Weber Spirit vs. Genesis – Widespread Comparison

Weber is perhaps the most influential name in the grilling industry. And why wouldn’t it be? Being the pioneer of the famous kettle grill, Weber has been at the forefront of modern grilling.

But the kettle grill isn’t their only specialty. If you want to buy a liquid propane-powered grill, the Weber Spirit and Genesis will be great choices. These grills employ Weber’s GS4 technology. And they add versatility to your grilling routine.

Both have their features, but only one will satiate your grilling needs. So what’s the real deal? Which grill should you buy? Weber Spirit vs. Genesis?

Weber-Stephen Co. has been around since the early 1950s. However, by that time it was not in its current form and specialty. The Weber company we know today is the successor of an older company and one man’s will to change backyard grilling.

It all began in 1893 with the establishment of Weber Bros. Metal Works… This was a large-scale metal crafting company tasked with manufacturing buoys and other types of equipment. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s when the corporate shifted the spotlight onto itself.

George Stephen split a buoy in half, welded the two pieces together, and created the world’s first kettle grill. The idea caught up quite well, and soon people began to buy the grill. George saw an immense prophet lying ahead. Soon he formed his wing in the Weber Bros. industry and began selling the grill.

But, his masterplan did not end there. He bought out the entire Weber Company and renamed it to Weber-Stephen Co.

Now, the company has moved on to mass-producing gas and electric grills, grill accessories, and of course the famous kettle grill.

In 1989, Weber expanded its reach to a small restaurant in Wheeling, Illinois. This restaurant eventually closed, but soon five more opened, and are operational to date.

Weber specializes in several products. The first and most prominent of them all is the kettle grill. Being the pioneer of the closed-lid grill, Weber is one of the biggest mass manufacturers of the kettle grill.

Apart from that, the corporate also produces gas and propane-powered grills. Of these, the Genesis and Spirit lines are the most popular. Weber also produces wood pellet smokers. SmokeFire series is an example of that.

Over the years, Weber has introduced some of the world’s most innovative grilling technologies. The most popular of these is the GS4 system.

This is a full-fledged grilling system that incorporates elements from 4 different technologies. It brings together healthy grease management with longer-lasting components.

A lot of Weber’s grills are also well-matched with third-party technology, such as iGrill 3 and BILT. This compatibility brought a revolutionary elevation from manual to digital. If you don’t have access to these apps, you can still use the grills.

The Weber Spirit E-310 is an entry-level grill for novices and grill enthusiasts. It’s equipped with the company’s unique GS4 grilling system and produces up to 30,000 BTUs of heat every hour.

To clarify things a bit, let’s start with the GS4 system. This is the name given to a collection of 4 technologies that can be found across a lot of Weber’s newer grills. It consists of the infinity ignition system and high-performance burners. Along with that, there’s a grease management system and flavorizer bars.

The infinity ignition is what allows quick and easy startup when operating the grill. The ignition module and electrodes are weather and heat resistant. This is what makes the ignition system last longer than the modules employed in other grills.

Moreover, the flavorizer bar is a stainless steel bar that catches dripping fat and grease. These substances get vaporized on the bar. This maintains the integrity of your burners. The flavorizer bar still allows smoke and flavor to rise, so you don’t lose any of that.

Another advantage of the flavorizer bar is that it prevents flare-ups, making your grilling session ten times secure.

Next, there’s the grease management system in which the flavorizer bar is tilted a bit towards a grease dumping station. It’s safe to say that Weber Spirit is an easy-to-clean grill series.

This grill has a total cooking area of 529 square inches with two side tables, each with a width of 42 inches. The side tables are a great addition as they let you prepare marinades and seasonings before grilling your food.

Each cooking grate is made of cast iron, which is much better than steel at thermal conduction. Grates are coated with porcelain enamel that increases their durability.

Right above the main cooking grate, there is a tuck-away warming rack. This rack isn’t in direct contact with the heat, even when the lid is closed. You can keep cooked steaks and patties there.

Weber’s Spirit also features compatibility with the iGrill 3 thermometers. This is a remote thermometer that lets you monitor your grill’s temperature from anywhere with an application of your smart device.

What’s more, is that the Weber Spirit features an easy assembly. The assembly procedure can be stimulated on an interactive 3D model in the free app BILT. You get real-time instructions on how to set up your grill.

The setup itself requires a bit of work. You have to put together the wheels, the cart, and the trays. And then finally, you have to attach the grill on top.

Carrying and storing the grill is no issue either. It features two wheels that make transportation a whole lot easier. Moreover, the grill weighs 107 pounds, so it’s relatively lighter but quite bulky on its own.

