Weber Searwood XL 600 Pellet Grill Review: BBQGuys Ultimate Guide for 2025

The Weber Searwood XL 600 represents a significant leap forward in the pellet grill market with an impressive 972 square inches of cooking space and temperature range from 180°F to 600°F offering unmatched versatility for smoking, roasting, and high-heat searing.

The Weber Searwood XL 600 stands as a testament to precision engineering in the pellet grill market. The Rapid React™ PID digital controller maintains temperature accuracy with remarkable consistency, bringing the grill to cooking temperature in 15 minutes or less—even from a cold start. This quick heating capability saves valuable preparation time and ensures you're cooking rather than waiting. Temperature control ranges from a low 180°F for proper smoking to an impressive 600°F for serious searing—a range that exceeds many competing models. The entire 630 square inch main cooking surface becomes a DirectFlame™ sear zone, eliminating the common pellet grill limitation of having only a small designated searing area. The side-mounted 20-pound hopper provides sufficient fuel capacity for extended cooking sessions without the need for refilling. During longer smokes, this generous capacity means less monitoring and more consistent temperatures throughout your cooking process.

The integrated Weber Connect system transforms the Searwood XL 600 into a smart cooking station. The built-in LCD display provides essential information at a glance, from current grill temperature to food probe readings. Connectivity options include both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing seamless monitoring via the Weber Connect smartphone app. The app experience extends beyond simple temperature monitoring with detailed cooking graphs that track thermal performance throughout your session. Customizable alerts notify you when your food reaches target temperatures—particularly valuable during long smoking sessions when you'd rather not hover over the grill. The system sends notifications when it's time to flip food, check temperatures, or when cooking is complete. The Weber Connect platform continues to improve through regular firmware updates, ensuring your investment maintains cutting-edge performance over time. This future-proofing aspect separates Weber from manufacturers who provide static technology without improvement pathways.

The Searwood XL 600 demonstrates impressive temperature stability, maintaining set points even after opening the lid—a critical feature when checking or flipping food. The PID controller quickly adjusts fuel and airflow to recover from temperature drops, minimizing cooking disruptions. Weber's DirectFlame™ technology represents a significant advantage over competitors' diffused-heat designs. The system allows flames to reach the cooking surface directly when searing is needed, creating authentic grill marks and Maillard reaction browning that many pellet grills struggle to achieve. At low temperatures, the SmokeBoost™ setting (180°F) optimizes smoke production and absorption into foods like brisket, ribs, and pork shoulder. This function creates the characteristic smoke ring and flavor profile BBQ enthusiasts demand without requiring advanced techniques or constant adjustments. Temperature distribution across the cooking surface shows generally consistent performance, though some users report slight variances between the center and edges—a common characteristic in most grills regardless of fuel type. These minor variations rarely affect cooking results significantly.

Design and Build Quality Considerations

The porcelain-enameled steel construction balances durability with effective heat retention. This coating technology, long used in Weber's traditional grills, provides weather resistance and simplifies cleaning compared to raw steel or painted surfaces. Mobility features include an ergonomic handle and rugged wheels, though at approximately 158 pounds, moving the unit requires some effort. The grill lacks casters on one side, making tight turns and precise positioning somewhat challenging on certain surfaces. The front-access "pull-and-clean" system significantly simplifies maintenance, with slide-out ash and grease collection trays that require minimal effort to empty and clean. This thoughtful design element addresses a common pain point with pellet grills—the cleanup process. Workspace limitations represent one potential drawback. The integrated side shelf provides minimal preparation space, potentially requiring additional accessories for serious cooking sessions. This contrasts with some competitors that include larger side tables or prep areas in their standard configuration. Weber's warranty coverage reflects confidence in build quality, offering 5 years on the cookbox and 3 years on electrical components, sensors, and grates. This coverage exceeds industry standards and provides meaningful consumer protection for a significant investment.

Setup and Everyday Usability

Initial assembly requires moderate mechanical skills and approximately 1-2 hours for most users. The illustrated instructions provide clear guidance, though having a second person available helps with mounting the heavier components during setup. The control interface presents a short learning curve for most users. The LCD display and control knob system require some familiarization, particularly for accessing advanced features and settings. Similar acclimation applies to the Weber Connect app, though most users report becoming comfortable with both systems after 2-3 cooking sessions. The side-mounted hopper design facilitates straightforward pellet loading without awkward reaching or straining. However, the system lacks a pellet cleanout door for changing wood flavors—requiring users to burn through or manually remove pellets when switching varieties. Regular maintenance includes emptying the ash and grease collection systems after approximately 3-5 cooking sessions, depending on usage. The porcelain surfaces clean easily with standard grill brushes and mild detergents when needed. Storage considerations remain important given the 50.5"W × 23"D × 45.75"H dimensions. The unit requires protected space when not in use, with a properly fitted cover recommended for outdoor storage to preserve finish and electronic components.

Value Proposition: Is the Searwood XL 600 Worth the Investment?

The Searwood XL 600 positions itself in the premium pellet grill segment with pricing that reflects its advanced feature set. The DirectFlame™ searing capability alone justifies the investment for many users who previously needed separate grills for smoking and high-heat cooking. The comprehensive Weber Connect system provides significant value beyond basic temperature control, offering guided cooking experiences that benefit both novices and experienced grillers. This technology integration represents substantial research and development costs reflected in the price point. Long-term value considerations favor the Searwood XL 600 when accounting for Weber's established customer support reputation and warranty coverage. The company maintains replacement parts availability for discontinued models—suggesting similar support for current products. Pellet consumption efficiency rates comparably to other premium brands, with users reporting approximately 1-2 pounds per hour depending on temperature settings and ambient conditions. This operational cost remains consistent with industry standards and should be factored into ownership calculations. The ideal buyer for the Searwood XL 600 combines serious cooking ambitions with appreciation for technological assistance. The grill particularly suits entertainers and large families who benefit from the expansive 972 square inch total cooking area and versatile temperature range.

The Weber Searwood XL 600 stands as a remarkable achievement in pellet grill design, addressing the long-standing limitations that have kept many serious grillers from fully embracing pellet cooking. With its genuine high-heat searing capability, smart connectivity, and substantial cooking area, it represents excellent value for those who demand versatility without compromise. While the interface presents a slight learning curve and the unit lacks extensive built-in workspace, these minor drawbacks are easily overshadowed by exceptional temperature control, build quality, and cooking performance. For BBQ enthusiasts seeking one grill that truly does it all - from authentic low-and-slow smoking to steakhouse-quality searing - the Searwood XL 600 earns our highest recommendation.