Weber SmokeFire EX6 vs Z Grills 7002C3E
Quick take: The Weber SmokeFire EX6 costs $10 less; the Weber SmokeFire EX6 offers more cooking space (1,008 vs 697 sq in); the Weber SmokeFire EX6 reaches a higher max temp (600 vs 450°F).
| Spec | Weber SmokeFire EX6 | Z Grills 7002C3E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$500 | ~$510 |
| Rating | — | 4.7★ (392) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 1008 sq in | 697 sq in |
| Max Temp | 600°F | 450°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lb | 28 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 57 x 33 x 45 in | 48 x 26 x 51 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 114 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3 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
Z Grills 7002C3E
- ✓Dollar-for-dollar capacity is the headline - 697 sq in and a 28 lb hopper for roughly half the price of a comparable Traeger
- ✓The upgraded PID controller holds set temps within about 10°F in fair weather, a genuine step up from the swingy older Z Grills controllers
- ✓The 28 lb hopper runs long overnight briskets without a refill, and the pellet view window lets you check fuel level at a glance
- ✓The hopper cleanout chute makes swapping pellet flavors or emptying for storage a 30-second job that many pricier grills still lack
- ✓Two meat probes are included in the box rather than sold as accessories
- ✓The manual feed button primes the auger for faster, more reliable startups
- ✓Simple electronics with no WiFi to break means fewer failure points, and owners consistently praise how easy it is to just turn on and cook
- ✓A 3-year warranty is solid coverage at this price, matching Traeger's coverage on grills costing twice as much
- ✗Tops out at 450°F with no direct-flame sear option, so steaks need a cast-iron finish indoors or on a separate grill
- ✗No WiFi or app monitoring at a time when Traeger, Pit Boss, and Recteq offer it in the same price neighborhood on sale
- ✗The steel body is thinner than premium pellet grills, so cold or windy weather increases pellet consumption and temp swings noticeably
- ✗There's no super-smoke mode, and like most budget pellet grills the smoke flavor is mild at temps above 250°F
- ✗The lid thermometer routinely reads far off from grate temperature - trust the controller and probes instead
- ✗Quality control is hit-or-miss, with shipping dents and misaligned holes during the 45-plus-minute assembly a recurring complaint
- ✗Grease routing works but is messier to clean than Traeger's or Recteq's collection systems
- ✗Z Grills' US customer support is slower and harder to reach than the big brands if you do need warranty parts