Weber Genesis vs. Spirit – Comparison Review
There is no better leisure time in summer than grilling in the backyard with family and friends. The popularity of grills is increasing every year as they become more affordable and have a wide choice of sizes, fuel and versatility. You can even choose a small portable electric model for your terrace or balcony in the multi-storey building. The taste of meat, vegetables, and fish is excellent with an unbelievable crust, and the food contains more key nutrients than in boiled or fried dishes.
If you are thinking about healthier food, you also need to choose grills, as excess fat drips away during cooking, and you do not need butter for food preparation. You can prepare thousands of meals that double if you choose a grill with a smoker. Grills become a social outdoor event during the whole year especially if you install them under the roof.
On the market, you can find grills with different fuels – charcoal, propane, natural gas, pellet, electric; or different shapes – Kamado, smokers, covered, flat top, barrel or portable. In this article, we will focus on two Weber models: Genesis and Spirit.
Weber – Brand description
Weber is an American grill manufacturing company with a successful history dating back to 1952. This family-owned company produces charcoal, gas, pellet and electric outdoor grills. In addition to the best quality grill, you may purchase numerous useful grill accessories – fuel, pellets, covers, replacement parts and even T-shirts. The official Weber website contains many recipes for the perfect dinner on all types of grills produced by the Company for meat and fish admirers and even vegetarians.
Most parts of the grills are manufactured in Illinois, USA, and some parts are manufactured in China. Weber’s grill lasts for at least ten years in all types of environments, including humid. Weber Spirit and Genesis grills (redesigned models in 2022) that we describe in this article are among the most popular grills of this manufacturer with middle price and reliable operation.
Weber Genesis vs. Spirit – Comparison Review
Main differences between Weber Genesis and Spirit Grills
Weber produces three families of gas grills – Summit, Genesis and Spirit. All these families have proven to be reliable grills with excellent performance for many years. This article is for entry-level models from the Genesis and Spirit series; the main differences between them are the following:
- Genesis and Spirit grills differ by the number of burners and the availability of sear and side burners. All grills except Genesis E-435 have three burners; this model has four main burners.
- Spirit grills have foldable side tables, while Genesis tables can’t be folded.
- Weber Spirit II E-310 has only two wheels, while other Spirit and Genesis grills have four caster wheels.
- Spirit grills have the same cooking area – 529 sq. inches, while Genesis grills’ cooking area is larger – 787 sq. inches and 994 sq. inches (Genesis E-325S and Genesis E-435, correspondingly).
- All models except Weber Spirit II E-310 have a closed cabinet for installing a 20-lb. propane tank; the E-310 has an open cart design with outside tank installation.
Other similarities and differences are highlighted in the description and face-to-face sections.
A detailed review of Weber Genesis and Spirit grills
The comparison table already shows significant differences between the described models. To expand on the data provided in the previous section, we provide a more detailed description of these models.
Weber Genesis E-325S
The Weber Genesis E-325S model is available in three colors (black, copper, stainless steel) and with two types of fuel (liquid propane and natural gas), and this is the simplest and smallest in the Genesis renovated family. It is a standard non-portable gas grill with two side shelves, a grill with a cover and a cabinet below. The three PureBlu burners and one sear burner heat evenly the main primary cooking porcelain-enameled cast iron grate of 513 square inches. It has one of the largest sear zones of all Weber grills. You can increase the cooking area by installing the foldable warming rack above the main grate. The painted exterior of the hood is made of 15-gauge steel; the interior linen is made of 25-gauge steel.
The unique design of flame openings ensures all grease is collected in a grease tray without clogs and corrosion, while the flavorizer bars below the grate catch all drippings and funnel them away to add extra taste to your meals. All grease is collected in a new pull-out grease tray. On the main grill grate, you can cook up to 20 burgers and up to 10 steaks multiple times (with the lid closed).
