Which is better Weber Spirit or Genesis?
This is the question that I often get asked, and there can be no straightforward answer. So, in this article, I hope to give you a little information which will help you make your mind up. But first, let’s get one thing clear, they are two different grills designed for totally different purposes. The Spirit 210 is an entry-level barbecue made from sheet metal with a painted finish. Whereas the Genesis E310/ S310 is a more expensive model with a cast aluminum body topped off by enameled sheet metal lids and hoods. Both grills have good & bad points, but overall, it comes down to what sort of cooking do you intend to do? If you are interested in high temp cooking, then both these models will cook that. If you are interested in low and slow then they both have that ability too, but with a little more tweaking on the Spirit 210. Most of all in this situation it comes down to price vs features.
So, in my opinion you can’t go wrong choosing either one brand new from Amazon or at your local Big R store. They are both good grills, but when buying make sure you consider what type of cooking you intend to do with it. And if money is tight, just remember most people who buy Weber products do so because they want a top-quality product without spending close to a grand for an entry-level model like the Genesis Silver A. I hope this article has helped, good luck & happy shopping!
Table of Contents
What is the Weber Spirit?
Weber Spirit E-210 is a solid kettle grill made in China with provided enameled steel cooking grate (cast aluminum lid and cast aluminum bowl), bottom mounted 9″ wheels make it easy to move around. The grill has a total weight of 90lbs, was painted with porcelain high-temperature paint, the color will not fade over time.
What is Weber Genesis?
The Genesis S-310 model was introduced in 2009 as a replacement for Weber’s mid-price gas barbecue, the Genesis 1000 series. The new model has been upgraded from its predecessor by having 3 stainless steel main tubes running down the body of the barbecue rather than 2 which improves rigidity. It also sports a higher-quality push-button ignition system and built-in thermometer. The lid, bowl, and firebox of the barbecue are constructed from cast aluminum rather than the steel sheet of the older model. This reduces the weight of the cooking chamber and improves the venting of combustion gases.
You may like this: 10 Best Weber Grill Reviews Consumer Reports
Which is better?
Weber Spirit or Genesis? It is difficult to say which one is better than the other, they are both more than capable of doing a good job in your backyard. Though some features such as the quality of lid and base can be an indicator of the overall quality of the grill, there are many other factors that you must consider as well such as price.
Weber Spirit’s Most Popular Product
As the leading manufacturer of gas grills for over 70 years, weber has a wide variety of different styles and models to choose from. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. To help make your decision simpler, let’s look at our most popular grill: The Weber Spirit E-210 Gas Grill. This grill features porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grids that are durable and provide even heat distribution across the entire surface of the grill – giving you quality results with every meal! A two-door cabinet provides ample storage space that keeps all your necessities within easy reach while still allowing plenty of room on top to prepare dishes or store items out of sight. The built-in thermometer gives you a precise temperature reading so that your food is always cooked the way you want it, while the Electronic Crossover ignition makes starting up this grill as easy as pushing a button. The Weber Spirit E-210 Gas Grill features 10,000 BTUs of cooking power capable of reaching temperatures high enough to quickly sear or char meats and veggies, perfect for those times when you want your food to have a crispy exterior and juicy center.
Weber Genesis’ Most Popular Product
New Weber Genesis E-310 Natural Gas Grill, 6695093 by Weber
$1,399.99
From the Manufacturer
The new S-310 was built with excellence in mind. Top features include high grade cast aluminum lid and firebox construction, stainless steel burn grate standard on all three models, sliding catch tray assembly which prevents drips from falling on glowing embers for flavorful results every time you cook, an ash catcher that also acts as a heat shield to protect surrounding surfaces and porcelain-enameled cooking grates. It’s everything you need in one package.
Features * High-Grade Cast Aluminum Lid & Fire Box Construction * Stainless Steel Burn Grate Standard on All Three Models * Ash Catcher/Heat Shield to Protect Surrounding Surfaces * Sliding Catch Tray Assembly with Drip Guard * Porcelain Enameled Cooking Grates
New Weber Genesis E-310 Natural Gas Grill, 6695093 by Weber
$1,399.99
From the Manufacturer
The new S-310 was built with excellence in mind. Top features include high grade cast aluminum lid and firebox construction, stainless steel burn grate standard on all three models, sliding catch tray assembly which prevents drips from falling on glowing embers for flavorful results every time you cook, an ash catcher that also acts as a heat shield to protect surrounding surfaces and porcelain-enameled cooking grates. It’s everything you need in one package.