Weber Spirit II E-310 Liquid Propane Grill

Notable features:

• Longer-lasting ignition system.
• Adds loads of flavor and smoke to the food.
• Prevents flare-ups and fires.
• Includes two side tables.
• Cast iron cooking grates with porcelain enamel.
• Includes iGrill 3 and BILT compatibility.

The Weber Genesis E-310 is a high-power liquid propane grill with a heat produced of 39,000 BTUs. This is one of Weber’s more powerful and mid-range designs that employ all of its signature technologies.

Starting with the overall design, the Weber Genesis follows an open-cart model. This means that the cart at the bottom for storage does not have doors. This allows maximum heat and airflow, which prevents the bottom of your grill from overheating.

The Genesis features 669 square inches of total cooking space. This is including the warming rack, which is on the interior wall of the lid.

The GS4 technology makes a reappearance here. You get to the full benefit of the infinity ignition and the flavorizer bars.

Through the flavorizer bars, you’re able to extract the maximum amount of smoke and flavor from your food. However, it saves you from flare-ups and fire hazards. So you don’t compromise on your safety.

One other function the flavorizer bar performs is directing grease and fat away from the main burners. This not only maintains burner health but also makes grease management a whole lot easier.

All the un-vaporized grease falls into a drip tray placed right beneath the grill. So you don’t have to manually scrape away them from the burners.

The Weber Genesis produces 39,000 BTUs of heat from a 20 lbs. liquid propane tank. This is what makes it the perfect choice for cooking your food at high heat. Higher heat helps to unlock the best flavor from certain types of meat.

You do get iGrill 3 compatibilities along with an interactive assembly through the BILT app. Both of these are Weber’s specialties.

With the iGrill 3 thermometers, you can monitor the temperature of your grill remotely. But keep in mind that you cannot control the temperature from the app.

As for the BILT app, it lets you simulate the assembly of the grill on your phone. In this way, you get to see exactly how and where the components will go. This is a more immersive way to assemble the product than reading from some manual.

Adding to that, the Weber Genesis features cooking grates made from cast iron. Cast iron, although not as water-resistant as stainless steel, is much better at retaining heat. Both are bad conductors of heat, but cast iron seems to trump the other in comparison.

More so, the grates are coated with porcelain enamel to prevent corrosion and water damage. This should keep your grill safe from the elements for longer.

There is also a built-in fuel gauge that lets you see how much fuel you have left. But you’ll have to remember to keep checking the gauge since it doesn’t ping you any reminders of any sort.

To make transportation easier, the Weber Genesis features two wheels and two lockable casters at the bottom. The grill weighs about 133 pounds, so it may be a bit heavier for you.

Weber Genesis II E-310 Liquid Propane Grill

Notable features:

• Retains ignition module health.
• Keeps your burners grease-free.
• More powerful model.
• Prevents flare-ups and fires.
• Better airflow to prevent overheating.
• Includes iGrill 3 and BILT compatibility.

Now for the real question: which product should you buy? While both the grills seem to be pretty similar, there are some differences worth noting.

First up, let’s discuss the product line. Both Spirit and Genesis are liquid-propane and gas-based grilling lines. However, Sprit tends to be a more “watered-down” version of the Genesis. This product line is directed towards the beginners who want to get into the gist of the grilling game.

Now for the actual products, a few differences stand out. The first is most notably the difference in their BTU rating. With Genesis you get a higher output at the end, which means making it better for cooking food at high temperatures.

Whereas the Spirit produces about 30,000 BTUs per hour. It still has some high-heat applications. But the applications are more or less limited.

Alternatively, Genesis features more space in the cooking area. The Genesis allows you to cook up to 20 burger patties, making it the best for larger gatherings and reunions. This makes the grill an ideal tailgating choice.

Furthermore, Genesis uses a bit more stainless steel than the Spirit. Stainless steel is a highly durable metal that helps to keep the temperature balanced. You especially get to see this in the flavorizer bars. Some parts, such as the cooking grates, don’t use stainless steel.

Lastly, consider the fact that the Genesis is for professional and expert cooks. Spirit, on the other hand, is a great choice for entry-level chefs. It’s a great investment, and you can get a lot of versatility from it.

No matter what the industry creates, Weber is always one step ahead. Whether it’s backyard grilling or a tailgate party, Weber’s grills are great for every occasion.

We looked at two of the brand’s highly acclaimed propane grills: Weber Spirit vs. Genesis. Although both have a lot to offer, only one can be right for you.

If you’re an amateur chef who wants a quick solution to your tailgate parties, consider the Spirit E-310. This grill has a lower BTU output and is considered as an entry-level propane grill.

On the contrary, Genesis E-310 is the ultimate choice for highly professional chefs and extracts the most flavor out of your food. Use it for larger parties and feasts.

Now that you know which grills are the best for you, what are you waiting for? Get yourself your very own Weber grill and get started!