I purchased this grill in 2007 and all was well for the first year or two. After that the grill deteriorated much quicker than expected for a grill in this price range. Within 4 years the firebox rusted through where the burners attach. I found the stainless steel surfaces difficult to keep clean to prevent rust spots after only a few years. The drip pan rusted through after three years. I was meticulous about keeping the grill covered when not in use, although it stayed outside at all times.
I was told by the retailer that to clean the grill I should heat the grill to high heat similar to a self cleaning oven, then to brush down the resulting ash inside the firebox and empty it out. I did this every other week or so, depending on how much I'd used the grill the prior week. This was not sufficient to keep the grill clean enough to prevent rust-through of the firebox. We're not talking a light coat of surface rust. This was full on, crumbling metal, rotted through and falling apart in chunks rust. Pretty much the entire interior cooking area had a heavy coat of rust where it hadn't completely rusted through.
Also, the burners rusted over after a couple of years, requiring regular scrubbing with a wire brush and clearing out of the flame jet holes to keep gas flowing through the burners. And the porcelain enamel finish on the grates deteriorated significantly over time and in spite a coat of oil applied everytime prior to placing foods on the heated grates, food sticking on the grates was a problem the entire time I owned it.
Oh, and the electric starter stopped working within two years.
In spite of all the rust and the ugly appearance after just a few years, the grill continued to heat well and evenly. I never had a complaint about how it cooked. But the rust got so bad, I was afraid propane might start leaking and create a hazard.
Wondering if its close proximity to our swimming pool contributed to this grill's premature demise. Pool, or no pool, based on many reviews I've read of Weber gas grills going strong after 15 years or more, I can't recommend this grill if your expectation is to have it look and operate well after more than five years. For the price, I expected longer life.
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