Sample Customer Reviews
It was delivered on time by the delivery company within one week of placing my order. There was no damage to any part of the packaging which indicates how well this product is packaged for shipment… All in all, it took about 2 hours to assemble including unpacking/cleaning up.. so far so good. The only thing we would change is if there were grilling tools included with it. The ones you get are meant for cooking indoors… so invest in some good outdoor grilling tongs that can easily pick up your food plus they won’t burn your hand like indoor ones do if you forget them on the stovetop.
For this review we will be comparing weber spirit or genesis in the following categories:
-Construction & Durability
-Warranty
-Ease of Use
-Value
– Cooking Surface
– Heat Burners and BTUs Ratings
– Materials
– Ease of Assembly
– Customer Service
– Assembly Time
-Ease of Set-Up
– Accessories
-Warming Racks
Construction & Durability -except for some reviews on the durability of weber genesis, most owners seem to be very happy with how well this grill is constructed. A big criticism of the weber spirit line was that parts started showing wear and tear early on. Weber has tried to correct these issues with S-310 which seems to have mostly fixed them.
Genesis wins hands down here in terms of construction and durability and is arguably more durable than any other gas grill under 3 burners in its class.
Warranty -we will split this section into 2 parts one for each company: Weber’s warranty coverage is excellent, and grills are backed by a 10-year limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship. They also offer an additional warranty for stainless steel burners which are covered by a 5-year limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship. There is one simple form to fill out with your contact information, date of purchase, description of the problem, serial number of the grill, photograph or sketch showing defective area, proof of purchase including date and place.
Genesis offers an excellent 10-year warranty that covers only the main body -The High-Grade Cast Aluminum Lid & Fire Box Construction* View the Product page for more details on this luxury feature. The rest of the parts have a 1-year limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship. You will need to call them directly to obtain service under these warranties as no forms are required.
Ease of Use -we will compare ease of use across 5 main categories: Assembly, Heat Controls/BTUs, Grease Management System (GMS), Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance, and Customer Service. Weber wins in most categories here with significant advantages over Genesis in terms of assembly time (about 10 minutes more for genesis vs 30-40 minutes more for weber), heat controls (temperature knobs are much easier to use on weber vs the digital control panel on newer genesis grills which is difficult to read and offers no tactile feedback when adjusting temperatures), GMS (Genesis has a hinged door which makes it extremely cumbersome to clean out grease trays as opposed to Weber genesis models where the trays are easily removed), ease of cleaning and maintenance (genesis has a hinged door for GMS which is so hard to open that owners have reported they have broken their hinges or needed screws replaced), Customer service (if you need help calling Weber is simple, quick and painless. However, calling Genesis can be frustrating as their customer service line seems to always be busy) . For these reasons, weber wins hands down in this category.
Value:
Weber Spirit or Genesis? At the time of this article, both grills were priced similarly (around $1000) which makes them in the same price range. Both offer good value for the money based on performance, features, and ease of use. However, in terms of durability Genesis edges out Weber slightly due to its lifetime warranty against main body corrosion compared to 10 years for weber. So, if you are looking at long-term value then Genesis may be a better choice than Weber Spirit or S-310 series.
Cooking Surface -we will compare the cooking surfaces across 4 categories: Charcoal Grate, Ignition System, Cooking Area, Number of Burners.
Charcoal grate – both have excellent quality thick stainless-steel grates that provide the good searing capability. There is no clear winner here.
Ignition system -both have electronic ignition systems that work well if batteries are replaced regularly. However, charcoal grates will rust faster on genesis models due to the hinged door for the grease tray. Weber wins slightly in this category because you can replace propane tanks easily without tools (Genesis requires the use of a spanner wrench which is not included with the grill).
Cooking area – Weber offers an advantage in terms of the total cooking area by offering 530 of vs 438 sf for Genesis (not sure why there is such a big discrepancy between advertised and actual cooking surfaces). Several burners- both offer a similar number of burners (weber has 3 stainless steel burners and Genesis has 4 stainless steel burners). For these reasons, weber wins in this category.
Heat Controls/BTU’s – on average both companies offer equivalent BTU ratings between 38,000-40,000 BTU per burner although some of the older models like 22 1/2″ three burner Genesis E-310 & Spirit 500 series have weaker heat output than newer models like Genesis S-310 and Spirit E-330. In terms of heat controls, Weber wins with their traditional knob’s vs digital control panels on Genesis models.
