Engadget’s February 7, 2025 review gives the Weber Searwood 80/100 and describes it as a more versatile, more reliable successor to the SmokeFire. Its appeal is the broad 180–600°F range, low-temperature smoking and high-heat searing in one pellet grill. The trade-offs in the review are a SmokeBoost setting limited to 180°F, less-sturdy wheels and legs, and no wireless probe option.
What Engadget’s review says about the Searwood
Billy Steele’s Engadget review, published February 7, 2025, awards the Searwood 80/100. The assessment presents Weber’s second pellet grill as a meaningful improvement on the SmokeFire, which the review describes as prone to temperature fluctuations, pellet-feeding problems and grease fires.
Among the design changes Steele highlights are a side-mounted hopper and a reworked auger path. The review also singles out open-lid manual mode as a notable change, and lists reliable cooking performance and a display that is easy to see from a distance among its positives. Its reported drawbacks are limited SmokeBoost operation, wheels and legs that could be sturdier, and the lack of a wireless probe option. These are the reviewer’s findings, not results from independent testing for this article.
What the Searwood 600 offers
The specifications below are for the US Searwood 600, model #1500120; they should not be assumed to describe the separate XL model. Weber’s Searwood 600 product page, accessed October 8, 2026, lists these details:
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- The Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Smoker Grill has a full temperature range from 180° to 600°F; Lets you smoke, sear, and roast on the same grill; A full grate Sear Zone heats evenly and makes the most of every inch, so you get more food on the flame
- DirectFlame Cooking: Creates flavorful searing, browning, and crisping; With no large sheet diffuser blocking the flame, you can grill and smoke food that looks as good as it tastes, with deep sear marks, golden browning, and crispy bark
- Rapid React PID: Heats grill to set temperature in 15 minutes or less* so you don't have to wait; Temperature recovers quickly after lid is opened; Maintains consistent temperature in cold weather; Cools grill down quickly when you're finished
- SmokeBoost Setting: This setting allows outdoor pellet smoker to maintain temperature at 180°F, optimizing smoke absorption into food and intensifying the flavor of your cooking
- Accessories: Rust-resistant griddle insert transforms smoker into an outdoor griddle; Heavy-duty rotisserie crisps and browns; WEBER CRAFTED grates and custom-fit grillware let you explore new techniques on pellet grill (all items sold separately)
| Feature | Searwood 600 |
|---|---|
| Temperature range | 180–600°F |
| Cooking area | 648 sq. in. total: 420 sq. in. on the 24 × 17.5 in. lower grate and 228 sq. in. on the upper grate |
| Fuel and power | Wood-fired pellets; 120V power and an 8-foot grounded cord |
| Hopper | 20 lb., listed on Weber’s Searwood 600 Starter Kit page |
| Included probes | Two food probes, listed on Weber’s Searwood 600 Starter Kit page |
| Weight and fittings | 125.4 lb.; one side table, two wheels and three tool hooks, listed on Weber’s Searwood 600 Starter Kit page |
Weber describes DirectFlame cooking and a full-grate sear zone, intended to make the grill useful for both smoking and high-heat cooking. The 600’s listed 180–600°F range is unusually broad for a pellet-grill setup, but those features do not mean every cook will produce the same sear or smoke profile; results depend on the food, fuel and cooking conditions.
Does it improve on the SmokeFire?
The review’s case for improvement rests on both a redesign and reported cooking reliability. Moving the hopper to the side and reworking the auger address parts of the pellet-handling layout associated with the SmokeFire’s reported feed problems. Steele’s positive assessment of reliable cooking performance is encouraging for shoppers concerned about the original grill’s temperature fluctuations and grease fires.
Rank #2
- The Weber Searwood XL 600 Pellet Smoker Grill has a full temperature range from 180° to 600°F; Lets you smoke, sear, and roast on the same grill; A full grate Sear Zone heats evenly and makes the most of every inch, so you get more food on the flame
- DirectFlame Cooking: Creates flavorful searing, browning, and crisping; With no large sheet diffuser blocking the flame, you can make food that looks as good as it tastes, with deep sear marks, golden browning, and crispy bark
- Rapid React PID: Heats grill to set temperature in 15 minutes or less* so you don't have to wait; Temperature recovers quickly after lid is opened; Maintains consistent temperature in cold weather; Cools grill down quickly when you're finished
- SmokeBoost Setting: This setting allows outdoor pellet smoker to maintain temperature at 180°F, optimizing smoke absorption into food and intensifying the flavor of your cooking
- Accessories: Rust-resistant griddle insert transforms smoker into an outdoor griddle; Heavy-duty rotisserie crisps and browns; WEBER CRAFTED grates and custom-fit grillware let you explore new techniques on pellet grill (all items sold separately)
That is a favorable published review, not proof that every Searwood will be trouble-free or a guarantee against flare-ups. Keep the grill clean and follow Weber’s operating and maintenance guidance. The review supports calling the Searwood a stronger second attempt; it does not establish a universal reliability rate.
