The end is near, sorta...

[THoey1963]

Oh, and someone mentioned LSG grills and I had to look at them too. Wow... Nice. $$$. Probably take a while to get them.

 

[Darwin]

(Shameless plug alert) Dave Parrish, owner of Adrenaline Barbecue Company here, just wanted to let you know we are working on a Slow 'N Sear kit for the WSCG and expect to have it for sale by the end of April. It consists of a Slow 'N Sear that fits the top charcoal grate, a Drip 'N Griddle Pan, and a new Slow 'N Sear charcoal basket that fits the bottom charcoal basket of the WSCG. Like our Facebook page for a couple of videos of the new products in action and sign up for our newsletter at our website to be notified when the package is on sale.

And good news, Baby Back Maniac has prototypes of the new package and will be doing videos of the package in action!

I mention this because the new package does much for the WSCG that the SnS XL does for the 26" kettle, so if you really want the WSCG go for it, and if you want the SnS experience to go with it we're working hard to make that happen.

 

[THoey1963]

Been waiting for Baby Back to respond...

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

I sent you a note on Facebook. I think this really comes down to whether you want to make the jump to a kamado...which is a more convenient and more versatile cooker (though probably not as much as one may think.)

If all my grills were stolen tonight the first thing I would rebuy would be a 26 with a SnS. If I could only have one grill in the whole world, it would be the Summit. I'm actually working on a review of the new KJBJ and I really like some of the features they have added to their cookers. You might take a look at that if you want to go ceramic because they have found ways to circumvent some of the drawbacks of ceramics that nobody ever seems to talk about.

That said, at the end of the day, go with your gut. If you buy something and don't like it, you can always resell it. This will be a lot easier to ship than the last time you shipped a grill. lol.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

I just realized you asked specific questions:

1) It's worth 2K to me. It does seem pricy but you won't find another kamado in a table for $2K and they won't have the feature set the Summit does. There are a lot of little nice things about the Summit that most people won't appreciate until they tried to use a ceramic kamado...like being able to move it super easily, install a temp controller without trying to put an adapter in the lower vent, having a metal heat deflector with a spot to hold it as opposed to a ceramic one that eventually gets knocked over and cracked because you leaned it against something and it got knocked over. I also really like the landing pad for hot stuff (the wire shelf below), the fire starter and the cheap drawer in front for storage (it's cheap but it's WAY better than nothing.) I also appreciate that the SS cart isn't going to stain or rot or grey like wood (all problems I've experienced.) All these are little things I really like.

2) It's new so who knows, but mine is outside year round without a cover and I've seen no issues. I feel like it will last as long as any other weber. I really don't have any concerns here.

3) The Summit or the 26 will both work fine for any of these.

4) I'd try to go local if you think you'll get that support.

 

[cheez59]

Dammit, now y'all got me looking at those Assassins... I don't know. I still like the idea of the insulated WSCG, I like the price of the Kettle better, and the Assassin is in between.

Not many pictures on their site. Anyone care to share?

Don't just look Terry. Call Jeff at Assassin. He a great guy and will shoot straight to you. Actually his honesty cost him a sale to me. He told me that if you smoke on the Assassin grill you only need to fill the firebox halfway with charcoal and then add fuel later on in the cook. Jeff said that if you fill the firebox all the way there is a better than average chance of a runaway fire. I wanted a set it and forget it cooker. Adding fuel on a long cook or even the remote possibility of a runaway fire did not appeal to me.

 

[KevinJ]

Don't just look Terry. Call Jeff at Assassin. He a great guy and will shoot straight to you.

I have had the same experience when talking to Jeff, he is a really good dude. As far as long cooks I think BBQ Freak said he's gotten up to 11hrs on a full load using a maze and guru to control the burn. If I wanted a charcoal grill that could do it all I'd be making the drive up to GA.

Another cool grill that is pretty badass and about the price of the Summit is the M1 grill, I know you didn't really enjoy burning sticks Terry but if you ever got the itch you could do it on the M1.

 

[THoey1963]

I will say I am not really interested in a ceramic. Getting upwards in age, not really interested in something that is heavy and fragile at the same time. The wife may also occasionally use this grill (after I fire it up), so a really heavy lid would not work for her. I understand they can be great cookers, just not interested.

I do prefer a hinged lid, compared to a lift the lid off and find someplace to set it. Main reason I loved the hinge on my WSM. I guess that partially excludes the performer, but at least it has a place to hang the lid.

