How To Determine The Age Of Weber Grills & Smokers

Though there’s no debating that, some experts argue that lump charcoal (not briquettes, which can have added chemicals) is potentially carbon neutral. If you want to read more about comparing grilling fuels, we found helpful articles from The Atlantic, Slate, and NPR. Check the grease trap after every use (or before every use), and don’t let it get too full. If it spills over, you’ll be cleaning grease out of the inside of your grill for an hour. We backed this reporting with comprehensive research—the in-depth, professional reviews at AmazingRibs.com being a standout source—and with hands-on time with grills at the big hardware chains. With more heat per square inch and a larger grilling area than the Spirit E-310, the Genesis E-325s is our top choice for dedicated grillers.

You get 450 square inches of cooking space when you account for the warming rack and the main cooking surface. The Weber Traveler is a portable gas grill, but make no mistake, Weber has not sacrificed cooking space for portability. They packed 320 square inches of total cooking space into a portable grill and even gave it a side table to help with prep work. If you’ve been looking for a portable grill big enough for the family, read on. Nexgrill’s newest premium BBQ, the Revelry series is a combination of durability and design. In a more aesthetically pleasing exterior, the Revelry comes with premium upgrades such as cast iron lid end caps, pull out propane tank tray, and a built in smoker box.

Genesis represents the higher-tier line of Weber gas grills, and that’s apparent with the EX-335 in the sheer number of additional features that it has. As many may expect, Genesis has more cooking space than the more affordable Spirit line of grills with weber charcoal grill nearly 800 square inches of cooking surface, which is well supported by three main burners plus a sear burner. It was easy to sear burgers and a steak on the sear station and then transfer each piece of meat to the cooler half of the grill for finishing.

The now-discontinued Char-Broil Advantage 3-Burner Gas Grill from Lowe’s met the low expectations we set upon seeing its sub-$200 price. It cooked burgers acceptably, weber portable grill but to get an even cook we had to shuffle the patties around from hot spots to cool spots. Unable to keep a steady low temperature, it burned the barbecue chicken.

The sear zone produced delicious steak, though you might want an additional burner like we did. It's even great for beginners since the app includes everything you need to know for grilling and maintaining a gas grill. With porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, you’ll get excellent heat retention and easy cleanup, as we've seen during tests. The Weber Q 1400 is a great choice if you live in a condo or other small space where the use of gas and charcoal grills may be restricted or if you want an easy-to-use unit that only needs to be plugged in. No matter the brand of grill, we don’t like to fully rely on built-in thermometers. But thermometers in the lid are several inches above the cooking grate and don’t accurately report the temperature on the surface where you’re actually cooking your food.

Jim saw in Bob’s concept of the Q grill an innovative approach that has stood the test of time. The Q grill can be found in backyards, patios, decks, tailgates, and picnics all over the world. Simplicity and ease of use, along with the convenience of portable grilling make these grills ideal for barbecue nomads. In 2023, Weber entered the propane gas-fired stand-up griddle category with the creatively named Weber Griddle. From 1952 to 1978, Weber charcoal grills were not marked to indicate date of manufacture or model year.

Unfortunately, some of the grills sold under the brand name of Nexgrill are not exclusive to the brand and can be seen sold under other brands like Member’s Mark, Grill Master, Jenn-Air and even Kitchen Aid. This is quite common in many industries and it is called private labelling. If you have a Weber pellet grill or smoker, purchase pellets designed for grilling.

Overall, we found that the core function and design of grills we’ve covered in the $400 to $900 price range hasn’t changed. More-recent models have the same bones as their predecessors, with minor tweaks like redesigned cabinets, handles, and control panels. When you consider the 529 square inches of cooking space between the main area and the warming rack, this is enough heat and space to serve a larger family between 5 and 7 people. Weber’s long experience in the grilling game has led to insight-driven, thoughtful products that might be priced higher than their peers in the market, but is the best value for your money.