Jon Tofte
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
Stefan,
I do agree the quality slipped and the durability definitely declined. The biggest problem of course is the painted steel cabinetry and frame. Some of the other issues are due to making things more complicated. More parts for the control panel, electric starter with separate igniter for each burner...Then there are the very common problems with the hood pins seizing that you experienced. I think that may be because they were trying for tighter tolerances or maybe the heavy hood is a factor. Since a lot of people evaluate a new grill by how heavy the hood is and how tightly it swings, this may have been a calculated response on the part of Weber.
The classic Genesis with its simple igniter, smaller and not so heavy hood and lack of stainless “bling” seems out of date to some people who only look at the surface. The enduring simple and solid construction and classic charm of the original Genesis grills - particularly of those with real wood
- still win out to me. Having said that, I used a SE 330
for five years and appreciated its capabilities. These are still way better grills than the big box store chinajunk specials
that are destined for the landfill after a couple years use.
I do agree the quality slipped and the durability definitely declined. The biggest problem of course is the painted steel cabinetry and frame. Some of the other issues are due to making things more complicated. More parts for the control panel, electric starter with separate igniter for each burner...Then there are the very common problems with the hood pins seizing that you experienced. I think that may be because they were trying for tighter tolerances or maybe the heavy hood is a factor. Since a lot of people evaluate a new grill by how heavy the hood is and how tightly it swings, this may have been a calculated response on the part of Weber.
The classic Genesis with its simple igniter, smaller and not so heavy hood and lack of stainless “bling” seems out of date to some people who only look at the surface. The enduring simple and solid construction and classic charm of the original Genesis grills - particularly of those with real wood



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