If it spills over, you’ll be cleaning grease out of the inside of your grill for an hour. After years of testing grills, we can’t think of a better deal for a great grill than the Original Weber Kettle, which has been our favorite charcoal grill for almost 10 years. Cooking with charcoal is not as convenient as turning a dial and walking away, but we love a Weber kettle for its simplicity and durability.
Joe and his brother Tony have run Big Apple BBQ, one of the New York region’s leading grill shops, for over 30 years. Because Salvaggio is an independent retailer who carries grills from many manufacturers, he was able to speak freely about what he saw as the relative strengths and weaknesses of various designs. This two-burner grill is great for grilling novices or folks with limited space. However, it lacks some of the versatility—and heat output—of our other picks. Typical to grills in the Spirit series, the Spirit E-210 is a perfect entry point to the grilling game for newbies. With a compact frame, and simply excellent features that are easy to work with, this grill is excellent value for money.
As it is all battery operated, the effort is taken out of your hands. I know this is something that newer users are going to like about this grill. The side shelves are definitely a great feature and practically a must at this price point. Despite this, you would be surprised to see how many other brands don’t bother with such an important function.
Look for grills in the $400 to $900 range with a cast-aluminum firebox (which holds heat well and won’t rust). If you want your grill to last, don’t cheap out on a budget model. But also don’t overpay for extras you won’t use, such as a rotisserie or a side burner. Hands-on time, reviews, and availability concerns led us to dismiss grills from lesser-known brands Blackstone Adventure like Huntington, along with well-known names like Cuisinart and KitchenAid. And the Cuisinart and KitchenAid grills appear to be afterthoughts next to their respective brands’ main areas of expertise, with materials and design to match. The Spirit E-310 comes in smart, easy-to-control, features the iconic GS4 grilling system and integrates well with technology.
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.
This grill also features a porecelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates, fold down left side shelf, tool hooks and LP tank gauge. Weber is no longer producing our former upgrade pick, the Weber Genesis II E-310. But this model is still available for purchase at big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. For one thing, this grill has an externally mounted propane tank, which is easier to install and replace than traditional, under-grill tanks (like on our current upgrade pick). And this type of tank also frees up the area under the grill for storage of tools and other items. With the Genesis II E-310, we didn’t notice a significant upgrade in performance over that of the Spirit II E-310.
This is a grill that will stand the test of time to give you enjoyable BBQs for years to come. Use the side tables to keep platters, seasonings, and tools within arm’s reach while the food is cooking. Hang your essential grilling tools on the hooks for easy access and organization of your backyard weber spirit 2 workspace. As mentioned, the grates have been designed to be easy to clean. As long as you use a cleaning brush to dust them off after every cooking session, they should remain as good as new. Remember to avoid using too much pressure or harsh tools or you may risk chipping the coating.