Which Weber Grill To Buy

Burners And Warming Trays

Which Weber should I buy?| Spirit vs Genesis II vs Summit gas grill

Many Weber gas grills feature side burners, which you can use for whipping a sauce or grilling vegetables while you prepare meat in the main cooking area. Some models have two burners while others have up to six. Once again, consider how many people you usually cook for to determine the number of burners youll need.

Some Weber gas grills also have warming trays to keep cooked food warm while you finish grilling.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

We wish Weber would take a cue from some competitors and make the bars of its warming racks run front to back, parallel to the main grates. That way, you could easily slide a spatula under stuff thats warming. As it is, the warming-rack bars run edge to edge, and you have to awkwardly jimmy a spatula in there sideways.

The Spirit II E-310 should come with a grill cover. It doesnt, nor did any grill in our test group. Youll need to buy one separately Webers dedicated Spirit II cover costs about $55, and a well-regarded generic cover costs about $20.

Weber Genesis Special Edition Se

Some people love to consider colors and design when theyre buying Weber grills.

If youre one of them, perhaps this Weber gas grill is for you!

This beast of 669 square inches wide have:

  • 3 burners
  • A side burner
  • A sear station

Above all that, it holds its own against the best gas grills because of these high-end features:

  • Stainless steel cooking grates
  • Flavorizer bars
  • Electronic crossover ignition system

Theres no need to worry about any flavor dripping out or any inconveniences with keeping this operating!

Still not yet sold? This model also contains a handle light for your campfire, Weber gas grills, and the ever-perfect barbeque grills!

Pros:

  • Stainless steel grates and stainless steel burners for even heat retention
  • The cooking surface illuminates once the hood is open
  • The black grill model works on both liquid propane and natural gas
  • Wide cooking surface and sear station
  • Hood with a porcelain coating
  • Has porcelain enameled cast iron grates

Cons:

Also Check: Grilled Pork Chops Temp And Time

Grill Grates Lids And Other Materials

The two most common materials used for grates are stainless steel and cast iron. Although stainless steel is rust-resistant , they dont conduct heat as well as cast iron. You can sear steak better on a cast iron grate, but one caveat is that you have to spend more time caring for it or else it will rust, Phan said. If you cook a lot of steaks, go with cast iron, but if you cook a lot of burgers, brats and seafood, stainless steel is a better choice.

High-quality gas grills are made from durable stainless steel but not all stainless steel is created equal. Stainless steel is an alloy that comes in different numerical grades, depending on its composition, which impacts its overall strength, heat durability and rust resistance. Among the different grades, Phan said 304 and 430 stainless steel are most common. Grade 304 is much better than 430 and that comes with a higher price tag, he explained. That said, if you take care of your 430 grill, it will probably last a bit longer.

Not all gas grill models come with a lid. Phan emphasized its importance for backyard cooks, though. With a lid, you can turn your grill into an oven, meaning that you can cook food with convection heat, he says. It will cook your food more evenly than conduction and radiant heat.

Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker ~$250

Buy Online Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill 47cm from nearest store ...

These are great smokers. But not great grillers. If you want a dedicated smoker to do ribs, brisket, whole chickens, then this is the way to go. Yes, people have grilled with them by taking out the middle piece, but it wasnt meant for that. If this is your first foray into charcoal grilling, then stick with a Kettle for now and then, once you get the hang of it, you can also purchase a Smokey Mountain. If you do go with the Smokey and want to do a full rack of ribs or a brisket, then I recommend going with the 22 so you dont have to cram everything in there. Im not sure why someone would want a 14 Smokey, other than to save space. And my neighbor has the 18 and wishes he had the 22.

Backyahd Recommended: Yes But only if you want a dedicated smoker and get the 22.

Read Also: How To Grill Boneless Chicken Breast

Whats The Best Grill To Buy For The Money

The best grills you can buy today

  • Weber Genesis II S-335 Smart Grill.
  • Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 inch Charcoal Grill.
  • Weber Spirit II E-310 gas grill.
  • Kamado Joe Classic 18 inch KJ23RH.
  • Cuisinart Deluxe Oven Burner Gas Grill
  • Royal Gourmet CD1824E 23-inch Charcoal Grill.
  • Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill.
  • Gas Grill Lid And Exterior

    First of all, the first thing we see: the stainless steel or porcelain-coated cast iron exterior!

    Ventilation

    Since were working with fire, we cannot stress enough how important it is to have good ventilation, regardless of whether youre using natural gas or a propane tank.

    Ventilation ensures that your cooking is safe. After all, SAFETY is the first step to ensuring great quality cooking!

    Dont forget that fire needs to have just enough oxygen to power up the combustion reaction and into your choice of meats.

    Thermometer

    The temperature at which you cook your meat pretty much entails the quality and flavor of your food itself.

    We firmly believe that the best grills, whether gas grill or not, are those that have a built-in thermometer in them so you could monitor proper cooking temperatures.

    This also helps you out with seamless preparation and cooking during your grilling party.

