Weber Spirit VS Weber Genesis Grill: Which is Better?
Back in 1952, George Stephen invented the kettle grill, a product that revolutionized the industry as we know it. Inspired by a buoy, Stephen was driven by his passion for grilling, a passion that put Weber, the company he founded, on the map.
Spirit and Genesis are two of the company’s most popular grill lines, so it’s only fair that we do a side-by-side comparison of two of their flagship models: the Spirit E3330 and the Genesis II SE335.
Top picks:
Weber Spirit E-330 Freestanding Propane Gas Grill – Check price on BBQ Guys and Amazon.
Weber Genesis II SE-335 Special Edition Propane Grill – Check price on BBQ Guys and Amazon.
Quick Overview between Spirit and Genesis grills
Even if these two lines are designed by the same manufacturer, there are few differences that we have to showcase, especially since they address different categories of users.
The Spirit series is more of a budget-oriented choice, being addressed to people that seek value and don’t prioritize fancy features. Even if they are simple, the line is equipped with reliable products, offering high-quality grilling experiences even on a budget. One of the characteristics of the Spirit line of grills is the inclusion of side tables that are meant to provide the cook with extra space to prepare meals.
The cooking grates are durable and the reliability of the welding and construction makes the Spirit series exceptional at trapping heat and providing even cooking. The grills in this line also come with tool hooks that allow you to hang your grilling accessories and always have them at hand when needed.
The Genesis II series, while a little more expensive, features important characteristics that can totally justify the somewhat higher prices. The grills that are part of this line are equipped with more burners compared to those in the Spirit line, and can provide higher heat outputs. The grills are compatible with Weber’s iGrill 3 Smart Tech, which is a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer that gives important information about what you’re cooking and sends notification straight to your phone.
Weber Spirit vs. Genesis – What’s the Big Difference?
Weber Spirit E-330 Freestanding Propane Gas Grill
The Spirit E330 propane gas grill is a product dedicated to value seekers that want to rest assured they’ve invested in a quality product, backed up by 10 years of warranty on burners and body of the grill. Designed with porcelain-coated cooking grates and meant to be an entry-level gas grill, the features of the E330 remain impressive.
The grill is equipped with three stainless steel burners that deliver a heat output of 32,000 BTUs, while also including a sear station with 7,500 BTUs of heat output. Each of these two burner categories comes with its very own electronic ignition, meaning they can be fired up independently. The porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars are designed to distribute heat over a cooking surface that measures 424 square inches. The grease tray is there to make sure cleaning the grill is as easy as possible.
There is a flush-mounted side burner that operates at a 12,000 BTU capacity to make sure you can grill and cook side dishes at the same time. There is a center-mounted motometer on the lid of the grill, allowing to get accurate information about the cooking temperature.
The control knobs are placed on the front of the grill, freeing up the sides so that you can use the side tables for meal prep without anything getting in the way. The grill rests on top of four heavy-duty casters that facilitate movement in case you want to move the grill to another location. Two of the wheels are swivel and the other two have a locking feature.
You can keep your propane tank secured in the enclosed storage area and the fuel gauge will precisely inform you on how much fuel there’s still left. There are tool hooks built into the construction of the grill, so that your accessories may be right next to you every time you need them.
Pros:
- 10-year warranty.
- Evenly-distributed heat.
- Stainless steel handles.
- Heavy-duty casters.
Cons:
- Doesn’t reach very high temperatures.
- Grids and flavorizer bars aren’t as durable as stainless steel ones.
Weber Genesis II SE-335 Special Edition Propane Grill
The Genesis II SE335 is giving us loads to talk about, embedding high-tech features in a long-lasting product that’s designed for true grill aficionados. The wide array of features are here to make sure that you cook your meats and side dishes to perfection, so let’s take a deeper look at what the SE335 has to offer.
The grill is designed with three stainless steel burners that deliver high performance and a heat output of 39,000 BTUs. On top of that, you have a sear station with 9,000 BTU heat power, and a side shelf with 12,000 BTUs of heat output. This grants a lot of versatility in terms of how many different things you can cook at once.
The cooking grates are made from thick stainless steel rods and offer a cooking area of 513 square inches. The patented flavorizer bars that Weber brought upon the world are present in this model as well, and they have a reliable stainless construction. The warming rack of the SE335 grants another 156 square inches of space, leading to a total cooking area of 669 square inches.
Thanks to the unit’s grease management system, this food residue is collected in order to make cleaning the grill as easy as possible. There is a thermometer built into the lid of the grill and it allows you to get accurate information on the cooking temperature.
However, one of the most noticeable features of the grill is the fact that it is compatible with the iGrill 3 technology that grants, alongside remote temperature control and information, handle-mounted lights that are motion activated and allow you to cook regardless of the current lighting conditions.
You can store the propane tank on the side of the grill, and that allows you to take advantage of the space underneath the grill. If you wish to switch the location of the SE335, you can make use of the four wheels, two of them being swivel and the other two locking.
Pros:
- Best grill in the Genesis II line.
- Motion activated handle light.
- Compatible with the iGrill technology.
- Thick stainless steel cooking grates.
Cons:
- Low maximum BTU output.
- No heat zone separators.
Conclusion
The Spirit E330 is one of the most reliable entry-level gas grills that Weber has ever designed. Even the features that some would consider questionable manage to get the job done and play important roles in the construction of the grill. The flavoring bars placed above the burners will minimize flare ups by catching drippings and creating smoke that gives your food extra flavor. The grill’s greatest minus is the fact that it can’t reach really high temperatures, but it’s still one of the best products for value seekers that are passionate about cooking on the grill.
When it comes to the Genesis II SE335 grill, things are a little more rugged. It’s a heavy-duty grill with plenty of features that are designed to improve the cooking experience of users that are passionate about investing in high-tech products. Aside from the iGrill 3 compatibility, the SE335 grill offers plenty of other features that justify the higher price of the product, such as durable cast aluminum housing, stainless steel flavorizer bars, and reliable electronic infinity ignition.