Discover why the Weber Summit E-470 is a top pick for grilling enthusiasts:
We spent some time using the Weber Summit E-470 grill and found it to be solid for outdoor cooking. The grill heats evenly, and the four burners make it easy to cook different foods at once.
It’s large and sturdy, though setting it up took a bit of time. The cooking grates hold heat well, and the rotisserie system is convenient to use and store away.
On the downside, the size means it needs plenty of space. Since it runs on natural gas, you’ll need the right setup at home for it to work.
Overview of the Weber Summit E-470 4-Burner Natural Gas Grill
After using this grill several times, we found it solid and reliable. The four burners offer good heat control and make it easy to cook different foods side by side.
Stainless steel grates heat evenly and leave nice sear marks. The grill’s size means it takes up a fair bit of space, so plan ahead.
The built-in rotisserie and side burner add useful cooking options. The ignition system lights up quickly, and the handle light helps when grilling at night.
One downside: it requires a natural gas hookup, so not everyone will be able to use it. Assembly was mostly straightforward, but a few parts needed careful handling.
Key Features
After a few cooks, we noticed the grill has a solid build and thoughtful details that matter if you grill often. The design is practical, with features that make grilling easier, but there are minor drawbacks.
High-Performance Stainless Steel Burners
The burners heat up quickly and hold temperature well. We liked the power since it gave us a consistent cooking environment.
The heat output is strong, letting us sear meats effectively and maintain steady temps for longer cooks. Handling the variable heat takes a little practice, though, since the burners respond quickly to adjustments.
9 mm Stainless Steel Cooking Grates
The grates are thick and sturdy, which helps with even heat and durability. They resist rust and wear, so cleaning up after each use is easier.
The 9 mm thickness gave us good contact with the food, making grill marks and flavor better. They do take a bit longer to preheat compared to thinner grates.
Snap-Jet Individual Burner Ignition System
We found the Snap-Jet ignition system reliable most of the time. It lights each burner separately, so if one fails, the rest still work.
Sometimes the ignition needs a couple of tries, especially if it’s windy. Still, it beats fumbling with matches or lighters.
Integrated Sear and Side Burners
Having a dedicated sear burner made a real difference for quick, high-heat cooking. We could char meats perfectly without raising the heat for the whole grill.
The side burner adds convenience for sauces or sides outdoors. Both burners are handy, but they do bump up the grill’s price and size, so consider your space and budget.
Feature | What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
---|---|---|
Burners | Quick heat up, steady control | Needs practice to adjust |
Cooking Grates | Durable, even heat | Preheat takes longer |
Ignition System | Reliable, individual control | Occasional ignition misses |
Sear & Side Burners | Versatile cooking options | Adds cost and bulk |
These features make the grill pretty adaptable and user-friendly for outdoor cooking. The trade-offs seem fair given the quality and options you get.
Pros and Cons
After spending time with the grill, we noticed several strengths and some drawbacks. It performs well in many areas but has a few issues that might matter depending on your needs.
Pros
- The cooking space and heat output are solid for most backyard grilling tasks.
- We liked how the four burners gave us good control over different temperature zones.
- The stainless steel grates and flavorizer bars are easy to clean and hold up well after repeated use.
- The built-in rotisserie system is convenient with its tuck-away design and storage, which saved us space and simplified cooking.
- Assembly was manageable, especially with the app instructions that guide you step-by-step.
- The grill feels sturdy and built to last, supported by a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
Cons
- This model requires a natural gas hookup, which limits where you can put it if you don’t already have natural gas available.
The grill handles well and offers useful features. Its setup and maintenance are mostly straightforward, but the need for a natural gas supply and occasional hardware issues should be considered.
Customer Reviews
Most users appreciate the grill’s solid build and useful features. Many mention it cooks evenly and has plenty of space for different food at once.
The stainless steel parts get good marks for durability and ease of cleaning. On the downside, some people had issues with damaged parts arriving and slow customer service.
