Ace is The Place

[Jon Tofte]

Last month I picked up this Genesis II in the “Indigo” color exclusive to Ace Hardware. While it was filthy, it looked like the wheel fell off and it was parked derelict after only limited use and left just to sit as a winter home for field mice:






A few parts and some elbow grease later, and it is a whole new grill.





Even the original heat shields were hardly dirty and cleaned up like new:

The 304 flavorizer bars and fold down warming rack both came from Qlimetal. They are superior to the OEM Weber originals:


Rather than pay $75 or more for new pre-sized grates, I decided to cut one of the original cast iron grates to make it possible to accommodate the Weber Crafted Kitchen accessories:



I am conflicted about whether to sell this grill, but I put back on some of the old parts and decided I wanted - finally - my first chance to cook on a Genesis II. I plan to use it at least a few more times, and then make a decision whether to keep or flip.

On the keep side of the equation, I happen to also have an Ace Indigo Weber kettle that I upgraded with MasterTouch legs, wheels and handles. Don’t they look great together? I personally like the Ace Indigo better than the Deep Ocean Blue color:


So, this afternoon I gave it a maiden voyage with some strip steaks. I had all the regular burners and sear burner wide open; man, this thing gets hot! It singed hairs on my wrist! Next try I will back off a little.



Well what do you all think: Is this one a keeper or a flipper?

 

[Bruno]

Man you guys do some amazing work. I’d swear they aren’t the same grills.
Love that color!!

 

[Mike-GA]

They look so good together. Tough to separate.

 

[Cody Bratton]

Blue is always a keeper in my book!

 

[Steve Hoch]

Jon, great job on that one. It does look like new again. I'm sure it would be an easy flip, but if you like it then keep it.

 

[Eric-NH]

Man, that would be tough to let go of! Very nice work

 

[JimZ]

I'm not sure I would let that go either. That's a really sharp color.

 

[LMichaels]

I really like the color. Cool look. Wonderful work as always too Jon. Can't really tell ya keep or flip. I mean you already have a classic set up similarly that does remarkable grilling.

 

[Richard S]

That’s just beautiful

 

[Jim C in Denver]

Keeper.

The blue is cool; more so with the blue kettle.

I really like those Gen II's -- tank on the side/outside where it shold be; and the sear burner adds a lot of functionality.

 

[John Saldana]

Xcellent job.

 

[Kevin L (NKY)]

Jon you make it looks easy, inside and out looks better than new with those grates, I a pair something like those on my old Silver C.
The Blues Brothers look way to good together, I would never seperate them, but that's me.

 

[Jon Tofte]

I really like the color. Cool look. Wonderful work as always too Jon. Can't really tell ya keep or flip. I mean you already have a classic set up similarly that does remarkable grilling.

Yeah, Larry, there is a lot of overlap between this Genesis II and the first generation Summit. The Summit has a rugged build and special classiness that nothing can beat. This Genesis II is stylish in its own way, though. Both are capable cookers.

 

[Paul Warner]

Great job as always Jon, the indigo is different and more muted that the deep ocean blue. I would keep if it was me but I keep everything to be fair.

 

[DanHoo]

@Jon Tofte, I say its a keeper. You did a nice job cleaning it up.

I've not cooked on a Genesis II, that one is nearly the same as my 2016 Genesis E330, and the E330 is my favorite Genesis of all that I've owned which includes a 1000, a Silver B and a 2009 E-320 with side controls.

The indigo looks great and even better along side the indigo kettle.

I don't recall what other gassers you have but IMO its hard to beat the 3 + sear front control 300s.

edit: I'm not real sure about the grates that are on there. I'm wondering how much work they are to keep them clean vs front-to-back cast iron or SS rod. That's maybe the only area I'd change, but not having cooked on those grates its hard to say for sure.

 

[LMichaels]

Honestly IMO, having one very high output burner in one concentrated spot is not really the best. I know some of you guys like that, but for me, I'd rather have at least 2 burners (if not all) be capable of going to high output and then deciding on how and where I wanted to use it. Plus I think it's much better control having it over a larger surface area

 

[Samuel]

Excellent work Jon!

 

[BobH-SCW]

I'm a sucker for the blue color as well. Had a 1998 Performer SSP in the classic Crate & Barrel blue lid which I loved-this influenced me to get my bluetop silver A which I still have.I vote for a "Keep" as it makes a real nice pair. I'm with Dan about the grates, though and vote for some nice ss rods-low maintenance. Jon, you could then paint your CharQ indigo to match!

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Very nice Work Jon!! I think that is a fantastic grill. I really like using my Genesis ii grills almost every day. On the other hand as a flip Genesis ii grills pull in good money also. I'd say it's a win win either way!

 

[LMichaels]

Some colors on the grills just seem to look so darn good it makes me wonder why they just didn't make them all like that To me that blue is that color (at least on that grill)