If you worked for Weber...


 
Benny Gilbert

Benny Gilbert

TVWBB Fan
Hi everyone, hope you're all doing well!
I have a few questions I would like to propose to everyone on the forum, as I feel this could create some really interesting and productive discussion.
Within the next several months, as we all know, Weber's top brass is changing over. With a chance for Weber to do some cool stuff as a result of the new ownership/merger, I am planning on writing and sending a proposal essay of potential changes and improvements that Weber could make to their various product lines. I did this once before several years ago, and though I never received a response back, I did notice a few ideas I wrote down were used, coincidentally or not, primarily in the new Weber Summit Gas Grill redesign of 2024.

In any case, I will be posting this series of questions both here and elsewhere to try and gauge ideas from the most ardent of Weber supporters in an effort to really see what the people want. My questions are as follows...

1. If YOU worked for Weber, what changes would you make, both to the various product lines, and to the company as a whole?

2. What do you like and dislike about some of Weber's current products?

3. Which products would you discontinue (if any) and which would you bring back (if any)?

4. If you could add any brand new products or grills to Weber's current offerings, what would you pitch?

5. If there was only ONE thing you could change right now as your top priority, what would it be?

You do not have to answer ALL of these, however, if you could at least respond to a few, that would help greatly. The most popular/best responses to this will likely be included in said essay/proposal, trying to give full credit to their original authors where I can as I don't want to take credit for everyone else's ideas. That being said, I hope you all can use this as an opportunity to brainstorm and really think about ways to make our favorite grill company better. I'm excited to see what y'all come up with! Thanks so much for responding and have a blessed day!
- Benny
 
Hey Benny! Love the idea. I actually work for Weber. I'll have been here 15 years next month. I spent the first 10 years in the Americas Consumer Care team in various roles, and since 2020 I have been one of our Global Charcoal Product Managers. Most new kettle offerings since 2020 onwards have been projects I've worked on or directly led.

I'll be happy to take any feedback you collect and disseminate it to the appropriate parties within the Weber organization. You can rest easy that I'd never try to pass off someone else's ideas as my own. And you can of course still send your essay to any other contact you may have at Weber if you don't feel comfortable having me be your courier. Thanks! John
 
First off, bring ALL production back to the US. Next cut the proliferation of models and lines. There is no need for so many different lines. Next go back to making a Genesis a TRUE Genesis (IOW something "different" than the generic front control grill). They already charge such a huge premium for the "name" bring the production back and make the name worth something again. <edit> More use of stainless steel get rid of the terrible "corrosion points". These all would be good starting points
 
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Steve Hoch said:
I know I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Reintroduce a Genesis 1000 style grill and I will be among the first to go buy one. It has to be manufactured to the same standard though, it can't rust out in five years like the newer ones do.
Click to expand...
Do you mean a full-on recreation, or more bringing back the horizontal burner orientation and build style?
 
I don't like kettles with one handle. I do like kettles with the old-fashioned open bowl ash pan. So there's my dilemma. I can't buy a new kettle with both. It ain't right.
 
First on my list, as already said in this thread- bring back the Genesis 1000 but only if it’s 100% made in the United States of America- <edit>

Second- try and do better marketing the fabulous Weber Summit Kamado. Weber has a truly unique and well built product and hardly anyone outside the enthusiast community knows it exists. <edit>
 
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Benny Gilbert said:
1. If YOU worked for Weber, what changes would you make, both to the various product lines, and to the company as a whole?

2. What do you like and dislike about some of Weber's current products?

3. Which products would you discontinue (if any) and which would you bring back (if any)?

4. If you could add any brand new products or grills to Weber's current offerings, what would you pitch?

5. If there was only ONE thing you could change right now as your top priority, what would it be?
Click to expand...
2.
  • The charcoal & cooking grates. 304 SS please.
  • Change those nasty plastic wheels/push on hub caps. Fugly/cheap & useless. (WWWS. Weber Wobbly Wheel Syndrome).
  • A GBS for the 18.5" kettle.
4.
  • A SS WSM. Yeah I know this is a unicorn wish. (Wish in one hand, and crap in the other and see which one fills up quicker)!
5.
  • Notch all Kettles & WSMs.
 
I’ve been thinking about what I would offer and TonyUK beat me to the important ones,
Notch kettles and WSM models,
Better grates.
 
Cut a notch/slot in the top rim so you can run probe wires through to the top grate.

A popular DIY mod on kettles and WSMs. Better than having the round silicon cut out in the side of the WSM.
 
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