Genesis ~ In The Beginning . . .

We sadly said our farewells to an old friend last month. Our Weber® Spirit 500 Series served us beautifully for a number of years when moving from state to state. In truth, it might very well have kept on running and running like the Energizer Bunny if we opted to replace a few minor parts one more time. But, love stepped in and took me for a spin… ooh la la! I discovered Weber’s newest line, the Summit Series® and the usual obsessive behavior set in; I had to have one! We live in a remote area with limited shopping opportunities. I knew Weber® would ship my new Summit Series 450® post haste but I wanted to see the product for myself. While down in Miami this past week, I convinced my mother and sister that shopping for barbecue grills is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Condominium dwellers, the twosome gave in only when I promised a dinner out at Joe’s Stone Crab if they would accompany me on this trek.

Of all stores listed on the Weber® site in a twenty mile radius of zip code 33179, not one had any of the newly released Summit Series models on display or in stock. Still, we made the excursion to the local Home Depot, just in case the customer service representative was mistaken. Mom made a beeline for the adorable and compact Weber Genesis Silver Series A® model. Her hand caressed the black porcelain enameled lid and she delighted over the removable work surface. My sister and I joined in on the love fest when discovering the cast iron twin grill plates. Normally, not one to make quick purchasing decisions, my thoroughly enamored Mom and we dutiful sisters decided this model perfectly fit her limited patio space. Mom wisely requested assembly and delivery of the grill but my sister and I outvoted her. Two able bodied employees loaded the enormous box in the trunk after swapping out the included empty liquid propane cylinder for a filled one at the checkout stand. So much for Joe’s Stone Crab, we were going to dine on steak ala pogomom!

The doorman and the three of us managed to unload the boxed grill from the trunk onto a flatbed dolly and maneuver the massive package through a series of elevators and hallways. My sister collected the hammer, Phillips and common screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrenches and block of wood (used to keep the frame and wheels from becoming damaged during assembly) necessary to commence the process. Unpacking the box’s contents took only minutes. The simple and well-written directions assured that we would be feeding our faces before sundown. From start to finish, we completed the assembly in thirty minutes without a glitch. With Mom reading step-by-step directions from the loose-leaf bound manual, we foot soldiers seemed to glide through the process of connecting the various components with the seventeen assorted screws, bolts and hinge pins sans the usual confrontations dating back to early childhood. Sigmund Freud would have been proud!

Deciding upon the Weber’s permanent home (decisions, decisions, left or right of the potted plants) required much thought. I gave thanks for the oversized wheels and solid frame permitting ease of movement without jeopardizing the sturdiness of the unit. The manual contained directions for seasoning the cast iron grids. We slathered Crisco shortening over the cooking surfaces after washing off the manufacturer’s wax coating used to seal the porous grill bars during shipment. With the aplomb of David Copperfield minus his lovely assistants, I slowly opened the valve and clicked the oversized igniter button. Voila, the front burner burst into flame followed by a twist of the wrist and the second burner joined in with perfect precision! The next couple of hours were critical in the future of the grill. Weber® requires the initial seasoning process be complete before the first use of any model containing the upgraded cast iron cooking surfaces. We placed the greased grates in their slots, closed the lid and settled into nearby chairs to read the included Weber® Gas Barbecue Cookbook while waiting out the ninety minutes to two hours recommended in the directive.

The cooking procedure differs from that of other barbecues. The two burners, located in the front and rear of the cooking box, heat the grill surface and flavorizer bars to over 500 degrees in minutes. Direct flame cooking is only for searing foods before using the indirect method to complete the process. Weber® grill cooking is done with the lid closed assuring even heat and perfect results. Patented flavorizer bars replace the usual briquettes, lava rock or ceramic tiles used in other gas grills. Excess fats drip down to the disposable aluminum foil pan through the wedge shaped bars decreasing the chance of flare-ups.

Additional safety features built into the unit take the worry out of ownership. Spider Stopper Guards affixed to the main burners prevent tiny creatures from moving in and creating gas flow blockages. The LP (liquid propane) cylinder is equipped with a type 1 quick closing valve and an Overfilling Protective Device or OPD. Should the attendant fill the tank incorrectly, the OPD will only release a small amount of fuel until remedied by procedures explained in the manual. Worries over an explosive burst of flame are minimized thanks to these features.

The Out of Box Experience

· Cooking Box
· Pre-assembled Lid
· Pre-assembled Burners
· Cooking Grates and Warming Rack
· Flavorizer Bars
· Frame and Wheels
· Drip and Catch Pans
· Control Panel
· Assembled Manifold, Regulator and Hose
· Igniter
· Support Brackets, Shelves and Trim pieces
· Assorted bolts, nuts, washers and other hardware
· Manual and Cookbook
· Parts Warranties ranging from One Year for Flavorizer Bars to 25 Years for Porcelain Lid

Everything about this and other Weber® products indicates superb quality backed up by outstanding customer service. While we did not require technical assistance during assembly of this particular appliance, I had reason to use their toll-free number in the past for other units purchased over the years. The result is always positive with my questions answered by well-trained staff representing their employer with knowledge and enthusiasm. Living in a rural community, parts for older barbecues are not always readily available. Weber® stocks replacement parts for all their models and ships overnight if requested. The regulator assembly on an older Spirit 500 grill became defective after a zealous campground employee overfilled the LP tank. I telephoned Weber®, explained the symptoms and received the replacement the following day at no charge. The Summit 450 model we ordered for our use replaces the old Spirit 500 series model, which now has a second life feeding the volunteer crew on various job sites for Habitat for Humanity. I trust the folks at Weber® to build top quality gas barbecues from the lower priced Spirit and Genesis lines through the new Summit series that I know will serve our family for years to come.

Best of all, Mom giggles with delight when cooking on her very first Weber® barbecue. After losing the desire to be creative in the kitchen, her renewed interest in the culinary arts can only be attributed to this beautiful new appliance. My sister reports that all meals are now prepared on the Weber®, including breakfast, which often results in her shop opening a bit later than the sign on the door indicates. Mom’s condominium now sparkles, as she is ready for dinner guests at any given moment. Granted, this happy behavior might be short-lived but I think not as the ease of use, simple clean up and remarkable meals cooked on this great looking grill seem to invigorate her too long hibernating creative urges. We considered suggesting to Weber® that hiring our mother would be a public relations coup as she memorized the manual and can answer even the most obscure question regarding her Genesis A model. Besides, she looks adorable in her starched chef’s hat and apron and burns a mean Butterflied Leg of Lamb! Send questions or requests for dinner reservations to chez_cutie@weberlover.com - she is booked up through 2001 but accepts bribes with a smile.


Coming Soon: Please check back for my review on the Weber Summit Series 450 coming soon to a monitor near you!