Weber EX6 vs Traeger (2021): Can the SmokeFire Series Compete?

Not too long ago, Weber launched its answer to Traeger: the SmokeFire series. This isn’t an easy battle to win, of course. After all, Traeger is considered as the pioneer of wood pellet grills. However, the SmokeFire EX6 in particular has shaped up to be quite the opponent.

Arguably, the direct competitor of the SmokeFire EX6 is Traeger’s Timberland series, but we’re comparing it to the Ironwood 650 instead. That’s because these two are priced the same. That way you’d know which smoker you should invest in, paying the same amount regardless of which you choose.

Weber EX6 vs Traeger Comparison Chart

Design

The Weber SmokeFire EX6 and Traeger Ironwood 650 each have another variant, the SmokeFire EX4 and Ironwood 885, respectively.

When it comes to appearance, the Weber SmokeFire EX6 shares design cues with the Traeger Ironwood 650. To be exact, they have sawhorse-like legs with wheels and a sideway barrel for a body. However, the former is bigger, and it’s more comparable to the latter’s sibling, the Ironwood 885. Speaking of, the SmokeFire series has a smaller model called the SmokeFire EX4.

Cooking Performance

You can cook more food on the Weber SmokeFire EX6, but a larger cooking area isn’t everything.

Each grill has something unique to bring to the table. First off, the SmokeFire EX6 has what Weber calls “flavorizer bars.” These don’t only drain grease and excess drippings, but they also prevent runaway flames from burning your food and add an extra smoky flavor. The Traeger Ironwood 650 has something similar. It has a grease tray that pretty much does the same thing, besides diffusing heat.

Now the Weber SmokeFire EX6 has a larger hopper capacity that can hold up to 22 lbs. of pellets. In contrast, the Traeger Ironwood 650 can support up to 20 lbs.

However, it does have a few advantages. For starters, it has a Downdraft Exhaust System that helps retain smoke until it completes a cycle around the barrel. On top of that, it has a Super Smoke mode that reduces the temperature and uses its fan at variable speeds to produce as much smoke as it can for a full-bodied smoky flavor. The SmokeFire EX6 also has a similar feature called SmokeBoost, which Weber recently added via a firmware update.

Additional Features

Clever features are always nice to see, but in the end, how well a smoker can cook is the most important part.

Initially, Weber’s app was spotty at best. However, it ironed out the kinks after some time. As mentioned earlier, it added a new SmokeBoost feature for the SmokeFire series. You can also remotely adjust the temperature now.

Using WiFIRE technology, the Traeger Ironwood 650 can keep you up to date with how your food is cooking. It also lets you control the temperature on the Traeger app.

One thing that makes the Weber SmokeFire EX6 stand out is its ash and grease drawer. It’s a welcome addition, but it’s not as easy to clean as advertised.

Verdict

Traeger’s years of experience really show.

It wasn’t an easy pick, but we’ll have to go with the Traeger Ironwood 650 here. That’s simply because it can impart a rich and woody flavor that’s hard to match. Still, the Weber SmokeFire EX6 has a couple of advantages: it can accommodate more food, reach a higher temperature, and hold more pellets at a time. It even has an ash and grease drawer to boot.

However, what really matters most is how well a smoker can cook.

FAQs