MCS: Talk me out of getting this

[synodog]

I've been looking at a few different grills and am close to deciding (I'm always trying to talk myself out of it). Wifey has basically said, get the one you want and stop talking yourself out of it, but you gotta clear out the patio of the ones that aren't being used anymore and the one getting replaced.

Summit® FS38 E Gas Grill (Liquid Propane)

I was also looking at the Searwood XL and the SPX-435 propane, but nobody seems to have the smart 435 propane fuel in stock anymore. Weber told me it hasn't been discontinued, it's just not being sold on their site anymore. That suggests they're coming up with a new version and maybe I should wait, lol.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

My step dad has had nothing but problems with the smart version of this grill, how much of that is the "smart" features and how much is due to bad design with the burner tubes is a matter of debate for the folks at Weber who have sent a technician twice without long term resolution to the issues. My step dad has been a life long fan of Weber and will likely not buy another new model ever again.

[SheilaAnn]

Kinda like my W/D. There is an app so I can turn the machines on. But I have to go to the machine itself and turn on the feature. 🤦🏼♀️

Smart Appliances ain’t that smart.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

synodog it's been an issue with the burner tubes in combination of the smart stuff in my opinion, but even with the manual stuff he has a burner that doesn't behave. Considering Weber may be traversing the same path as Traeger I'd probably hold off. I do REALLY like the grate storage and how the rotisserie stores and works, but the fit and finish isn't what I would expect of a grill over 2K let alone 3-5K

[UFLawdog]

I’m considering getting the “dumb” version. Can you elaborate on the problems he is having?

[Draznnl]

"maybe I should wait..."

If you wait long enough, who knows what they'll come up with.

Seriously, if the FS38 does what you want, is not ridiculously overpriced, is available, and your wife doesn't object, the only question is: What the heck are you waiting for? If, on the other hand, it doesn't really do what you want, move on to a different cooker.

[sclawrence2013]

When I signed up for this site I seem to remember a rule stating that talking someone out of MCS could result in being banned for life. Maybe I'm mis-remembering the rule, but pretty sure that's how it was stated.

[klflowers]

No I think you got that right

[mrichie1229]

So, synodog should get both grills so he won't have to decide.

[xrodbob]

I would look at it as talking someone into different cooking stuff rather than no MCS. The latter, of course, is excommunication.

[LA Pork Butt]

So far, I am enjoying my new Searwood XL 600. It is a beast in size and at least for me is easier to use than a gas grill. It is predictable as to heat up times and and shut down is a breeze. My estimates are that I could do 60# of Boston Butt, or four briskets, or with rib racks 21 racks of ribs. You know whatever you decide won’t be perfect, but you’ll love what you get.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

It's funny I wouldn't recommend a high end Weber product right now, but I would and do recommend the Searwood since I KNOW they over R&D'd it to try and win back some after the Smokefire debacle.

[TomfromtheSoo]

It's got a broiler! I think you should buy it...

[glitchy]

Unless you’re dying to have a rotisserie burner, I would go for a Genesis. I feel like I’ve seen more complaints about Summit gassers than anything Weber except the original Smokefire. I love Weber, but I don’t see the kind of quality in their parts that would leave me to believe any of their products will last 25-30 years anymore and most people would expect that kinda life out of something priced that high.

I’d probably buy a Searwood if was me. When my Smokefire worked right it was better than grilling on a gasser. Haven’t been following super close, but seems like they resolved most of the Smokefire issues in the redesign.

[UFLawdog]

I’ve had little luck finding any comments on the FS38. You mentioned seeing far more complaints about a Summit gasser, can you direct me to where they are posted? I don’t want to buy a problem.

[glitchy]

UFLawdog They aren’t about this generation of grills, but saw them on a different forum specifically focused on Weber. There are stories about a bad generation of Summits that Weber pretty much abandoned the owners of after the cookbox would burn out. But the bigger point is each gen more bolts get replaced with stamped fasteners and the metal gets thinner and thinner.

[UFLawdog]

glitchy I read prior gen had water intrusion issues but wasn’t aware of other problems. Thank you.

[DavidNorcross]

I really cannot recommend any of the above. What I will not do is talk you out of buying a new cooker. As an upstanding member of Amazing Ribs anonymous, I say buy it, no matter what it is!

