Spirit grills are smaller, with a 24” grid width, while GENESIS grills go from just under 26” to 34”. Some GENESIS models are WiFi-enabled, stainless steel cooking grates, lighting, and offer the versatility of optional Weber CRAFTED custom cookware. High-quality porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates are not only easy to clean, but they’re also highly durable, and they spread heat evenly. This means less temperature variation across your cooking surface, meaning you can cook all over with consistent results. Weber is known to have the best warranty in the industry for its grilling products.
More-recent models have the same bones as their predecessors, with minor tweaks like redesigned cabinets, handles, and control panels. The Spirit II line is Weber‘s entry-level range of gas grills designed for people who prioritize value for money over extra features. Weber increased the height of these grill lids, a welcome change that goes beyond pure aesthetics. It seems like a small detail, but it’s just one more way the next generation of Weber GENESIS grills improve your outdoor cooking experience. All of the grills in the Genesis II E series have an open cart, a porcelain-enameled lid, and porcelain-coated cast-iron grates.
Finally I dialed all three burner knobs down to their lowest setting and closed the lid. I cooked two racks this way; the first I ran for 3 hours, the second for 3 hours 30 minutes. On both the CharBroil SmartChef and Weber Genesis II, the ribs were too thin to shield their probes from ambient hot air under the lid. As a result I fell back to cooking by time instead of hitting a target thermometer reading. Both grills turned in slightly underdone ribs after a 3-hour cook, so I bumped the time up another 30 minutes for round two. A component in Char-Broil’s “Tru-Infrared” grilling system, the plate is designed to absorb the heat from the burners, and use it to mimic the radiant heat you get from charcoal.
The grates in S-315, S-335, S-435, and SX-335 gas grills are 7 mm thick stainless steel rods. MHP or Modern Home Products have been making gas grills longer than anyone. Yes, they are old school, but this gas grill is built like a tank.
In our testing, we found this to be enough room to place up to 24 uncooked 4-inch hamburger patties side by side. This is a large grilling area for a three-burner model and is one of the reasons the E-310 is our pick for the best barbecue grill. If you purchase a Weber Genesis grill that has an S in the model number, the cooking grates will be made of stainless steel. Some grillers swear that this material is easier to clean, but we prefer the protection offered by the porcelain enameling. The stainless steel rods allow radiant heat to pass through and develop a tasty brown crust over the entire meat surface.
Porcelain-enameled cooking grates also come standard with grills in the E series. If the unit in question has an S before the number, the cooking grates will be made of stainless steel. This is true of both the original portable bbq line and the updated version. While this may affect portability, it has a good effect on how the grill handles heat and how it cooks. Also, it has an enclosed cabinet where you can keep your propane tank.
There are fewer choices, limited availability, and the model numbers can be confusing. Weber discontinued some of their models earlier this year due to component weber genesis 2 issues. Find a spot to place it in that you are happy with and stick with it. They do well with heat retention but not for portability issues.
However, based on what we’ve been able to find, it’s a good bet. On the whole, any Genesis grill can be considered a mid-priced option. They’re definitely pricier than many of the grills you’ll find through weber q online retailers, but not as expensive as some of the competition (or even Weber’s own Summit line). If you have a bit of money to invest in a quality unit, a Genesis grill could be the way to go.
The first number following the letter tells you how many burners there are, while the second number refers to features. The E-210 uses the GS4 grilling upgrades like with the rest of the Spirit and Genesis models. My entry level Spirit II E-310 gets used almost every dayThe Genesis is made for grilling enthusiasts who are willing to pay more for higher quality and extra functionality.
While the burgers cooked, we kept an eye out for flare-ups—which can char the meat and create acrid smoke—and looked at the evenness of cooking across the grates. After about 10 minutes of cooking, we compared how well each grill had seared the burgers, and we looked for excessive charring or patties that were still unacceptably raw. I draped the ribs across the Genesis II’s metal warming tray that sits above the grill grates.