Traeger Ironwood 885 vs Weber SmokeFire EX6: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
Traeger Ironwood 885 vs Weber SmokeFire EX6 2026 pellet grill comparison covering build quality, temperature range, smoke flavor, app, capacity, and price.
Quick Verdict
Pick the Traeger Ironwood 885 if you want a true low and slow smoker that holds 165 to 500 degrees rock steady, runs on the polished Traeger app, and rewards patience over fire. Pick the Weber SmokeFire EX6 if you want one grill that smokes brisket all morning and sears steak hot to 600 degrees the same evening. The Traeger is the better pure smoker. The SmokeFire is the better all in one if you want grill marks and bark from the same machine.
Pellet grills are the fastest growing segment of the backyard cooking market, and two rivals dominate the conversation in 2026. The Traeger Ironwood 885 is the polished mid premium smoker that built the category. The Weber SmokeFire EX6 is the second generation pellet rebel that wants to replace your gas grill, your charcoal kettle, and your dedicated smoker all at once. Both burn hardwood pellets, both connect to Wi Fi, and both will run you a serious chunk of money. The differences come down to temperature range, build quality, app polish, and what kind of cook you do most often.
This comparison is built from the way these grills actually behave in a real backyard, not from a marketing spec sheet. By the end you will know which grill is better for brisket, which is better for searing steak, and which is the smarter long term buy for your weekend cooking style.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Traeger Ironwood 885 | Weber SmokeFire EX6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 885 sq in (two tier) | 1,008 sq in (two tier) |
| Main Grate | 30 x 19 in | 36 x 18 in |
| Upper Rack | 30 x 10.5 in | 36 x 10 in |
| Temperature Range | 165 to 500 F | 200 to 600 F |
| Hopper Capacity | 20 lb with pellet sensor | 22 lb |
| Controller | D2 with TurboTemp and Super Smoke | Weber Connect with PID |
| Connectivity | WiFIRE Wi Fi and Bluetooth | Wi Fi and Bluetooth |
| Meat Probes Included | 2 (4 ports) | 1 (4 ports) |
| Insulation | Double sidewall | Single wall, porcelain enamel |
| Power | 120V AC, 95 watts | 120V AC |
| Best Capacity | 10 chickens, 7 rib racks, 9 pork butts | 30 plus burgers, full packer brisket |
| Approx Price | $1,499 to $1,699 | $1,199 to $1,299 |
| Best For | Low and slow smoking | All in one smoke and sear |
Build Quality and Design
The Traeger Ironwood 885 looks like a piece of premium outdoor gear. The cabinet is double walled with insulation between the layers, which keeps temperature stable in cold weather and on long overnight cooks. The lid hinges are stout, the side shelves are solid steel, and the cart fits 20 pounds of pellets without sagging. Powder coat finish holds up to weather better than the older Pro series and should still look good after three seasons outside.
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 takes a different approach. Single wall body in porcelain enamel that resembles a kettle grill scaled up, an extra wide cooking chamber for whole packer briskets, and an angled hopper at the back rather than the side. Build quality is solid for the price, and the porcelain enamel resists rust better than painted steel. Where the SmokeFire pulls ahead is the deeper firepot that handles searing without scorching the auger. Where it falls short is winter performance: without insulation, the SmokeFire fights cold weather and ambient temperatures below 40 F.
For a grill you keep outside year round, the Ironwood is built better. For pure cooking footprint, the SmokeFire gives you more grate space.
Temperature Range and Versatility
The Traeger Ironwood 885 runs 165 to 500 F. That is plenty for brisket, ribs, pulled pork, baking, and even reverse seared steak. What it cannot do is the high heat sear that turns a ribeye into a steakhouse plate. You can finish a steak at 500 F with grill grates installed, but it is not the same crust as a 600 F sear.
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 runs 200 to 600 F. Six hundred degrees is the magic number. At that temp the SmokeFire genuinely sears: dry rub steaks get a real Maillard crust, smash burgers crisp on contact, and pizza on a stone cooks in 6 minutes. The continuous flavorizer bars channel grease away and the pellets deliver light wood smoke even at high heat. This is the only mainstream pellet grill that can credibly replace a gas grill for searing.
Versatility goes to the SmokeFire. Smoking purists will give up the high heat ceiling for the Ironwood’s tighter low end control.
