Weber Connect Reviews

by Happy Sender

I have been a loyal Weber user for literally 45 years. As a teen I started grilling for my family on a black kettle. The first thing my spouse and I purchased jointly was a Weber grill. I was a die hard Weber Groupie UNTIL I bought this expensive SmokeFire. It has been a TOTAL and expensive disappointment. Tonight it won’t again connect with my phone and it’s a freaking freezing November night in WI. The whole idea of being connected was that you could easily monitor your cooking. If I want to re-pair it with my phone (which I have done multiple times since purchasing the SmokeFire) you have to totally shut down the entire grill… which takes 15 minutes at least. Then once paired, you have to bring it up to cooking temp. All this takes time… and now it’s late. So dinner is gonna be late AGAIN because of this problematic contraption. I think what bothers me the most is the fact that I held Weber in such high esteem for so long and now they have fallen so low.

by Tasansal

I have 3 Weber grills (summit II, performer, and SmokeFire EX6). I have a built in igrill 3 on the gas, igrill 2 for the charcoal, and the built in controller on the SmokeFire. I have been very happy with igrill app, and hopefully most of its functionality will be ported over with support for igrill units! Besides that it works but lacks a lot of functionality. I’m sure Weber will improve WeberConnect over time.

My biggest complaint is the firmware/software update process for the SmokeFire. It is very ambiguous (it literally says get your phone near the grill and wait 15 minutes WITHOUT any prompts) then reboot the grill and wish for the best. I have been on the phone a couple times with Weber because it just refuses to update the firmware to 4008 no matter what. Followed the instructions to the dot, also on the phone with Weber representative. Tried at least 20 times on different days while trying out WiFi/Bluetooth settings. Never got it to update, and Weber says it is critical to update to 4008 for stability. I can’t tell if WeberConnect is having an issue or the smokefire unit is faulty.

by Skids73

I got Weber connect hardware with my new SmokeFire grill. The hardware works great. WeberConnect is pretty pathetic, not even as good as the old igrill app that has been around for years. The first problem is that you can only see the current temperature for each probe, no time versus temperature plot so you can see the trend and project when your cook is likely to be done. Second, you can only see the data through WeberConnect and not from another device through a we browser. This isn’t a deal breaker (like nit having a time plot), but it’s silly not to provide this when Weber must have it on one of their servers.

If you are buying hardware separately, get a FireBoard, or wait until WeberConnect gets upgraded in a serious way.

by Jevaun

WeberConnect started out pretty strong, but more recently I’ve seen lots of problems.

1) Connecting to the grill at all feels hit-or-miss. Half the time it works, the other half it doesn’t. There’s no clear rhyme or reason.

2) Even when it’s connected, WeberConnect doesn’t always give you the most current information on temperature or timers. Not sure how or why this happened but now you need to tap around to force the info to update.

3) The notifications and alerts went from being useful and descriptive to being something generic like “Weber App needs attention”. This is just terrible for the overall experience. Instead of being informed that the grill is at temperature or that the timer has been completed, there’s a moment of anxiety where the full range of potential problems is on the table because of this poor messaging.

WeberConnect was good at one point. It can get back there, but it needs some love from Weber’s design and dev team.

by Shedonlie

This product was launched way too early and is missing key functionality. It looks like updates are to come, but this is really disappointing for us that are early adopters. The hardware is great, but the software is just not there to support it.

I would suggest that the iGrill app be interfaced with the Connect hardware so we’re not left with an expensive paper weight while the developers work on fixing this.

Notifications do not work on iOS like iGrill did. There’s no noise or vibration, just a small banner. You literally have to stare at the screen or you’ll miss it.

Missing many key meats and the layout is sloppy. This should have a multi-layer menu. Click Steak -> then click thickness -> then click temperature/doneness. Having each thickness of steak and temp in one menu is sloppy. We also need smaller thicknesses of steak. I wish every butcher shop started at 1-1/4” thick, but that’s just not the case.

This is the first time I’ve been disappointed with a Weber product, but I’ll never buy anything electronic from them again without reading reviews.