Each burner is controlled with a separate control knob with several positions and a separate button for electronic ignition (battery-powered). The burners have silver knobs, while the sear control knob has the red one. To control temperature, a built-in thermometer in the lid could be used. The proprietary burners with blue flame (complete combustion) are super-efficient and perfect for repeatable, precise temperature control.
The grill can be moved around on the terrace or backyard, as it has four swivel casters, two of which are locked. There is a special indicator on the cabinet that is visible without turning the propane tank. For storage of grilling accessories, there are six hocks on the side shelf tables and two hocks below the shelves to store conventional grates.
- Flavorizer bars to add extra flavor to the food
- Large cooking area (787 sq inches) and sear zone
- Expandable second-level warming rack
- Advanced burners for even heat spread across the grilling surface
- Compatible with many additional accessories to improve the cooking experience
- 12 years of warranty
- Six hocks on two side tables
- Reliable ignition with one button
- Easy grease management
- Large side tables for food serving
- Propane tank is not included (20 lb)
- All accessories should be purchased separately
- Grill cover is required for storage
- Long assembly process
- No side burners
- No night lighting
- No storage compartment
Weber Genesis E-435
This Weber Genesis E-435 grill has a similar appearance to the previous E-325S, but on one of the side tables, a side burner is added (12.000 BTU/hour). Moreover, this stand-alone grill has four wheels, four main burners and one sear burner. This model is available only in two colors (black and stainless steel) and also has two types of fuel – natural gas and liquid propane. If you want to have a connected grill and control it remotely, you need to search for EX or EPX models from the Genesis family; the thermocouple for meat preparation is available only with these models.
This grill can stir, fry, sear, roast and bake by replacing the grate with numerous options – the grate and frame are included, and grillware should be purchased separately. The side burner can be used for the preparation of sauces, veggies, boiled eggs and more. The cooking area also consists of a porcelain-coated main grate and a second-level foldable stainless steel warming rack. The grate is heated by four efficient PureBlu burners protected by flavored bars from excess grease and oil that comes directly into the pull-out grease tray which is located under the cook box. You can purchase disposable aluminum drip pans to simplify the cleaning process.
The cabinet where the propane tank is installed has some storage space for grillware and large accessories when six hocks in the side tables are not enough, like in the previous model. This model is compatible with a crafted griddle, pizza stone, grilling basket, rotisserie kit and crafter frame kit. The grill panel has four stainless steel knobs for main burners, one for a sear burner and one for a side burner. All burners are ignited by an electronic ignition button working from a 1 AA battery. Near the knobs for the main burners is located a hole that can be used to check the even blue flame. For precise temperature control, you may use the built-in thermometer in the lid.
- Large cooking area (994 sq. inches)
- Two side shelves with one side burner
- Storage cabinet with shelves
- Large sear zone
- Easy clean grease management system
- Expandable warming rack
- Separate control for each burner
- Electronic ignition
- Built-in thermometer
- 12 years warranty
- Expensive model
- Propane tank is sold separately (20 lb)
- No night lighting
- All accessories should be purchased separately
- Grill cover is required for long-term storage
Weber Spirit II E-310
Weber Spirit II E-310 is among Amazon’s Choice for Grill Propane grills. In the Spirit II family, you may choose a two or three-burner model, depending on your needs. This E-310 model is affordable and has the best features of Weber. It has three main burners, each controlled by its knob and ignited by the electronic ignitor. The burners give consistent gas flow through the whole width of the cooking grate, allowing you to cook on the whole cooking grate.
The Spirit II E-310 is compatible with iGrill3 and comes with a GS4 grilling system. The GS4 system is composed of electronic ignition, burners, flavorizer bars and a grease management system. All of the work is done in perfect order to provide the best experience and help prepare tasty food. You can purchase an iGrill 3 thermocouple to control internal meat temperature from your smartphone app. The porcelain-enameled main cooking grate is heated evenly and provides the sear marks on steaks and burgers. The 529 sq. inches cooking area is enough to prepare 15 burgers at once. The warming rack is installed on the second level and may be used to keep your food warm or to toast the burger buns. The racks are easy to clean with a stainless steel grill brush. For easier cleaning, you can purchase the disposable drip tray and locate it under the cooking box.
