Great BBQs for Great Times!
A close look at the best and worst grills offered by Weber. These grill reviews cover gas, charcoal and electric models.
A Weber Smokey Mountain cooker is one of the best smokers that you can buy regardless of price. A WSM will give you precise temperature control and the ability to cook “Low and Slow” with up to 10 hours of unattended operation.
Many championship winning competition barbecue teams will only use WSMs. These cookers have a cult following with a strong sense of community among their owners. [Read more…]
I was strolling through Costco today and got to put my hands on the NexGrill Fortress. The Fortress appears to be NexGrill’s answer to the Weber Q series and looks to be a decent little grill.
In terms of size and features the Fortress is closest in comparison to the Weber Q2200 so I figure a little head to head comparison would be in order. This comparison is based on physical measurements, descriptions and first impressions. I have NOT grilled on a Fortress so I am making some assumptions.
Here is a quick video from NexGrill that shows off the features of the Fortress.
Lets start with the similarities.
Both grills have cast aluminum bodies and porcelain enameled cast iron grates. The warranties are nearly identical with the grates and burners being covered for five years for both products.
The cooking area is very similar with the Fortress coming in at 255 sq in and the Q2200 delivering 280 sq in. The grills have similar heating ability with NexGrill offering 13,000 BTU/hr compared to 12,000 BTU/hr on the Q2200.
Both grills have lid thermometers and are designed to be run off of one pound propane cylinders but can be easily adapted for use with a 20 pound tank.
What are the Differences?
Let’s talk about the big difference right off the bat…price. The Weber Q2200 has an MSRP of $299 compared to $139 for the NexGrill Fortress. This makes the Q2200 115% more expensive than the Fortress. Given the extreme similarities between these two grills the price difference is very hard to justify.
The other massive difference between these grills is the burner configuration.
The Fortress is a two burner grill with independent ignitions on each circular burner tube. This compares to the single burner on the Q2200.
I like the dual burner configuration on the Fortress because it gives you greater flexibility compared to the single burner Q2200. The single burner design on the Q2200 means the entire grill is always at the same temperature. The dual burners on the Fortress allows you to have a hot side and a cooler side of the grill so you can do things like grill a burger on one side and toast the bun on the other. It is a simple feature that makes a difference.
The only place where the Weber Q2200 is visibly better than the Fortress is that the Q2200 has a nice set of side tables. I will consider this a baby victory for the Q2200 since you will probably be using these grills on a table top and the need for side tables isn’t that large.
The Winner Is…
The NexGrill Fortress.
Never in my life did I ever imagine that I would tell someone to buy a NexGrill product instead of Weber but I don’t see any other option in this case. While I typically stay away from budget grills the fact that this is being sold by Costco really boosts my confidence in the warranty and performance of the Fortress. Costco does NOT sell crappy products.
The grills look nearly identical, have identical warranties and are just about the same size.
Way to go, NexGrill!
The Master Touch is a special kettle in Weber’s lineup of charcoal grills. On the surface a Master Touch looks like a standard 22 inch kettle but there are a few features that make this grill a true upgrade.
The Master Touch has more features than the standard kettle and fewer than a Performer. Because it is in the middle it struggles to establish itself as a viable product in the Weber catalog. Most people are either budget minded and buy the cheaper standard kettle or want the best kettle that they can get and buy the Performer. As a result, Weber’s production of this grill is sporadic with this version having been relaunched in 2015.
In this review, we will go over some numbers and specs to get you more acquainted with the grill, talk about some pros and cons, and then move on to comparisons of the Master Touch and other similar Weber charcoal grill options
To get a better idea of this grill’s identity, let’s take a look at some numbers.
At the time of this writing the Master-Touch had received 73 reviews with 94% being 5 or 4 stars and only .03% being 1 or 2 stars on Weber’s website.
The negative reviews on this grill are few and far between, and all seem to be focused less on the grill itself and more on shipping and handling. Unfortunately, it’s hard to control how well a box is handled in transit, but the comments back from the Weber team appear to give excellent assistance to fix the problems.
This grill has an ease of use and versatility that grillers will love. It is a great middle ground between the Original Kettle and the Performer series. The Master Touch comes complete with a built-in lid thermometer, a large ash catcher with Weber’s One-Touch cleaning system, and high-quality parts that will last for a long time.
It can be confusing to figure out the details of what makes the Master Touch different from the other 22.5 inch Weber kettles. Here is a great video that shows the differences in detail.
Let’s look at the Master Touch upgrades in detail:
Built In Lid Holder: This is the primary reason that people buy this grill as an upgrade from the standard kettles. Being able to slide the lid off to the side while you are grilling is a simple but glorious upgrade.