[Panhead John]

As a [semi] upstanding member of Amazing Ribs, I think this is the gas grill you definitely should get.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I heard it comes with a divorce, what a steal!

[bep35]

Didn't the wifey basically say, get the one you want and stop talking yourself out of it? Sounds like you have been given the green light.

[bardsleyque]

looks like you could just sleep on it when you're not cooking.

[synodog]

So what I think I'm hearing is, I should forego the Summit, get the Genesis 435 and Searwood XL since both together are less than the Summit?

[SheilaAnn]

I feel like LegoMySearwood should weigh in….

[glitchy]

I like that thinking a lot, though I’d buy the Searwood first and try it a month before adding the Gensis. If it works like the Smokefire you might decide you’d never use the gasser and could put the funds into fancy knives or something.

[LegoMySearwood]

I love the Searwood because of the temperatures it can reach. I don't have a gasser because of it. Weber helped me resolve the temperature problems with a new thermocouple. My only regret is that I didn't get the Searwood XL.

[klflowers]

I don't know. I think you should get the
searwood, the genesis and this. Smaller footprint and it's on sale:

[Panhead John]

We’ll have you divorced before years end! 🥸

[Purc]

Wow, Free Shipping is included.

[Hulagn1971]

I think HouseHomey has a Hestan.

[mrichie1229]

I feel your pain synodog. When you finally have permission to get something you want, it is easy to second guess your decision.

My question is, what are your other cookers and which ones are you removing from the herd?

[synodog]

The Nexgrill gasser will get replaced and the old (haven't used in 5 years MB gas smoker) will also. I may put the 18" WSM up for sale too if I decide to go with the Searwood XL and Genesis.

[UFLawdog]

I am strongly considering an FS38 to supplement my kettle and WSMs. If I don’t get the Summit I may get a Sedona. I really care about the sear performance. Everything I’ve read says the Genesis doesn’t cut it. Btw I’m on year 18 of my Genesis 3 burner.

[glitchy]

Does your 18 year old Genesis sear well enough? My 5 year old Genesis sears way better than the Y2Kish one I had before. Though way different to compare to a broiler or IR burner.

[UFLawdog]

glitchy not at all, which is part of the reason I’m looking for an “upgrade”

[Sweaty Paul]

synodog I was a Weber fanboy. I made the switch to Napoleon a few years ago and have loved my Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 RSIB.It seems to be, based on my very limited research, similar to the Weber in terms of size and features. Mine has a rotisserie and the rear infrared burner which works well. The searing station for the steak works well and has two grate levels for searing. It has an area for wood pellets to smoke too. I haven't used the wood smoke very much given that I have a Yoder pellet pooper and Primo. I did purchase the rotisserie basket. Makes the best chicken wings ever. The nice thing about it is that it is big and because of that it can do quick two zone cooking.

Anyway, good luck on your search. If you're looking for a gas grill would recommend the Napoleon. Will also say that the Yoder YS-640 S while being a pellet pooper is pretty darned handy too especially with the 2 piece diffuser plate and a set of grill grates.

MCS is a powerful thing and we are all happy to "help" folks indulge in MCS.

Again, good luck on your search!!

Sweaty Paul

[synodog]

Ok, here's the update. First of all, let me thank everyone for not talking me out of buying something. LOL.
I appreciate the insights of the membership here and I did have to breakdown what I really wanted in a new cooking device. I did really like the broiler on the FS38. That was the main driver for looking at it and the size were something I kept thinking I needed in order to do 2 zone cooking. My current gasser does that fine and it sears ok too, but what I ran into the last few months was the need for more smoking space when it was called for.

With that in mind I was leaning toward the Searwood XL, but wasn't really needing it for the grilling even though it sounds like it works great for that and could be the one cooker to rule them all .

I decided to look at the Smoque XL too since that was my primary need recently. So, with that in mind and weighing all those options, I made the decision to get the Smoque XL and added the folding tables because it seems to always be a need in my patio. I'm still possibly replacing the gasser, but it isn't critical at this point and if that happens, I'll be reducing the fleet even more.

[Panhead John]

Nice, congrats!

[Donw]

Congratulations on your new cooker.

[Alan Brice]

Niiiiccceeeee!