In 2018, we tested Weber’s new Spirit II E-310—successor to our previous pick, the first-gen Spirit E-310—against our upgrade pick for the best gas grill. The Genesis II turned in mixed results on our beer can chicken test, designed to assess how well a grill operates at medium heat. I again used one of the grill’s probes to tell me when the internal temperature reached 165 degrees. I also set the left and right burners to the midway mark as indicated by on their dials. Since indirect heat is the goal here, I left the center burner off. To add smarts to the Genesis II you’ll need to purchase the iGrill 3 accessory separately, a $100 upgrade.
Let this top-performance liquid propane grill take charge of backyard entertaining. Grill chicken on the main grates, sear steaks on the searing station, simmer barbecue sauce on the side burner and keep veggie burgers warm on the tucked-away warming rack. Every component was designed for ease-of-use and a satisfying grilling experience.
Should there ever be a problem, give them a toll-free call seven days a week, send an email, or use their online form to launch a warranty claim. Even if you buy nothing else, however, make sure to pick up a cover to protect your grill. A properly fitted barbecue cover will help you keep your grill in tip-top shape for years by shielding it from rain and snow. For example, if you like roasts and other large cuts, investing in the iGrill 3 digital thermometer makes total sense. The Genesis II E-310 offers numerous opportunities to upgrade and enhance your grill. Which of these you’ll really need will vary depending on how you like to grill.
But for the average home griller, the difference in performance between the two would hardly be noticeable. The really important part is that the entire heat-delivery system—the firebox, burners, and burner hoods—has a much greater effect on the overall results of your food. And all those elements are of the same great quality we’ve consistently seen on Weber grills. It doesn’t have the stainless steel body parts, which do nothing but make the grill shiny and expensive, but it does have the stainless steel cooking grates.
Another burner hides on the side table, offering an extra 12,000 BTU. This side burner gives the Weber Genesis natural gas grill a spot to sauté vegetables or simmer sauces without the need to run back inside. In 2021, Weber introduced a line of smart grills that we chose not to test. The app also has weber genesis 2 recipes and a step-by-step feature that sends alerts to your phone when it’s time to tend to your food. All of these extra gadgets require power, and the Genesis Smart Grill takes 10 batteries. The Wi-Fi module alone uses six D batteries, but there is an option to power that part with a power bank.
Like the E-310, the E-210 has an open-cart design and an easy-access side-mounted hook and gauge for the propane tank. The Weber Spirit II E-310 provides the unrivaled combination of top-notch grilling performance, a versatile three-burner design, durability, and a relatively affordable price. It excelled at every test, producing the best sear on our burgers of any grill, and equaling or outdoing the others in our tests involving barbecue chicken and whole roasted chickens. The Spirit II E-310’s overall compact size (helped by a fold-down side table) suits almost any patio or deck. And yet its grilling surface is big enough to cook a complete meal for a family or a dozen burgers for a party.
If you’re looking to invest in a new gas grill, chances are you’re trying to decide between the Weber Spirit or Weber Genesis lines. Weber reimagined everything for the new GENESIS grills, all the way down to the wheels. They’ve been upgraded to metal, rubber tread portable bbq casters, as opposed to the pair of plastic locking casters on Genesis II grills. The rubber tread guarantees smooth transport, sturdier materials improve longevity, and the push-down lock mechanism lets you secure your grill in place with minimal effort.
The scope of the app is narrow compared to Char-Broil’s SmartChef application. It tracks propane levels, burner status and even tells you if the grill is cool enough to cover. Weber’s app just sticks to measuring temperatures of meat, fish and poultry as you cook.