Can the Searwood sear as well as smoke?
Weber’s official specification pairs a 180–600°F temperature range with DirectFlame cooking and a full-grate sear zone. That combination makes the Searwood 600 more flexible than a pellet grill intended only for low-and-slow cooking. For smoke-focused cooking, Weber’s SmokeBoost setting maintains 180°F to support smoke absorption.
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Rank #3
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY WOOD-FIRED GRILLING – Works just like your kitchen oven; set a temperature, load your food, and the Westwood handles the rest – no babysitting, no guesswork, no gas or charcoal hassle
- 653 SQ IN COOKING SPACE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – Dual-tier design fits burgers, ribs, chicken, and sides all at once; ideal for backyard cookouts, weekend BBQs, and everyday family dinners
- MONITOR & CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE – WiFIRE technology connects your grill to the Traeger app so you can adjust temps, track your cook, and get dinner-ready alerts right from your phone
- GRILL, SMOKE, BAKE & MORE – 6-in-1 versatility replaces your gas grill, smoker, and outdoor oven; cook low-and-slow brisket at 180°F or crank up to 450°F for seared burgers and baked pizza
- BUILT TO LAST WITH EASY SETUP – Premium steel construction, 18 lb pellet hopper for hours of uninterrupted cooking, integrated side shelf and storage, and P.A.L. Rail accessories to customize your setup
That fixed SmokeBoost temperature is also a specific limitation noted in the review: it works only at 180°F. Weber says the Rapid React PID controller can heat the grill to temperature in 15 minutes or less and recover quickly after the lid is opened, but that heat-up claim is based on lab conditions of 77°F ambient temperature with premium hardwood pellets. It is not a guaranteed everyday warm-up time.
How the controls and connectivity work
The Searwood uses Weber Connect over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote monitoring, control and alerts. Remote ignition is not available: Weber says the grill must be ignited at the unit. Manual mode is designed to maintain steady fuel and fan speed during open-lid cooking, including griddling.
Rank #4
- Enhanced Wood-Fired Flavor: Experience authentic wood-fired cooking with the Traeger Woodridge pellet smoker grill, delivering rich, natural taste and incredible results without the need for gas or charcoal in your backyard.
- Precise Temperature Control: Maintain consistent heat from 180-500°F controlled and monitored from anywhere with the Traeger App. Making it easy to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ on your Woodridge outdoor electric smoker grill for perfect meals every time.
- Versatile 6-in-1 Cooking: Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ all on one outdoor pellet smoker, delivering incredible wood-fired flavor for weeknight dinners, backyard gatherings, and game-day parties.
- Spacious cooking capacity: 860 sq. in. of total cooking area fits up to 6 chickens, 8 rib racks, or 6 pork butts, giving you plenty of space on your Traeger pellet grill to prepare full meals for family dinners, parties, and holidays.
- Easy Cleanup and Convenience: The EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg Simplify cleanup with an easy-to-use system that collects ash and grease in one place for fast disposal, keeping your Traeger pellet grill and smoker running smoothly and ready for your next outdoor cook.
The grill requires a power outlet. Weber says Wi-Fi is not necessary for basic grilling, but recommends connecting the grill so it can access current software and firmware. Plan for outdoor placement near power and leave at least two feet between the grill and walls or other structures, as Weber recommends.
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The Searwood 600 is a plausible fit for someone who wants one pellet grill for smoking and higher-temperature cooking, values app-based monitoring, and has room for a powered outdoor appliance. The review’s favorable view of cooking reliability makes it a more attractive option for buyers wary of the SmokeFire’s reported issues.
Best Value
- SmokeBoost setting maintains ideal temps for deep smoky flavor
- SmoqueVent system circulates smoke for flavor and browning
- Rapid React PID heats up fast and regains temp when lid opens
- Weber Connect digital LCD controller is easy to navigate
- 2 Integrated food probe ports with 2 food probes included
It is less compelling if wireless probes are essential, if sturdier-looking wheels and legs are a priority, or if you want SmokeBoost at temperatures other than 180°F. Buyers comparing the 600 with the Searwood XL should verify the XL’s current cooking area, hopper capacity, footprint, included features and price directly with Weber; the figures here are for the 600 only.
Price, warranty and setup considerations
Weber’s US Searwood 600 page displayed a regular price of $999 when accessed October 8, 2026. Grill prices and promotions can change, so check the current listing before buying. Weber’s product page lists a five-year warranty for the cook box and components not otherwise specified, and three years for electrical components, cooking grates, burn pot, heat diffuser and heat deflector. Verify the warranty terms for the exact model, purchase and market.
Allow space for the grill, the recommended two-foot clearance and a suitable outlet before choosing a location. Weber’s Searwood 600 Starter Kit page lists the included probes and hopper details. A compatible cover or suitable hardwood pellets may be useful ownership purchases, but neither should be treated as a prerequisite beyond the fuel and operating requirements Weber specifies.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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