    After, were certain you wouldnt want to serve burnt or uncooked meat!

    Control Panel

    We just have to admit it cooking and grilling can get MESSY.

    No one wants to see their grills breaking down or losing control of everything theyre trying to do while grilling.

    A stainless steel control panel basically ensures your grilling baby holds under pressure, ESPECIALLY when trying to cook a ton of food all at once.

    You should also ask about the quality of stainless steel control panels when buying your model!

    Exterior Surface Space

    Read Also: Smoked Meatloaf Pit Boss

    Weber 62006001 Genesis Ii S

    Why youll love it:

    The genesis II S-435 has four burners and it heats up fast and easily. But then gas grills always do.

    What they dont do, however, is sync your grill with your phone, so you can keep tabs on the grilling and cooking from anywhere in the house . The Genesis II E-335 above does though.

    What we didnt like

    • No grill light included in this model
    • Grill cover not included with this Genesis model

    This is the biggest incentive for me to get this grill. It is perfect for a multi-tasker like me, and its all courtesy of iGrill 3.

    I can grill several meats, sauté veggies on one burner and simmer some sauce in the side burner AND still have room left for more cooking.

    I know. Sounds like I am a crazy scientist on the grill, but the Genesis II S-435 is highly efficient, so you can get it going on different fronts simultaneously. Read on for the pros and cons to learn what makes this grill infamous.

    Pellet Grills: Factors To Consider

    Grill: Best Weber Grills (Buying Guide)

    Pellet grills blend the flexibility of a charcoal grill and smoker with the convenience of a gas grill. These grills all look about the same, and feature a large metal bin, or hopper, to which you add pellets made from the compressed sawdust of flavorful woods, such as oak, hickory, and mesquite. You can buy the pellets at a home center or hardware store. An electronic igniter draws out these pellets and lights them, creating heat and smoke, which imparts a distinct flavor to your food. An especially convenient feature: A thermostat allows you to adjust the heat to a precise temperature, something you cant do with gas or charcoal grills. Prices for models in our tests range from $400 to $1,200.

    Hopper: The hopper size determines how many pellets a grill can hold, and in turn, how long the grill will run before you need to add fuel. The larger the hopper, the longer the grill can cook from a single load.

    Temperature range: Look for a pellet grill with the broadest possible temperature range. Those in our tests run as low as 160° F and as high as 600° F, and even hotter on a dedicated searing zone. These models are more versatile because they can sear at high temperatures and slow-smoke foods at low temperatures. Its worth noting that they generally cant get as hot, or sear as well, as the best gas, charcoal, and kamado grills.

    Recommended Reading: Weber Grill Porcelain Vs Stainless Steel

    Stainless Steel Vs Porcelain Enamel Grates

    Your grill grate is the very surface where youll lay down your precious meats and other grill ingredients, so the way its made as well as the materials it is made from matter a great deal. Generally, there are three kinds of grates in quality grills stainless steel, pure cast iron and porcelain-enameled cast iron. Whats the difference? Lets find out.

    Weber Spirit Vs Genesis: Entry Level Vs Mid

    SmokedBBQSource is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page. Learn more.

    If youre looking to invest in a new gas grill, chances are youre trying to decide between the Weber

    In this guide, well take you through both the Spirit and Genesis Weber grill lines, explain the main differences and run through the latest updates from 2022.

    Well go through all the models to consider, but if you are in a rush we think the Weber Spirit II E-310 is the best value gas grill you can get if you want Weber quality without a lot of bells and whistles,

    If you can stretch your budget, then the Genesis E-335 hits the sweet spot between price, size, and functionality.

    Read on for more in-depth comparisons between these two grill lines.

    Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Weber Grill Parts

    Buying Guide For Best Weber Grills

    When summer rolls around, theres nothing like a delicious barbecued meal. But to make top-notch burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and other barbecued food, you need a first-class grill and when it comes to home grills, there are few brands more respected than Weber.

    If youre in the market for a Weber grill, the shopping process can get overwhelming in a hurry. Thats because Weber offers so many models that choosing the right one for your yard can be a challenge. Not only do you have to choose the proper type of grill but you also have to determine the right size, fuel, grate, and others features to make sure that you can prepare your familys favorite menus as quickly and conveniently as possible.

    Here at BestReviews, our goal is help you make sense of your shopping choices. We work with industry experts to identify the most important features for the products were evaluating, and we then test out some of the top items to see firsthand how well they work. And because we buy our own products, you can trust that our recommendations are always completely unbiased.

    When youre ready to buy a Weber grill, check out our top five recommendations in the product list above. For general advice on how to choose a Weber grill, our shopping guide has plenty of helpful tips.

    The Negatives Of A Gas Barbecue

    Weber Genesis II E

    This pinpoint precision has its pitfalls, reducing the overall radiant heat . Because they lack the even blanket of heat of a traditional charcoal barbecue, many gas barbecues try to compensate with added tech . However youll still struggle with heat retention and find it difficult to build flavourful crusts on larger cuts.

