I am SO happy with this upgrade (though it'll take me about a year to get over that reflexive freakout when the lid tips past where I'm expecting it to rest).
One of the things that I don't think the designers of the SS Performers anticipated was the chimney starter, which rests right underneath the open lid. I've seen a few SSes with heat damage right there, so this is a great improvement. Plus it's a lot easier to get grates and food on and off.
The difference in the gap is just under two inches, but that's plenty of room to make all the difference. Now to sew my own custom cover to keep this all out of the weather. Wish me luck...
PS. I was in such a hurry that I put those rollers on backwards... I'll fix that as soon as the grill cools down.
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