We cooked a full grate of burgers on high heat and chicken pieces at a low temperature. We also roasted whole chickens indirectly on both low and high heat to see whether the grills could create browned skin and perfectly cooked meat without charring. In 2018 we repeated these tests, with the then-new weber spirit 2 Weber Spirit II E-310 and our upgrade pick at the time, the Weber Genesis II E-310 (predecessor to our current upgrade pick). Aside from its superior cooking power, this grill has some wonderful features, which include a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer that will send alerts directly to your smartphone.
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 weber spirit 2 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.
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 char broil performance 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).
The Spirit 2 was introduced in 2018 and came to be an enhanced version of the Spirit grills. Spirit II features models that improved on the popular models of the Spirit and addressed any flaws in the earlier version. Most small and average-sized grills have two separate burners, controlled independently, or one burner with independently controlled halves.
Considering that most people do not leave reviews for purchases, Weber must of sold hundreds of thousands of these grills to have received that many reviews. With a data set of that size I have plenty of confidence that the story they tell can be trusted. The reason that the right side table on the Spirit II is not designed to collapse is that it is built with a slot for holding the digital iGrill3 temperature sensor (sold separately). I am not a fan of the iGrill3 system but, if you are into gadgets, this is a feature you should be aware of. One reason that some people buy a two burner grill is because they do not have much space.
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.