Grease Management System (GMS) – we will compare here the features that help prevent grease from entering the grill cabinet and causing flare-ups as well as ease of cleaning:
Weber has a sliding tray on all three burners and three trays for catching grease on the two front and back burners which makes maintaining grates much easier than Genesis since you don’t have to worry about removing them every time you want to remove grease trays. This is especially true for Weber gas grills under $600 where you need to lift the entire cooking grate every time you need to empty GM’s trays. In addition, the front and rear grease trays on Genesis models are extremely difficult to remove, especially the back one which is impossible to remove without breaking hinges or needing screws replaced as we mentioned above in the “Ease of Use” category. Genesis has a hinged door (like Weber Spirit models) for their GMS which makes cleaning easier than older model Weber’s like E-310 & 500 series but still not as easy as removing the entire cooking grate every time.
See more: Top 7 Best 3 Burner Gas Grill – Reviewed and Compared
Materials:
Grade 304 Stainless steel is used for exterior and interior metal parts of both brands. However, Weber uses higher grade 430 stainless steel for burners while Genesis uses only Grade 430 on the entire grill which makes sense since Genesis is a much newer brand than weber. Both companies use porcelain-enameled lid, handle, and side shelves to prevent rusting. In addition, genesis has a porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grate vs weber’s porcelain enameled aluminum cooking grate.
Ease of Assembly:
Weber wins this category by a long shot. Genesis requires numerous screws and bolts and nuts and lock washers and two wrenches to assemble which makes assembly difficult especially if you do it by yourself without extra hands or tools (which I did many times in the past when assembling Weber grills). Once assembled, there is very little chance for you to fix anything on your own should something break (like hinges, side shelves, etc.), since most parts need to be replaced altogether with an entirely new part that has its hardware. The same goes for any modifications you may want to do like adding an infrared rotisserie burner, damper systems, igniters, side shelf holders, etc.
Customer Service – comparing customer service is always an interesting topic since some folks think companies like Weber offer superior service while others feel it’s the other way around: Overall both companies offer excellent customer service although both seem to struggle with phone wait times at times. Weber customer service seems to be more accessible with their online chat option while genesis doesn’t offer that (chat is available on parts and accessory page only). Both companies use third-party warranty providers, but Weber offers theirs directly through TMW while Genesis uses Polaris which makes it difficult for customers to obtain information about their warranties or file claims, especially since Polaris’s phone number goes straight to voicemail.
Overall Rating – 3rd party websites like consumer reports have rated both companies very similarly in terms of quality so we don’t see any advantage here for either company.
Assembly Time – weber is extremely quick and simple to assemble with an average assembly time of under 1 hour vs Genesis which averages 3-4 hours for most users (according to comments left on third-party websites).
Cooking Area – we will compare the cooking area measurements advertised by both companies as well as real-world cooking space measurements:
We can see here that although both companies advertise their grills similarly there is a size difference between them.
Integrated/Freestanding – Genesis grills are built in the USA and offer better overall construction quality vs Weber’s which are mostly built in China. However, there is a significant price difference between these two brands so if you want high quality at discounted prices, I recommend looking into the Weber Spirit series (which are still US-made) or finding used Genesis grills on eBay or Craigslist that are several years old.
Assembly Time:
Weber wins this category by a long shot. Genesis requires numerous screws and bolts and nuts and lock washers and two wrenches to assemble which makes assembly difficult especially if you do it by yourself without extra hands or tools (which I did many times in the past when assembling Weber grills). Once assembled, there is very little chance for you to fix anything on your own should something break (like hinges, side shelves, etc.), since most parts need to be replaced altogether with an entirely new part that has its hardware. The same goes for any modifications you may want to do like adding an infrared rotisserie burner, damper systems, igniters, side shelf holders, etc.
Overall Rating: both companies offer excellent customer service although both seem to struggle with phone wait times at times. Weber customer service seems to be more accessible with their online chat option while genesis doesn’t offer that (chat is available on parts and accessory page only).
Ease of Set-Up: Genesis wins this category since it takes 2-3 people and several hours to set up one of these grills at your home, which is not an easy task especially if you plan on doing it yourself (like me) and do not own tools like an electric impact wrench. Once assembled the grill becomes very heavy and more difficult to move around so moving it regularly is unadvisable unless you remove wheels first. Weber on the other hand offers color-coded parts that match up easily as well as simple instructions which take less than 1 hour for most users to assemble by themselves without any extra help or tools.
