SmokeFire EX4 2nd generation Problems

[Jscott]

I am so aggravated with Weber. After constantly having problems with pellet bridging I removed the infamous grate. Now Weber and Traeger pellets work but not any others available here in NC.

The latest issue is the brackets holding up the bars. They were never any good at keeping the bars in place even when new. Now they have rusted out. I requested warranty replacements and Weber said they need pictures as proof. So here we go taking the thing apart again to get pictures to prove to them I am not lying.

The ash system does not work. The pan in the drawer has almost nothing in it but the area below the bars is filled with ash requiring taking the grates and bars out for manual cleaning.

I know others have these problems and so many more. Weber should be offering SmokeFire customers some compensation for their terrible design such as one of their new pellet smokers at no cost.

 

[TinFoilHat-BBQ]

The only pellets I have ever had a problem with was Cookin' Pellets Apple Mash. They absorbed moisture and clogged up the auger. All others have been fine. I generally stick with Cookin' Pellets Cherry, Recteq Oak and Knotty Woods Almond. I just received some B&B Competition blend which I will use on a pork butt this weekend.
I've never had rust issues but I am not near a coast. I have only had burn pots that come apart (I'm on my third one).
I decided to upgrade things on my own. I put a better fan in that is silent. I replaced the gaskets that seal up the ash pan with high heat gasket strips and larger wheels that roll better. I have been very happy with my EX4 but I will say if and when my SmokeFire wears out I plan on a different pellet smoker. Probably a Blazn' Grill.