Weber SmokeFire EX6 vs Weber Slate 30
Quick take: The Weber SmokeFire EX6 costs $149 less; the Weber SmokeFire EX6 offers more cooking space (1,008 vs 540 sq in); the Weber Slate 30 reaches a higher max temp (NaN vs NaN°F).
| Spec | Weber SmokeFire EX6 | Weber Slate 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$500 | ~$649 |
| Rating | — | 4.6★ (325) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Griddle |
| Cooking Area | 1008 sq in | 540 sq in |
| Max Temp | 600°F | 500F°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Propane |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | Rust-resistant pre-seasoned carbon steel cooktop, steel cart |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lb | — |
| Burners | — | 3 |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | No |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 57 x 33 x 45 in | 70.8 x 23.5 x 39.5 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 140 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Weber SmokeFire EX6
- ✓It reaches a genuine 600°F, the highest of the mainstream pellet grills, so you can actually sear steaks and burgers on the main grates
- ✓The Weber Connect app with step-by-step guidance and probe alerts is well-designed and popular with new users
- ✓1008 sq in over two large levels gives serious capacity for big cooks and multiple proteins
- ✓The porcelain-enameled lid carries Weber's reputation for durable, rust-resistant finishes
- ✓The 2nd-gen redesign with a DC motor, shorter auger, and updated firmware fixed most of the auger-jamming and grease-fire problems of the original
- ✓It's a true do-it-all grill - low-and-slow smoking plus high-heat searing in one unit, reducing the need for a second grill
- ✓Weber's 5-year warranty and broad dealer/service network give buyers solid support
- ✓The ash and grease funnel down into a removable drawer, simplifying cleanup after high-heat cooks
- ✗The original EX6 was plagued by grease fires and auger jams, and that reputation still scares off many buyers even after the Gen-2 fixes
- ✗It runs hot and burns through pellets faster than rivals, so fuel costs are higher per cook
- ✗At 600°F the firebox produces a lot of grease and smoke, so you must keep it scrupulously clean to avoid flare-ups
- ✗Smoke flavor at low temps is on the lighter side - some owners feel it doesn't smoke as heavily as a Traeger in Super Smoke
- ✗WiFi can be finicky and the app occasionally loses the connection mid-cook like other pellet grills
- ✗At ~$1,400 it competes with Recteq and Traeger flagships while using painted/enameled steel rather than full stainless
- ✗Temperature can swing during the transition between low smoking and high searing modes
- ✗The tall, steep firebox design means the lower rack runs hotter, requiring you to manage two-zone placement carefully
Weber Slate 30
- ✓Rust-resistant hardened cooktop genuinely reduces upkeep vs bare rolled steel
- ✓Very even heat across all 540 sq in - fewer hot/cold zones than Blackstone
- ✓36,000 BTU across 3 burners preheats fast and holds sear temps over 500F
- ✓Front-corner grease trap is simple and mess-free
- ✓Heavy, rigid cart with side tables, wind guards, and locking casters
- ✓5-year warranty is the best in the griddle category
- ✗Twice the price of a similar-size Blackstone
- ✗Base 1500014 trim lacks the premium model's digital temp display
- ✗Cooktop rust is excluded from the warranty despite the rust-resistant pitch
- ✗Weber Works accessories add up quickly
- ✗Still requires seasoning and oiling like any carbon-steel griddle