Weber: not made in USA anymore?

[space-time]

I have an 18" weber charcoal grill, about 5 years old, Made in Palatine IL.

I went looking for a 22.5" charcoal grill, and noticed in some stores that it said Designed (or Engineered?) in Palatine IL. I assume they moved the production to China or some other oversea location. At Sears I saw one that still said Made in IL, but maybe it was the display model and probably the actual grills for sale were imported.

I ordered one from Amazon, and it arrived 2 days ago. last night I tried to install it. On the box I could not find whether is was made in USA or China or any other place. It said Weber One Touch Gold 22.5" USA, whatever that means. It was probably USA model, not made in USA.

I opened it, and noticed the lid and body appears made from a thinner metal compared to my older smaller grill. It was also bend, both handles were bend and the case is not round anymore, and the enamel coating is cracked.

Bummer, I have a party this weekend and I was hoping to use the new larger grill, or perhaps even both to speed up the grilling. Now I have to use the older one, or maybe I have time to go shopping locally today to get one. Maybe I find an older stock somewhere with grills still made in the good old U S of A.

Anyone knows when they stopped making them in USA and moved production overseas?

[space-time]

found this

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/garden.html

Weber Grills (Palatine, IL): all charcoal grills made in Huntley, IL, and Summit and Genesis gas grills are made in Palatine, IL with domestic and imported parts (other gas grills imported)

[Fritz]

That's disappointing.
I was just looking at a new 22 charcoal.
Maybe not.

[Grateful11]

When we bought our Genesis model last Fall I noticed that the cheaper Spirit models were made in China, my Little
Smokey was made in USA but I've had for quite a while. It's all in the name of profits. They have a good product
but want to make more money. It's not enough to just make a profit in the US anymore you have to beat last qtrs.
profit or the stockholders don't like it. Someone didn't make much off our Genesis as we paid $400 for it at HHGregg.

OT: I bought a pack of Dewalt Phillips head bits for my cordless drill not long ago, made in China, I tried to find some
made in USA but couldn't, anyway one cam out while running in or out a screw and they're shot, just one time and
you might as well trash them. It's a disposable world.

[Grateful11]

space-time wrote:
found this

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/garden.html

Weber Grills (Palatine, IL): all charcoal grills made in Huntley, IL, and Summit and Genesis gas grills are
made in Palatine, IL with domestic and imported parts (other gas grills imported)

Nice site, thanks. It's sad that it appears no power tools are made in the USA anymore. Even L.S. Starrett
measuring tools are starting be imported, as much as they cost they should be made by skilled US craftsman.

[haikuman]

I have a small grill here, (RPI) that is made from a 15gallon recycled barrel.
It is cut in half, hinged, has 3 handles, a galvanized ash rack that I drilled holes in,
stainless steel grilling rack, 4 strong legs, with a storage rack below, 2 side wings that
fold up to allow for accessories, and condiments.

It is has a black finish. I drilled some extra holes in the sides and bottom for better ventilation.
It works like a charm~!~ Cost $45. They are very easy to make or have made. This puppy is
heavy duty. It is now 2 years old. Also it is easy and inexpensive to replace the ash rack
and stainless steel grilling rack.

I should add I have always loved the Weber's but years ago they started to reducing the gauge
of the material used to make them and for some reason sacrificed other good qualities that
tended to diminish their quality.

Rudie

[space-time]

haikuman wrote:
I have a small grill here, (RPI) that is made from a 15gallon recycled barrel.
It is cut in half, hinged, has 3 handles, a galvanized ash rack that I drilled holes in,
stainless steel grilling rack, 4 strong legs, with a storage rack below, 2 side wings that
fold up to allow for accessories, and condiments.

It is has a black finish. I drilled some extra holes in the sides and bottom for better ventilation.
It works like a charm~!~ Cost $45. They are very easy to make or have made. This puppy is
heavy duty. It is now 2 years old. Also it is easy and inexpensive to replace the ash rack
and stainless steel grilling rack.

Rudie

PICTURE!!!

thanks

[haikuman]

I will grab a picture tomorrow *(:>* 9:07pm here now .

[space-time]

9 PM, the night is young my friend.

[Black]

haikuman wrote:
I will grab a picture tomorrow *(:>* 9:07pm here now .