I have just reviewed the SmokeFire Owner's Manual (
https://weber.mizecx.com/retrieve/s3/knowledge/WEBER_OG/51779/6096_51779.pdf) and feel it necessary to clarify your above statement (in bold).
Weber advises that a disposable drip pan is to be used in the "Ash and Grease System Drawer". On page 32, Maintenance, Recommended Cleaning, #8, it states "
Frequently replace the disposable drip pan before igniting the grill to reduce the risk of a grease fire.". This is not the same as giving instructions requiring the use of drip pans within the body of the smoker, as that is why there is a "grease system" to drain it away.
As Justin has already stated, Weber only advocated the possible use of a water pan. This is found on page 14, Grill Operation, Grilling Methods, where it reads "
NOTE: When grilling or smoking over a longer period of time, WEBER encourages the use of a water pan inside the cookbox". This is the
ONLY reference that I found mentioning a pan inside, and at no point does it suggest that the use of the water pan is to catch grease that the design is insufficiently able to handle.
If your Owner's Manual is different than the one I included the link to, and if your directives are different, then could you please share that information? Otherwise, I am unclear why you feel the need to demean those who are using their new cookers in a reasonable manner (according to Weber's own manual), and assign blame to them.