Weber Barbecues Weber Searwood Cleaning and Maintenance Guide

The Weber Searwood Pellet Barbecue is built for big flavour, versatility, and good times in the backyard. From quick weeknight pizzas to long weekend briskets, it delivers wood-fired character every time. To keep it cooking at its best, a little maintenance goes a long way. 

Cleaning your Searwood isn’t about fuss or ceremony — it’s about keeping things simple, safe, and ready for whatever’s next on the menu. With its smart design, easy-clean system, and a few handy tools, the Searwood makes upkeep just another part of the barbecue experience. 

Think of this as the reset button. A quick check before each cook means your barbecue heats faster, cooks evenly, and stays safe. 

Before each session: 

1. While the barbecue is cold, remove the cooking grills and use the included cookbox scraper to scrape grease and ash from the large Flavorizer bar before removing it.
2. Scrape the grease and ash from the cookbox and push it into the grease tray.
3. Remove the drip pan and replace it with a new disposable Weber Drip Pan.
4. Reinstall all components securely.
5. Fill the hopper with Weber All Natural Hardwood Pellets.
6. Once preheated, use a stainless steel grill brush to clean the cooking grills. The Weber Grill Brush is perfect for this.

These checks take only a few minutes but ensure your barbecue runs smoothly from the very first spark.

Like any great barbecue, the Searwood needs a deeper clean now and then. Build this into your cooking routine to keep it running like new. Here’s Weber’s recommended schedule: 

• Before every cook: Clean the grease tray and replace the disposable drip pan. 
• After 12 hours of use or 9 sessions: Remove the cooking grills, Flavorizer bar, diffuser, and heat deflector. Scrape the cookbox, empty the burn pot, and clean out the grease system. 
• After long low-and-slow cooks: Clear out any leftover grease before cranking up to high heat. 
• Pellet care: Empty the hopper and clean the auger tube every 4 weeks if using regularly, or every 2 weeks if not. Do this more often in humid conditions. 

Important: Always allow your barbecue to completely cool and unplug it from power before cleaning. Never spray your Searwood with a garden hose or power washer — this can damage the electronics. 

1. After proper shutdown and full cooldown, unplug the barbecue. 

2. Open the lid and scrape the inside clean with the cookbox scraper or grill brush. 

3. Brush the cooking grills in place, then remove and set aside. 

4. With the Flavorizer bar, heat diffuser, and heat deflector in place, scrape them clean before removing. 

5. Scrape down the inside of the cookbox, directing grease and debris into the grease tray. 

6. Loosen the wing screws and remove the burn pot. Empty out ash and pellet debris, wipe clean, then reinstall. 

7. Pull out the grease tray, scrape it down, and replace the disposable drip pan. Push everything back securely. 

8. Reinstall the heat deflector, diffuser, Flavorizer bar, and cooking grills. 

Tip: Always replace your disposable drip pan frequently to prevent grease build-up and keep your cooks safe. 

Your Searwood’s hopper and auger tube feed pellets to the fire, so keeping them clean ensures consistent performance. 

• For regular use: empty and clean every 4 weeks.
• For less frequent use: every 2 weeks. 
• In high humidity: clean even more often to prevent pellet swelling. 

1. After cooldown and unplugging, place a bucket under the hopper release chute and pull the pellet release handle to empty pellets. 
2. Remove two screws at the front of the hopper to release the EZ Access Maintenance Panel. 
3. Disconnect the wire clip from the motor, remove the six screws from the mounting bracket of the auger/motor assembly, then slide and twist the auger out from the auger tube. 
4. Clean out any debris or residual pellets from the auger and tube. 
5. Reinstall the auger/motor assembly, reconnect the wiring, and close. 

The Searwood makes it easy to experiment with smoke flavours — like hickory for bold brisket, apple for sweet ribs, or cherry for poultry. If you want to swap pellets between cooks, here’s how: 

1. Place a bucket under the hopper chute. 
2. Pull the pellet release handle to empty the hopper. 
3. Store unused pellets for future use in an airtight container to protect against moisture. 

Pro Tip: Fresh pellets snap cleanly when broken. If they crumble, it’s time for a new bag — stale pellets can affect both flavour and performance. 

Clear the auger tube every few weeks or before storage to keep the feed system running smoothly. 

Finishing a cook is just as important as starting one. Proper shutdown empties the auger, clears the burn pot, and ensures the smoker is safe, cooled, and ready for next time. 

1. Remove your food, unplug any probes, and close the lid. 
2. Hold the main control dial for three seconds to begin shutdown. 
3. The display will confirm shutdown with a countdown timer.
4. Once finished, let the barbecue cool completely before unplugging.

Your Searwood is built tough for year-round use, but it is also made to be the centrepiece of your backyard, so here’s how to keep it looking its best. 

• Stainless steel surfaces: Clean with a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner and a soft cloth, always wiping with the grain. The Weber Stainless steel and metal protectant is a handy product to keep the stainless looking like new. 
• Porcelain-enamelled, painted, and plastic parts: Wash with warm soapy water, rinse lightly, and dry thoroughly. 
• Harsh conditions: If you live near the coast, a pool, or in tough weather, wipe down more often and apply stainless steel cleaner weekly to prevent rust. 

A Weber Premium Barbecue Cover will keep your Searwood 600 or Searwood XL 600 looking great. It keeps the elements at bay, so when it’s time to fire up again, your barbecue is ready to look the part as well as perform.

Regular cleaning means: 

• Better flavour with no old grease or ash interfering. 
• Consistent performance thanks to clear airflow and a clean burn pot. 
• Longer lifespan with components that stay protected from grease and buildup. 
• Safer smoking by reducing the risk of flare-ups. 

Think of it less as “chores” and more as part of the Searwood lifestyle — quick steps that protect your barbecue and keep the food coming. 

Outdoor cooking is all about freedom, flavour, and fun. Keeping your Weber Searwood Pellet Barbecue clean means you spend less time worrying and more time cooking. From low-and-slow briskets to quick weeknight pizzas, your Searwood will always be ready to deliver wood-fired perfection.