I’ve had countless traumatic experiences trying to grill. From serving a party raw chicken drumsticks to burgers that tasted worse than the charcoal used to cook them, I’ve discovered a variety of ways to make otherwise delicious meats inedible. Then, Weber sent me the Searwood XL 600 Pellet Grill to review. It’s changed everything. Grilling is now enjoyable and much more delicious. In fact, I’d estimate that I’ve grilled and smoked more this summer than the rest of my life combined.
After spending a whole summer making everything from brisket and pulled pork to zucchini and corn on the cob, here are my big, smoky thoughts.
Buy the Weber Searwood XL 600 Pellet Smoker Grill
Setup and First Impressions
I was intimidated by the Weber Searwood when it first arrived in a semi-truck in a box the size of Andre the Giant’s coffin and weighing nearly as much. Plus, I’d heard horror stories of colleagues taking 4+ hours to put grills together. Yet, the Weber was incredibly easy. I like that it comes with paper directions. Or, you can use the BILT app for interactive 3D instructions. Overall, it took me about 90 minutes to assemble. Thirty minutes of that was removing the packaging, and another five was seamlessly connecting to the Weber app.
However, as I write this, you can get free professional assembly on Amazon, including packaging removal, which will save you on trash day.
What We Liked about the Grill
The main pros of the Weber Searwood XL 600 Grill are
- Durable build quality
- Incredibly versatile
- Precise temperature control
As I put the grill together, I was impressed with how durable the rust-resistant aluminum cookbox felt. The overall weight of the unit is 158 pounds. You don’t get that kind of heft by skimping on materials. Yet, thanks to the wheels, the grill is easy for one person to move around. That came in handy when I decided to move the grill to the front yard to make Costco hot dogs for anyone who walked by.
The grill seamlessly transitions from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat grilling. I smoked ribs, and while they rested, I cranked the heat to grill marinated chicken thighs. You might have a harder time doing that with a non-smart grill, especially if you’re a beginner.
Consistent temperatures are a must when smoking meats for several hours, and the Weber Searwood nails it. Plus, you can monitor everything on the app. While at the movies, I noticed the internal temperature was getting close to my target, so I dropped the smoker’s heat down to slow the cook until I could get home.
What We Didn’t Like
It’s too big! There are only three of us in the house. The 972-square-inch cook surface is much more than we need. I often found myself cooking for the neighbors, passersby, and people recovering from surgery, simply because I had extra space on the grill. Weber makes a smaller version that’s 648 square inches. Or, you can freeze-dry your leftovers.
The grill has minimal workspace. Instead, you have to craft your own out of old cardboard boxes, salvaged wood, pieces of lint, and your family Bible…or buy additional shelves.
Weber claims you have to use their wood pellets in the grill. They’re pretty pricey ($20 for 20 pounds). Instead, I used Kirkland ($13 for 40 pounds) and didn’t have any issues.
Lastly, the on-unit controls are somewhat difficult to understand. I recommend keeping the manual handy until you get the hang of it.
Who Should Buy the Weber Searwood XL 600 Grill?
The Weber Searwood XL 600 is the ideal grill for
- Home cooks who want high-quality grilled and smoked meats without the learning curve
- Folks who frequently host parties and want to make a lot of food without babysitting the grill
- Large families
But not so much for
- Budget-conscious grillers
- Infrequent grillers
Buy the Weber Searwood XL 600 Pellet Smoker Grill
