What is the Hamer of Large Gas Grills?

[kizanski]

It looks like my Weber Summit 650 has cooked its last burger, so it's time for a replacement.

What I'm looking for is something built like a tank - my dear, departed Weber lasted 20 years of year-round use, never covered, never a problem - stainless steel, at least 6 burners, natural gas, and at least 36" wide cooking area.

The one in the photo below is like mine with the cast iron lid (except mine is forest green).
 

[Camstone]

Perhaps you have answered your own question? If your Weber has served you so well for so long, what about replacing it with the same thing? Looks like they still make the Summit 620. My Weber is coming up on 15 years old. 

http://www.weber.com/grills/series/summit/summit-e-620

 

[killerteddybear]

Any chance you can restore your 650? Might be cheaper than a new one.

Or, get the Weber Summit E-670.

[Dave Scepter]

Weber grills ARE the best!.. probably doesn't pertain to you however, I'm a charcoal/wood griller & use them in conjunction with a Kamado "egg" grill almost every day here in sunny Arizona & my Weber's have lasted for years and years~ 

You're grates are probably shot & will cost to much to rebuild huh? I would buy another Weber~

[Lockbody]

Gas? Why not just cook on the stove in the kitchen? 

Picking up a Weber Performer Deluxe next weekend to celebrate restaining the deck. The copper one sure has "the look". 

[cynic]

3 hours ago, kizanski said:

my dear, departed Weber lasted 20 years of year-round use, never covered, never a problem

This doesn't happen with ordinary grills.  Stick with extraordinary.

[Teh]

Another Weber Summit owner here.  It's a Timex -- Takes a licking and keeps on ticking...

 

[kizanski]

I have no problem springing for another Weber grill. I'm not in love with the idea of spending upwards of $2,000 for a grill, but that's what they cost. That's what I spent 20 years ago for this one, and I think I got my money out of it.

One problem I have with buying another one is that this one is like a family member.
Poe has eaten marvelous meats from this grill.  REE-shard has eaten marvelous meats from this grill. My wife will shovel a path from the deck door to it to grill in the dead of winter in order to do what needs to be done. So I have a hard time rolling it to the town dump and giving it the heave-ho.

My other reservation to buying another is my fear that they are not made like that any longer. In fact, what I'm reading from customer reviews tells me that is the case.

The problem with keeping it is that I'm having a hard time getting the replacement parts that it needs; burners, ignitors, "flavor bars" and assorted hardware to hold it all together.

If there is another brand that is either "restaurant grade" or "made like they used to be," I'd be interested in taking a look.

 

[HamerDave]

They're still built to last. I bought a Genesis three years ago. Totally bullet proof. Stainless everywhere. If you think long term, and with Weber you can, you spent $100/year for your grill. That's pretty good value for that level of reliability. 

 

[Greg G]

I am a big fan of Weber products as well.  Here you can narrow down some reviews by selecting the type of fuel, size, price range, manufacturer, etc.  http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment_reviews_ratings/

These guys seem to be pretty objective.  I've gotten some good info from this site over the past few years.  YMMV 

[jettster]

They probably don't make one the size you are looking for but I have been blown away with my Broilmaster P4 for a few years now. Searched for many years for one with the briquette's and they are extremely difficult to find. The flavor bars, etc. just don't do it for me. My brothers swears by his Weber's, after cooking on his new one I wasn't too crazy about it but it may have more to do with it not having the briquette's and putting out less heat. I know they do last pretty well. Mine is the smaller grill but has the same burner as the large one, gets to 550-600 in a hurry.

http://www.broilmaster.com/bm/index.php?view=premium-series&parid=79&pagid=88&mlnid=79

USA made and pretty much lifetime warranty on everything.

LIMITED LIFETIME AGAINST RUST-THROUGH

Aluminum Grill Housing (except paint), Stainless Steel Cooking Grids, Stainless Steel Griddle, Select Stainless Steel Components – Cart, Mounting, Bowtie Burner, Side Burner (DPA150), Sear Burner (DPA151), Side Shelf (DPA153), Warming Rack, Stainless Steel Built-in Kits for 3-Series Grill Heads, Side Burner Housing (DPA152), Door Kit, Tilt-Out LP Tank Door, and Vent Register Kit

 

[Hfan]

I have the small two burner model and have bought parts and gotten tech support from Weber. FWIW

[kizanski]

I decided to stay with Ol' Faithful.
$435 in parts and shipping from assorted vendors, but everything is on the way.
Should last me another 20 years.

[The Shark]

I'm not big on change.  I've refurbished my Weber twice.  Other people have better and more "modern" grills.  I cook meat on it.  Sometimes vegetables.  I don't need a better one.  I just need the one I have to work.  Glad to see my buddy Mike came to the same conclusion!

[JohnnyB]

21 hours ago, kizanski said:

I decided to stay with Ol' Faithful.
$435 in parts and shipping from assorted vendors, but everything is on the way.
Should last me another 20 years.

Yeah, but you could have gotten a new Summit S-670 for just $2015 more.

Good call.

[kizanski]

Thanks everyone for the input. 

Threads like these are just one reason why this is the greatest forum on the Internet.  

There is actually a Weber forum, but I knew I'd get better, more useful answers here. And I certainly wouldn't go there to ask a guitar-related question.  

There's only one HFC.  

[killerteddybear]

On 9/25/2016 at 9:52 AM, kizanski said:

I have no problem springing for another Weber grill. I'm not in love with the idea of spending upwards of $2,000 for a grill, but that's what they cost. That's what I spent 20 years ago for this one, and I think I got my money out of it.

One problem I have with buying another one is that this one is like a family member.
Poe has eaten marvelous meats from this grill.  REE-shard has eaten marvelous meats from this grill. My wife will shovel a path from the deck door to it to grill in the dead of winter in order to do what needs to be done. So I have a hard time rolling it to the town dump and giving it the heave-ho.

My other reservation to buying another is my fear that they are not made like that any longer. In fact, what I'm reading from customer reviews tells me that is the case.

The problem with keeping it is that I'm having a hard time getting the replacement parts that it needs; burners, ignitors, "flavor bars" and assorted hardware to hold it all together.

If there is another brand that is either "restaurant grade" or "made like they used to be," I'd be interested in taking a look.

 

What you really need to find is the BCRGreg of Weber grill reconditioning...

[kizanski]

42 minutes ago, killerteddybear said:

What you really need to find is the BCRGreg of Weber grill reconditioning...

No, I think I can handle it.

[hamerhead]

Then we're gonna need to see a step-by-step progression throughout the restoration. With photos and anecdotes.

[kizanski]

15 minutes ago, hamerhead said:

Then we're gonna need to see a step-by-step progression throughout the restoration. With photos and anecdotes.

How's about a single photo of a red-faced me, veins popping out of my neck and covered with soot?
This is how I expect it to go.

[hamerhead]

Or that.

[kizanski]

...annnnd we're back in business.

$450 in parts and hardware, but it's all new inside. It went back together with only a minimum of head-scratching, but it's all back together and tested (no explosions).

I am awesome.

[hamerhead]

And yet no pictures. Admittedly, explosion pictures would have been awesomer, but still.

[velorush]