Feeling burned - pun intended

by Charlie Dragon

I am a rookie griller. The recipes are sparse and incomplete. Look at the recipe for Spare ribs. It tells you in two different places how to remove the membrane, but never tells you the grill temperature to use. Also, when out of range of the grill, the connection between the phone and the grill drops. So you can’t monitor your grill very remotely. But the biggest fail for me is that if you get a flame out, it doesn’t send you a notification, but rather waits for you to check it. So much food gets wasted. I’m 12 days into my 100 day free trial. 3 great meals and 2 abject grill failures so far. I’m really trying to give them a chance, as it is the only smoker/grill combo in existence, but it’s been tough.

by Rrc124

It works, but I can’t believe they didn’t implement native notifications; all alerts (timer, temperature alerts) are only in app. This means if you switch to another app or just sleep your phone there is no alert. Nobody is going to keep WeberConnect active in the foreground, constantly touching their screen to keep their phone awake just to receive the alert. This is such a basic and important point, I don’t know how this design decision was allowed to stand. The only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is that within WeberConnect everything works. They should have skipped the nonsense Recipes feature and instead implemented native notifications and time series.

by Cerzadko

You have access to grilling recipes. You have access to any thermometers that are plugged in and can change target temps. But,. all you can *do* is change the temperature of the grill. You can’t see a graph of its measured temperatures and you can’t ask it to notify you if the grill goes below or above certain temperatures.

You’ll receive notifications to your phone but WeberConnect will give you no indication what it was for. Did the grill achieve its target temperature? Did a thermometer achieve it’s target? Did the grill run out of pellets? Who knows? All of these are possibilities that you’ll have to discover for yourself after opening WeberConnect and poring over its illogical menu structure.

by TheBenoon

Friends, this software is not for serious grillers right now, and has some terrible design. Like crazy-terrible.

It is *not* as featured as the iGrill app—you can’t set a range, you can’t track temperature on a graph (so forget timing your stall when smoking a brisket), you can’t focus on a single probe etc., you can’t save your presets.

It wants you to use walk-throughs built in, complete with timings that tick down ... but which can’t know what kind of cut of meat / weight you have. Man, someone can pitch apps that sound great to execs but which don’t actually answer a need, not even for grilling neophytes (which we all were once, no shame).

Buttons you need to press to get started are, by default, greyed out (go figure), buttons that aren’t greyed-out don’t do anything, a button titled “Settings” isn’t the settings screen, modal buttons don’t return to the previous state when you tap them twice, and so on. This is ... very, very bad.

Verschwinden wir von hier, und nie zurück kommen. Sadly.

by Jlh211

I really like the Weber Connect device and it’s probes, very simple to use and excellent battery life. Plus if you forget to charge it you can still use it plugged in which is awesome.

The real downfall with this platform is the software. There are several things that cheaper or equivalently priced thermometers have that Weber Connect should have but doesn’t.

Some examples of this:
1. There’s no way to calibrate the probes which is super frustrating since I know at least one of them is off by about 10 degrees. This is very simple functionality that would be easy to implement.

2. It doesn’t record the history of your cooks so you can’t go back and reference what you did the last time you made “X”.

3. The alerts are decent but I’d like to see some more robust options.

by Grillmaster12

Being able to use a temp probe with WiFi is fantastic. When you have a cook going all day being able to walk away and still monitor is essential that said WeberConnect needs improvement. The must have feature for me is being able to turn the device off with WeberConnect . As it stands now you have to turn off manually on the device and there is no good indication that the device is turned off. I have inadvertently ran the battery down several times and it’s infuriating when I get ready to cook thinking the device is charged only to find the battery dead. I would also like to see some charting of air temp and temp probe temps but that’s a like to have feature.

by Jdhshabznzsx

This device I like much more then the Weber iGrill options. I just wish I could use the Weber iGrill app with this device, or that WeberConnect had the features. WeberConnect doesn’t have a version available for the Apple Watch like the iGrill does, which would be great. The iGrill also has a chart history feature, just so you can look back and see how it cooked, for those smokes I either messed up or did awesome. I think more focus should go into the actual usable features of the device itself before they continue developing “Grill Procedure help”. I have only accidentally used this feature and had to click through to get back out. Make it more available, equal to or greater then the other options out there for experienced folks, then add the fluff with technique guides etc.

by Waterengnr

I am satisfied by not thrilled with the Weber Connect app. After having used the Weber iGrill app and thermometers on a Weber Genesis II for 3 years, I have to say that the Weber Connect for my SmokeFire grill is somewhat of a step backwards. The step by step instructions for preparation of various foods is nice and generally pretty accurate for excellent results although the extent of the recipes is limited.

My biggest gripe is that there is no feature that allows showing the graph of temperature for each probe. This is helpful when smoking long duration foods like brisket or shoulder. Also, the iGrill offers an iPad version too which is nice to be able to set up the iPad in the kitchen and monitor the graphs over the course of the day.

I’ll keep using the Connect and look forward to when Weber makes some improvements.

by PatentDude

WeberConnect is just ok, but could (and should) be great to be on par with the Weber SmokeFire.

