We spoke again with Joe Salvaggio of Big Apple BBQ about the newest models, and we examined our main contenders in person at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Bering’s in Houston. Finally, after all the tests were done, we performed routine maintenance by removing and replacing the propane tanks, emptying the grease traps, washing the grates, and scrubbing weber spirit 2 out the fireboxes. If you own a grill, you’ll have to perform these tasks at least a few times a year, so a grill that makes them a little easier is a welcome thing. On balance, propane or natural gas are probably better choices if you favor no-fuss cooking or you grill often (and especially if you grill on weeknights, when time is at a premium).
Both Spirit and Spirit II grills are priced at the higher end of the spectrum (when compared to other grills in the market. Among themselves, Spirit II is more affordable). We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Shelves are usually made of stainless steel or painted steel (some using a powder-coating process), though a few are made of plastic. Plastic and stainless steel may prove more durable than paint coatings. Evaluates the temperature after a 10 minute preheat using thermocouples.
To answer the question quite clearly, I believe the Spirit II would be the better grill to buy. The warranty speaks for itself and the look is slightly more modern. They both contain the GS4 grilling system which is a game changer for Weber. The only areas where you might prefer the Spirit over the Spirit II is the cabinet door for storage and the larger Spirit E-330 which includes a side burner.
One of the most distinct differences between the Spirit and Spirit II is in its cart design. While the Spirit comes in a cabinet design, the Spirit II is of an open-cart style. For many, aesthetics is as important an element as functionality in a grill. An aesthetically pleasing grill comes with an elegant design, manages space well, and blends in well with its surroundings.
This item is offered by one of our Exchange Plus Partners – a trusted, third party paired with us who ships directly to you when you order on ShopMyExchange.com. The Exchange sells and handles payments for these items, and you can find information and track the status of items purchased from Exchange Plus Partners on your AAFES order details page. Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. Now, I do want to quickly compare the Spirit II E 10 and Genesis II – the former is a higher end option. However, apart from the fact there is slightly more cooking area and the BTUs are higher, I wouldn’t waste my money but stick with the Spirit II E 310 instead.
Evenness of heating over the grill’s surface at the highest and lowest setting using all main burners plus the evenness after a 10 minute preheat, using thermocouples. We rarely recommend products we haven’t tested and we never recommend products that we don’t love. Often, but not always, if you purchase a product after clicking a link on our site we get a finder’s fee. These fees do not add to the price of purchase but they do help keep this site alive. The few complaints were from people who received damaged grills, grills that heated unevenly and grills where people had a hard time getting them up to temperature. In almost every review I read Weber took the time to respond and reach out to the customer.
For our 2022 update, we relied mostly on research and reporting, as well as our rigorous testing from years prior. We combed big-box home-improvement stores—including Home Depot and Lowe’s—and Big Apple BBQ in New York to view anything new. And we again chatted with Joe Salvaggio at Big Apple BBQ to get his expert opinion of the gas grills available for 2022. Overall, we found Blackstone Adventure that the core function and design of grills we’ve covered in the $400 to $900 price range hasn’t changed. More-recent models have the same bones as their predecessors, with minor tweaks like redesigned cabinets, handles, and control panels. Weber’s Smart Grill revolution may be mostly a Genesis-line upgrade, but they did spread the wealth to the Spirit series with the SX-315.
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. All of our picks are propane-gas grills, since propane tanks are portable and can be purchased almost anywhere, and they don’t require any special hookups in your backyard. To monitor the cooking temperature, we generally don’t rely on thermometers built into the hood. Instead, we placed our digital thermometer in the middle area, and it registered a cooking temp of 295°F.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart.
Some average-size grills have up to four burners with corresponding controls large grills often have six. Additional burner controls generally allow the cook more flexibility. Size category for the grill, based on CR’s measurement of the main cooking grid area. Portable grills are grouped together regardless of cooking area, though typically these are small grills. Factors include grate material, wheels or casters for moving the grill, and useful features such as electronic ignitor.