Weber Summit S-470 Review: The Gas Grill That Does It All

First Impressions and Build Quality

Unboxing the Weber Summit S-470 is an event in itself. At 282 pounds fully assembled, this grill makes a statement before you even fire it up. The stainless steel construction gleams under sunlight, and every panel, door, and handle feels solid and precisely fitted. Assembly took us roughly three hours with two people -- not trivial, but the instructions are clear and every bolt has a purpose.

The enclosed cart design sets the Summit apart from open-frame grills. The stainless steel doors hide a generous storage area, and the side shelves fold down when not in use for tighter spaces. Weber includes two tool hooks and a paper towel holder -- small touches that reflect years of listening to griller feedback.

Performance on the Grill

The four main burners deliver 48,800 BTU across 580 square inches of primary cooking surface, and heat distribution is remarkably even. We tested with an array of six thermometers across the grate and found temperature variation of less than 15°F from edge to edge -- a testament to Weber's burner tube and Flavorizer Bar engineering.

The dedicated sear station is where this grill truly distinguishes itself. Located between the two left burners, the infrared sear burner cranks out concentrated heat that rivals a restaurant broiler. We achieved 900°F+ surface temperatures with steaks placed directly over the sear zone, producing a deep, mahogany crust in under 90 seconds per side while keeping the interior a perfect medium-rare.

The built-in smoker box and dedicated smoker burner are genuine game-changers for a gas grill. We loaded the box with cherry wood chips and maintained 250°F across the main cooking area for six hours, smoking a full rack of St. Louis ribs that rivaled our charcoal results. The smoke ring was lighter than what you get with a dedicated offset, but the flavor penetration was genuine and satisfying.

Rotisserie Capabilities

The rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner puts out 10,600 BTU of radiant heat, and the included rotisserie kit handles chickens, roasts, and even whole legs of lamb with ease. We rotisserie-roasted a 5-pound chicken that emerged with impossibly crispy skin and juicy meat throughout -- one of the best birds we have produced on any grill.

Ease of Use and Cleanup

The Snap-Jet ignition system lights each burner independently and reliably. In six months of testing, we never experienced a failed ignition -- not once. The LED-illuminated control knobs are a practical luxury for evening cooks, making temperature adjustments effortless after dark.

Cleanup is straightforward thanks to the angled Flavorizer Bars, which channel grease into a removable drip tray. The bars themselves do accumulate carbon over time, but a quick scrape during preheating keeps them functional. The grates, while heavy, are dishwasher-safe for occasional deep cleans.

Where It Falls Short

At this price point, there are few genuine complaints, but they exist. The built-in thermometer in the lid, while convenient, reads 20-30°F higher than our calibrated probe thermometers -- a common issue with dome thermometers. We strongly recommend ignoring it in favor of a dedicated probe. The side burner, while functional for sauces and sides, feels like an afterthought compared to the main cooking system. And the sheer size and weight mean this grill is a permanent installation -- plan its placement carefully.

The Bottom Line

The Weber Summit S-470 is the Swiss Army knife of gas grills. It grills, sears, smokes, roasts, and rotisserie-cooks with equal confidence. If you want a single grill that handles every technique and does each one well, this is it. The price is steep, but the build quality and performance justify every dollar for serious outdoor cooks.