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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After much research and reading lots of reviews, we chose this Weber. It is more expensive than others in its category but the high reviews and our past experience with Weber and the warranty helped us make this our choice. We love it so far. We live on top of a hill and one of our concerns was the wind. Well the grill performs superbly! Even on a cold (40 degrees) and windy day, it heated up in less than 10 mintues.
Best Deals for Weber 1740001 Summit S-450 Propane Grill, Stainless Steel
Our old $250 grill stopped producing much heat and trying to clean the burners some pieces that were just plain solid rust fell off time for a new one. My wife did some research and pointed to this one, and initially I was positive no grill could be worth that amount of money. However, looking at the grill at a local store, and checking out the cheaper grills at home depot, lowes and sears, as well as reading a *lot* of reviews, we went with the Weber Summit S 450, and we love it. Stainless steel on the inside (especially the grates) means easy cleaning no worries about putting a scratch in there. Heat distribution is very even, slightly hotter towards the back, but no discernible gradients otherwise (big difference to cheaper models), and that makes grilling sooo much easier and that in turn makes your grilled food usually better. The other thing that contributes to a noticable difference in the food quality is the smoker box throw some smoke wood pellets in there, and whatever is on the grill comes out tasting and smelling better than on any charcoal grill I've tried again, predictability and simmplicity is the key here, you can pick how much smoke you want to get in.
If all you're grilling is sausages or well done hamburgers, you may not find this one worth it, but if you grill anything that's sensitive to the right amount of heat in the right amount of time, and do that often enough and appreciate good food, this grill is much better value than it looks if you just compare prices and BTUs.
Honest reviews on Weber 1740001 Summit S-450 Propane Grill, Stainless Steel
Wow, built like a tank. More importantly, it heats quickly and evenly, this according to my wife, the grill master. Lots of nice features. It should last a very long time if I take care of it, (so I bought the correct cover). I only wish more of it was made out of stainless steel for the sake of longevity, like the entire base, not just the doors.
Called Weber about a couple of issues and they were Very responsive and helpful. No worries.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Weber 1740001 Summit S-450 Propane Grill, Stainless Steel
I bought the Weber Summit S-450 for my wife. She loves to grill all year long. This is our 5th Weber grill in over 40 years 2 kettle grills, 1 still working and 2 propane grills which she wore out. My wife had thought about buying a separate smoker, but this grill does that very well. She says it heats evenly and she can control the heat better that the older Weber propane grills. She realy likes the rotisserie and the infrared burner.
I was leary of having something this large shipped, but Eagle called when it got to Atlanta and delivered it the next day.
The grill only needed a little additional assembly. My wife loves the grill and I like the stuff she cooks on the grill.