Smoke Flavor and Quality
This is where pellet grills earn or lose your loyalty. The Traeger Ironwood 885 has Super Smoke Mode, a setting between 165 and 225 F that cycles the auger to maximize smoke output. The flavor is consistent, never overwhelming, and lands in that classic Traeger zone that defined the category. Side by side, the smoke ring on a brisket runs 6 to 8 millimeters deep after a 12 hour cook.
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 produces a slightly heavier smoke profile because the firepot sits closer to the food and pellets combust at lower oxygen flow at low temps. The smoke ring on identical briskets runs 7 to 9 millimeters deep, with a darker bark from the higher rendered fat caramelization. Some pitmasters prefer the SmokeFire’s more assertive smoke. Others find it too aggressive on poultry and fish.
For mainstream pellet smoke flavor, the Ironwood is more universally liked. For pitmasters chasing a deeper smoke ring, the SmokeFire delivers more flavor per cook.
App and Connectivity
The Traeger app is the gold standard in pellet grilling. Set the temp, monitor probes, get a notification when the brisket hits the stall, and turn off the grill from your phone when the cook is done. The recipe library has thousands of step by step guides that talk to the grill, including pre programmed cooks that ramp the temperature on schedule. WiFIRE has been around since 2017 and the bugs have been ironed out. Reliability over a 12 hour cook is excellent.
The Weber Connect app is good but younger. It supports four probes simultaneously, gives step by step doneness guidance, and pushes notifications. Where it lags Traeger is the recipe library: smaller, less varied, and not as deeply integrated with the grill controller. Wi Fi reliability has improved with second generation firmware but still drops connection more often than the Traeger.
App polish goes to Traeger. App functionality is close enough that most cooks will not feel a major gap.
Cooking Capacity
The Ironwood 885 holds 885 square inches across two tiers, which is about 10 whole chickens, 7 rib racks, or 9 pork butts. That is enough for a backyard party of 20. The deeper main grate is good for thick whole turkeys, and the upper rack is sized to keep sausages or appetizers warm.
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 holds 1,008 square inches, which translates to 30 plus burgers, a full packer brisket plus a pork shoulder, or three whole chickens spatchcocked. The wider grate fits an entire brisket without trimming, which matters for serious BBQ cooks. Vertical clearance is also slightly taller, so a stuffed turkey on a beer can stand fits without removing the upper rack.
For sheer space and big cuts, the SmokeFire wins. For balanced family cooking with cleaner footprint, the Ironwood is sufficient.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Pellet grills require maintenance. The Ironwood has a removable grease pan and a side ash cleanout that you brush every 4 to 6 cooks. The double walled body keeps grease drips contained. Annual maintenance includes vacuuming the firepot and replacing the heat shield gasket if it cracks.
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 has a known grease management issue that Weber addressed in the second generation. Grease and ash combine in the body if the grill is not cleaned regularly, which can cause grease fires during high heat searing. The fix is a deeper cleaning cycle: scrape the firepot and grease channel after every cook if you sear, every 4 to 6 cooks if you only smoke. Owners who follow that schedule have no issues. Owners who let grease accumulate have had flare ups.
Cleanliness routines decide which grill is easier to live with. The Ironwood is the more forgiving owner experience. The SmokeFire rewards discipline.
Pros and Cons
Traeger Ironwood 885 Pros
- Double walled insulation for stable cooks year round
- Super Smoke Mode delivers great low and slow flavor
- Polished Traeger app with thousands of recipes
- Two included meat probes
- Pellet sensor in the hopper
- Quieter, more refined fan
Best for: backyard pitmasters who prioritize smoking, app polish, and consistent results in any weather.
Traeger Ironwood 885 Cons
- Top temperature caps at 500 F
- Premium price tag
- Smaller cooking area than SmokeFire EX6
- Searing requires accessory grill grates
Weber SmokeFire EX6 Pros
- True 200 to 600 F range, sears like a gas grill
- Largest cooking area in this price class at 1,008 sq in
- Heavier, deeper smoke ring on long cooks
- Porcelain enamel finish resists rust
- 22 pound hopper for long overnight cooks
- Lower starting price than the Ironwood
Best for: cooks who want one grill that smokes brisket and sears steak without compromise.
