But after more rigorous testing, the grill proved to have some serious weaknesses. This thing is built like a tank, but it’s surprisingly underpowered. The updated PUREBLUE (originally called GS4) grilling system is one of the main features of the Genesis and Spirit II lines but not the Spirit line we are discussing today.
If nothing is displayed, the unit does not have side shelves.
This upgrade aims to improve grilling performance, allow for better management of grease and flare-ups, and promise better-tasting food overall. That being said, it has less storage space than the other grill, as well as less cooking space. People tend to go for this grill over the Genesis due to the lower price. The cast-iron weber genesis 2 cooking grates are also very flexible in the sense you can cook different kinds of meat at the same time. These high-performance burners allow heat to reach the warming rack, keeping your food hot. These days, gas grills are rolling out left, right, and center, so it is important that we know what to look for when we shop.
While Weber’s sear zone has been smaller in the past, this time they upped the size so you can get multiple steaks seared at once so everyone can eat at the same time. This is where things get quite different from the two model lines. The Spirit grill line offers a 10-year limited warranty while the Genesis weber charcoal grill II offers a 10-year full warranty. After Weber brought out its II line in 2017, many people were left disappointed. That being said, Weber seemed to take the complaints into account, drastically improving the grills in the 2019 drop. When comparing the Weber Genesis, this grill comes up most often.
It came out pleasingly caramelized yet not overdone in the center. The side tables and the lid of the grill are made from heavy stainless steel, while the cooking grates are cast iron. Sad, but true, 2016 is the last model year in which all Weber Genesis weber genesis 2 grills can say, “Made in the United States of America with globally sourced parts and components”. The 2017 model year marks the beginning of Genesis II gas grills being made in China, just like Spirit gas grills have been over the past few years.
On the Genesis there is an option to smoke your food using a smoker box accessory. You can set the smoker box on top of your grills and fill with a range of wood flavours to add a delicious smoke flavour to a range of cooks. We were very happy to have our second genesis, bought 10 months ago but seldom used last summer due to the smoke from the bush fires which kept us inside a lot.
As you move into a more premium price point, the Weber Genesis SPX-435 is the top premium option. The Spirit line of grills does not have representative products in the same size category. This model is a larger grill with four stainless steel burners that can deliver a total of 994 square inches of cooking area, divided into various segments.