Weber Spirit vs Genesis: Entry Level VS Mid-Range Gas Grills Gas Grill Throwdown

Things got a bit more complicated in 2013 when Weber started laser-etching a nine-character alphanumeric code onto the lid damper alongside the two-letter alphabetic code. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker was first introduced for the 1981 model year, so most of the oldest cookers have a C code. A few have a B code, indicating they were manufactured in 1980 in the run-up to the 1981 introduction.

Burgers and chickens were too charred on the outside, thanks to the hot cast-iron cooking grate. If you do purchase this model, keep that in mind and start out with less heat. Ribs were better, perhaps owing to the two smokestacks designed for even low and slow cooking. The size of the Denali is impressive, giving you room to easily cook for an entire party of guests. I especially like the little slots for hanging your drumsticks to let them cook evenly.

That’s more than twice the price of a quality charcoal grill, but if you prioritize speed and convenience, the higher price is worth it. The entire Spirit II line interfaces with Weber’s iGrill 3 smart thermometer (a separate purchase); this can alert you, through an app downloaded to your phone, when your food has reached certain temperatures. For now, we think a simple probe thermometer, like the ThermoWorks Dot, could alert you in a similar way for less cost. The gas tank mounts externally (see the top photo in this section), instead of in a cabinet underneath the grill, as is typical (such as on the previous-generation Spirit).

Ariane Resnick, who also updated this article, is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author. She has more than 20 years experience in the food and writing spaces and believes in a joy-filled approach to health and wellness. If a burner seems to be running cool or creates patchy flames, use a thin piece of wire (many grills come with one attached to a chain) to clean out the gas ports (the little holes in the burner).

Once you do, the 189 square inches of cooking space can handle the grilling needs of anywhere from one person to four or more—depending on what you’re cooking up. We were really impressed with the meal created using this grill, especially the quality sear marks it left on veggie shish kebabs, hanger steak, zucchini slices, and marinated chicken breast. weber charcoal grill Though we did miss the true smoky flavor that can only come from wood and charcoal. Weber added two new models to its Spirit line of gas grills in 2020, but we ultimately chose not to test them. One of them, the Spirit S-315, is similar to the Spirit II E-310 (our pick) with regard to the specs, and with a few cosmetic differences—and higher price tag.

Its convenience factors — like one-handed setup and automatic lid lock — make this the ultimate on-the-go grill. While still not small enough to fit in a day pack, it makes for the perfect city-living, can-only-grill-in-the-park grill. It’s got Weber’s charcoal-standard ash catch at the base and airflow dampers on the lid (there aren’t any on the base, sadly). The main difference between the standard and more premium models is a home for the lid; the premium model (about $10 more expensive) has a hinge that holds the lid when not in use. Clean the inside of a grill as well as the grates using a stainless steel grill brush.

My most recent sighting of this date code was on a 2021 LB code Go-Anywhere gas grill. Yes, you can smoke meat on a Weber charcoal grill, also known as a kettle grill. The simplest way to use your kettle grill as a smoker is to place all of your charcoal briquettes on one side of the grill and your meat on the other. Adding a few small chips of wood to the charcoal will give your meat a more traditionally smoked flavor. Placing a pan of water underneath the grates where you will be putting your meat will help to catch drippings, keep the meat more moist, and enable the smoke to adhere better to the meat. Stainless-steel grates are inexpensive and lightweight, but you'll need to clean them with a great grill brush after every session.

However, our picks are also sold in natural-gas versions, which are gaining in popularity. But they require that you have a natural-gas hookup on your deck or patio. If you have natural gas in your home but don’t have an outdoor connection, you’ll need to hire a technician to install one, and this may involve cutting into walls. And if you want to easily move your natural-gas grill into and out of storage, you’ll also need to buy a quick-disconnect system, which can add another $150 or so. This grill is a bit smaller than several of the Genesis grills, but it still has plenty room.

This'll give you more temperature zones, and make getting everything to the table so much easier. Lastly, you need to make sure your grill fits your allotted space, and/or is able to move, should you need to store it or bring it on a roadtrip. Another great component is the hinged grate's circular insert where you can quickly add charcoals weber charcoal grill while cooking. You do have to take the whole grate off to re-adjust your fuel though, one of the few downsides. When grilling time is over, this again has an advantage over older kettle grills. The ash is swept into the bottom catcher for easy disposal once it's cooled, while everything else only needs a quick wipe-down.

The double doors feel substantial, and they swivel smoothly in their hinges. We also like that the base sits on four casters—as opposed to the combination of two casters and two fixed wheels on its predecessor, the Genesis II. And compared with the Spirit II’s two fixed wheels, the casters on the E-325s make it easier for folks with varying abilities to maneuver the cart. However, we’re bummed that Weber decided to move the propane tank hook and gauge from the side (where they sit on the Spirit II and previous Genesis models) to under the firebox inside the cart.