For centuries, cooking has been a habit in every home, one of the oldest ways to do this is with fire. Nowadays, we still use fire in the same way as our ancestors, but we also have the option to make it easier with smart grills, that is .
Compared to regular grills, smart grills tend to charge a premium for powerful tech capabilities. However, the price difference may be a bit much for some people, especially those who tend to fry large groups. For example, the natural gas version of the Weber Genesis SPX-435 costs $1,899.95 at Walmart and $1,849 at Home Depot, while the natural gas model Weber Genesis S-435 sells for $1,749 at ABT. In terms of key features being compared, both the SPX-435 and S-435 have the same dimensions, cooking surface sizes, warming racks, and number of burners. The main difference is that the SPX-435 has WEBER Connect, a built-in display, and LED lights, which add up to a $100 to $150 price difference. Although it is important to note that the smart version seems to be difficult to find, as it is out of stock on major online sales platforms, such as ABT, Amazon, and Home Depot.
So, if you’re in the market for a new grill and on the fence about making a smart investment, here are some reasons why it’s not for everyone and when it might be worth the investment in your particular situation.
Why smart grills aren’t for everyone
According to some Reddit users, smart grills can be a pain when you have to consider their location. A PeanutTrader user lamented that they didn’t have outdoor electricity nearby, while another Reddit user lamented how they didn’t want electricity because “There are so many things wrong. I keep my grills outside, where we have four seasons.” Among the many useless tech in electronics we’ve listed before, Reddit user wildcat12321 also shared the same sentiment that a good Bluetooth thermometer might already be enough for your needs. If your smart grill has a touch screen, it also presents many concerns, especially for people with vision problems. Like other IoT devices, smart grills are not immune to security breaches, especially if you don’t see the early warning signs.
It is also important to note that the warranty coverage for smart parts may differ from that for every grill. For example, Weber’s Smart FS38X Gas Grill (Natural Gas) lists a 15-year warranty on the cooking box assembly and lid and a 10-year warranty on its stainless steel heating tubes, cooking grates, and flavorizers. However, it only has a 3-year warranty for its smart components. And if you’re hoping to become an experienced griller, going straight to smart grills may prevent you from learning the skills needed to live without them. Although, according to one Reddit user, some smart grills can work like regular grills when unplugged.
When might upgrading to a smart grill be worth it?
Some more advanced models, like the Weber Summit Smart FS38X, make grilling less intimidating for people who do it less. With its Smart Control technology, it not only tells you where to put your ingredients, but also adjusts the temperature itself and tells you when it’s ready. If you don’t have someone in your life to teach you, it can help remove both the guesswork and the mental burden. If you tend to host a lot of people, remote alerts can be a game changer, especially if you’re cooking multiple dishes at once. You’ll also get more consistency, especially with meats that take hours to cook. Reddit user xHeyEngx shared “Between the kids’ soccer games and the band’s songs sometimes I still want to BBQ but I don’t have time to make a fire all day.”
If you live in an apartment or condo unit with strict no-flame policies, you’ll need a full range of electric grills, so it might make sense to get a smart one. For example, Current Backyard’s G, G+, and G2 models aren’t just all-electric; they also work with a companion app that includes recipes, temperature guides, and manual settings. Finally, there is still no smart grill available for sale that can handle itself, so technically, even the most advanced smart models can only be useful.