    Further, gas burns cooler than charcoal, restricting the efficiency of the heat.

    You will be limited when it comes to indirect cooking and/or smoking. Imparting wood smoke will also be slightly more tricky, with soaked wood chips above the flames being your only real option.

    Dont Miss: How To Clean Grill Grease Off Concrete

    Also Check: Cheap Weber Grill Parts

    Webers Commitment To Safe Grilling

    Weve already touched on Webers methods of ensuring safety when it comes to burners and fuel sources, but what about other elements of safety? A safe burner doesnt help you much if your entire grill falls over on your foot. Fortunately, Weber has ensured that this will never happen.

    Weber grills are built with perfectly balanced bodies and a low center of gravity, making tip-overs nearly impossible. Meanwhile, all wheels lock in place to avoid unwanted rolling while in use. Plus, Weber engineers eliminated all sharp corners so you dont have to worry about cuts by any extruding edges. Nothing derails a fun grilling session like an injury on the field, so Weber has taken every step to guarantee that this doesnt take place.

    Is A Weber Grill Worth It

    The quick answer is that almost all weber grills are worth it. The value comes from the long-term cost of ownership combined with incredible cooking performance. When Weber grills are directly compared to other brands of similar quality, it becomes clear that the price of a Weber grill is very reasonable.

    Don’t Miss: The Acorn Smoker

    The First Wood Pellet Smoker From Weber

    Rumors have been floating around about this new grill for a while now so we were excited to finally get some details from Weber

    • Weber connect smart grilling technology

    Were happy to say that the only difference between the two grills is the size of the grill grates so you dont get punished for buying the cheaper option.

    It always annoyed us that Traeger reserve some features for their more expensive models.

    At first glance, the design of this grill looks similar to the Traeger Ironwood series. Its clear that Weber are looking to compete with Traeger who is currently dominating the pellet grill market.

    The Weber looks competitively priced, with the more expensive model offering more grilling space than the Traeger Ironwood 650.

    Price comparison:

    • Weber SmokeFire EX4 672 $999.00

    The SmokeFire offers a few features that look to set it apart from the rest of the competition.

    You can see an overview in this marketing video from Weber , and well go into more detail in the sections below.

    Weber Customer Service W/overnight Parts

    WHAT GRILL TO BUY AND WHERE? WEBER OR NOT! | BBQ iT | Vlogmas Ep.5

    Weber grill makers are confident that once you receive your grill youll have everything you need to get cooking. But Weber knows that over the course of your grilling, problems or questions may arise that require some outside expertise. Thats why the Weber customer support line is open fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year except Christmas Eve through the day after Christmas. That means theres never a bad time for grilling, which means that you can always count on Weber to be there to answer all your questions.

    But what about if you lose a part? Theres nothing more frustrating than having to wait for a reordered part that takes days or even weeks to arrive. Thats why Weber will overnight any part you order so that you can have it with you, ready to grill, the very next day. Weber wants you to get out and grill, not sit and wait by the door for days wishing you could throw some steaks on your barbecue.

    You May Like: Traeger Temp For Hamburgers

    Your Grills Temperature Gauge

    Understanding and using your Weber grills temperature gauge is critical to effective grilling. Different meats and foods cook best at different temperatures, so youll want to give your grill the chance to heat properly before you jump into grilling. Weber temperature gauges are designed to be ultra-accurate, giving you real-time information about the internal temperature of your grill. That way youll know exactly when its time to throw on the meat or whatever you happen to be cooking up that day. And of course, these temperature gauges are built to last with highly durable lenses and stainless steel construction.

    Shelf/prep Area And Storage Features

    Theres no other way to describe Weber s design here than a complete failure.

    The shelf area to sit plates or get food ready on the SmokeFire is pitiful.

    Im told there is going to be a front shelf accessory sold in the future which is a joke. Why should people have to pay more for basic functionality when you are already paying a premium price point?

    I would have much rather seen an additional shelf instead of where the grill handle is on the left side of the grill. Why does it need a handle??? How often do grills get moved?

    I typically never move my grills once they hit the back deck.

    One small positive: it does have two knobs to hang grilling utensils.

    As far as grill storage goes, you can go ahead and forget about that. This grill has none.

    Read Also: What Temperature To Grill Pork Chops

    You May Like: Clean Outside Of Stainless Steel Grill

    Is There A Way To Save More

    If you are talking about getting the best bang of your buck, then you need to take care of your Weber grill properly to get the most out of it. These Weber grills come with long warranties, with most of them ranging from 10 to 15 years. So you need to take care of them properly.

    And if you are talking about saving cash when buying, then, of course, you need to make the buying decision with a lot more careful thinking. There are several extremely intriguing features. Still, they are only good from a marketing perspective, and they dont offer much benefit.

    It is better to only consider the features that are must-have and will contribute significantly to your cooking processes and recipes. These extra features do come with some extra price, and you can save a lot here too.

    Popular Articles

    More Recipes Like This