Cut Genesis 2000 frame down?

[Eric Portland]

Hi, I’ve got a 1998 Genesis 2000 that I got for free a couple years ago. We rearranged the yard and now the Weber is relegated to this corner of the deck. I just wish the grill was a little narrower...

Has anyone cut down the frame on these to make them narrower? I know on the smaller Genesis the tank hangs off the narrower frame under the controls. Maybe mine can rest on the lower shelf area?

I have new wood for the slats, but now I’m rethinking the slat project if the grill won’t fit.

Is this sacrilege to cut down the Weber?!

 

[BPratt]

Hi Eric, I see Weber gas grills cut on the left hand side where the tables are to stuff them against a wall. Assuming you are talking about the big grill in the picture just chop the arms off on the right hand control side. Or cut a hole in the fence

You might be better off looking for a smaller frame like the 2nd picture and just swap your components over

Or with some metal working skills you could chop the middle of the frame down so the right legs are close to the firebox like the second picture. The frame has connectors in a mid-section and the lower long rails can cut and refit with inserts for bolts.

As long as the tank is upright it doesn't need to reside on the grill as long as the tank is secured from tipping over.

 

[G Schafer]

I would leave it as is for a while and see if it grows on you. Cutting the frame looks like it's not going to save enough space to get the grill out of the way anyway. If it still bothers you, then I would be on the lookout for one with a smaller frame. Maybe be on the lookout anyway.
Cutting the frame, if in good shape kinda sucks, (wouldn't be sacriligious if you didn't tell anyone, but now it's too late!) but it's your grill and you can do whatever you want.

Cheers
Gerry

 

[Eric Portland]

Aha! The left side cut does make more sense. I guess I was just looking at what part they “stretched” to make this wider version. In this particular deck corner, having the right side cut and the grill box moved over would give a little more elbow room for walking by.

Cutting the frame down in the middle would work, but then I’m cracking open this can of worms a little more than I might want to...!

Another, smaller grill might be what I need but this is the grill I’ve got right here right now. I’ve been keeping an eye out for something newer/in better shape. It’s hard to beat free though!

 

[Scott L in MA]

I wouldn’t get rid of that grill I’d fix it up and use it! Especially since you got it free you wouldn’t have that much money into it. That grill will last you longer than the garbage pedaled at the local home stores.

 

[Stefan H]

I would look for a smaller donor grill. And then you think about using the best parts of both.

 

[Eric Portland]

Oh don’t worry, I’m keeping a Weber gas grill of one size or another! These things are great, no doubt. Was just wondering what kind of mods people have done to them in terms of making them smaller. I’ll be keeping an eye out for a narrower one, and possibly rebuild one out of two. We’re limited on grill placement options, so having the right sized grill matters now.

 

[Bruce]

You could go for a Silver A if you want smaller. Or go really old school and find a Genesis Jr. I think that might really be what you are looking for.

 

[Stefan H]

Bruce I don’t think the Junior is any narrower than a Silver B or 1000. It has a control panel and a table like the 3 burner. Yes Junior has it on one side and the 3 burner on opposite sides.

 

[Bruce]

Probably true Stefan. It would be easy to whack that right side table off though. Just kidding. I know the purists are frowning right now..

 

[Stefan H]

Yes probably. And this grill not has one.

 

[Eric Portland]

This looks pretty good, plus two tanks.

 

[Stefan H]

Yes it does. But just one advice: This is a Silver B. The firebox uses 5 flavorizer bars compared to the one you have and is about 1” narrower at the bottom. Meaning fire boxes are not interchangeable between the frames. Nor are the gas manifolds. But the grates and lid are interchangeable.

 

[Eric Portland]

That’s strange they made a second firebox for the B that was only slightly smaller? Mine has 8 bars on the top row, and 5 on the bottom, but who knows. I might swap for the cast iron grates in mine. Was the Silver A the same size box as mine?

 

[Stefan H]

Yes. When Weber introduced the Spirit 700 they changed the design of the Firebox which then became the firebox going forward for the other grills.

 

[Ed L]

Why not just remove wood uprights on fence /railing and slide the grill over. Easier to butcher the fence and repair than the grill!

 

[NickF]

Yes, what ever you do don’t chop up the grill please!

 

[Eric Portland]

Ed, that’s a great idea. I already moved the back railing down to 36” and cut down the slats to let me open the lid. Weber was smart in having the back of the firebox just clear the 36” railing code/counter height. There are hops growing to the right of the railing so the metal frame jutting through wouldn’t be seen. This deck is getting old and I’ve patched it up a bit, so I’m not afraid to modify it as needed. I even thought about trying to mount the Weber frame into it...

 

[Eric Portland]

Ok, just to finish this story; I bought a Silver B and swapped the red lid. The grill now fits on the deck, and the 2000 is going to a friend who needs a better grill. No Weber’s were harmed in this operation!