The open cart design allows for humidity to escape, keeping it dry. Weber seems to be leaning towards the closed cart design, as most of their gas grills, both natural gas and propane, are this type. Weber may have addressed the issue as well, as the newer closed carts have better ventilation.
Finally, at its current price of around $500, it’s a terrific value. Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates are easy to clean and help spread heat evenly across the cooking surface. The porcelain coating usually makes such grates easier to clean than other surfaces, and the grates should resist rust as Blackstone Adventure long as their porcelain coating isn’t chipped. The Napoleon Rogue 425 ($750 at the time of this writing) is the Canadian company’s flagship in the $400 to $750 range. Like the other models we tested in that category, it has a cast-aluminum firebox, porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, and three burners.
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. The answer might seem obvious, but I would have to go with the Spirit II models.
Another great feature included is the addition of six integrated hooks that let you easily store any of your grilling tools as you switch between them. The E-210 uses the GS4 grilling upgrades like with the rest of the Spirit and Genesis models. If parts are only available via warranty, these grills cannot be rehabbed as easily.
Attention to detail is fantastic with even the grill plates featuring two side variations. One side is thinner than the other so you can flip them for a more delicate cooking experience if you need, say for things like fish and shrimp. While the thicker side is good for more thick sear marks on things like steaks. You might also want to check out the iGrill3 thermometer system; there’s a mounting space custom-made for it on the right shelf. The twin probes monitor the internal temperature of two cuts of meat, with the option to add two more probes. For anyone looking to get a little more from their grilling experience than a basic barbecue can offer, the Spirit II E-310 is an appealing choice.
And we roasted whole chickens indirectly on both low and high heat to see if the grills could create browned skin and perfectly cook meat without charring. Sam Sifton, editor of the Cooking section of The New York Times joined us for these tests. In 2018 we repeated these tests, pitting the new Weber Spirit II E-310 against our upgrade pick, the Weber Genesis II E-310. As the family sits down for dinner, or a couple of friends come over for a bite – this three burner grill will do its magic.
The Genesis II’s most obvious design innovation—and our favorite by far—is the externally mounted propane tank. Instead of having to wrestle the tank into and out of a cramped cabinet beneath the grill, you hang it on easily accessed mounts on the left side of the grill’s support frame. On balance, gas is probably the better choice if you favor no-fuss cooking or grill often . If you’re an occasional griller or you enjoy getting hands-on with your cooking, charcoal is an economical choice that, with a bit of practice, produces great results. The sleek open-cart design provides additional room and accessibility of your grilling tools.