If you’re looking for a high-quality gas grill, you already know that Weber makes some of the best gas grills on the market. In fact, they have gas grills in almost every price range and category you could imagine, which can sometimes make it difficult to narrow down your choices and identify the right grill for you. Today we’re looking at Weber Spirit and Genesis II grills, to identify their key features and figure out which is the best.
Spirit vs. Genesis: The Overview
Broadly speaking, Weber’s Genesis II series of gas grills are their standard, backyard barbecue grills, with a few upgrades. Genesis II grills have Weber’s GS4 Grilling System and are compatible with the Weber iGrill smart grilling system.
The Weber Spirit series grills are more compact. They are designed for smaller outdoor spaces, like balconies, patios, and porches, where every square inch counts. The Spirit II gas grills also have the GS4 system and iGrill compatibility, which the basic Spirit grills do not.
What is the GS4 Grilling System?
Weber’s GS4 was first launched in 2017 and is being introduced into many model upgrades. The GS4 system has 4 components:
- Upgraded igniters. Infinity ignition lights the first time, every time. Guaranteed
- Upgraded burners. GS4 burners have a unique, tapered shape that delivers a consistent flow of gas from the front to the back of the burner. This creates a more even heat distribution for the entire length of the burner, making your food more consistent
- Upgraded Flavorizer bars. The stainless steel GS4 Flavorizer bars are angled to catch drippings, adding smoke, sizzle, and flavor to your food
- Grease management system. The GS4 system works with the Flavorizer bars to catch and funnel grease and drippings into a disposable, easy to access, easy to remove drip tray. This system reduces flareups and makes cleaning easy.
What is the iGrill system?
Weber’s iGrill is a smart grilling system accessory for Genesis II and Spirit II grills. Although these grills are compatible with iGrill, it is an additional purchase and doesn’t come with the grill.
The iGrill system is essentially a grilling hub, where meat thermometers are attached to a digital device, which then allows you to use your phone or tablet to monitor your food.
The iGrill mini has a single meat probe, while the iGrill 2 and 3 have a 4 probe capacity, so you can monitor multiple thermometers. You can use the app on your phone to monitor the probes, set an alert when a certain temperature is reached, or use preset or customized food doneness settings so you always know what is happening on the grill, no matter where you are.
The iGrill 3 can be permanently mounted to a Spirit II or Genesis II grill, has a 250 hour battery life, and the probes are heat resistant up to 716 ̊F
About Weber Model Numbers and Names
A quick explanation of Weber model numbers and names may help to clarify some of the differences between their grills.
- Weber model names start with an E, S, SE, or SP
- E: porcelain-enameled lids and cooking grates
- S: stainless steel lids and cooking grates
- SE/SP: porcelain grates with steel lids or vice versa
- Weber model numbers end in 0 or 5
- 0: the base model grill with an open cart design
- 5: the same grill with a closed cabinet cart design
Understanding the differences in model names and numbers will, hopefully, save you some time in comparing features. A Weber E-330 is the porcelain-enameled version; an S-330 is the same grill in stainless steel, and an E-335 is the same grill with a closed cabinet cart.
Weber Genesis II Series Gas Grills
Weber Genesis II gas grills are available in propane tanks or natural gas versions, in a wide range of colors. Here is a brief overview of the Genesis II grill models and features.
All Genesis II models have:
- Visible fuel gauge
- GS4 Grilling system
- A tuck-away warming rack
- Side tables
- Durable all weather wheels with 2 locking casters
- iGrill compatibility
- Lid thermometer
- Stainless steel lid deflectors
- Genesis II E-310 (also available in stainless steel, and with natural gas)
- Size (lid closed): 47”H x 59”W x 29”D
- Main burner BTU per hour input: 39,000
- Total cooking area: Primary area of 513 square inches, warming rack 156, total 669 square inches cooking space
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 6 tool hooks
Genesis II E-330 (also available in natural gas)
- Size (lid closed): 47”H x 59”W x 29”D
- Main burner BTU per hour input: 39,000
- Sear station BTU input: 9,000
- Side burner BTU input: 12,000
- Total cooking area: Primary area of 513 square inches, warming rack 156, total 669 square inches cooking space
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 6 tool hooks
- Genesis II E-410 (also available in natural gas)
- Size (lid closed): 47”H x 65”W x 29”D
- Main burner BTU per hour input: 48,000
- Total cooking area: Primary area of 646 square inches, warming rack 198, total 844 square inches cooking space
- 4 stainless steel burners
- 6 tool hooks
Genesis II E-435 (also available in stainless steel, and with natural gas)
- Size (lid closed): 47”H x 65”W x 29”D
- Main burner BTU per hour input: 48,000
- Sear station BTU input: 9,000
- Side burner BTU input: 12,000
- Total cooking area: Primary area of 646 square inches, warming rack 198, total 844 square inches cooking space
- 4 stainless steel burners
- 6 tool hooks
Weber Spirit Series Gas Grills
Weber Spirit grills are smaller than the Genesis IIs. They are available in propane tank and natural gas versions but have fewer color and surface options. Weber Spirit II gas grills have the GS4 grilling system, and are compatible with the Weber iGrill system, while the base Weber Spirit grills are not.
