2002 Genesis Gold - Renovate or ?

[Wade Leishman]

So I'm in the market for a bigger gasser...looking at the Summit S-620 or maybe wait for the new 2017 6 Burner Genesis or new 2017 Summit to upgrade my old 2002 Genesis Gold B, which has been a GREAT grill that we use pretty regularly. I have no intention to get rid of the old one, and will keep as a 'backup' for those really big cooks or whatever. I see a lot of threads on this forum about guys retrofitting/renovating/rejuvenating their old Weber's to make them like new and keeping them going for years to come. I'm wondering if it's worth doing too much with this one, or just keep it going as is until it falls apart. I have zero welding ability, nor friends who weld (or really any friends at all, but a different thread for a different forum ), etc, so repairing the frame is probably not gonna happen. Either will be a replace, or if I'm lucky find a cheapy/freebie on Craigslist that I can steal parts from. I've replaced the burners/grates and flavor bars a couple times over the years.

The upper/top frame is pretty eaten up on the left side next to the box and some rush on the underside, and there is some warping of the firebox on both sides...

Thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks
SW2

 

[DaveW]

If it was just the rusted frame, it might be different, but a warped cook box as well ? Given what you've said, I'd strip it for usable parts then trash the rest.

 

[LMichaels]

Yeah sadly that firebox is in tough shape. This happens when the grill is not cleaned out in a timely manner and you get a good grease fire going. I've actually seen them burned through. If I were you I would watch CL for a decent replacement. But be aware the internal parts (flavorizer bars, burners, manifold, etc.) are different between the single row and double row grills (flavorizer bars). IMO the dual row grills are more desirable. Also IMO there are better buys out there now than just setting your sights on another new Weber. Again this is my opinion and we all know opinions are like...............................well you know and they all "smell". However another acquaintance decided to look deeper and found a great bang for the buck by going to an actual grill dealer (not a box store) and was able to do side by sides between a higher end Broil King compared to the Summit line. Got out of there with a new Broil King with more features and build quality for half the price of the Summit. Just sayin'

 

[Wade Leishman]

If it was just the rusted frame, it might be different, but a warped cook box as well ? Given what you've said, I'd strip it for usable parts then trash the rest.

Thanks for input...Like I said, this one will keep on keeping on until it won't, even if it's a backup grill.

Yeah sadly that firebox is in tough shape. This happens when the grill is not cleaned out in a timely manner and you get a good grease fire going. I've actually seen them burned through. If I were you I would watch CL for a decent replacement. But be aware the internal parts (flavorizer bars, burners, manifold, etc.) are different between the single row and double row grills (flavorizer bars). IMO the dual row grills are more desirable. Also IMO there are better buys out there now than just setting your sights on another new Weber. Again this is my opinion and we all know opinions are like...............................well you know and they all "smell". However another acquaintance decided to look deeper and found a great bang for the buck by going to an actual grill dealer (not a box store) and was able to do side by sides between a higher end Broil King compared to the Summit line. Got out of there with a new Broil King with more features and build quality for half the price of the Summit. Just sayin'

Thanks, I don't remember any big grease fire, but after almost 15 years, it's certainly possible that it happened.

I have looked at a few other options at non-box stores and while I did see some that were less $ than the Weber's, I didn't see anything that I felt had the same build quality, options, warranty, etc, and I'm pretty brand loyal to Weber... especially after 14 years of this one (and even with it's warts, it still grills some fine stuff), and >10 years with my 18.5" WSM.

I was within days of getting the Summit until I saw the thread about the new 2017 Genesis line, so I'll probably keep plugging on this guy until the new ones come out.

 

[LMichaels]

"
I have looked at a few other options at non-box stores and while I did see some that were less $ than the Weber's, I didn't see anything that I felt had the same build quality, options, warranty, etc, and I'm pretty brand loyal to Weber... especially after 14 years of this one (and even with it's warts, it still grills some fine stuff), and >10 years with my 18.5" WSM.

I was within days of getting the Summit until I saw the thread about the new 2017 Genesis line, so I'll probably keep plugging on this guy until the new ones come out. "

I used to be more brand loyal but frankly between Weber letting me down with my Summit, and seeing the very obvious degradation in quality plus the outsourcing of so many parts of them to being made in China I really see no reason to be brand loyal if I were to ever again be in the market for a new piece of equipment. But truly given the very loft price point (and going up) Weber seems to want to command I don't see the value in them I used to. Back when I got my Genesis and then my Summit they truly were the best things you could buy at the price point (though I am kind of sorry I did not spring for the Vieluxe instead of the Summit) since that would have been a true "forever" grill (being built like my current Wolf grill is) in solid all 304 stainless (even the cart frame). But then again the Wolf was one of those lucky things I find every once in a while. Given that it's like 325 lbs of solid stainless I could sell it for scrap and still have made $$$ on it.
Bottom line I will do whatever it takes to keep my Summit, Genesis and Wolf going until the day they have to take the control knobs out of my cold dead fingers LOL