Well, without any reliable feedback we're looking at a different direction. Either one of the non-Smart Webers or a different brand.
The deciding factor was that while the grill has a 15 year warranty, the electronics only have a 3 year warranty and there doesn't appear to be a way to operate the main burners without the electronics. At that price point, its not worth the risk.
Another club member just asked about the new Summits. I've seen them in action and they sure look good.
The Summit Smart Grill has thermostatic controls. There are a few different modes within the grill that allow for a vast array of functionality.
When the grill is turned on and powered up, the user will select a preheat mode. Within that menu is Direct, Indirect, Infrared and manual. For your specific, question, the user will select either direct or indirect. These 2 modes allow for the selection of an exact cooking temperature in 5 degree increments. Once that is selected and confirmed, the grill will ignite and maintain that set temperature throughout the cook.
Manual mode is the mode where the 1-10 number selection comes into play. The number selected will equate to how hot the flame output is. Each of the 5 burners can be controlled in this method, independently of the next.
Infrared controls the top-down IR and can be set to either low or high.
I'm dyin' to get one of these on my deck, but need to clear a few others off first.
Max, the big concern is the disparity in warranty length on the electronics and manual mode seemingly requiring said electronics. So when you do get your hands on one, it would be interesting to see what, if anything is possible without power.
ItsAllGoneToTheDogs The Summit Smart Grills need electricity to function. Everything for the grill runs through the touchscreen on the front. Weber has a line of Summit base models that function without electricity, but don't have "Smart" features.
Last edited by Max Good; August 11, 2025, 09:39 AM.
Max Good and anyone else who cares. He bought the smart one anyway because I guess there are a lot of complaints about the dumb version not always lighting properly. I'll do my best to do a toast test and review the other features. Obviously nothing to the level of what the AR team puts out, but better than nothing.
I didn't get to play with it too much, but the side burner is analog so can be used without power. But its a pot burner and can't be used to grill.
Also the auto start up, at least without diving into it, goes 100F past set temp and takes forever to come down. It doesnt appear to turn off burners to reduce the heat. That might be an option in the program I'll have to look into.
The rotisserie is cool, the motor pops up out of the side shelf and the bar neatly hangs on the back of the grill.
Overall, initial impressions from my step dad are that it is nice, but about 2k overpriced for what it is.
So he's been using the grill multiple times a week to make breakfast, but its really close to becoming a return.
The controller constantly will falsely get a flame error and then shut the grill down. Even manually lighting it, the controller will over ride and hes spent way too.much time.on the phone with support.
They are sending a new controller and a technician, but if that doesn't solve the issue I expect someone at Weber is gonna obtain an increased vocabulary.
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