Weber top vent problem

[stillgriller]

Assembly of my performer deluxe went mostly ok, but the bowl mount holes didn’t quite line up with the frame, and I had to get forceful with the bolts to get it together without stripping any of the threads. After using it a couple times I noticed some metal dust around the lid vent. Sure enough, the wheel was gouging through the porcelain and into steel, as it was out-of-round. Weber is graciously sending me a new lid, and I much appreciate it. But now I’m wondering how common these issues are. The porcelain is thinner than a I would have expected. Anybody else have these kind of issues?

[DynaGlide]

That happened with my lid on one of my performers. The damper wasn't shaped right. I decided to drill out the rivet and replace the damper with a new one using a bolt. It still isn't as nice/smooth as my other grills but it isn't as bad as before.

[michaelmilitello]

In my experience, this is quite rare, and Weber will address it quickly under warranty. 


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[stillgriller]

In my experience, this is quite rare, and Weber will address it quickly under warranty. 


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My CGA is doing the same, and while anecdotal, it doesn’t appear rare to me.

[stillgriller]

New lid came in, same problem with first 1/8th turn. I give up.

[Mr.CPHo]

I’ve never experienced this myself, but perhaps cook on it a few times to build up a coat of residue between the vent and porcelain. 

[stillgriller]

I have a red LE 22”, it’s a few years old, and the vent wheel is still as smooth as silk. I conclude that the new manufacture vents are faulty due to cost cutting, engineered obsolescence, or both. Regardless of the reason, I can’t recommend them, as if anyone cares

[stillgriller]

I tried out a new production Jumbo Joe, and it displayed the same problem as well. If you think about the one-touch system, those blades, which have relatively sharp and rough edges, scrape the bowl back and forth amid ash, grit, drippings…effectively an abrasive paste, with no damage to the bowl. I’ve cooked on my red LE for years without the one touch system wearing through the porcelain coating. I’ve also cooked on my new performer deluxe, which also has the one touch system, and the bowl cleans up to almost as good as new with no damage to the interior finish.

There is something different about how the lids are manufactured that makes the finish so delicate. Regardless of the reason for this, I won’t be recommending new manufacture Weber kettles for the time being.