Weber SmokeFire EX6 vs Weber Summit Kamado E6
Quick take: The Weber SmokeFire EX6 offers more cooking space (1,008 vs 452 sq in); the Weber Summit Kamado E6 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 600°F).
| Spec | Weber SmokeFire EX6 | Weber Summit Kamado E6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399 | $1,399 |
| Rating | 4★ (1,900) | 4.7★ (524) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 1008 sq in | 452 sq in |
| Max Temp | 600°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | Dual-Walled Insulated Steel (Porcelain-Enameled) |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lb | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| 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 | 45 x 35 x 36 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 142 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 10 years (bowl/lid rust & burn-through) |
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 Summit Kamado E6
- ✓Dual-walled air-insulated steel holds low-and-slow temps like ceramic while burning noticeably less charcoal - a single load can run an overnight brisket
- ✓At 142 lbs it's roughly half the weight of a comparable 24-inch ceramic kamado, and steel can't crack from a drop, a move, or thermal shock
- ✓The 452 sq in grate is meaningfully bigger than a Big Green Egg Large or Kamado Joe Classic, so full packer briskets and multiple rib racks fit without a struggle
- ✓The hinged, two-position diffuser flips up so you can add charcoal or wood chunks mid-cook without unloading the grates - a real pain point on ceramic kamados
- ✓Weber's One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a removable catch cup, making cleanup dramatically easier than scooping ash out of an egg
- ✓The hinged RapidFire lid damper flips fully open to spike airflow, so it climbs from smoking temps to 600-700°F searing heat impressively fast
- ✓The cooking grate accepts Weber's Gourmet BBQ System inserts (pizza stone, griddle, wok), adding versatility without kamado-priced accessories
- ✓AmazingRibs awarded the Summit Kamado line a Platinum Best Value medal, and the bowl and lid carry a 10-year rust and burn-through warranty
- ✗At around $1,399 it costs as much as many ceramic kamados, and stepping up to the S6 with cart and gas ignition pushes well past $1,800
- ✗The three-legged stand is the top owner complaint - the legs and small casters feel flimsy and wobbly under a premium-priced grill
- ✗The E6 has no Snap-Jet gas ignition (that's S6-only), so you're lighting with a chimney or starter cubes like any kettle
- ✗No side tables or work surface on the stand - there's nowhere to set a tray or tools without buying a separate table
- ✗No built-in temperature probes, fan control, or connectivity at a price where pellet grills include all three
- ✗Porcelain enamel is durable but chips if you knock the rim with heavy cast iron, and chips can eventually rust
- ✗The accessory ecosystem is far smaller than Big Green Egg's or Kamado Joe's - no included second cooking level like KJ's Divide & Conquer
- ✗The dome thermometer reads well above grate level, so most owners still end up buying a separate leave-in probe thermometer