A few felt the price was high compared to other grills, though many thought the quality made it worthwhile.
The feedback suggests the grill performs well, but buyers should prepare for careful unboxing and possibly slower help if problems come up.
Unique Grilling Enhancements
When we used the grill, two features stood out and changed how we cooked and stored accessories. These enhancements made grilling smoother and tidier without adding fuss.
Lighted Control Knobs
The lighted control knobs caught our attention, especially for evening grills. They glow softly, making it easy to see and adjust heat levels even in low light.
This small detail helped us avoid guessing or fumbling with the settings when it got dark. The lights aren’t very bright, though, so in a fully lit area, you might barely notice them.
Tuck-Away Rotisserie System
The rotisserie setup was very handy. The motor flips up out of the way when not in use, which keeps the cooking space neat.
There’s a special spot inside the grill’s cart to store the spit and forks. This design cuts down on clutter and protects parts from the weather when you’re not using them.
Setting it up takes a bit of time, but the system feels sturdy once in place. These grilling features proved useful in real use, and while not perfect, they offer thoughtful touches that improve the overall cooking experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When we started using the Summit E-470 regularly, several common questions came to mind. Based on hands-on experience and research, we've gathered practical answers to help you understand what to expect from this grill.
What improvements have been made in the Weber Summit E-470 model over the years?
The E-470 has seen several updates focused on usability and durability. Over time, Weber improved the ignition system for more reliable starts and added better lighting on control knobs for visibility at night.
The stainless steel components resist rust better now, and the Flavorizer bars help with even cooking and smoke flavor. These changes make the grill easier to use and maintain compared to earlier models.
What are the primary differences between the Summit E-470 and the Summit S series?
The Summit E-470 covers the basics well with four burners and solid heat control. The Summit S series, on the other hand, adds more high-end features, like extra burners, built-in temperature controls, and sometimes an infrared sear burner.
The S series usually comes with upgraded materials and digital components for more advanced cooking. The E-470 strikes a great balance for most backyard grilling, whereas the S series seems geared towards those seeking extra precision and more power.
How does the Weber Summit E-470's performance compare to other grills in its price range?
In our experience, the Summit E-470 holds its own. It delivers steady heat and good searing ability thanks to the 48,800 BTUs spread over four burners, plus a dedicated sear burner.
Other grills in this range might match the BTUs, but Weber’s build quality and heat retention stand out. The cooking surface heats evenly, which is honestly not always a given with competitors. Still, it’s a bigger investment than some of the budget options out there.
What is the expected lifespan of the Weber Summit E-470 grill with regular use?
With proper care, the E-470 can last 10 years or more. The stainless steel burners and cooking grates handle weather and frequent use surprisingly well.
Regular cleaning, especially of the Flavorizer bars and grease trays, helps prevent corrosion and keeps the burners running smoothly. Weber’s 10-year warranty shows their confidence in the grill's durability.
Can the Weber Summit E-470 reach temperatures suitable for searing and slow cooking?
Yeah, it handles both styles nicely. The dedicated sear burner heats up quickly, allowing you to achieve that perfect crust on steaks.
The four main burners give you good control for indirect heat, making slow cooking and smoking doable. We've switched between sear and low, slow heat without needing any extra gear.
Are there any common issues or concerns that users have reported with the Weber Summit E-470?
Some users have reported minor assembly issues and occasional missing parts upon opening the box. A handful of folks also say customer service can be slow to respond if something goes wrong.
Performance-wise, it’s mostly trouble-free. A few people noticed slight wear on burner knobs, and one or two found broken casters right out of the box.
DISCLAIMER
This document is provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as providing legal advice, technical, or specific operational guidance to the reader, whether as to the practices described in the document or the applicable legal requirements and regulations. backyardgrillingpros.com expressly disclaims any responsibility for liability arising from or related to the use or misuse of any information in this document.