You’ve probably seen it sitting there in the middle of a showroom floor, looking like a piece of industrial art made of heavy-duty stainless steel. The Weber Summit 4 burner grill, specifically the S-470 or the E-470, isn't just a barbecue. It's a statement. Honestly, when you’re dropping this kind of money on a backyard appliance, you aren’t just looking for something to flip burgers on; you’re looking for a kitchen that happens to live outside.
I’ve spent years watching people debate the "Summit vs. Genesis" toss-up. Most people think the Summit is just a shinier version of its cheaper siblings. They're wrong. It’s a completely different beast under the hood. While the Genesis line is the reliable workhorse of suburban America, the Summit is Weber’s attempt at luxury. It’s heavy. It’s sturdy. It feels like it was built by people who take sear marks more seriously than their own taxes.
What makes the Weber Summit 4 burner grill actually different?
Let’s talk about the Tuck-Away rotisserie system because it’s basically the "party trick" of this machine. Most grills require you to go find a box in the garage, dig out the motor, and screw it onto the side of the grill while your guests watch you struggle. Not here. On the Weber Summit 4 burner grill, the motor literally pops up from a hidden compartment in the side table.
It’s sleek.
When you’re done, it folds back down flush. It’s those little engineering touches that separate the high-end stuff from the big-box store specials. And we haven't even touched on the dedicated sear station or the smoker box. Weber didn’t just throw a few extra burners in a box; they created a workflow. You have a dedicated burner specifically for the smoker box, which allows you to add a hickory or applewood profile to your food without messing with the ambient temperature of your main cooking zone.
The heat management reality
One thing I’ve noticed is that beginners often complain about the Summit getting "too hot." That’s like complaining a Ferrari goes too fast. The Weber Summit 4 burner grill uses a high-output burner system. These aren't your standard BTU ratings that manufacturers use to fluff up their spec sheets. We are talking about 48,800 BTUs on the main burners alone, plus an additional 10,600 BTUs for the Sear Station.
If you aren't careful, you will incinerate a steak in three minutes. But once you master the dial control, the heat consistency is incredible. The flavorizer bars—those V-shaped metal tents over the burners—do a lot of the heavy lifting here. They vaporize drippings, sending that "charcoal-ish" flavor back up into the meat. It’s a signature Weber move, but the Summit uses thicker gauge stainless steel for these than the lower-tier models, meaning they retain heat better and last significantly longer before rusting out.
The durability question: Stainless vs. Porcelain
You have two main paths when picking out a Weber Summit 4 burner grill. You’ve got the S-series (stainless steel) and the E-series (porcelain-enameled).
📖 Related: Bates Nut Farm Woods Valley Road Valley Center CA: Why Everyone Still Goes After 100 Years
Honestly? Most people go for the stainless because it looks like a professional kitchen. But there’s a secret among long-term grillers: the porcelain enamel on the E-series is arguably tougher. It’s essentially glass fused to metal. It doesn't scratch as easily as stainless, and it definitely doesn't show fingerprints every time you touch the lid.
Stainless steel looks incredible on day one. By day 300, it shows every smudge and every bit of grease. If you’re the type of person who wants to polish your grill with a microfiber cloth every Sunday morning, get the S-470. If you just want a tank that survives a harsh winter without losing its luster, the E-470 is the smart play.
Let's talk about the "Search Station"
This is where the Weber Summit 4 burner grill earns its keep. On most 4-burner grills, the heat is spread evenly. On the Summit, there’s an extra burner tucked between two of the main ones. When you kick that on, you create a "nuclear zone" of heat.
It’s perfect for that crust you get at a high-end steakhouse. You aren't just baking the meat; you’re triggering the Maillard reaction at a level most consumer grills can’t touch. Most people think they need a separate infrared burner for this, but Weber’s traditional gas approach here is actually more versatile because it doesn't have the "hot spots" that infrared ceramic tiles often develop over time.
The stuff nobody tells you
Every product has its quirks. For the Summit, it’s the cabinet space. Despite being a massive grill, the internal cabinet is surprisingly cramped because the grease management system and the propane tank (if you aren't on natural gas) take up a lot of real estate.
- The lighted knobs are cool, but they require batteries.
- You’ll be replacing those batteries more often than you think if you grill at night frequently.