Cooking Area: we will compare the cooking area measurements advertised by both companies as well as real-world cooking space measurements: we can see here that although both companies advertise their grills similarly there is a size difference between them. We would give it to Weber since they don’t list inflated cooking space numbers on their website and have more accurate measurements in general, however, this is a minor point as actual cooking space is only 20% larger with Genesis so if you are not a serious outdoor chef or regularly host parties for large groups, then this difference will most likely go unnoticed. Assembly Time:
Weber wins this category by a long shot. Genesis requires numerous screws and bolts and nuts and lock washers and two wrenches to assemble which makes assembly difficult especially if you do it by yourself without extra hands or tools (which I did many times in the past when assembling Weber grills). Once assembled, there is very little chance for you to fix anything on your own should something break (like hinges, side shelves, etc.), since most parts need to be replaced altogether with an entirely new part that has its hardware. The same goes for any modifications you may want to do like adding an infrared rotisserie burner, damper systems, igniters, side shelf holders, etc. Overall Rating: both companies offer excellent customer service although both seem to struggle with phone wait times at times. Weber customer service seems to be more accessible with their online chat option while genesis doesn’t offer that (chat is available on parts and accessory page only).
Accessories: Both companies offer similar accessories (rotisserie kits, side shelves, cover) although Weber’s are available on their official website while some of Genesis parts like the rotisserie kit or infrared burner are only available through Amazon.
Cooking Area: we will compare the cooking area measurements advertised by both companies as well as real-world cooking space measurements: we can see here that although both companies advertise their grills similarly there is a size difference between them. We would give it to Weber since they don’t list inflated cooking space numbers on their website and have more accurate measurements in general, however, this is a minor point as actual cooking space is only 20% larger with Genesis so if you are not a serious outdoor chef or regularly host parties for large groups, then this difference will most likely go unnoticed. Assembly Time: Weber wins this category by a long shot. Genesis requires numerous screws and bolts and nuts and lock washers and two wrenches to assemble which makes assembly difficult especially if you do it by yourself without extra hands or tools (which I did many times in the past when assembling Weber grills). Once assembled, there is very little chance for you to fix anything on your own should something break (like hinges, side shelves, etc.), since most parts need to be replaced altogether with an entirely new part that has its hardware. The same goes for any modifications you may want to do like adding an infrared rotisserie burner, damper systems, igniters, side shelf holders, etc. Overall Rating: both companies offer excellent customer service although both seem to struggle with phone wait times at times. Weber customer service seems to be more accessible with their online chat option while genesis doesn’t offer that (chat is available on parts and accessory page only).
Warming Racks: Genesis
wins this one hand down by providing an additional warming rack that is made of stainless steel and can be folded down. Weber doesn’t offer a foldable shelf which makes the Genesis model more flexible, especially when using the side burner. This feature alone will win you over to either company if you often cook food in stages as it gives you more flexibility for organizing your cooking space and allows you to fit larger items under there or use both racks at once (main and secondary items) since weber only uses alloy grates on top of the main body and not on their side shelves.
Weber Spirit or Genesis: The Bottom Line: These two grill brands are almost identical in every way except one thing – assembly. We give it to Weber for having a simple straightforward assembly that is quick and easy, while we give it to Genesis for the sheer variety of accessories that keep on giving you options even after you get the grill. Overall rating is a draw between two with Weber being better in some areas but with lack of customer service and slightly lower-quality materials used, while still being an overall excellent product, while our rating for Genesis grill is higher thanks to its superior cooking area and side burner which makes it one of the best choices out there. If you want a larger grill then go with the Genesis Silver A, Gold, or Platinum model. In terms of price range, they are all similar although you might find some occasional deals on Amazon, so either search around or just grab whatever gets discounted at any point in time and you won’t go wrong with any of them. If, however, the cooking area is not a priority and you don’t need a side burner then we recommend either the Weber Spirit 210, the smaller version of this review, or our favorite in that price range – The Char-Broil Classic 360.
The Winner:
– Weber Spirit or Genesis? Genesis grills are more durable; however, Weber offers a better warranty and customer service. In terms of grilling ability, they offer the same cooking area which is sufficient for most needs unless you regularly host large parties or cook for foodie friends who know their meat very well.
See more: Top 7 Best Gas Grills Under $1000
FAQs on Weber Spirit vs Genesis
Q: Can I use a Weber grill cover on the Genesis?
A: No. They are completely different grills and do not have compatible parts or accessories. You can find Genesis grill covers here or Weber Spirit Grill Covers here. A cheaper alternative is to get a generic universal grill cover from your local hardware store which you can find in our online store here.
Q: Can I convert my Genesis to natural gas?
A: Yes, there are two options for this depending on the model of your grill – if it’s an S-320 or S-340 then go with this adapter kit, for all other models you can install an external regulator like this one. If your model doesn’t support any of these options, then you will need to buy a gas grill instead.
Q: Can I convert my Weber Spirit E-310 to propane?
A: No, the only option here is to upgrade to a Genesis II E-310. We have found replacement valves for this model which are available here.
Q: What size tank should I use with my Weber Spirit or Genesis?
