Weber Summit Kamado S6 Review

After testing hundreds of grills over the years, I thought I’d seen it all. Then Weber dropped the Summit Kamado S6 on my doorstep, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. A steel kamado? From Weber? It sounded like mixing oil and water.

Two years later, I can tell you exactly what this grill does right and where it falls short. No sugar-coating, no marketing fluff – just real talk from someone who’s cooked everything from weeknight dinners to Thanksgiving turkeys on this thing. 

Why I Bought the Weber Summit Kamado S6

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Let me start with the truth: I almost sent this grill back after the first week. The assembly was a nightmare – mislabeled parts, confusing instructions, and a logo that sat crooked no matter how I adjusted it. My wife walked by during hour three of assembly and said, “Maybe we should have stuck with the kettle.”

But I’m stubborn, and after 15 years of testing grills for families like mine (we’ve got seven kids, so trust me, I know picky eaters), I wanted to give Weber’s new approach a fair shot. The Weber Summit Kamado S6 S6 charcoal grill promised kamado performance without the headaches of ceramic. At $2,399, it delivers better.

The dimensions caught my attention first – 24 inches of cooking space in a package that weighs 236 pounds instead of the 300+ pounds of ceramic competitors. As someone who moves grills around for cleaning and seasonal storage, that weight difference matters more than you’d think.

Weber Summit Kamado S6 Dimensions

The Weber Summit Kamado S6 dimensions hit that sweet spot I’ve been looking for. At 24 inches across, you get 452 square inches of cooking space. That’s enough room for two full briskets or 13 burgers – perfect for our big family gatherings.

I’ve cooked on 18-inch kamados that felt cramped and 26-inch models that hogged the entire patio. This size works for most families without overwhelming smaller outdoor spaces. The height works well too – no back strain when checking food or adjusting vents.

The Weber Summit Kamado S6 weight of 236 pounds feels substantial without being excessive. I can still move it around my patio solo, something I couldn’t do with my old ceramic kamado that required two people just to shift a few inches.

Worth the Extra $1000?

Here’s where things get complicated. The Weber Summit Kamado S6 S6 vs E6 debate boils down to one question: Is the cart worth an extra thousand bucks?

The performance difference? Zero. Same cooking chamber, same heat retention, same everything that matters for actual cooking. The S6 gets you three things: the cart, the Weber Summit Kamado S6 table, and gas ignition.

After two years, I’ll admit the cart grows on you. The stainless steel work surface gives me a proper staging area instead of balancing plates on patio furniture. The storage drawer holds my thermometers, gloves, and basic tools. The wheels make moving the grill easy, even when it’s loaded with accessories.

But $1000 easy? That’s harder to justify. You could buy a really nice separate cart and still have money left over. The gas ignition is convenient – charcoal lights in about 15 minutes with zero effort. But convenience and value aren’t the same thing.

Weber Summit Kamado S6 Accessories

If I have one major complaint about this grill, it’s the pathetic Weber Summit Kamado S6 accessories selection. Weber makes dozens of accessories for their $200 kettle but barely three for their $2,400 kamado. It makes no sense.

You get the basics: a charcoal basket, some ceramic spacers, and that’s about it. Want a rotisserie? Good luck. Need specialized cooking surfaces? Hope you like hunting down third-party options.

The good news is the grill works with Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System inserts. The 12-inch center section swaps out for things like the wok, pizza stone, or searing grate. But even then, your options feel limited compared to what other brands offer.

Third-party companies like BBQ Plus stepped in with Weber Summit Kamado S6 accessories, but you shouldn’t have to shop elsewhere for a premium Weber product.

Read more: Weber Smokey Mountain Review

Where This Grill Shines

Now for the good stuff. The Weber Summit Kamado S6 diffuser plate and dual-wall design create amazing temperature control. I’ve held 225°F for 14 hours straight on a single load of charcoal. Try that with a kettle.

But here’s where Weber got smart: this thing responds to adjustments way faster than ceramic kamados. Overshoot your target temp? Close the vents and watch it drop within minutes. With my old ceramic, overshooting meant a long, frustrating wait.

The Weber Summit Kamado S6 fan port accepts most temperature controllers. I’ve run overnight brisket cooks with my Fireboard controller, sleeping soundly while the grill maintains perfect temps automatically.

The air flow system just works. The bottom vent gives you precise control, while the top damper lets you boost airflow for high-heat searing. I’ve hit 700°F for pizza and dropped back to 250°F for smoking within 30 minutes.

Two Years of Family Meals

Let me cut through all the technical specs and tell you what matters: how does it cook?

For low and slow smoking, this grill is fantastic. I’ve done countless briskets, pork shoulders, and ribs with perfect results. The heat stays even across the entire cooking surface – no hot spots or cold zones to work around.

High-heat grilling works great, too. Steaks get perfect sears, chicken skin crisps beautifully, and vegetables char without burning. The large cooking area means I can feed our entire family plus guests without multiple rounds.

Fuel efficiency impressed me most. I use about 30% less charcoal compared to my old kettle for the same cooks. The insulation works – heat stays in the grill instead of escaping into the air.

Weber Summit Kamado S6 vs Kamado Joe

Weber Summit Kamado S6 vs Big Green Egg

Weber Summit Kamado S6 vs Weber Kettle

Weber Summit Kamado S6 vs Weber Performer

Weber Summit Kamado S6 vs Weber MasterTouch

Weber Summit Kamado S6 Parts and Long-Term Ownership

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Weber Summit Kamado S6 parts availability gives me confidence as a long-term owner. Weber typically stocks replacement parts for years after discontinuing models. The modular design means individual components can be replaced without scrapping the whole grill.

