Weber Searwood 600 vs Weber Genesis EX-325W Smart
vs
Quick take: The Weber Searwood 600 offers more cooking space (648 vs 513 sq in); the Weber Genesis EX-325W Smart reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 600°F).
| Spec | Weber Searwood 600 | Weber Genesis EX-325W Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$899 | ~$899 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (1,663) | 4.1★ (68) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Gas Grill |
| Cooking Area | 648 sq in | 513 sq in |
| Max Temp | 600°F | 750°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grates / Porcelain-Enameled Steel Lid |
| Hopper Capacity | 20 lb | — |
| Burners | — | 3 |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 38.5 x 23 x 45.75 in | 61.4 x 27 x 48.1 in |
| Weight | 125 lbs | 135 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 12 years |
Pros & cons
Weber Searwood 600
- ✓The 180-600°F range with DirectFlame grating means it genuinely grills and sears steaks and smash burgers, not just smokes - rare in this class
- ✓Reviewers and owners consistently report some of the best smoke flavor and color of any mainstream pellet grill
- ✓The Rapid React PID recovers temperature fast after lid openings and holds set points tightly for overnight cooks
- ✓Unlike the SmokeFire, it runs fully offline with a manual dial mode - no app or WiFi required to cook
- ✓At $899 it undercuts the Traeger Ironwood while offering higher max heat and a 5-year warranty
- ✓The removable ash/grease drawer with disposable liners is one of the easiest cleanup systems in the category
- ✓648 sq in over two grates handles two briskets or several rib racks - real family capacity
- ✓Weber Connect app guidance, probe alerts, and firmware updates are polished, and Weber's dealer network backs service
- ✗No side or front shelves come standard - prep space costs extra, which stings at $899
- ✗Only one meat probe is included even though the controller supports two
- ✗Grate-level temps run about 15°F below the set point per AmazingRibs testing, so you learn to compensate
- ✗The porcelain-enameled steel body is single-wall, so cold-weather cooks burn noticeably more pellets
- ✗At 600°F it generates serious grease vapor - the firepot area needs regular cleaning to avoid flare-ups, a lesson SmokeFire owners know well
- ✗The SmokeFire's reputation still haunts Weber pellet grills, and long-term reliability of the new platform is unproven
- ✗No pellet-level sensor, so you check the 20 lb hopper manually on long cooks
- ✗The lid is light-gauge compared to a Yoder or Recteq, and wind can affect temps more than heavy-bodied rivals
Weber Genesis EX-325W Smart
- ✓WiFi thermometer and food probe are built into the grill, not a $100 aftermarket accessory
- ✓750°F Sear Zone from two dual-row PureBlu burners is hot enough for a real steakhouse crust
- ✓49,000 BTU over 513 sq in is a notably higher heat density than the Spirit line below it
- ✓12-year cookbox and lid warranty, with 10 years on burners, grates and Flavorizer bars
- ✓Grates flip to accept Weber Crafted griddle and pizza inserts without a separate frame kit purchase
- ✗4.1 stars is the weakest rating of any Weber in this batch, and across only 68 reviews
- ✗No side burner at $899, which several competitors include well below this price
- ✗Only one food probe included; multi-cut cooks need more channels
- ✗Weber Connect components carry a 3-year warranty against 12 on the cookbox — the electronics are the short-lived part
- ✗The renamed "W" generation means parts and accessory guides written for the older E-325s do not always match