After extensive research and despite less-than-exptected Consumer Reports ratings, I chose to purchase the 2007 Weber Summit S-450 grill.I own a 5-year-old Charbroil that is bowing out and losing heat/smoke when I cook so I wanted a multi-fuctional grill to replace it that would last longer.The Summit S-450 includes a beautiful smoker box with a dedicated burner and a Rotisserie Kit.More importantly, it is a Weber, which means great warranty and customer service and built to last.
When I opened the item with my friends we all salivated at the heavy-duty construction of this grill.The impressive stainless steel was high-grade and the grill was very heavy.No wobbling.It was very easy to set up and took about one hour.Let me say that although I expected this grill to be better than my old, I never thought it would be so impressive in all aspects.Weber thinks about everything when they make a grill.From the heavy gauge stainless steel grates to the high-end burners this grill really catches your eye.Having researched the grills at all the local hardware and big box stores, I can honestly say this grill beat them all with just looks and materials alone.That was even before I attached the propane and lit the thing!
When I did test the burners I was extremely impressed with the ignition system.I've never seen anything like it and all burners, including rotisserie and side lit on the first try.The grill got up to heat very quickly and the eveness of the heat was evident buy looks and using a hand test over the grates.While I only cooked a hamburger for my first meal, I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful grill marks the grates left.
I do a lot of slow-cooking and smoking and the thermometer, smoker box, and seal of the grill will certainly improve my grilling of carolina pulled pork and briskett.Further, the knobs/temperature controls seem to offer infinite heating options.I cannot wait to experiment and learn with this grill as I add items to my menu.
While I just got this grill yesterday, I am more than hopeful of the quality and craftmanship and truly believe it will last triple the amount of my Charbroil.I'll have to add to this review as I continue to use this wonderful grill.
Addendum:
I have now had the grill for six plus weeks and have grilled everything from vegetables to pulled pork.The smoker and burners are unsurpassed by any gas grill I've used or come accross.It cooks evenly at all points with virtually no flare-ups or hot/cool spots.Not one complaint by this user after at least 35 uses.
15 months later:
What can I really add?This grill still works like day one with a little maintenance.Yes, the ignition system still works like the first test.My grill would fall into the heavy use category (5 days minimum in summer and 3-4 days in Ohio winter) and all parts are still solid and nowhere near need for replacement like my old grill would have been (sorry Charbroil).
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Weber 1740001 Summit S-450 Propane Grill, Stainless SteelProduct Description: A must-have for summer entertaining on the back deck, this propane grill not only looks great, it also provides a generous 580 square inches of total cooking space--a 468-square-inch primary cooking area and a 112-square-inch warming rack. The unit's four stainless-steel burners and 48,800 BTU-per-hour input make it easy to cook-up everything from steaks, pork chops, chicken, or fish to veggie burgers and shish-kabobs. Its 12,000 BTU-per-hour input flush-mounted side burner works great for simmering a sauce to slather on later. The grill also supplies 3/8-inch-wide stainless-steel rod cooking grates and stainless-steel Flavorizer bars to help ensure excellent results and reduced flare-ups, as well as a Snap-Jet individual burner-ignition system for ease of use.
In addition, the grill's durably constructed design includes a fully enclosed cart with stainless-steel-doors and chrome-plated, cast-aluminum handles and accent-colored painted side and rear panels, as well as a stainless-steel shroud with a polished handle and trim, a center-mounted thermometer, and accent-colored painted, cast-aluminum end caps. Its versatile design also provides an 8,000-BTU-per-hour smoker burner and stainless-steel smoker box, a 10,600-BTU-per-hour infrared rear-mounted rotisserie burner, and a spit-fork rotisserie attachment with a heavy-duty motor. Other highlights include two stainless-steel work areas, six tool holders, a Grill Out handle light, and four heavy-duty casters--two locking and two swivel--for smooth mobility. A 10-foot flexible hose comes included, but the propane tank must be purchased separately. Don't know what to grill first? Weber throws in a handy cookbook with great summer-grilling ideas. With the lid open, the propane grill measures 30 by 66 by 57 inches.
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It didn't close quite right. With a little bit of bending and forcing of it, it got a bit better. The handle was also a bit loose. Cheap, but also cheaply made.
