Weber is teasing a pellet grill

[Pappymn]

Facebook has a teaser post from Weber asking people to sign up for a big announcement. And has a photo of pellets. Seems late to the game but who knows.

[sparky]

It's going to be cool.

[smokeasaurus]

Yup.  Called the Smokefire  coming out next year.

I will be the first to order. Finally Weber quality in a pellet grill......................can't wait 

[Hub]

I'm not surprised.  I theorized several years ago that Weber would do this but would take their time and make it fit their image well.  It'll be a good product, I'm certain.

Hub

[smokeasaurus]

and I quote from the Weber tease:

We perfected charcoal.
 We perfected gas.
 We perfected electric.
 Pellet, it’s your turn.

[Big Dawg]

BD

[sparky]

I'm thinking about getting a job at Ace hardware just to get a discount on one.

[smokeasaurus]

I'm thinking about getting a job at Ace hardware just to get a discount on one.

Let me know Spark, you can purchase two 

[sparky]

I'm thinking about getting a job at Ace hardware just to get a discount on one.

Let me know Spark, you can purchase two 

K.

[smokeasaurus]

This is from Chris over at the weber virtual bullet forum:

I have it on good authority that Weber has two new pellet grills hitting the market in Jan/Feb/Mar 2020 called Weber SmokeFire.

 The smaller 24" model sells for $999 and is similar to the Traeger Ironwood 780. The larger 36" model sells for $1199 and is similar to the Traeger Ironwood 885. Both grills are WiFi ready and include a better LCD screen than their Traeger counterparts. A new optional system called Weber Connect ($129) will offer WiFi connectivity via an enhanced iGrill-like tool that integrates with Alexa, so Alexa can tell you when your food is ready.

 Both grills utilize a version of Weber's Flavorizer bar system to evenly distribute heat throughout the grill. Operating temperatures as high as 600°F can be achieved for searing in 15 minutes. Something about Flavorizer bars at each end of the grill and a solid surface between them in the middle.

Weber is trying to innovate and improve over the shortcomings of competitive offerings. Noting how often augers get clogged up, Weber's solution is to use a vertical auger system instead of horizontal. Pellets are fed at an upward angle until they fall into the fire pot. The new Weber pellet grills have a center-mounted auger and improved ash handling over Traeger grills.

 Each grill will hold an entire bag of pellets. Weber will offer a pellet blend, as well as individual flavors like apple, hickory, etc. Twenty pound bags of pellets will sell for $16.99. In an attempt to address the concern of "lack of smoky flavor" from pellet grills, Weber pellets will feature a larger percentage of "flavor wood" vs. "base wood" as compared to competitive pellets.

The lid design is similar to Traeger, but plays on the look and construction of Genesis gas grill lids in terms of black porcelain-enameled coating, chrome banding on each end of the lid, and a chrome handle.

 At this time, I have no information on whether these grills are being made by Weber or made for Weber, and no indication of country of origin.

 Also, it's my understanding that the Weber pellet grill photo at KettleFreaks.com is a real product photo. You'll note in the photo that the grill has no front shelf, we'll have to wait and see if Weber offers an optional shelf like Traeger does for its Pro Series grills. My guess is that in addition to profitable pellets, these grills will present an opportunity for many new profitable accessories from Weber.

 As I get more info, I will post it.

Here is the link to kettle freaks that has the first photo:

https://kettlefreaks.com/blogs/news/leaked-weber-pellet-grill-coming-soon

[Pappymn]

Good write up Smoke


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[akruckus]

[smokeasaurus]

So after reading up on what Chris found out from the good folks at Weber I have some concerns:

having the auger feed the pellets upstream, I believe Weber is addressing dust that builds up in the auger?

Will it just sift back down to the hopper?

After seeing the leaked picture, where is the hopper.

Also, I hope the auger motor is a heavy duty type since it will have to work harder according to the uphill path of the auger to the fire pot

It must sit lower than most hoppers if the pellets are going to travel uphill slightly..................

I think it is a rear mount hopper similar to the Rec Tec Bull??

I was really hoping Weber would honor their past by making the pellet offering more kettle shaped.

I feel the kettle design would be a perfect format for a pellet grill.

Tents Stoven on the Weber was what I was anticipating.

Grilla Grills has a round model that is unique to the pellet industry and a Weber Pellet Kettle would have been sweet.

Make it the 26.75 size and you would only have to run one model out instead of two.

As for the leaked picture: I am not too impressed...............but time will tell as more info comes out