Gourmet BBQ Grate System: This is a nice upgrade but not as big of a deal as Weber makes it to be. Weber calls this hinged grate an upgrade do to the removable center insert that can be replaced with a bunch of cool accessories like a wok, cast iron sear station, pizza stone, etc. These accessories are sold separately and, honestly, you wont use them very much. What IS nice about the grate is that the rods are substantially thicker than a regular grate and it should last 3-4 years instead of the 1-2 years you get with the standard grate.
Elevated Warming Rack: The Warming Rack is a cute idea that, in theory, gives you an extra 80 square inches of grilling space. In reality it is something that is going to get in your way. I really like the idea of this extra space but I have never found a way to make it practical.
Charcoal Baskets: Charcoal baskets let you precisely arrange your coals and can be used to make Low and Slow smoking or High Heat searing much easier. The baskets from Weber are not very high quality and will only last a year or two but you will love them.
Top Vent Handle: The top air vent has a rubber handle that slips over the tap you use to open and close the vent. This is a small but highly appreciated feature that helps prevent burning your fingers.
8 Inch Wheels: This isn’t as much of an upgrade as it is a fun design feature. The larger wheels on the Master Touch makes it a couple of inches taller than a standard kettle. It is a subtle detail that lets it you visually realize that the grill is a little different, a little better.
The only thing wrong with the Master Touch is that it is only partially upgraded.
The only two real problems with the standard Weber kettle are:
The Master Touch only solves one of these problems. The Performer series solves both problems.
Sure, the extra upgrades on the Master Touch are nice but, other than the lid holder, I don’t get too excited about them.
I need to be clear here…when I am talking about the Original kettle or a Standard kettle I am referring to a 22.5 inch grill that has removable, high capacity ash catcher. Do not ever buy a kettle that does not have the high capacity ash catcher…it is essential equipment that makes ash management EASY.
So, why would you buy the Original kettle instead of the Master Touch?
Money: The most important upgrade on the Master Touch is the lid holder. You can buy a “Slide-A-Side” lid holder accessory for your Original kettle for about $25 and get the same functionality. If you are excited about all of the other upgrades then go ahead and buy the Master Touch. If all you want is a lid holder then buy an Original kettle and a Slide A Side.
If you are on the fence about all of the other upgrades then no worries, you can always get them later and add them to your original kettle.
Color: This might seem trivial but the Original kettle is available in black and some beautiful colors (Copper, Green) while the Master Touch is only available in black. The reality is that you are going to spend more time looking at your kettle than cooking on it. You might just want to buy a prettier kettle 🙂
For a slightly higher price, you could trade your Master Touch up for a Performer model. There are three models within the Performer series, Standard, Deluxe and Premium.
The primary cooking area on all the grills is the same. They have the same easy to use and remove lid design, and the same high-end features like the one-touch cleaning system and the Gourmet BBQ System grates.
After you get past these features, though, the grills start to look a bit different. Most importantly, the Performer also features a side-table to add a prep space to your grilling station. The side table is a MASSIVE upgrade that cannot be ignored.
The size of the side table varies between the Performers and, if you go with the Deluxe model, can come with a propane ignition system to light your charcoal.
Without question, any of the Performer grills are nicer than a Master Touch. The question is, are you willing to spend the extra cash?
If we’re talking about bells and whistles, there is no way we can ignore the Summit series. This grill can be easily converted from grill to smoker to create the perfect meal for the moment. Also, its gas-ignition system means you won’t have to fuss with matches and starter fluid ever again.
The Summit has just under 100 more square inches of cooking space when compared to the Master Touch. Although it still sits on three legs, the addition of the castor on the third leg means more stability as you use and move this grill.
It includes an air insulated, double walled, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl to help keep the heat in. It also has all of the high-quality features of the Master Touch and then some, making it a top-of-the-line product.
The downside to the Summit grill is its price. At over $1000, it far exceeds the price tag of the Master Touch and even the Performer series grills. The price reflects your purchase of a two-in-one machine but is still a bit over the top considering you can buy the simple chimney to turn your Master Touch into a smoker as well.
Overall I think the Master Touch is going to give you the best value for your dollar. The Summit should be something you only buy if you are looking to be the envy of the neighborhood and for all of the bells and whistles Weber has to offer.
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Check out this article: Big Green Egg vs Weber Summit Charcoal Grill.
The redesigned Spirit II E 310 was introduced in 2018 and was an immediate fan favorite. The Spirit 310 is a wonderful combination of performance, quality, style, size and affordability. If you are looking for a budget friendly grill that cooks like a dream then this is the one you want.
Weber revamped the look of the Spirit models with an open cart design, sleek lid and multiple stunning color options. The LP tank has been moved out to the side to free up more storage space under the grill. The cooking grates have been updated to heavy duty cast iron and the warranty has been extended to 10 years for all components.