The open shelf under the cooking box is suitable for storage of cooking accessories. Outside of the grill, on one of the grill legs, is the installation point for the propane tank. It has special indicators to inform the owner about the propane left in the tank. All Spirit II grills are designed with two side tables that can be folded for compact storage. Each side table has three integrated hocks to keep all tools within arm’s reach. To move the grill around, you may use two durable all-weather wheels.
- Affordable model
- Three stainless burners
- Build-in thermometer
- Comes with 10 years of 100% Weber warranty
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron main cooking grate (424 sq. inches)
- Easy access propane tank with fuel gauge
- Four color options for the grill lid
- Six storage hocks on the side tables
- Flavorizer bars to funnel away drippings into the grease management system
- Open-cart design
- No storage for the propane tank
- No closed cabinets
- No sear and side burners
- No night lighting
- Propane tank should be purchased separately
- Grill cover is required for storage
Weber Spirit E330
The Weber Spirit E330 is the grill with the same cooking racks as the E-310 described earlier, but it also has the sear burner and the side burner on the left side table. This model is available on Amazon only in black and with liquid propane as fuel. The total cooking area is the same – 529 sq. inches; for comfort, make 15 burgers on the main cast iron porcelain enameled cooking grate and toast the buns on the stainless steel warming rack on the second level. The iron cooking grate is heated evenly, allowing the food to be prepared in all parts of the cooking area. The grate consists of two parts for easy cleaning and changing from one part to numerous accessories – griddle, grilling basket or sear grate.
The side and sear burners have separate control knobs (as the main three stainless burners) and can be ignited with an electronic ignitor. The side burner is protected with a lid that can be closed, so both side tables can be used for serving and food preparation. In the sear zone, you can create intense heating to prepare steaks with sear marks. This model is applicable to the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub, which has two thermocouples and a digital screen. Also, as others reviewed in this article grills, there is a built-in thermometer in the lid.
Unlike the Spirit II E-310, the propane tank is installed inside the closed cabinet, where the fuel gauge is installed to control the fuel level. However, such installation does not leave free space for storage. For storage grill accessories, you only have three hocks on each side table. The cook box is also protected (like E-310) with a porcelain-enameled lid to ensure superior heat retention. This model has four caster wheels, two of them locking for safe standing during grilling.
- Porcelain-enameled lid with a built-in thermometer
- Two side tables with hocks
- Sear station for intense heating
- Side burner inside left side table
- Fuel gauge to control the propane level
- Closed cabinet for propane tank storage
- Large cooking area – 529 sq. inches
- Warming rack for toast preparation and heating the food
- Dedicated control knobs for each burner
- Infinity electronic ignition
- No storage space
- Grill cover is required for storage
- Propane tank should be purchased separately
- No night lighting
- All accessories should be purchased separately
Face-to-Face comparison of Weber Genesis and Spirit grills
In this section, we will describe in more detail the similarities and differences between the four grills from the article.
Design
All Genesis and Spirit grills have a similar design, with a cooking box closed by a black lid and a built-in thermometer. However, the appearance of the lid and the handle is quite different, while all four models do not have night lighting. Grills differ in size, where Weber Spirit II E-310 is the smallest, and Weber Genesis E-435 is the largest. All four grills have side tables of similar size with three hooks each, but Spirit Grill’s tables are foldable.
- Weber Genesis E-325S, E-435, and Spirit E-330 are equipped with closed cabinets, where you can install the propane tank with a fuel gauge.
- Weber Spirit II E-310 has an open shelf and a tank installed on the side. Also, this model has only two wheels, while others have four.
- As a storage space, Weber Genesis E-435 has a small cabinet below the left side table, while other models do not have this option.