A concern with an Assassin type steel pit would be the weather and life span of the pit. I don't want something I am going to worry will rust out in five years or even look like it. Makes me sort of lean towards the porcelain coated Weber.

I don't know. Yesterday I was leaning away from the Weber Summit and liking the Assassin. Today, I am back leaning towards the Summit. Good thing I have time...

 

[THoey1963]

Oh, and I prefer something that has a shelf or table. I guess I could buy a standalone table to go beside it, but that gives me something else to research.

 

[Durangutan]

And then, there is the whole I prefer charcoal / wood over gas and have only been buying gassers the last 20 years because the wife needed an outside burner for some of her stronger Korean dishes. But, a couple years back we had a new vent hood installed with an exhaust out the roof instead of back into the kitchen (why would they do that???). QUOTE]

I'm afraid I can be of no help in your grill decision but I can certainly empathize in your dismay over the range hood configuration. It must be a TX thing. I've been looking at investment properties in TX and of the dozens I've looked at, I'm not sure I've seen one that vented the range hood outdoors. And most have impossible to clean popcorn textured ceilings (another TX thing?) with a nice big brown stain right above the hood! :mmph:

 

[Demosthenes9]

Thanks Drew. I planned to do what I could to clean it up / make it saleable. I'd need new burners and the electric starter. The interior of the lid is the major point even making me consider replacing it, that and wanting to go back to charcoal / wood.

Being an S-330, it should be from 2011 or newer. The lid should be under warranty as well.

From Weber:

Aluminum castings: 25 years (2 years on paint; excludes fading)
Stainless steel shroud: 25 years
Porcelain-enameled shroud: 25 years
Stainless steel burner tubes: 10 years
Stainless steel cooking grates: 5 years no rust through or burn through
Stainless steel Flavorizer® bars: 5 years no rust through or burn through
Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates: 5 years no rust through or burn through
Porcelain-enameled cooking grates: 3 years no rust through or burn through
Porcelain-enameled Flavorizer® bars: 2 years no rust through or burn through
Infrared rotisserie burner: 2 years
All remaining parts: 2 years

Definitely give them a call and tell them everything that is needing attention on the grill.


As for the WSCG, if you are just wanting to go back to charcoal, have you looked at a Performer ? Yeah, it's not insulated, but then again, it's only $400 and that's with the cart/table :wink:

 

[JS-TX]

I will say the Assassin has a heavy door and will probably need more touch maintenance over the long haul vs a Summit. But it does have a lot more cooking space if that is important to you.

 

[Hankdad1]

I grew up on Webers and love them, I have 5 (had to get rid of a couple to keep the Mrs happy). Having said that since I bought my Akorn the only time I use a Weber is at our cabin. The Akorn is great but it is not going to last forever. On the other hand I still have the Weber my father gave me 40 years ago when he upgraded to a larger one. When the Akorn dies the WSCG will be on my short list

 

[THoey1963]

The more I think of this, the more my mind wanders. I have several ways I could go. My old gasser has made a lot of good food over the years. So, I could just do the warranty stuff, and then buy what isn't covered and basically be back to a brand new gasser. But, I'd love to go back to charcoal cooking. Getting a 26" kettle would do that, but I also want some more real estate. And they don't make those with the performer package, so I also would lose the table space. Then there is the Summit, but seriously, I keep thinking about how much that costs. Then I think of the Assassin, and I am still not sure if I am sold on it. It looks great, sounds great, but not sure if it's what I want.

Good thing I have time...

 

[Demosthenes9]

The more I think of this, the more my mind wanders. I have several ways I could go. My old gasser has made a lot of good food over the years. So, I could just do the warranty stuff, and then buy what isn't covered and basically be back to a brand new gasser. But, I'd love to go back to charcoal cooking. Getting a 26" kettle would do that, but I also want some more real estate. And they don't make those with the performer package, so I also would lose the table space. Then there is the Summit, but seriously, I keep thinking about how much that costs. Then I think of the Assassin, and I am still not sure if I am sold on it. It looks great, sounds great, but not sure if it's what I want.

Good thing I have time...

What about fixing the gasser, then putting a 26'er right next to it ? Use the gasser's side table when cooking on the 26'er. Seriously, most of your gasser parts are probably still under warranty. If you don't mind, could you look and find your gasser's Serial Number and post the first 2 letters of it ? That would tell us the build year for warranty purposes.

