2013 Weber Jumbo Joe quality control issues...

[Churrasqueiro Bob]

Originally Posted by KnucklHed BBQ

I'm wondering if you could use a pair of vice grips to correct the angle of the wire and then hit up ace hardware and get some fiber washers (I think they are heat resistant) and put them between the bowl and metal washer... might even try a few stacked washers to see if it will isolate the wire bails a little better... totally spit balling here since I haven't been able to play with one, just hate to see you have the same problem with this one!

If I do any playing around with the bail wire I will test it on the one that is already chipped. The problem isn't the kettle, the problem is the bail wire. If I straighten the ends of the wire where it goes into the kettle, it may mess up the geometry when using if to hold the lid. The fiber washers are an idea to try too as long as they don't melt. I can use the damaged one to test with and then if it works I can do the same to the replacement kettle. I might have to by another bail wire if I mess up the one I have, but I think that straightening the ends is going to move the hoop further away from the kettle and it may mess up using it for a lid holder and holding the grill closed.

[mbshop]

the bail or wire can be bent at the top/sides so that it will hold down the lid rather easily if that becomes an issue. i would use a vise to hold the wire while bending it. i don't think it will take much to do it.

[Churrasqueiro Bob]

I unpacked my replacement lid and kettle today. Both came with the vents installed, still with a screw and nut, and both work fine and don't scrape the porcelain. The bowl is nice and flat and doesn't rock at all on a smooth hard surface. Unfortunately, the kettle lid is still slightly warped and the lid does stick to the kettle bottom just as it has on the two I bought and the ones I saw set up in store. Something is amiss here and I don't think it is an isolated occurrence.

I either accept it for what it is or take it back and get a refund and hope that Weber address the problem in the future. It's killing me not to use this thing as it would have been my grill of choice a few times already. What do you guys think?

[mbshop]

if it were me i would call again, tell them that weber has let you down and you think you need to move on as their quality seems to have gone down the drain. see what they say. then just bend the lid back a bit and get on with cooking. i for one have not been impressed by their quality nor service for a while but even then its still way better than anything else out there. its why i try to get used stuff, no problems if there are issues. i know there is no choice on the new jj but still you do need to run them to the ground till they get it right.

[gtr]

My lid sticks a little. I've been cooking on it and it's been fine. I haven't closely examined it though. I put it together, lit some charcoal, and threw on some meat - several times. So far, so good. I've only done direct and indirect grilling - no long cooks. Do as you will, but IMO if you just get to cooking you'll probably be glad that you did.

[VoodoChild]

Not be an Arse .Here But Its 60 bucks for a 18 portable charcaol grill ..In all seriousness what do you really expect ? its a" portable" not like the kettles we are used to .. In My world this is an item that can replicate to a degree the preformance most people are used to from a regular patio 22.5 .. In my world this would have a life of about 4-5 years and I would not blink twice ... My expectaions maybe lower but for its intended use and price point ...the complaints seem minor to the final product of the food it produces. Jm 2 pence.

[Churrasqueiro Bob]

I think you guys are right. It's going to cook just fine and it'll get dirty quick enough and I won't even care.

[silverfinger]

Didn't weber start having there products made out of the country recently?

I thought I heard something like that but could be mistaken.

[Hell Fire Grill]

Its a Weber product and the price is high for what it is, just like all their other products.

I would expect it to be made of the same quality all the rest of their products are, which is very high.

[mbshop]

yep, any damage on my cookers should be done by me, not bad design.

[troytime]

i was thinking about buying a JJ when i'm in LA in april - just to use for the week and give it to my uncle when I leave.

this thread is making me reconsider (it's also making me sad)

[vaTim]

I'm with you- and as I said my Joe will not be outside so I really have no worries about corrosion at the points brought up in the thread but the bar that Weber has set is very high for both design and quality. $60 isn't a big deal at all agreed.. however Weber product has always been above that "disposable" bar no? Porcelain loss on these grills especially the bowl is not what I've come to expect (or accept).

As an update to my grill- the replacement bowl came today and after some time adjusting the lid bale there is no stress on the porcelain with the steel washers attached. I also flattened the top vent a bit with a rubber mallet and the really helped the scraping issue, the contour of the vent better matches the flatter top of the Joe than the larger kettles they are stamped for?

I'll admit I've been spoiled by Weber's fit and finish, this grill out of the box didn't match previous quality.

Originally Posted by VoodoChild

Not be an Arse .Here But Its 60 bucks for a 18 portable charcaol grill ..In all seriousness what do you really expect ? its a" portable" not like the kettles we are used to .. In My world this is an item that can replicate to a degree the preformance most people are used to from a regular patio 22.5 .. In my world this would have a life of about 4-5 years and I would not blink twice ... My expectaions maybe lower but for its intended use and price point ...the complaints seem minor to the final product of the food it produces. Jm 2 pence.

[Smoothsmoke]

I'll be getting a JJ, but an old school one. Hopefully I can find one.