Remember to avoid using too much pressure or harsh tools or you may risk chipping the coating. In fact, I would readily recommend this model to those who are getting started. From start to finish, this offers an easy yet high quality grilling experience.
The Weber company is the brainchild of George Stephens, an avid family man with 12 children, he was a lover of quality time cooking with the family. But he found the traditional brazier style BBQ’s weber spirit 2 of the 1950s to be problematic, inefficient, and uneven. We’ll show you what features it possesses, what the build quality is like, and of course whether it’s right for you and your wallet.
Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their gas grill brand to their friends and family. From Bluetooth speakers to patio furniture to gas and charcoal grills, here’s what we think you need for backyard entertaining and cooking. Finally, be aware that a few parts of a grill are consumables, so you will need to replace them occasionally. The burner hoods (metal “tents” that sit over the burners and guide grease away from the flames to prevent flare-ups) are usually the first to go.
Being a simple and straightforward gas grill, the E-210 does not have an impressive number of main features. On the contrary, the device has two very basic burners, 360 square inches of porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates and very little else. Somehow, though, using only these two main features, the grill manages to be versatile enough to facilitate a variety of cooking styles. Whether you require direct or indirect heat, the interior design of the unit allows it.
One area that it is lacking in slightly is its build quality and design. When your lid handle gets so hot that it melts after only one use, then there’s something wrong! If you notice on all those photos above, Weber has put a warning label right next to the ignition button stating not to touch the polycarbonate plastic shell when hot. The propane tank installation however was a bit confusing .
But thermometers in the lid are several inches above the cooking grate and don’t accurately report the temperature on the surface where you’re actually cooking your food. Consider getting an inexpensive infrared thermometer to gauge the temperature of the cooking grates. The porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates make cleaning easier and the porcelain Blackstone Adventure enameled flavorizer bars help vaporize the drippings to create a flavorful smoke. Weber added two new models to its Spirit line of gas grills in 2020, but we ultimately chose not to test them. One of them, the Spirit S-315, is similar to the Spirit II E-310 with regard to the specs, and with a few cosmetic differences—and higher price tag.
Note that the cast iron grates are not as wide as the opening between them. Reversible cooking grates aren’t unusual, but Spirit II grates are a little different than most. Spirit II reversible grates have a thin side which Weber believes is “ideal for food such as shrimp and fish”, and flat side which “creates a thick sear mark”. The ultimate goal is an evenly dark brown crust across the entire surface of the meat, which transforms dull, tan meat to a delicious flavorful crust thanks to the magical Maillard reaction.
At any rate, though, this is a practical and efficient grill that’s also compact and portable. With two stainless steel burners, the unit is capable of generating 26,500 BTU, making it powerful enough to handle small barbecues with no problems. At the same time, it has a wide temperature range, allowing you to cook at either low, medium or high temperatures with the same amount of ease. The Spirit ii E-330 has porcelain-coated grates and flavorizer bars, making them a doddle to clean, just brush them off with a grill brush to remove food debris.
The warranty speaks for itself and the look is slightly more modern. They both contain the GS4 grilling system which is a game changer for Weber. The only areas where you might prefer the Spirit over the Spirit II is the cabinet door for storage and the larger Spirit E-330 which includes a side burner.
This model is compatible with Weber’s $100 iGrill 3 app-enabled temperature probe. The other grills we tested don’t offer any smart accessories, which sets the Weber apart. We also tested the $649Broil King Baron S520, the $699Char-Broil Commercial Double Headerand the $299Char-Broil Performance XLthis time around. The Baron S520 is a five-burner grill that can hold a ton of food, but its powerful BTUs might intimidate a beginner. Great to have the temperature setting on top and the propane tank indicator on the side.