The Spirit has long been Weber’s introductory grill series, meant for folks that couldn’t afford the slightly larger Genesis series. In past years the lower priced Spirit grills were made with cheaper materials than used for the Genesis and this was reflected in their shortened warranty. This is no longer the case for the Spirit II grills introduced in 2018.
The new Spirit grills are strong and solid. The only difference between the Spirit and the more expensive Genesis models comes down to size and a few bells and whistles.
In this review, we will discuss the grill’s specifications to get you more familiar with the basics, then talk about some reasons to buy and a couple of things to think about before a purchase, and finally end with some comparisons to other Weber models.
Update: It looks like these grills will be discontinued in 2020. Please see this post on the new Weber Spirit SP 335.
To get a better feel for the identity of this grill, let’s take a peek at some numbers.
On Weber’s website, this grill has over 1400 reviews with 94% being 5 and 4 stars and .06% being 1 or 2 stars.
There are some negative reviews on Amazon that reflect issues with delivery and setup from Amazon’s expert assembly option.
The Spirit II models were brand new in 2018, so the reviews we are talking about aren’t a completely clear picture of things like how the warranty holds up and issues that will likely be encountered over time. In a few years, we will be able to get a more accurate picture of how these grills really hold up.
I love the upgrades to this grill from previous versions. It truly comes with all the updates that the Genesis models were given in 2017, making it ultra-competitive and a great value for the consumer.
The Spirit comes with the GS4 grilling system, which utilizes an easy to clean and remove grease tray, flavorizer bars, and a firebox for even radiation of heat. It also comes with reversible, porcelain enameled cast iron grates, which have a thin side that is ideal for seafood and a flat side to create a thicker sear.
The addition of the iGrill3 compatibility to this grill also puts it a notch above other models for me, since this addition allows you to know the exact temperature of the grill surface and the meat, rather than simply relying on the standard bi-metal thermometer built into the grill’s lid.
The LP Spirits also have a fuel gauge built in. The Spirit estimates your gas level by weight, so you’ll likely not run into the moment when your LP tank is suddenly empty mid grill. It’s a great feature that puts the Spirit a notch above other grills.
My major beef with this grill is the mobility. It’s two-wheel design means you need to pick it up by one side to scoot it around. Unfortunately, the design makes this difficult to achieve. You need to use one of the fold-down side tables as your lever while lifting and pushing. This kind of pressure could easily end in a bent side table.
The Genesis models come with castors on the side opposite the larger wheels, making them simpler to move. It seems like adding castors would have been a cheap and easy solution to make the Spirit more mobile.
When the Genesis series was upgraded in 2017, the Genesis II E 310 was finally enough of a step up from the Spirit 3-burner model to be worth a second look. It had more bells and whistles, and access to advanced technologies like iGrill3 built right in.
Unfortunately for the Genesis model, Spirit’s 2018 upgrade put it up to par with only a slight size difference differentiating the Spirit from the Genesis. The similarities between the two grills are striking, and the Genesis can only fit four more burgers than the Spirit, which is not worth the added two hundred dollar cost.
Although both models are workhorses and come with the same 10-year warranty, you’ll want to opt for the Spirit to get the best overall value.
More heating power, more square inches of cooking space, and stainless steel accessories make the Genesis LX a higher quality grill than any of the others we have discussed here so far.
The LX model is meant to be a step up from even the Genesis II grills with more features and a larger, more powerful cooking space. These steps in the upward direction do come with a hefty price tag, though. The Genesis LX is more than a few hundred dollars more than the Spirit.
Both grills come with a limited 10-year warranty and some of the same systems like the GS4 grilling system, flavorizer bars, and infinity ignition. However, the Genesis LX features stainless steel flavorizer bars versus the porcelain-enameled version of the Spirit.
In addition to a step up in grilling materials and features, the Genesis LX also features the lower cabinet that was taken away from the Spirit models during their upgrade. Many grillers prefer the cabinets because they feel it protects their grilling accessories, so that may be a reason to upgrade.
Overall I would suggest the value of the Spirit over the luxury of the Genesis LX. It’s great to have more features and stainless steel accents, but both grills will get you where you need to be, and the Spirit can do so for a lot less money.
The smaller version of the Spirit II E 310 is the E 210. It downgrades regarding burners and cooking space, but not in overall quality. The 210 comes in all of the same colors as the 310, so no worries if you’re looking to match your outdoor space to your grill.
The E 210 is cheaper than the 310 and still has the 10-year warranty. Although it is a smaller grill, the 210 has more heating power than the 310. There isn’t even a 100 square inch difference in the size of the overall cooking space, and both grills have a warming rack to boot.
Almost every feature is identical on these two grills, so really your priority will need to be size and cost. If you need more grilling space, you should probably stick with the 310, but if cost-effectiveness and petite size are your game, the 210 is likely the best option for you.
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