This test measures the surface temperature of the grill after the first ten minutes of cooking. It helps to show how long the grill will need to heat before it hits the highest temperature. This Weber grill aced our test, but with a slightly above average score. This specific feature gives grill users extra space to store and easily access their grilling tools on the grill. The main cooking area of the grill rounded to the nearest 5 sq.
To top it off, this grill has two side tables—both 23 inches wide, and they don’t fold down. So triple-check your space to make sure you have room for this 61-inch-long grill before you buy. The Genesis E-325s also has a foldable upper rack that extends the length of the main cooking grate and expands to be 11 inches deep. In addition, we spoke Blackstone Adventure with more than a dozen experts. Among them was Joe Salvaggio, who has run Big Apple BBQ, one of New York’s leading grill shops, for over 30 years. Salvaggio is an independent retailer who carries grills from many manufacturers, so he was able to speak freely about what he saw as the relative strengths and weaknesses of various models.
If your return is due to an error made by us, you will not be responsible for shipping costs. All orders exceeding $99.00 will qualify for free standard shipping; standard shipping applies to standard locations within the contiguous 48 states. For Freight shipments, standard shipping includes curb-side delivery and lift gate services; for Blackstone Adventure exceptions (e.g. hard-to-reach areas) special considerations and fees may be applied. A not so obvious advantage of the Spirit II grill is the placement of the propane tank on the right side of the grill. On the Spirit E 215 grill the propane tank is located in the storage cabinet underneath the grill by the side mounted grease drain.
Spirit II continues to be a solid, dependable tool for aspiring backyard pitmasters and pitmistresses. With the multitude of $300 gas grills invading the BBQ market every year, a big challenge Weber always faces is price. Although Spirit II is Weber’s entry level full-sized gas grill line, it is still more expensive than many popular low cost brands. However, most Spirit owners feel that Weber’s quality, durability, performance and customer service are worth it.
We brought the grills to temperature with their two outer burners lit and the middle burner unlit. Then we placed a chicken weighing 3 to 4 pounds in the center of the grate and closed the lid. We monitored the grills’ temperature for the hour-long cook, and we noted the depth and evenness of browning at the end. Grates come in a range of materials, and the differences in performance are small. These materials include plain cast iron, the more rust-resistant porcelain-coated cast iron, and stainless steel rods, which are sometimes as thick as a stick of chalk or even a thumb. A firebox—the lower half of the grill body, where the burners and grates are mounted—made from cast aluminum is rustproof and highly durable, likely to offer a decade or more of service.