UPDATE - Weber (the company...) rocks!!! RE: New WSM bent, need advice on if this is normal and how

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krubby

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Dec 11, 2014
118
19
So I am brand new to smoking, or had hope to be.  Spent weeks researching places, especially this board, and finally decided on a Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5 based on reviews, comments etc. Decided it was worth the extra money for the quality I considered Weber to be.

Anyway - ordered the WSM 22.5 on Tuesday from Amazon, had it shipped 2 day to get here.  Finally had a chance to put it together tonight.  Got it completely assembled and went to place lid on top and there is absolutely no way it will fit.  The 'middle' section is so bent, if I place the lid down into it on the front it sticks out at least 1/2 inch on the back. 

I tried pushing, shoving, bending the middle section as much as I could and I can't get the lid on completely.

Is this just something I need to live with?  Is this common? 

I know there are bigger issues in life, but I feel like I spent more $$$ for quality and the lid won't even sit on the top correctly. 

Also the top grate wobbles at least 1/3 of an inch back and forth, does not sit level

Any thoughts on how to fix or do I just need to live with a (really) large gap on the back?  Since I got this from Amazon would cost a fortune (I fear) to return.

It is hard to tell but below are a few pictures of the gap

1st pic is how it looks in the front.  next two are the gap in the back.  Hard to tell but the 2nd pic the top is hanging OVER the bottom by a sizeable (1'2 inch +) amount



 
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Call Weber.  They have the best customer service in the business.  You have a 10 year warranty.  Use it.
ok, will do. good point about the warrenty.  I was afraid I would have to return the whole thing to Amazon.  I will call Weber and see what I should do.
 
No! No! No!
You don't have to live with that...don't try to fix it and don't assume that it's Weber's fault...it likely happened in shipping.
If it was sold by Amazon (and not some who sell on Amazon) return and replacement is free.

You need to get on the horn with Amazon, ASAP...ain't anybody here who can help you!


HTH




=Martin=
 
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Yes great point - I bet it was a shipping issue.

What is nice is I wasn't planning on even using it for at least a few days - most likely NEXT weekend at the earliest.  So luckily I don't have some big party I was hoping to use this for in 2 days.

thanks guys for the speedy replies.

I think I am going to love hanging out at this place and I will call Weber and see how to proceed.
 
You've chosen a great smoker.  Just had gorillas handling it in shipping is all. 

When you do get up and running cook something with a lot of splatter (chicken, pork butt, etc) to create a seasoning build up which will help control temps.  It may run hot a few cooks but after a while it will be rock steady.  I've smoked everything from Bacon, Kielbasa, Summer Sausage, Snack Sticks, Chicken, Pork Butt, Brisket etc., etc.
 
 
You've chosen a great smoker.  Just had gorillas handling it in shipping is all. 

When you do get up and running cook something with a lot of splatter (chicken, pork butt, etc) to create a seasoning build up which will help control temps.  It may run hot a few cooks but after a while it will be rock steady.  I've smoked everything from Bacon, Kielbasa, Summer Sausage, Snack Sticks, Chicken, Pork Butt, Brisket etc., etc.
I am a former Postal gorilla....you would be surprised how stuff gets man handled inside the PO...
 
Even better idea here if you want to get this done very fast.  Find a big box store like home depot that carries the exact same smoker.  Buy it from them locally, swap out the bent section, and then return it saying it was damaged when you opened it.  Big box stores "damage out" these returns and send them back to the manufacturers anyways.
 
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I am a former Postal gorilla....you would be surprised how stuff gets man handled inside the PO...
so it's your fault!

Ha ha just kidding.

I had started this thread thinking I should try to fix it myself, but I am not sure I can.  Thanks for the replies, I think a call to Weber and/or Amazon tomorrow should resolve the issue.
 
 
Even better idea here if you want to get this done very fast.  Find a big box store like home depot that carries the exact same smoker.  Buy it from them locally, swap out the bent section, and then return it saying it was damaged when you opened it.  Big box stores "damage out" these returns and send them back to the manufacturers anyways.
That is good advice.  If it was the 18.5" I could, but can't find any local places that have the 22.5" unfortunately.

And I agree - if I did know of a place that had the larger model the store itself isn't losing anything.  I worked for Kohl's for years, defective goods got adjusted and sent back to manufacturers. 

And thanks (eye roll...) to the fact I have wedding to go to tomorrow, and other things on Sunday, I won't be able to even spend time getting it fired up until next weekend anyway.
 
I had a similar issue, lid wouldn't fit. I called Weber customer service. They had me take a couple of measurements and take some pictures, then sent me the replacement parts. No return necessary. They were very easy to deal with, there was minimal stress, except I couldn't use my smoker for a few days.
 
 
I had a similar issue, lid wouldn't fit. I called Weber customer service. They had me take a couple of measurements and take some pictures, then sent me the replacement parts. No return necessary. They were very easy to deal with, there was minimal stress, except I couldn't use my smoker for a few days.
Just curious - What part was incorrect in your case?  I think it is the middle section versus the lid for me.  I can't imagine as thick as the lid is that the lid is the issue.

This has all helped.  Instead of trying to fix myself (which I kind of tried but it is way to out of round) I'll call Weber this morning and see what they can do.  If that doesn't work I think I can call Amazon and a backup and just say I want to return this as defective.  Amazon is pretty good too - they usually send you the new one asap and then you have like 15 days to mail the old one back.  At least they have done that done that for other defective things I have had.  But I'll start with Weber and go from there
 
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Even better idea here if you want to get this done very fast.  Find a big box store like home depot that carries the exact same smoker.  Buy it from them locally, swap out the bent section, and then return it saying it was damaged when you opened it.  Big box stores "damage out" these returns and send them back to the manufacturers anyways.
No, no, no!  Have some class here and don't involve an innocent store... crazy!  Rather than justify this route, try asking your local big box store if they'll support your purchase from Amazon ...see what they say, but be up front about it.  Maybe they'll support you and do it so you'll be a good customer of theirs, but give them an up-front chance to do it.

If it were me, I'd call Amazon ...you can even stress that you hoped to use it this coming weekend, and maybe they'll ship you a whole new unit quickly.  Otherwise, Weber ...they chose to put a great warranty on it and to take responsibility for the poor handling of others ...as Amazon does, so take advantage of it and let those that chose to support you help fix the issues.  Life happens... but you are getting a great BBQ smoker out of it, regardless.

Brian
 
 
Just curious - What part was incorrect in your case?  I think it is the middle section versus the lid for me.  I can't imagine as thick as the lid is that the lid is the issue.

This has all helped.  Instead of trying to fix myself (which I kind of tried but it is way to out of round) I'll call Weber this morning and see what they can do.  If that doesn't work I think I can call Amazon and a backup and just say I want to return this as defective.  Amazon is pretty good too - they usually send you the new one asap and then you have like 15 days to mail the old one back.  At least they have done that done that for other defective things I have had.  But I'll start with Weber and go from there
In my case they were both off as confirmed by measurements of the diameter of both pieces at several points. From your picture you have an even worse problem than I did. Replacements arrived quickly and I was on my way. They were very nice and seemed to just want to correct the problem as quickly as possible.
 
I have taken to refusing delivery if there is one dang mark on the box anytime I get something in the mail these days. Amazon is very good but they do sometimes charge shipping all over again. I bought a high dollar subwoofer a couple of years ago that came with a forklift hole that went through the box, the subwoofer and out the other side. Lucky I noticed it because if I had not they would have charged me to ship a 200 pound load both ways again. I would try them first and then weber as your second go.
 
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