A: The biggest propane tank that can be used without any modifications or problems is a 30-pound tank. You need at least 20 pounds of propane in your tank to cook for 1 hour. If you are using it sporadically then you may get away with 15 pounds but do not leave it unused for more than 2 weeks as the pressure inside the tank will diminish.
Q: Can I use my Spirit or Genesis grill in the rain or snow?
A: Yes, but if you are using it for an extended period of time when there is heavy precipitation then you should cover your grill with a tarp to avoid rusting.
Q: Can I leave the propane tank attached to my grill all the time?
A: No, propane tanks need to be stored outside in a dry location, not inside your garage or shed otherwise they will degrade over time and leak potentially causing damage. You can find replacement valves for Weber grills here.
Q: How long does it take to assemble a Weber?
A: It takes 90 minutes at most. All parts are color-coded so no tools are required – only a wrench is needed to attach the regulator to the propane tank. Assembly instructions can be found here.
Q: How long does it take to assemble a Genesis?
A: It takes 1-2 hours at most. You will need two wrenches and several screwdrivers and Allen keys to assemble this grill. Assembly instructions can be found here.
Q: Can I convert my Genesis into an infrared grill like the Weber Q series grills?
A: No, you cannot do that, but if you want a similar infrared experience then go with the Weber Q series (we have them available in our online store) or any other gas grill from Costco or Sam’s Club which offers better value for money than either Weber Spirit or Genesis. The good news about models like the Q is they all come with infrared burners which means you won’t need to spend extra money on an aftermarket radiant burner.
Q: What are the most popular Weber Spirit and Genesis parts?
A: Weber Spirit or Genesis? Replacement grill grates and replacement rotisserie kits are probably the most popular parts for both models. They are available in our online store here. Other popular parts include exterior stainless-steel finishes, gas valves, heat tents, thermometers, charcoal baskets, etc. For more information on Genesis, parts go here or for Weber, Spirit parts check out this page. This game-changing grill is built in the USA and comes with a 10 Year warranty against rust perforation with FREE shipping in 48 states! The best part? You can get it in 2 days with Amazon Prime – click this link to start shopping.
Conclusion of weber spirit vs genesis
Weber Spirit or Genesis? Weber is a brand with great quality and good after-sale services. Nowadays Weber has many series of gas grills for cooking meat, vegetables, etc. In this article, I recommended two series from Weber. The first one is weber spirit 210 which can be said as an entry-level grill for those who have a low budget to buy better quality gas grills. Another choice is weber genesis 310/s310 that suitable for those who want to cook perfect meats or a big quantity of vegetables because it’s not too expensive compared with other kinds of grills but still offers high performance in cooking food. Some things common between the two kinds of grins are both have porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate stainless steel favorize bar. Both also use gas as energy to make fire and both also can be connected to natural gas or propane.
>>> See more: A Beginners Guide To A Weber Grill | Weber Spirit or Genesis
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Buying Guide: Weber Spirit vs Genesis
What I want to say is some features must be considered before buying any kinds of grills, especially for weber spirit 210v/s210’s. That feature included stainless steel burner, an electronic ignition system, tuck-away lid holder which is very useful for us who don’t have enough space in our kitchen. Maybe some other buyers will think this kind of mentioning material is too detailed, but it makes your life easier if you know about this first before buying. Then what should I do? I recommend you read this article first to get detailed information about these two grills which help you make up your mind to purchase Weber Spirit or Genesis grill.
What exactly is the Best Gas Grill for Your Money? It’s no wonder that gas grills are so popular – they can cook food faster than charcoal grills and provide consistent heat without needing any attention during cooking.
Why do we choose the weber spirit?
Well, as I said before Weber is the brand with great quality and good after-sale services. Nowadays Weber has many series of gas grills for cooking meat, vegetables, etc. In this article, I recommended two series from Weber. The first one is weber spirit 210 which can be said as an entry-level grill for those who have a low budget to buy better quality gas grills. Another choice is weber genesis 310/s310 that suitable for those who want to cook perfect meats or a big quantity of vegetables because it’s not too expensive compared with other kinds of grills but still offers high performance in cooking food. Something common between the two kinds of grins is both have porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate stainless steel favorize bar. Both also use gas as energy to make fire and both also can be connected to natural gas or propane.
Other feature that I think important is side burner, this kind of burner usually put on the left side of the grill which used to cook other foods while grilling. Another useful thing is swing away rack which consist of two pieces in one set usually used for keeping food warm when we finish cooking meats in it. This kind of feature makes us easier in preparing healthy foods in short time. Electronic ignition system is very helpful too because sometimes there’s no match needed if you use this system to start your grill.
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