And you can cut the middle burner but still get even, radiant heat from the sides, for indirect cooking. I especially like the fact that the grill starts up with minimal fuss thanks to the GS4 grilling system. And, since you don’t have to stay on top of the temperatur or worry too much about maintaining the temp, you have a more relaxed time ahead of you. That being said, the feature that I am most fond of here is the propane scale.
In 2018 we repeated these tests, with the then-new Weber Spirit II E-310 and our upgrade pick at the time, the Weber Genesis II E-310 . However, our picks are also sold in natural-gas versions, which are gaining in popularity. But they require that you have a natural-gas hookup on your deck or patio. If you have natural gas in your home but don’t have an outdoor connection, you’ll need char broil performance to hire a technician to install one, and this may involve cutting into walls. And if you want to easily move your natural-gas grill into and out of storage, you’ll also need to buy a quick-disconnect system, which can add another $150 or so. The benefits of natural gas include not having to wrestle propane tanks on and off your grill, always-available fuel , and lower fuel costs .
So it’s possible the E-325s might not deliver as dark a sear on foods as the Spirit II models. But for the average home griller, the difference in performance between the two would hardly be noticeable. The really important part is that the entire heat-delivery system—the firebox, burners, and burner hoods—has a much greater effect on the overall results of your food.
Please remove this item or select a different store for pick up. Temperature rangeReflects how wide a temperature span the grill offers by comparing temperatures at the high setting and lowest setting possible. Reflects how wide a temperature span the grill offers by comparing temperatures at the high setting and lowest setting possible. Take the battery out of the igniter before you store the grill long-term. Of course, you may also have concerns about how each of these fuel choices might impact the environment.
The temperature gauge is easy to use and is great for ensuring that you choose as precise of a setting as you desire. What I am impressed about here is the GS4 grilling system, of which, the infinity ignition system is a major function. Essentially, it ensures that the grill lights up faster and I have to say, this feature works like a charm. More often than not, the grill sprung to life without any issue at all.
Evenness performanceEvenness of heating over the grill’s surface at the highest and lowest setting using all main burners plus the evenness after a 10 minute preheat, using thermocouples. This indicates grill temperature when only one or two of the burners are on, to represent a cooking task where the food is placed between or alongside the direct flame. The only quibble Lesley had with the E-210 was its small size. She recalls one particular instance when she grilled fajitas for 25 guests for her partner’s birthday.
On balance, propane or natural gas are probably better choices if you favor no-fuss cooking or you grill often . If you’re an occasional griller or you enjoy getting hands-on with your cooking, charcoal is an economical choice that, with a bit of practice, produces great results. 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.
The Genesis E-325s has a bigger right-hand side table—23 inches wide by 17¾ inches long—than the previous version. That’s enough space to hold a half baking sheet, with room to spare. The left-hand table is slightly smaller, at 23 by 14 inches. Unlike on the Spirit II E-310, on the E-325s neither side table folds down.
Once you begin to use this grill, you will realize just how handy it actually is. With many other makes and models, it isn’t always so easy to set up such zones. Thus, if you don’t have weber spirit 2 prior experience in it, you can end up with some pretty sad food. With the Weber Spirit II E 310, though, you should be able to figure this out after a relatively short period of time.
If you’re buying a grill, your first decision is which type of fuel works best. When we first started working on this guide, back in 2017, we spoke with more than a dozen experts before opening the valve on a single propane tank. This is still the best fuel for firing up the grill quickly and easily, without needing special hookups or having to tend coals.