Choosing the right gas grill is no walk in the park. And when you’ve so many competing brands on the market, it’s almost impossible to find the right one.
Two such brands, Weber and Broil King stand neck-to-neck in the grilling industry. Both have a lot to offer in terms of reliability and innovation, yet they are favorite among many grilling communities.
Take a look at our Broil King grill vs. Weber gas grill review. We summarize their features along with their recommended use.
Comparison: Broil King Grill vs Weber Gas Grill
| Model | Broil King Liquid Propane Grill | Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Liquid Propane Grill |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Burners | 3 | 3 |
| Total Cooking Area | 440 sq. inch | 529 sq. inch |
| Serving size | 3-4 adults | 5-6 adults |
| BTUs | 30,000 | 32,000 |
| Power Source | Liquid Propane | Liquid Propane |
| Cabinet Type | Closed | Closed |
| Side Tables | 2 | 2 |
| Product Dimensions | 24 x 50 x 45.5 inches | 32 x 52 x 63 inches |
| Weight | 124 Pounds | 107.8 Pounds |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Broil King Industry History
Founded in 1906 as a part of Onward Manufacturing, Broil King has grown into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of charcoal grills. Based in Canada, they’re a family-owned business that sources to other North American companies as well.
Broil King takes pride in offering its services to US citizens. All of its products are North American and uses raw material extracted from within North America. It has 7 lines of gas grills, with 1 line of charcoal grills and 1 of smokers.
Weber Industry History
Of all of the charcoal grill industries in the world, Weber has by far the richest history. Initially established as a metalsmithing company in 1893, Weber used to craft buoys and other metal equipment.
But the Weber industry as we know it today came into being when a worker named George Stephen decided to invent something new. He smote a buoy in two, and made the world’s very first kettle grill.
This initiative led to the man eventually buying out the entire company and expanding his reach worldwide. Weber has become one of the biggest manufacturers of gas, coal, and electric grills.
Broil King Specialty
Broil King specializes in backyard gas grills, although it has a line of charcoal grill, called the Keg. Broil King has introduced some new technologies into the world of backyard grilling. One of its most renowned innovations is Flav-R-Wave. This is a specialized heat plate to keep your burners safe from flare-ups and dripping fat. This heat plate is what keeps Broil King’s gas grills running for decades at a time.
The company is also the pioneer of the Dual-Tube Burner, which is Broil King’s very own patented burner. This burner ensures adequate and uniform heating from end to end, with zero cold spots.
A lot of Broil King’s gas grills also feature a power infrared side burner. Infrared burners heat food quicker than gas burners and are a great addition to your regular gas grill.
Apart from that, Broil King’s Keg series of charcoal grills are also a wonder to behold. It follows a similar design to the Weber Kettle Grill, with all of Broil King’s patented technologies and innovations.
Weber Specialty
Weber is the pioneer and inventor of the kettle grill. While the company has expanded its regime to include gas and electric grills, it still stands as one of the best manufacturers of kettle grills.
Weber has also patented many new technologies, the most popular of them being the GS4 cooking system. This is a system of 4 elements that come together to create a unique cooking experience that only Weber can provide.
Furthermore, the company also owns the rights to the Flavorizer Bar. It is a stainless-steel beam that catches and redirects falling fat and oil to the grease management system. Some of the fat gets vaporized right there on the spot. So you can keep your burners as good as new without compromising on smoke and taste.
Speaking of smoke, Weber also specializes in smokers, with its only smoker line being the Smokey Mountain Cooker.
Broil King 921554 Baron S320 Liquid Propane Grill
Broil King’s Baron series is a really nice series of gas grills powered by liquid propane. It features a premium stainless-steel construction with the Broil King cooking system.
The Broil King Baron S320 is no different. It’s a liquid propane grill with an output of 30,000 BTUs and a total cooking area of 440 square inches. This grilling area includes the 330 square inches of the main cooking space.
One of the many things that set this model aside is the Broil King cooking system. This system consists of the world-famed Flav-R-Wave technology. Its a specialized heat plate that directs dripping fat and grease away from the burners. So your grill may continue working for years to come.
Another unique feature is the Dual-Tube burners. Simply put, these burners provide more uniform heating with lesser cold spots. This makes this grill much better than traditional gas grills. There are three such burners in the Baron S320, allowing for a higher BTU heat output.
The construction of the grill itself, it’s chiefly stainless steel. There’s a wide cabinet at the bottom, good for storing raw ingredients, oils, and sauces. The sides flip out to reveal two side tables, which make prepping marinades a breeze. The lid features the thermometer, for tracking the temperature inside.
It’s a great product for those who are looking for a decent, good looking grill. It has all the features that other well-known brands’ products have, and is destined to last you decades.
Notable features:
- Uniform heating with no cold spots.
- Maintains burner health and integrity.
- Higher thermal output.
- Premium stainless-steel construction.
- Includes cabinet and side tables.
The Most Important Broil King Grill Accessories
Weber 45010001 Spirit II E-310 Liquid Propane Grill
The Weber Spirit E-310 is an LP-powered wide-area gas grill with two side tables, 2 swivel casters, and a top-class construction. This grill is one of the many gas grills made by Weber and uses its renowned flavorizer bars.
These are porcelain-enameled bars of stainless steel that catch dripping fat and grease from the food. There are two benefits to this; your food gets smoked without the grease ever messing up the burners. Secondly, the excess grease and fat get gently redirected to a dump tray.
The Weber Spirit E-310 features high-performance burners that are designed to withstand the test of time. It has a slightly higher output, at around 32,000 BTUs. This is enough for cooking most foods at high temperatures.
The total cooking area is about 529 square inches, enough for feeding one or two families. More so, the grates have been layered with porcelain-enamel to make them heat and grease resistant. This not only elongates their life span but also makes cleanup exponentially easier.
The main body of the grill is made of stainless steel; a highly resilient and steadfast material. There are two side tables for preparing marinades and burgers. The bottom features a cabinet for storing ingredients as well as the 20 lb. LP tank. You also get a handy fuel gauge, so you can know when you’re running out of gas.
Overall, the Weber Spirit E-310 is an excellent choice for backyard barbecue fanatics. It’s great for feeding a small family, though for larger gatherings you’ll require a bigger grill.
Notable features:
- Porcelain-enamel coated grates.
- Keeps burners clean and grease-free.
- Best for small families.
- Strong and sturdy build.
The Most Important Weber Spirit Grill Accessories
Which product is for whom?
Now for the real question: which product is the right for you? The Weber gas grill has a larger surface area, excluding any side burners. So you may be tempted to buy it.
However, keep in mind there’s a lot that goes into making a good gas grill. The Broil King has some very high-performance burners with world-class technology. The smaller area may be better for you if you’re not an occasional griller.
It’s recommended to use Weber when you need some extra space. Weber’s Spirit E-310 also has some other features you should go for. The Flavorizer Bars are a signature Weber specialty, and you’ll love them.
The difference in BTU output is not significant enough to warrant any preference. However, if you do find the difference important, then you must opt for the Weber. Some recipes just require a higher temperature.
Other than that, the design, construction, and overall performance of the two grills are quite similar. So if you’re not extra picky, you can find both of these highly useful in their rights.
Conclusion
When it comes to reliability and performance, Broil King and Weber stand neck-to-neck. Both the Broil King grill vs. Weber gas grill stand out among other brands. But some factors set one apart from the other.
Broil King’s Baron 320 offers a smaller cooking area and is limited to small gatherings.
As for Weber, it has a larger cooking area with more protection on the grates. It can reach a slightly higher temperature.
However, if you look past the small differences, you can see both of them have some amazing potential.