Jon Tofte
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
I have posted a lot about the 1st generation Summit I bought from @LMichaels. After a long slumber disassembled, I was so happy to be able to finally get it all redone and turn it into my daily driver gas grill. It is old school, but in a good way. I have never enjoyed grilling more than on this old Summit.
As most know, Weber has come out with their "Crafted Kitchen" accessories to replace the earlier GBS system. The big advantage of the new series is a larger area to swap out accessories compared to the rather small GBS round opening. Weber designed these to primarily work in the newest Genesis grills (but they also work in the previous Genesis II ones). As an accommodation, they also made a version of the underneath "holder" grate in a size to fit in the Spirit 300 grills (and later also aimed these at the SmokeFire pellet grill). Weber never mentioned that this means that this Spirit 300 set will also fit in most any Genesis from the first 1-5, on to the x000, and all the way to the Silver/Gold/Platinum grills. They do, and that means they also fit my 1998 Summit 450.
So, I am getting ready to give this system and a couple accessories a tryout and see how my old Summit does with a new set of toys:
ACCESSORY UNDERNEATH HOLDER GRATE (Note the thin "filler" cast iron piece. On the larger current Genesis this part is a good bit thicker.)
I used an 3rd generation Summit stainless narrow grate to make a filler grate on the left. I had to cut it down both ways, but it works fine. This Summit has a smoker box that could probably be put underneath this left section.
SEAR GRATE INSTALLED
I like that on this Summit, the Weber Crafted Kitchen piece centers over three burners, even though the Summit doesn't have a special "sear" burner. It doesn't need one with 50,000 btus in the same size firebox as a Genesis x000/Silver.
GRIDDLE ACCESSORY INSTALLED (Oil is from Weber's packaging. This griddle still needs to be seasoned before using.)
OK, is this system a gimmick? Absolutely! I don't care. It is still a fun one. The sear grate is not at all necessary, as my Dave Santana/rcpplanebuyer grates can do just as well with a little diagonal flip and good timing:
Nonetheless, it is a fun thing to have, and I look forward to trying it out. Also, this grate flips over, with a narrow side that is good for things like fish or vegetables vs. the thicker side for steaks and chops.
The griddle, I think, is a more practical addition. It is large enough for most of my needs, and it eliminates the need for another grill. My wife likes that at least!
Stay tuned, and I will post actual grilling as I am able.
p.s. I took the opportunity to do a light cleaning inside my Summit. Scraped off stainless flavorizers and the porcelain firebox that angles down to the long narrow drip tray. Cleaned that and cleaned the removable drip pan and replaced the foil liner. I also wire brushed my burners. It was a good opportunity to look things over.
THE GOOD NEWS: My Summit seems to be holding up, and the stainless reinforcement panels I installed with high heat RTV show no signs of slipping.
As most know, Weber has come out with their "Crafted Kitchen" accessories to replace the earlier GBS system. The big advantage of the new series is a larger area to swap out accessories compared to the rather small GBS round opening. Weber designed these to primarily work in the newest Genesis grills (but they also work in the previous Genesis II ones). As an accommodation, they also made a version of the underneath "holder" grate in a size to fit in the Spirit 300 grills (and later also aimed these at the SmokeFire pellet grill). Weber never mentioned that this means that this Spirit 300 set will also fit in most any Genesis from the first 1-5, on to the x000, and all the way to the Silver/Gold/Platinum grills. They do, and that means they also fit my 1998 Summit 450.
So, I am getting ready to give this system and a couple accessories a tryout and see how my old Summit does with a new set of toys:
ACCESSORY UNDERNEATH HOLDER GRATE (Note the thin "filler" cast iron piece. On the larger current Genesis this part is a good bit thicker.)
I used an 3rd generation Summit stainless narrow grate to make a filler grate on the left. I had to cut it down both ways, but it works fine. This Summit has a smoker box that could probably be put underneath this left section.
SEAR GRATE INSTALLED
I like that on this Summit, the Weber Crafted Kitchen piece centers over three burners, even though the Summit doesn't have a special "sear" burner. It doesn't need one with 50,000 btus in the same size firebox as a Genesis x000/Silver.
GRIDDLE ACCESSORY INSTALLED (Oil is from Weber's packaging. This griddle still needs to be seasoned before using.)
OK, is this system a gimmick? Absolutely! I don't care. It is still a fun one. The sear grate is not at all necessary, as my Dave Santana/rcpplanebuyer grates can do just as well with a little diagonal flip and good timing:
Nonetheless, it is a fun thing to have, and I look forward to trying it out. Also, this grate flips over, with a narrow side that is good for things like fish or vegetables vs. the thicker side for steaks and chops.
The griddle, I think, is a more practical addition. It is large enough for most of my needs, and it eliminates the need for another grill. My wife likes that at least!
Stay tuned, and I will post actual grilling as I am able.
p.s. I took the opportunity to do a light cleaning inside my Summit. Scraped off stainless flavorizers and the porcelain firebox that angles down to the long narrow drip tray. Cleaned that and cleaned the removable drip pan and replaced the foil liner. I also wire brushed my burners. It was a good opportunity to look things over.
THE GOOD NEWS: My Summit seems to be holding up, and the stainless reinforcement panels I installed with high heat RTV show no signs of slipping.
