That would make sense. The premier of the 3rd gen is when all these complaints started
Yea, I finally took some time to figure out how the rain is getting into the bbq and what the impact of that is.
It seems the cookbox expanded, as many peoples with 3rd gen summits have. That’s the root cause of many other issues. The cookbox is under warranty which is great, but the issue for which the failed cookbox is the root cause are not any longer.
When the cookbox expanded, it pushed out the control panel. So now when rain falls over the lid, the rain water no longer falls harmlessly to the ground. Instead it falls into the gap between the lid and the cookbox (the gap was created by the cookbox expanding) and pools in the bbq. I’m pretty sure this is why my bottom panel has virtually disintegrated, and other panels under the bbq have some issues as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why my manifold is in such rough shape for it’s age - it would also no longer be protected from rain based on the gap that the cookbox expansion created.
So although these third gens still have warranty coverage on the cookbox, we don’t have coverage for many of the issues the expanded cookboxes created. So that’s too bad.
Look how much water is getting in through the gap. We had a lot of rain over the last day. It filled the grease tray and the bucket underneath (but I emptied the bucket before the picture). And look at the cumulative damage it’s done to my bottom panel!
I have ordered some parts to restore functionality, but I didn’t bother for some of the more cosmetic issues. I didn’t order a control panel, but now that I see how bent out of shape it is, I may need a new one once the replacement cookbox arrives. I’ll see if I can restore its original shape (or close to it) with a rubber mallet before I order one. But I need to close the gap so rain can’t enter from that point any longer.
What a can of worms …. but I’m glad I figured it out. I was puzzled why the grease tray was always full and the ‘grease’ had the consistency of water. I wish I figured it out sooner since it caused a ton of damage to a very expensive bbq! Maybe the insight will help others.
This strikes me as a defect vs wear and tear, it’s too bad warranty coverage hasn’t been extended to owners of this gen summit as a result.
