillTX]

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B01M8LG8U5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 is the one I use.

 

[MojoBones]

Welcome to the forums!

 

[abmet]

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing how you like it and some photos of it full of pork butts! If someone else puts it together, double check everything. Seem many issues caused by fire pot, ramp, or glow plug a not installed correctly. Also make sure to do all the software and firmware updates before doing burn in.

How do I update my firmware?

Plug in your SmokeFire. Push the SmokeFire power button ON. Confirm that you have the latest version of the Weber Connect app on your phone as well as the latest software version on your grill. You...

consumer-care.weber.com

 

[Brokegunner]

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing how you like it and some photos of it full of pork butts! If someone else puts it together, double check everything. Seem many issues caused by fire pot, ramp, or glow plug a not installed correctly. Also make sure to do all the software and firmware updates before doing burn in.

How do I update my firmware?

Plug in your SmokeFire. Push the SmokeFire power button ON. Confirm that you have the latest version of the Weber Connect app on your phone as well as the latest software version on your grill. You...

consumer-care.weber.com

Thanks for the tip! One of the options in the ACE hardware ordering steps was a check box for "free assembly for rewards members" which I made sure to NOT check I did opt for the free delivery though as it's just the wife and I here and probably would not be fun lifting it out of the pickup with her. The first thing she said when I told her I ordered it is "what are you going to do with the old one?" so I asked her about her 3 sewing machines and that was the end of the conversation!

I downloaded the app already and watched some of the videos on setup and use. I tried to find those same videos from within YouTube but was not able to locate them. Also got the pdf of the manual today and looked through it. I'll probably get some butts towards the end of the week and plan to do a cook this weekend so I will definitely post up some pics when I do.

 

[AHoneyman]

Only three sewing machines? You are getting by lucky. Count your blessings.

 

[JpsBBQ]

Welcome and enjoy!

 

[bbqking]

Welcome! I’ve been a Weber fan for years. Yes I e cooked on other setups. Major kettle head. Even had an 18” wsm at one point! Found an EX6 on offer up last feb, 2020, for 600, already assembled with first burn in, I grabbed it. Yes there have been hiccups. That being said, I’ve grilled so much more on this pellet grill than I ever would have tried in a kettle! I would be lost without my EX6. P.S. My wife practically had a fit when I got this EX6. I also reminded her of her 2 sewing machines, a cricut machine, her cookie setup, cake setup. Her own craft room, with desks and chairs. Oh and her almost daily trips to the dollar tree...yes...daily! She calmed right down. Lol...good luck and enjoy your new EX6, but never forget your charcoal cooker.

 

[Drewskool]

Don’t get rid of the WSM! Nostalgia and playing with fire are both strong emotional ties that will have you firing it up from time to time.

Enjoy the smokefire!

 

[Bruno]

Don’t get rid of the WSM! Nostalgia and playing with fire are both strong emotional ties that will have you firing it up from time to time.

Enjoy the smokefire!

My WSM 22 has been very lonely since I picked up my SmokeFire.

 

[Brokegunner]

Well it was supposed to be here tomorrow but I got a call today that they were waiting at my gate with my new SF. They unloaded in the driveway so I used a carpeted dolly to roll that huge box to the back patio and start assembling. Unfortunately it looks like it was dropped at some point but the only things damaged are the firebox cover and the angled sheet metal grease drain that sits directly above the grease pan. Both are working fine even though they are slightly bent.

Everything went together pretty easy and I found 3 glow plugs included so I have 2 spares.

I also bought the front shelves and now I understand why people were complaining that they were flimsy... they are flimsy. Oh well, they will easily hold any meat trays I need to set down so they will be fine.

The burn in was stinky!! Then I got a call from the wife and asked her to bring home pork chops or a tri-tip so she got both. I chose tri tip and got things rolling... then I looked in the kitchen and found a 1.3 lb tri tip LOL. Yes that is not a typo. It was about the size of a KFC chicken breast.

I followed the "recipe" in the app... seared at 400° on the right with a water pan on the left. Moved it above the water around 100° and pulled it off at 120°. It was nice and smoky flavored but the meat was tough, but that's the way it always is from that store so no surprise.

Planning to head out to my favorite butcher shop in the morning... I'm gonna be smoking all weekend! Will make a new thread since this is in the intro section. Thanks for reading!

 

[bbqking]

My WSM 22 has been very lonely since I picked up my SmokeFire.

Bruno...you know I would still gladly restore to its former glory. Been doing more charcoal lately....and it would be my pride n joy.

 

[Dassman5]

New member here, just ordered an EX6 from our local ACE Hardware. I've been smoking on my Weber Smoky Mountain 22.5" for around 7 or 8 years I think... it's been quite a while. I have always resisted the temptation to go with a pellet cooker but I am just tired of having to babysit my WSM on a long cook so I finally gave in and made my order. It is scheduled to be delivered this Friday so I am doing some research and found this group.

I ordered the EX6 because my wife and I have kind of a regular routine where I will smoke 5 or 6 butts on my WSM and then pull it all and portion it into vacuum sealed bags. That way we can pull a bag out of the freezer when we want a quick dinner and don't have time to do the full cook. I'm not a big proponent of frozen foods but I have been very happy with how good that smoked pork tastes after being reheated. I've also done probably 30+ briskets on the WSM and learned a lot on what NOT to do, but the family has been pretty consistent on wanting me to continue cooking for all of our get togethers so I guess they like my BBQ skillz

Anyhow, that's my story and I am really excited to get started with this new toy. I do have a question... I am wondering if anyone knows which accessory temperature probes are the correct ones for the SF? I have been looking on the Weber website and ordered a few extras like the porcelain-enameled cast iron grill grate and the optional front shelf. Since I will be doing multiple butts on this unit I would like to be able to plug in a few probes so I can monitor a few of them to check the progress.

Thanks!! Brian

Welcome. I too made the switched from my trusty old WSM 22” to the ex4. I still have the WSM, but it has not been used since I purchased the SF back in June, as it is easier to use, runs rock steady on smokes of up to 24 hours on large briskets and multiple butts, and clean-up is virtually effortless.

 

[Bruno]

Welcome. I too made the switched from my trusty old WSM 22” to the ex4. I still have the WSM, but it has not been used since I purchased the SF back in June, as it is easier to use, runs rock steady on smokes of up to 24 hours on large briskets and multiple butts, and clean-up is virtually effortless.

+1

 

[Rustytrout58]

My WSM 22 has been very lonely since I picked up my SmokeFire.

Mine too