Brilliant. Enjoy!

For context I currently have a 2004 Weber Genesis Platinum and a Weber Kettle barbecue. I grill year around minimally 3 times a week in winter, more so in summer, in Alberta. Breakfast, lunches and dinners – steaks, sausages, whole roasts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, French fries, vegetables, skewers, fish, bacon & eggs (on the gridle), corn bread, pizza – you get the idea! I wanted more grilling space, a rotisserie and eventually a smoker box which led me to the Summit 650. Originally I had wanted the 450 but the shop had a 650 so I took it. I actually had a Vermont VCS5007 delivered then after much poking and playing took it back.

The box is big and heavy – unless you have help and a ½ ton, get it delivered. A suggestion also is to quickly unpack and have the delivery guys help you get it out of the molded pallet otherwise you’ll need three strong pairs of hands later.

Overall Installation took about 60 minutes of puttering – I was recycling as I went along. From memory there were 6 screws with washers, the most complex of which were the drip tray supports which required alignment with the cabinet side. Basically put in the heat deflectors, grates, warming rack, mount & screw in the sides, mount & screw in the grease tray and catcher. I found it an easier assembly than my Genesis as there’s less to do. I don’t believe the Summit is as sturdy as the Genesis – the firebox bottom isn’t solid cast aluminium, and the Genesis tray is more solid, but it seems like I’d get 10 years from it. On the other had the new hood operation is lighter, takes less depth open, and creates a double wall. Unlike most NG grills, the Summit requires and comes with a 1” outlet adapter. Easy to install, just have goop or tape for the threads and a wrench.

Unlike most grill comparables the cabinet sides and back are only painted, not stainless. It does look great though I haven’t bothered with the lights.

Both the Genesis and the Summit are much more sturdy than the VCS5007. I found the VCS flexed when opening the hood, the handle flexed, the rotisseries skerwer required grill brackets(!) to support the weight, the burner knobs had plastic chrome surrounds, the console flexed. The VCS did have higher BTUs all round but I never got to test this.

I’ve had it for three weeks and cooked: three rotisserie chickens, steaks, complete breakfasts (sausages, eggs, bacon), smoked almonds, burgers, sausages, bone in chicken, boneless chicken, baked potatoes, sweet potato, asparagus, so still running it in. It’s been complicated by typical Alberta winter weather variety of 14C through to -14C but the grill is on a covered, wind sheltered deck. The six burners generate a ton of heat, with good even distribution. The smokers works as advertised, which is brilliant. With ambient temperature being cold I’ve augmented the rotisserie on low (after initial searing) with an endmost burner each. I haven’t used the side burner yet but will do so when warmer for starches & sauces.

Problems? One of the castor wheels was locked. I waited 2 minutes for Weber to confirm the problem, the replacement castor wheel was couriered ready for pickup 5 days later! The individual igniters are not as reliable as the standalone universal igniter from my previous Genesis. The only omission at this point is an infrared searing burner.

Enjoy and rest assured unless you want to spend crazy money, you won’t get a better grill.


Pros
Grill size – can do multiple heat zones, facilitates access with tongs, depth
Dedicated smoker box + burner
Heavy duty rotisserie rod
Warming rack – high enough that food doesn’t get cooked directly (only indirectly)
Stainless grate.


Cons
Firebox base isn’t cast aluminium (like my Genesis)
Individual burner igniter system not as reliable as my Genesis
The controls will get drippings from tongs /