Weber SmokeFire EX6 Cons
- Single wall body struggles in cold weather
- Requires aggressive cleaning to avoid grease fires
- Weber Connect app is less polished than Traeger
- Hopper position can clog if pellets get damp
Best For Recommendations
Best for Brisket and Low and Slow
Traeger Ironwood 885. The double walled body holds 225 F in any weather, the Super Smoke Mode delivers consistent flavor, and the Traeger app holds your hand through a 14 hour cook. This is the smoker that wins competitions in the pellet category.
Best for Searing Steak
Weber SmokeFire EX6. Six hundred degrees changes the math. The SmokeFire actually sears, which means you can reverse sear a thick ribeye on the same grill that smoked a pork shoulder that morning. No accessory grates required.
Best for Cold Climate Cooking
Traeger Ironwood 885. Insulation matters when you smoke through a cold winter weekend. The Ironwood holds temp at 25 F outside without burning extra pellets. The SmokeFire fights the cold and burns through hopper faster.
Best for App Experience
Traeger Ironwood 885. The Traeger app is more reliable, more deeply integrated with the controller, and has the largest pellet recipe library on the market.
Best for Value
Weber SmokeFire EX6. About $200 to $400 less than the Ironwood, more cooking area, and a wider temperature range. You give up insulation and the polished app, but for the money the SmokeFire is the more grill per dollar.
Best for Big Crowds
Weber SmokeFire EX6. A full packer brisket fits without trimming, and the 1,008 square inch grate handles 30 burgers without crowding. For tailgates and family reunions, the extra space pays off.
FAQ
Can the Traeger Ironwood 885 actually sear steak?
Yes, with caveats. At 500 F using the included grill grate, you get good marks but not steakhouse crust. Adding a GrillGrate sear panel gets you closer. For the best sear, the SmokeFire’s 600 F is a better tool.
Does the Weber SmokeFire EX6 require a special pellet brand?
No. Any food grade hardwood pellet works. Weber sells branded pellets but third party Lumber Jack, B and B Charcoal, and Bear Mountain pellets all run cleanly. Avoid heating pellets or oak softwood blends.
Which grill burns more pellets per hour?
The SmokeFire EX6 burns about 2 pounds per hour at 225 F and 4 pounds per hour at 500 F. The Ironwood 885 burns about 1.5 pounds per hour at 225 F because the insulated body retains heat better. For long cooks, the Ironwood is more pellet efficient.
Can I smoke a 16 pound brisket without trimming on the Ironwood 885?
Most full packer briskets fit on the 30 inch main grate without trimming the point. If your brisket is closer to 18 pounds, you may need to remove the upper rack and angle the brisket diagonally.
Are pellet grills safe to leave running overnight?
Yes, both grills are designed for unattended overnight cooks with proper setup. Place the grill on a non combustible surface, away from siding, and keep a clean grease pan. The Wi Fi notifications on both grills will alert you if temperature drops or pellets run low.
Does the SmokeFire EX6 have grease fire issues?
The first generation had grease management problems. The second generation EX6 (the one currently sold) addressed those issues with a deeper grease channel and improved firepot, but it still rewards regular cleaning. Scrape the firepot and grease channel after every sear. Smoking at low temps generates little grease and requires less frequent cleaning.
Which grill should I buy if I am new to pellet grills?
The Traeger Ironwood 885. The app is friendlier, the recipes are more guided, and the maintenance routine is more forgiving. Once you have 20 cooks under your belt and want more searing power, the SmokeFire is a great upgrade or addition.
Final Recommendation
Both grills earn their place in 2026’s premium pellet category. The Traeger Ironwood 885 is the better pure smoker thanks to its insulated body, polished app, and rock steady low and slow performance. It is the safer pick for cooks whose ideal weekend is a 12 hour brisket and a cold drink in the shade.
The Weber SmokeFire EX6 is the better all in one if you want to retire your gas grill alongside your old smoker. Six hundred degrees of real searing power, more cooking area, and a price that runs a few hundred dollars less make it the smarter buy if your cooking is half low and slow, half high heat.
For most readers in 2026, the Ironwood 885 is the recommendation because the smoke quality and app polish add up to a better daily experience. For cooks who want one grill that does everything, the SmokeFire EX6 is the better functional choice.
Ready to Pick Your Pellet Grill
Disclosure: VersusNest earns a commission on qualifying purchases through Amazon affiliate links. This costs you nothing and helps keep our reviews independent.
Related Comparisons
Want the direct side-by-side view?
Jump from editorial advice into the faster research paths when you already know the two products or model numbers you want to compare.