Hey, Timothy. I saw this and the original thread (unreal that Weber has had four opportunities and STILL has not resolved a damage issue on a new purdhase!). There does seem to be some question about whether Weber has somehow changed their grills, etc. to lower cost and keep them within their existing market space. Your measurements, to me, suggest that there have beeen changes made.
But I don't think that the suggestion that "change" equals "lower quality" is justified. If they can offer the same warranty, you would expect that the materials and construction merit the warranty. If they change the composition of the steel alloy, or the porcelain coating process, or a structural member, that could well mean a BETTER product. I would assume it could also mean a CHEAPER build process which should be irrelevant as long as the quality is there. I doubt any "feeling" or even measurement will tell us for sure.
What I do know is this. I have a 2009 built Weber Genesis E-310 and a 2008 built Weber Smokey Mountain, both new out of the box, that look, feel and perform wonderfully. Yes, ask me again in 10 years -- because I do expect to still have both.
I expect any company, especially in our current economic environment, to seek newer, less expensive and potentially better methods of manufacture. What we should expect is the same warranty and service to which we're accustomed. It appears that Weber, as one of their cost reduction moves, has pared their product line some. The new WSMs use an appropriate kettle part from any existing line as the water basin instead of a custom part -- better cost effectiveness and probably better quality. Some can complain that the new 18.5 water basin is "too deep" -- but some complained the original one was too small.
Ok, soapbox off. It's nice to speculate, and for some, to find fault, but let's do evaluate the reality and not assume that Weber is just pulling a fast one. Rich