- All Spirit models have:
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Infinite control burner valves
- A front-access grease tray with catch pan
- Wheels with two swivel caster and two locking casters
- Tool hooks
- Spirit E-210
- Size (lid closed): 45.5”H x 50”W x 24”D
- Fuel gauge
- Main burner BTU input: 26,500
- Total cooking area: 360 primary cooking area, 90 warming area, total of 450 square inches
- 2 stainless steel burners
- 2 stainless steel fold-down side tables
- Spirit E-310 (also available in a natural gas version)
- Size (lid closed): 45.5”H x 52”W x 24”D
- Fuel gauge
- Main burner BTU input: 32,000
- Total cooking area: 424 primary cooking area, 105 warming area, total of 529 square inches
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 2 stainless steel side tables
Spirit E-330
- Size (lid closed): 45.5”H x 52”W x 24”D
- Dedicated high-heat searing station
- Side burner can also be used as a table surface
- Fuel gauge
- Main burner BTU input: 32,000
- Sear station BTU input: 7,500
- Side burner BTU input: 12,000
- Total cooking area: 424 primary cooking area, 105 warming area, total of 529 square inches
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 2 stainless steel side tables
- Spirit SP-335
- Made of: 7mm solid stainless steel cooking grates, stainless steel lid and lid handle, stainless steel Flavorizer bars, stainless steel door
- Size (lid closed): 45.5”H x 52”W x 24”D
- Dedicated high-heat searing station
- Side burner can also be used as a table surface
- Main burner BTU input: 32,000
- Sear station BTU input: 7,500
- Side burner BTU input: 12,000
- Total cooking area: 424 primary cooking area, 105 warming area, total of 529 square inches
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 2 stainless steel side tables
Spirit II E-210
- Size (lid closed): 44.5”H x 48”W x 27”D
- GS4 Grilling System
- Fuel gauge
- Infinity ignition
- Main burner BTU input: 26,500
- Total cooking area: 360 primary cooking area, 90 warming area, total of 450 square inches
- 2 stainless steel burners
- 2 Stainless steel side tables, one folds down
- Spirit II E-310 (also available in a natural gas version)
- Size (lid closed): 44.5”H x 52”W x 27”D
- GS4 Grilling System
- Fuel gauge
- Infinity ignition
- Front access grease tray with catch pan
- Main burner BTU input: 30,000
- Total cooking area: 424 primary cooking area, 105 warming area, total of 529 square inches
- 3 stainless steel burners
- 2 Stainless steel side tables, one folds down
If you compare model numbers across the grill series, they are remarkably similar. In other words, the Spirit II E-310 is extremely similar to the Genesis II E-310, and so on.
As a rule, the Genesis II grills will be larger, more expensive, and have more BTUs, but will have almost the exact same materials, technologies, design, and features as its Spirit counterpart.
If you’re looking for value for the money, you may be wondering if it’s worth spending more for a Spirit II or a Genesis II. The GS4 system is here to stay, and will be introduced to more and more models, so if you want to save some money and get an older model without it, your opportunity is narrowing. Let’s take a closer look while we can.
Is the GS4 System Worth It?
Bottom line, yes, the GS4 system is worth it. Unreliable ignition and uneven burner heat are two of the most common problems with gas grills, and Weber’s updated design resolves those issues.
The GS4 burners are also made of upgraded 304 stainless steel, for greater corrosion resistance, and have larger openings that are more resistant to clogging. Flavorizer bars are a distinctive part of Weber grilling and having the grease tray centrally located and easy to access is convenient.
The GS4 system is designed to make Weber gas grills more reliable, more durable, and easier to use. It’s a good system, worth paying for.
Is the iGrill System Worth It?
Bottom line, no. Thank goodness iGrill is still an optional accessory, and you don’t have to pay for it. Weber is working on their next generation of smart, connected grills, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
But so far, their smart devices have not been as useful or reliable as they should be and aren’t worth paying extra for. There are dozens of affordable third-party Wi-Fi enabled meat thermometers available, that cost half the price of the iGrill, and perform better and more accurately.
Weber Spirit vs Weber Genesis: The Bottom Line
Across the board, both the Spirit and Genesis lines are great Weber grills. They are made for durability and quality, with thoughtful design that makes them easy, reliable, and a pleasure to cook on.
If you are looking for a more affordable grill, or have a small space, then the Spirit grills give you excellent quality and reliability in a compact package. Choose a Spirit II to take advantage of the GS4 system, or the Spirit E-330 for a whole world of features at a more affordable price.
If you want more cooking space and more BTUs, and are willing to spend extra for them, then the Genesis II line is the right choice. The luxury details and color choices will satisfy the gourmet and designer in all of us. The Genesis II E-330 is a grill that is virtually a kitchen in itself, and it comes in a huge range of colors and finishes to suit any taste.
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