All models have a control panel with round knobs for burner control (different quantities) and an ignition button; the grease tray for all models is located below the cooking box.
verdictWe can’t tell which product is the winner in this comparison, as Genesis E-325S, E-435, and Spirit E-330 look very similar. E-435 is good for storage space, while E-330 has foldable side tables. Weber Spirit II E-310 stands apart as it has fewer wheels and does not have a closed cabinet.
Cooking experience
The cooking experience depends on the number of burners and the size of the cooking area. Weber Genesis E-325S, Weber Spirit II E-310 and Spirit E-330 have only three main burners. Meanwhile, Weber Genesis E-325S has the largest main cooking area. Weber Genesis E-435 has four main burners and the largest cooking area – 646 sq. inches. But all grates are made from the same material – porcelain-enameled cast iron- and all have an additional warming rack made of stainless steel.
Also, Weber Genesis E-325S and Spirit II E-310 have only main stainless steel burners, while Weber Genesis E-435 and Spirit E-330 have sear and side burners, additionally making these models more versatile.
verdictGenesis E-435 is the winner in this comparison as it has the largest cooking area, four main burners, one sear burner and one side burner.
Regular maintenance
There is no difference between Genesis and Spirit grill maintenance. All grills should be cleaned after cooling to a low temperature to remove food residues, grease, oil, and ash.
- The grill outside should be cleaned with a paper towel and cleaner for porcelain-coated and stainless steel surfaces.
- Side tables should be cleaned with a microfiber towel and a cleaner for stainless steel.
- The cleaning box and grates should be cleaned when cool with a stainless steel grill brush. You can also burn off all residues before each grilling cycle for 15 minutes at the maximum temperature.
We also recommend that before first use and after a long storage season, the grill be seasoned with oil.
verdictThere is no winner in grill maintenance; the procedure is the same for all models.
Assembling
All Weber grills come with a manual with pictures and access to the BILT app with a 3D manual for grill assembly. You can download the manuals from the official website for further use on your mobile device. All grills come packed in carton boxes, with smaller boxes inside numbered in the alphabetic order. In the BILT app or manual, you can check the assembly process step-by-step. All parts are numbered and are shown in pictures with instructions for installation.
verdictThe Weber Spirit II E-310 is the winner in this comparison, as it is the smallest and has fewer assembly parts, while the Weber Genesis E-435 is the largest with the highest number of burners and cabinets. However, the assembly process is organized the same for all models.
Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Grill?
If you still can’t decide between these four models, we’ve created a short questionnaire to help you determine which one is best for you.
- What type of fuel do you prefer? Charcoal, gas, electric, pellets? Do you have access to a natural gas pipeline? Most likely, you will choose liquid propane as you already read this article.
- How many people do you need to prepare dinner for? (required to determine the cooking area size).
- Do you need a smoker? A sear zone? A side burner? A rotisserie kit?
- Do you need individual cooking zones? Or do you cook all meals at once?
- Where do you prepare food for grilling? (required to determine the necessity of side tables).
- Where do you normally store grill accessories? (required to determine the necessity of shelves and cabinets for storage).
- Where do you store the grill? Do you need folded tables and wheels for moving?
- Do you prefer high-end technologies like Wi-Fi control?
- What is your budget?
By answering these questions from the first to the last one, you can determine the most suitable model for you. The last question may be the first one, if the budget is the most essential topic for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the requirements for 20 lbs tanks for Weber grills?
What is the advantage of searing on Weber grills?
Can I ignite all burners of Genesis E-435 at the same time?
Can I use the match to ignite the burners?
Is a tank hose included in the package to gas Weber grills?
Conclusion
Weber gas grills are recommended for all households. You can simply choose any of the described models for the best grilling experience. We suggest choosing based on the required cooking grate size and the number of burners. If you are short of space and money, the Weber Spirit II E-310 is a perfect solution, but if you need a sear zone, then it is better to purchase Genesis E-325S or Spirit E330. Genesis E-435 is the most advanced and expensive model for experienced and advanced cooking and additional storage space. However, the design, hood, grease management system, and cooking grates material are the same, so please determine your needs.