The warranty coverage is solid: 10 years on bowl and lid rust-through, 5 years on stainless components, 2 years on everything else. This beats many ceramic competitors with shorter coverage periods.

After two years, my grill still looks and performs like new. The porcelain enamel coating shows no signs of wear despite regular use. The stainless steel components maintain their finish well.

Weber Summit Kamado S6 Cover

The Weber Summit Kamado S6 cover costs extra – another $100+ on top of an already expensive grill. This feels petty, but the cover is well-made and fits perfectly.

I tried a cheaper third-party cover first. It lasted six months before the seams failed. The official Weber cover has survived two years of weather without issues. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Weber Summit Kamado S6 Built-In: The Missing Option

Weber doesn’t offer a Weber Summit Kamado S6 built-in version, which surprises me. The outdoor kitchen market keeps growing, and people want kamado capabilities in built-in setups.

You can remove the cart for custom installations, but Weber doesn’t officially support this. Some owners have created custom enclosures, but this voids warranties and requires careful ventilation planning.

This gap leaves serious outdoor kitchen builders looking elsewhere. Kamado Joe offers built-in options, giving them an advantage in this market.

Two Years Later: What I’ve Learned

After cooking hundreds of meals on this grill, some patterns emerged. The initial frustration with assembly and quality control gave way to genuine appreciation for what Weber accomplished.

The temperature control is exceptional. I can hold precise temps for hours or make rapid adjustments when needed. The fuel efficiency means less charcoal buying and ash disposal. The mobility advantage becomes important when you need to move or store the grill.

But the limited accessories still frustrate me. The premium price created expectations that Weber hasn’t fully met. The quality control issues shouldn’t exist at this price point.

Who Should Buy the Weber Summit Kamado S6?

After extensive testing, I can recommend this grill to specific types of cooks. Buy the S6 if you:

• Cook frequently and want kamado capabilities without ceramic hassles
• Value convenience features like gas ignition and easy mobility
• Need precise temperature control for smoking and grilling
• Have budget room for a premium grill
• Want something different from traditional ceramic kamados

Skip it if you:

• Grill occasionally and stick to basic techniques
• Want extensive accessory options
• Need built-in installation capability
• Are budget-conscious
• Prefer traditional ceramic kamado characteristics

Pros and Cons

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The Bottom Line: Flawed but Capable

Weber took a big swing with the Summit Kamado line. They identified real problems with ceramic kamados and engineered smart solutions. The dual-wall steel construction, better mobility, and faster temperature response address legitimate user complaints.

But execution problems hold it back. Quality control issues create early ownership frustration. The accessories selection feels incomplete. The pricing strategy seems disconnected from delivered value.

Despite these flaws, I’ve become a believer. The cooking performance is excellent. The convenience features work as advertised. The durability advantages over ceramic become clear over time.

Is it worth $2,399? That depends entirely on your cooking style and priorities. For dedicated BBQ enthusiasts who want modern convenience with traditional results, yes. For casual grillers, probably not.

Weber created something genuinely different in the kamado space. They didn’t hit a home run, but they advanced the conversation. And after feeding my family of nine countless amazing meals from this grill, that feels like success to me.

The kamado game has changed, and Weber has earned their place at the table.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between the S6 and E6?

Same cooking performance. The S6 costs $1,000 more for a cart, side table, and gas ignition. The E6 sits on legs and requires manual charcoal lighting. If you don’t need the cart, save your money with the E6.

2. How much charcoal does it use?

About 3-4 pounds for 12-hour smoking sessions. That’s 30% less than traditional kettles. For grilling, 2-3 pounds gives you several sessions.

3. Can you use it in winter?

Yes. I’ve used mine down to 10°F without problems. Steel construction handles cold better than ceramic kamados, which can crack. Gas ignition helps in freezing weather.

4. What accessories work with it?

Weber only makes three dedicated accessories – disappointing for a $2,400 grill. It accepts Gourmet BBQ System inserts (wok, pizza stone, searing grate). Third-party companies fill the gaps.

5. How long does it hold temperature?

I regularly hold 225°F for 14+ hours on one charcoal load. The record was 16 hours. At 350°F, expect 8-10 hours.

6. Is it worth the high price?

It depends on your cooking style. For frequent grillers who want convenience, yes. For casual weekend cooks, you could buy 3-4 Weber kettles for the same money.

7. Does it rust?

The porcelain coating prevents rust. Weber guarantees a bowl and lid for 10 years. After two years outdoors, mine shows no rust. Stainless parts need regular cleaning.

8. Can you install it as a built-in?

Weber doesn’t support this, and it voids the warranty. You can remove the cart for custom installations, but you need proper ventilation. Kamado Joe offers actual built-in versions.

9. How does it compare to Big Green Egg?

BGE holds heat longer and has more accessories. Weber responds faster to temp changes, weighs less, won’t crack, and includes gas ignition. I prefer Weber’s convenience.

10. What are the biggest problems?

Quality control issues – assembly problems, crooked logos, paint defects. Limited accessories. The $1,000 premium for S6 over E6 is hard to justify. Most owners love it once setup issues are resolved.

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