Being the smallest in the series, the Weber Spirit E-210 is even more compact than its Genesis counterparts. At this point, I should also mention that it’s also the more affordable one. Despite its dimensions, however, this model features the same expert construction and high-quality materials as all Weber grills. With hooded grills, over time the grease and carbon build-up can take on the look of flaking paint. Rest assured it isn’t, and it can be easily removed with a good brush into a tray and disposed of.
But you should note that there are versions of all of our picks that work with natural gas. Just keep in mind that if you don’t already have the proper hookups, installing a natural-gas outlet isn’t cheap or simple. On balance, propane or natural gas are probably better choices if you favor no-fuss cooking or you grill often .
And with each new version of the models we’re familiar with, the most important characteristics—such as quality of materials and construction—are the same. We spoke again with Joe Salvaggio of Big Apple BBQ about the newest models, and we examined our main contenders in person at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Bering’s in Houston. Our tests were designed and run by Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton, who has a decade of experience in professional kitchens, much of it spent on the grill station. Senior staff writer Tim Heffernan, who wrote the original version of this guide, helped with testing, along with senior staff writer Michael Sullivan. Sam Sifton, then food editor of The New York Times, also joined in the testing and added his extensive knowledge. In 2018, we tested Weber’s new Spirit II E-310—successor to our previous pick, the first-gen Spirit E-310—against our upgrade pick for the best gas grill.
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Glad you can turn off one burner when needed for indirect cooking. This can seem like such a simple feature, but it isn’t every day that you find it. And, it doesn’t matter if you grill occassionally or on a frequent basis, being able to tell just how much fuel is in your propane tank is going to make your life a lot easier either way. Once you begin to use this grill, you will realize just how handy it actually is.
But this model is still available for purchase at big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. We still think it’s a great grill with clever design features. For one thing, this grill has an externally weber spirit 2 mounted propane tank, which is easier to install and replace than traditional, under-grill tanks . And this type of tank also frees up the area under the grill for storage of tools and other items.
The food tasted great afterward so you can expect similar results from Weber’s built-in smoker box if you fill it up halfway with lighter fluid/water . If you need even more smoke flavor, just light some newspaper underneath that firepot area and let the flames lick up the underside of your grill. You will get tons of acrid smoke in no time which will help to impart a good amount of flavor into your food. Still, it’s a pretty grill that stands out from all of the regular stainless steel cookers. But I wouldn’t get one unless you’re especially keen on its propane scale and optional temperature probe — and nice range of color finishes to choose from. Our testing process involves flipping the burgers six minutes into grilling, and that’s hard with a temperature probe stuck inside each one.
Given the situation and the cost, I felt like this was one of the easiest product issues I’ve dealt with, and I’m thrilled I neither had to make a janky repair nor spend money on a new grill! ” We are definitely not saying that you should leave your grease trap full. But we are saying that if you do, the warranty and customer service are absolutely worth the small premium you pay for Weber grills over cheaper brands.
You can see the readout at the grill itself on the display or check it via the app on your smartphone. This gas grill comes with a total grilling surface of 529 sq. And 3 stainless steel burners and produces 30,000 BTUs of heat output. Total heat output of 26,500 BTUs is what you get with this grill. Of an enclosed cabinet design with a single door, the Spirit E-210 offers protection to your gas or propane tank and some useful storage space for your grilling accessories.
In 2021, Weber introduced a line of smart grills that we chose not to test. The app also has recipes and a step-by-step feature that sends alerts to your phone when it’s time to tend to your food. All of these extra gadgets require power, and the Genesis Smart Grill takes 10 batteries. The Wi-Fi module alone uses six D batteries, but there is an option to power that part with a power bank.