To see whether the upgrades are indeed improvements, Consumer Reports bought all of these grills for testing. The most common issue was a hotter front of the grill than the back as a result of the gas pressure not reaching the back of the grill. The new Genesis II burners solve both issues with a tapered design and larger, protruded openings to address these concerns with aplomb. Burner holes (also known as “ports”) have been made larger and more extruded. As a result, the new Genesis II burners are more resistant to corrosion and clogging issues that can sometimes plague other grill models and series. Upgraded features and stainless steel components bring grilling versatility and a premium look to any backyard.
Both take up about the same amount of space on a patio, and both have side tables that fold down . But Weber mounts its propane on the side, under the table, which frees up space under the grill for storage. Char-Grill has an enclosed cabinet under the grill for the propane and other storage. Press the big round knob, turn it to the left to the lightning bolt symbol, and press the ignite button. And if our three-year-old, three-burner Weber Genesis E-310 is any indication, it’ll keep starting up like a champ for many years to come.
While some people believe it is one of the best grills Weber has ever produced, others are not so sure. Weber is one of the most popular grill brands in the US. That’s why I’m surprised by the unpredictable behavior the $850 Weber Genesis II E-310 demonstrated on our tests. This isn’t to say this is a bad product, it’s simply that you’ll likely need to learn its quirks before you achieve the best grilling results. Seasoned BBQ pros will like the Weber Genesis II’s sturdy construction and thoughtful design, but casual cooks should buy a basic grill instead.
Six convenient built-in tool hooks keep your BBQ tools nearby. There’s been a lot of commentary about how the new lids look shorter than the 2016 models. It felt a bit cheesy to me.Tool hooks are hidden on the end of the left work surface. It took two hands to get both ends of the rack aligned with the brackets in order to lock in place.
On the other hand, a propane grill can be moved around your yard more conveniently and can be used even if your home has no existing gas connection. All of the grills in the higher-priced Genesis II LX series have stainless lids and stainless grates, which aren’t as prone to scratching and chipping as porcelain-coated grates. In addition to a side burner, the LX grills have a cabinet where you can stash your grilling accessories and an LED light that shines down from the lid when you open it. The grills in this series also come with electronic igniters, a fuel gauge, and a 10-year burner warranty. With room for up to 18 four-ounce burgers, the Weber Genesis II E-210, $500, is in our small-grill category.
Though about half the size of the four-burner Genesis grills, it offers the same robust construction and high-performance design. We parked this compact grill in a corner of our backyard and gave it a thorough workout over the course of about a month. Many gas grills also come in a natural-gas version, usually with a different model number that includes an “N” for natural gas.
Our outdoor kitchen design experts have helped thousands of customers transform their backyards at no extra cost. The Weber Genesis II does not score well for high heat due to a low maximum BTU output, when compared to other grills in the same class. Every Genesis ll is available in black, and the E-315 is also available in copper. I love that the E-330 series grills are also available in copper, crimson and smoke.
The cooking surface can fit 28 burgers or more, putting it into our large grill group. Of all the E-series models we tested, the E-410 delivered the best heating evenness, weber charcoal grill which means no matter where you place the food, the cooking temperature is the same. That’s important if you want to grill a batch of burgers and serve them all at once.
Such grates are also usually more difficult to clean than other surfaces. This generally means that the grill comes with a dedicated rotisserie burner; the motor and spit are usually weber charcoal grill purchased separately. A dedicated rotisserie burner is usually located on the back of the firebox, slightly above the cooking grates; some models use the grill’s main burner.