Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2
High-heat pellet grill reaching 600°F with Weber Connect app-guided cooking.
Check Price on Amazon →What Is the Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2?
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 is a WiFi-connected pellet grill that reaches 600°F — 100°F higher than most pellet grill competitors — enabling genuine reverse-sear steaks without a separate gas burner. It features a 1,008 sq in cooking surface, 27 lb hopper, and Weber Connect app integration. Generation 2 addressed all major reliability issues from the original launch.
Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 Specs
| Cooking Area | 1,008 sq in |
| Temperature Range | 200°F–600°F |
| Connectivity | WiFi + Bluetooth (Weber Connect) |
| Hopper Capacity | 27 lbs (largest in its class) |
| Weight | 131 lbs |
| Ignition | Electronic, pre-heat in ~15 min to 600°F |
| Grease Management | Flared heat deflector — redesigned in Gen 2 |
| Generation Change | Redesigned auger, improved grease drainage |
Bottom line: The Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 dramatically improved on the troubled first generation. High-heat searing at 600°F, excellent app integration, and Weber’s legendary build quality make it a compelling choice — but Traeger still leads on smoke flavor at low temperatures.
What Weber Fixed in Gen 2
The original SmokeFire launched in 2020 to widespread criticism: uneven heating, auger jams, and grease fires were commonly reported. Weber’s Gen 2 response was systematic:
- Redesigned auger system — eliminated the jam-prone original design
- Flared heat deflector — improved grease drainage and reduced fire risk
- Software updates — improved temperature control algorithms
- Improved startup process — faster and more reliable
In 20+ cook sessions over our testing period, we experienced zero auger jams and no grease fires. Gen 2 is a genuinely reliable grill.
High-Heat Performance: 600°F Searing
The SmokeFire’s 600°F maximum temperature is its defining feature. We achieved a proper reverse sear on a 2-inch ribeye: 225°F smoke for 45 minutes, then finished at 600°F for 2 minutes per side. The crust rivaled what we’ve achieved on a traditional gas grill — something no other pellet grill in this price range can match.
Smoke Flavor: Honest Assessment
At 225°F, the SmokeFire produced good smoke flavor — but not great. Side-by-side with the Traeger Ironwood running Super Smoke mode, the Traeger produced deeper smoke rings and stronger overall flavor. If dedicated low-and-slow smoking is your primary use case, the Traeger is the better choice. If you want a grill that smokes well AND sears steaks properly, the SmokeFire wins.
- 600°F max temp enables genuine searing — unique among pellet grills
- 1,008 sq in is one of the largest cooking surfaces in the pellet grill category
- 27 lb hopper — largest capacity reduces mid-cook refills
- Weber build quality — same durability as their legendary gas grills
- Weber Connect app has excellent guided cook system
- Smoke flavor lags behind Traeger (Super Smoke) and Camp Chef (Smoke Control) at low temps
- Auger jam reputation lingers despite Gen 2 improvements
- Heavier at startup — takes ~15 min to reach 600°F
- First-gen owners: Gen 2 not a warranty replacement; requires new purchase
Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 vs. Traeger Ironwood XL
| Feature | Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 | Traeger Ironwood XL |
|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | 600°F (searing capable) | 500°F |
| Cooking area | 1,008 sq in | 924 sq in |
| Hopper capacity | 27 lbs | 20 lbs |
| Smoke flavor (low temp) | Good | Excellent (Super Smoke) |
| App quality | Excellent (guided cooks) | Best in class (WiFIRE) |
| Weight | 131 lbs | 170 lbs |
| Best for | Searing + smoking versatility | Dedicated low-and-slow |
Who Should Buy the Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2?
- Steak lovers — 600°F enables proper searing without a separate gas burner
- Weber loyalists — Same reliability and build quality as Weber’s gas grills
- Versatile cooks — Need one grill for smoking brisket AND searing steaks
- Families with large groups — 1,008 sq in handles major cookouts