Notifications are spotty. Often they don’t come through and when they do I will get the same notification up to ten times.

The interface is less than intuitive. The grill control button doesn’t look like a button but a header so it can be hard to find. Making it standout would only make sense if they wanted the user interface to be intuitive.

Additionally they don’t have a web interface. Be great to be able to check on the cook in more than one way.

Finally, this is an app for a smoker. Often one
wants to smoke “low and slow” while target a completion time. When cooking a brisket there’s a “stall temp” that you want to watch for and see when the stall stops. This is most easily seen via a graph, yet WeberConnect doesn’t have a graph. PLEASE add a graph for smoker temp and each attached thermometer. Allow us to better use the smoker. Makes one wonder if the programmers aren’t actually using this amazing smoker as if they were a graph would be part of WeberConnect !

by TomP333

I have the igrill 3 (2 of them) on my Smokey mountain and my genesis 2. They are excellent but I need to keep my phone close to the back door where my smoker is. This completely solves the Bluetooth range issue but why didn’t Weber build in the same features it has in the igrill? Track the temp is missing which I use on 10 hour cooks and let’s innovate and add some more then just show the temp. I’ll add a battery review after I’ve done enough research. I’m smoking a rack of short ribs in 40 degree New England today and it’s not showing any signs of temp fatigue.

by Jl3tbone

Happy to see WeberConnect moving in the right direction. Remote monitoring is great and seems very reliable, but I was disappointed seeing that so much of the basic functionality present in the iGrill app was missing here. Improving/adding native notifications and simple temp range/target temp were big (but obvious) steps. Wish I could adjust the temperature range function without having to delete the current and enter a new one (maybe this is just me?). Also hoping that data logging and more make it into the upcoming “big update.” Thought I might have put my hub away for good a few months ago in favor of my trusty iGrill. Glad to see I can use it again, and hopefully it continues to get better!

by Levesque42

This is a solid user interface but doesn’t offer the same functionality as the previous iGrill app. It would be nice if WeberConnect included the time/temperature graphs that are in iGrill, as well as the ability to name timers. The multiple timer feature is great but becomes confusing if you don’t remember what they were for.

I knew going into my purchase that WeberConnect wasn’t perfect, but I am a loyal Weber customer due to their quality products and excellent customer service, so I’m hoping they continue to improve WeberConnect .

by TheIndieArmy

This hardware and software is a great package and I've had no major issues. I do have one major complaint though, stop forcing me to update the software of the device! This is a device that you only use when you need it. That is, when you're grilling. So you just want to be able to get it out, plug the probes in, and come to WeberConnect to set your alert. Problem is if there is a software update there is no way to skip it or close the pop-up for it. So you're forced to do the update instead of just getting grilling. Other problem is these software updates take so long. By time they are done what you have on the grill might be done and you may as well not even bothered getting the Weber Connect out in the first place!

by Itsmechris

The Weber Connect has been a game changer for my barbecue. My smoked brisket, pork shoulder, and more are all so much more delicious on my Weber Kettle with the temperature alerts enable by WeberConnect.

What I would love to see is charts/ data about my cooks. What time did the meat go on the grill, how did temperatures change over time, etc.? Even better if this can be exported to a log file, note, or social media.

I have also been slowed down by some of the updates. Is there a way to have WeberConnect inform me about an update, but let me “snooze” the alert until after my cook? On my most recent cook, this left me cooking blind for the first ~30 minutes while I was bringing my grill up to temperature.

All in all, a great tool and a huge improvement for smoked low and slow cooks. A few software updates would make this even better.

by TheCTod

A while ago I requested the ability to adjust temperature ranges instead of having to cancel and create a new one and now we can!!! Small update but very nice being a few taps away from a range adjustment (if you are waiting for your grill to reach a stable temp for example).

Great job continuing to improve this, there are some minor connection issues but ultimately this system has been great. Happy I bought it 👍.

by Traveler In The US

Weber should not get anywhere I’m this device. It has NO instructions and there is not an on/ off button. It is supposed to pair to the iPhone and it will not. Stick with the iGrill, that product works. It has an on/switch and comes with instructions. The Weber Connect device is shaped very sleekly, but it has no controls. What is really shocking is the device is supposed to give instructions on how to cook. Maybe it does in theory, but the device I received is a paper weight.

by Dellaneva

Well at first I thought it was great. It’s definitely going to be great once they get all the kinks worked out. For example, it was all fine and in English earlier and now it’s in German and there’s not settings to change it back nor is there any google results about it.