 

[THoey1963]

That's an idea Demo, but I'd prefer to have one grill instead of two. Just looking at real estate.

The S-330 is from 2011 with a serial number of AA 1025687. I am going to go out and try to get warranty replacements no matter what happens, as I may try to sell it, and I am sure the new owner would prefer to have the parts.

 

[Demosthenes9]

That's an idea Demo, but I'd prefer to have one grill instead of two. Just looking at real estate.

The S-330 is from 2011 with a serial number of AA 1025687. I am going to go out and try to get warranty replacements no matter what happens, as I may try to sell it, and I am sure the new owner would prefer to have the parts.

Sounds like a good plan. Just an FYI for you, Weber's Model year runs from Oct 1 - Sept 30, meaning that grills stamped AA were manufactured between Oct 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012. If you happened to buy your grill between today's date and Sept 30th of 2012, even the the parts with 5 year warranty should be covered

 

[THoey1963]

Just an FYI, this is what Weber says for my grill:

Warranty Information

• 2015+ Cookbox, no rust-through or burn-through; 2 years on paint (excludes fading/discoloration) (10 years) - Expires 05/2021
• 2015+ Lid assembly, no rust-through or burn-through; 2 years on paint (exludes fading/discoloration) (10 years) - Expires 05/2021
• Pre-2015 Aluminum castings, 2 year on paint, excludes fading (25 years) - Expires 05/2036
• Pre-2015 Stainless Steel Shroud (25 years) - Expires 05/2036
• Stainless Steel Burner Tubes (10 years) - Expires 05/2021
• Stainless Steel Cooking Grates (5 years, no rust through or burn through) - Out of Warranty!
• Stainless Steel Flavorizer Bars (5 years, no rust through or burn through) - Out of Warranty!
• All Remaining Parts (2 years) - Out of Warranty!

So, I will definitely be going through them to get some warranty work replaced. My three issues are:

1. Igniter quit working

2. Burner tubes rusting
3. Lid interior rusting. If you look at my Korean Ribs cook photos, there are a couple where I show the meat on the grill and you can see the damage.

One way or another, I'll get it back up to par. Whether it is for me to continue to use, or to help it's resale value, it's worth it.

That still doesn't resolve my desire for a charcoal / wood grill or more surface space, but it is a start.

 

[Demosthenes9]

Just an FYI, this is what Weber says for my grill:

Warranty Information

• 2015+ Cookbox, no rust-through or burn-through; 2 years on paint (excludes fading/discoloration) (10 years) - Expires 05/2021
• 2015+ Lid assembly, no rust-through or burn-through; 2 years on paint (exludes fading/discoloration) (10 years) - Expires 05/2021
• Pre-2015 Aluminum castings, 2 year on paint, excludes fading (25 years) - Expires 05/2036
• Pre-2015 Stainless Steel Shroud (25 years) - Expires 05/2036
• Stainless Steel Burner Tubes (10 years) - Expires 05/2021
• Stainless Steel Cooking Grates (5 years, no rust through or burn through) - Out of Warranty!
• Stainless Steel Flavorizer Bars (5 years, no rust through or burn through) - Out of Warranty!
• All Remaining Parts (2 years) - Out of Warranty!

So, I will definitely be going through them to get some warranty work replaced. My three issues are:

1. Igniter quit working

2. Burner tubes rusting
3. Lid interior rusting. If you look at my Korean Ribs cook photos, there are a couple where I show the meat on the grill and you can see the damage.

One way or another, I'll get it back up to par. Whether it is for me to continue to use, or to help it's resale value, it's worth it.

That still doesn't resolve my desire for a charcoal / wood grill or more surface space, but it is a start.

All good. If flavorizers are in good shape, looks like the ignition system is all that you would need to buy. Heck, that might even be a simple fix (or even a battery replacement.)

As for your decision, FWIW, I've been told that there is quite a bit of markup on the WSCG and that some dealers have been known to quietly give nice discounts. Have also seen a few threads where people said floor/demo models were for sale at a nice discount. Might be worth looking into.

 

[THoey1963]

I replaced the flavorizer bars a couple years back. That guy on eBay sells some great replacements. They look warn, but they are still good. I tried to replace the battery on the starter, not that. Shouldn't be anything I can't handle.

Good info on the WSCG. Only one place that sells them in SATX, not sure if they will discount it. I'll have to go look at it again and let them know it looks great, but just not sure I can spend that much. See what they say...