- The "Snap-Jet" ignition is light-years ahead of the old clicky-buttons, but it's a mechanical part that needs cleaning.
- If grease builds up around the electrodes, it won't fire.
Another thing? The weight. This isn't a grill you want to move across a gravel driveway. The casters are high-quality, but the unit is heavy enough to leave ruts in soft wood decks if it sits in one spot for three years. If you’re planning on putting this on a deck, make sure your joists are up to the task.
Why the 4-burner is the "Goldilocks" size
Weber makes a 6-burner version of the Summit, the S-670. It’s a monster. But for 90% of people, the Weber Summit 4 burner grill is the better choice.
👉 See also: Why T. Pepin’s Hospitality Centre Still Dominates the Tampa Event Scene
Why? Efficiency.
Heating up that massive 6-burner firebox takes a lot of fuel and a lot of time. The 4-burner model hits searing temps much faster and uses significantly less gas for a Tuesday night dinner for four. You still have enough surface area to cook for a party of twelve, especially if you utilize the warming rack and the rotisserie.
Comparisons that actually matter
People often compare the Summit to brands like Napoleon or even the "built-in" luxury brands like Wolf or Lynx.
Napoleon’s Prestige series is the closest competitor. They offer infrared side burners which some people prefer for searing. However, the Weber Summit's integration is just... tighter. The warranty support from Weber is also legendary. If a part fails five years from now, you can actually get a human on the phone who knows what a manifold is. That matters when you're investing several thousand dollars.
Technical breakdown of the S-470 / E-470
To really understand the Weber Summit 4 burner grill, you have to look at the build materials. We aren't talking about the thin "304 stainless" wraps you find on $500 grills.
- Primary cooking area: 468 square inches.
- Total cooking area: 588 square inches (including the warming rack).
- Side burner: 12,000 BTU (perfect for sautéing onions or reducing a balsamic glaze).
- Rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner: 10,600 BTU.
- Construction: Heavy-gauge steel frame with cast aluminum end caps on the shroud.
The cast aluminum end caps are a big deal. They hold heat better than folded steel and they won't rust. Ever. This is why you see 20-year-old Webers still kicking in coastal environments while other grills have literally dissolved into a pile of orange flakes.
Real-world maintenance tips
If you want your Weber Summit 4 burner grill to last fifteen years, you have to stop using those cheap wire brushes. The bristles fall out, they get in your food (dangerous), and they scratch the stainless steel grates. Use a high-quality wooden scraper or a coil-based brush.
✨ Don't miss: Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs: What Really Happened and Why You Shouldn’t Panic
Also, clean the grease tray.
Because the Summit generates so much heat, a built-up grease tray isn't just gross—it’s a fire hazard. I’ve seen people warp their internal components because they let a grease fire get out of hand. Every five or six cooks, just pull the tray out and scrape it. It takes two minutes.
Addressing the price tag
Yes, it’s expensive. You could buy four cheap grills for the price of one Summit. But you’d be buying four grills over the next ten years. The Weber Summit 4 burner grill is designed to be a "buy it once" purchase.
When you factor in the cost of your time, the frustration of uneven heating on cheap burners, and the inevitable landfill contribution of a rusted-out budget grill, the math starts to favor the Weber. It’s an investment in your sanity as much as your cooking.
Actionable steps for the perspective buyer
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a Weber Summit 4 burner grill, do these three things first:
- Check your gas source: If you have a natural gas line at your house, buy the NG version. Never mess with propane tanks again. It’s a life-changer. If you don't have a line, get a quote from a plumber before you buy the grill; sometimes it’s cheaper than you think.
- Measure your space: This grill is wider than it looks in photos because of the side burners and the fixed tables. Ensure you have at least 2 feet of clearance from any combustible siding.
- Download the Weber app: It sounds gimmicky, but their specific recipes for the Summit series help you understand the timing for the sear station versus the rotisserie.
The Weber Summit isn't just a tool; it's the centerpiece of an outdoor lifestyle. Whether you're slow-roasting a chicken on the rotisserie with a hint of hickory smoke or searing a ribeye at 700 degrees, this machine handles it with a level of competence that's hard to find elsewhere. Stop settling for uneven heat and "maybe it's done" cooking. If you take your backyard sessions seriously, this is the hardware you need.