The temp reading is awesome. But I wish there was a way to bypass the timer for when the grill is preheating, or at least an explanation for the what the timers on the hub is for. I just wanted to know my read outs but all I was getting was some sort countdown.

by Al Lundquist

I get that this is a new product and I appreciate that these reviews are being responded to and fixes are on the way. But it’s not like Weber was starting from scratch here. The iGrill app has been around for years and works great. Why they would not just basically copy that for this makes no sense. I got mine yesterday and realized I couldn’t monitor ambient temp with a temp range and ended up having to use my igrill to do that. For 130 bucks I shouldn’t have to use two thermometers. This shouldn’t have been shipped until it was ready to go.

by Jasonm057

Man I don’t get why Weber is trying to go this direction with this device. The actual device is awesome and works great. I was keeping an eye on my temps while I was at the grocery store thanks to the WiFi. But whoever was in charge of WeberConnect really dropped the ball. Y’all fixed all the problems of the igrill 2 device that I hated but then you changed WeberConnect . Should have left it the same. Or atleast made a way for the Weber connect to use the igrill app. I would give the actual device a 5 star bet WeberConnect ruined it.

by Macloviooo

The Weber connect device seems to have potential, but WeberConnect is terrible. After crashing several times during the firmware update, it is finally working, but functionality is too limited. As designed, it seems focused on beginners. Yes, some more advanced recipes would be fun, but more importantly, just give us the basics. Alerts for ambient temperature would be critical for smokers or other manually controlled grills. Will WeberConnect ever support the same functionality as igrill? Or can the Weber connect device use the igrill app? Seems crazy that the newer more expensive device has an inferior app to the old one.

by Simm444

Can’t change temp and shutoff smokefire EX6. WeberConnect not showing cook graph, when it shutdown, error codes, and much more is a huge problem! I don’t understand how you can sell me something and expect me to do your beta testing!! The updates are needed ASAP!! The MEATER app is far superior!! Just go buy a company that knows what they are doing because Weber is clearly an old dog that can’t learn new tricks!! I’m furious with my new purchase two days in! The grill and app have too many problems for the price. I would be furious if I was given this grill for free.

by GoBucks!!!!!!!!!

First off, I’m a huge fan of Weber products! Love my Performer Deluxe and Smokey Mountain. App connected easily to hardware. Was easy to set up. Got it connected to WiFi quickly and seamlessly. Very easy plug and play. However, 2 huge misses for me with WeberConnect as it is right now. I know the developer says more is coming, but wanted to share the feedback. 1. No way to graph cook information and 2. No way to set a temperature range for the ambient probe (I find this the most frustrating as an ambient probe comes in the box!). Those were 2 of my 3 favorite features from iGrill (3rd being alert when food hit target temp).

by Fish4funjb

From developers notes, still no audible alerts after update. Like I said before I’d get prompts before now invest nothing. Installed it, deleted it rebooted my phone installed again. Volume up on high and again nothing. Please get help in development

by 1Sparky351

I wish there was a super Smoke setting for
More smoke. Also maybe more precise fan speed to make this happen? The fan doesn’t need to run at full speed all the time. When the grill first lights off there is a great amount of smoke, then the fan kicks to high and gets super hot quickly, sometimes too hot. I’ve found when grill reaches temp to leave it alone for a couple Of minutes.

by JHawk8

Please update so it can be used in landscape mode and an actual iPad app. I use my iPad in the kitchen in landscape and WeberConnect would fit right in. The video is too small to see on the iPhone in vertical mode. Otherwise, seems to be good start. I get my smokefire grill next week. I’ll update this when I connect it with Bluetooth and wifi.

by Meg_aggie

How am I to know the food is done if there are NO SOUNDS. Got for my hubby for Valentines Day. It works great but 1 critical piece is missing. Sound. We have nearly ruined meat because it does not have SOUND alerts. Over cooked smoked Wagyu Ribeye is a crime.

When are you planning on rolling out sound? Can’t rate above a 3 with out sound and vibration. Thanks and happy grilling.

by CydeWeyz

I’ve had a few hiccups with the current update but overall this is great functionality that’s been added. WeberConnect still needs many more features but I guess that’s why it hasn’t reached 1.0+ releases yet.

by Mike Of Mics

It works as it is, easy enough time pairing it and getting it onto my network.

I do like the fact that I can remotely monitor (like go to the store and still be in touch with my temp probe).

There are two key things that I would like to see in the near future, and WEBER will earn the fifth star;

1) the ability to set a temperature range (with a tolerance) and get an alert when my smoker strays. (i.e... I want to set it for 225 and have a warning if I stray +- X degrees from the target).

2) a historical graph feature, so I can look back through a cool to see if my temps have strayed.