I could get a better, more even sear in my cast-iron pan sitting on the grill’s side burner. The grill is also “iGrill 3 Ready,” which is to say, you can buy an iGrill 3—a type of remote thermometer—and stick weber genesis grill it in the spot where the LED gas gauge goes. That means if you’re standing in front of the grill, you’d have to open an app just to read the temperature on the thermometer directly under your nose.
Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade. We assembled the grills alone and in teams of two, noting poor instructions, needlessly complicated screw or bolt sizes, or safety hazards such as sharp edges. At the 2017 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo, we interviewed senior product managers from almost every major grill maker in attendance. And in 2022 we surveyed over a thousand Wirecutter readers about their grill use. With its thick, rustproof cast-aluminum firebox, this grill will last for years.
For that reason, Weber offers generous warranties; years for the cookbox on almost all their full-sized models. Other grill parts, like the knobs, grates, and burner tubes have slightly shorter warranties, ranging from three to 10 years. I draped the ribs across the Genesis II’s metal warming tray that sits above the grill grates. Finally I dialed all three burner knobs down to their lowest setting and closed the lid. I cooked two racks this way; the first I ran for 3 hours, the second for 3 hours 30 minutes.
The Weber Spirit II E-310 excelled at every test, producing the best hamburgers—deeply seared, evenly cooked—among all the grills we tested. And it outdid or equaled the competition in grilling barbecue chicken and whole roasted chickens with crispy golden skin. This two-burner grill is great for grilling novices or for folks with limited space. However, it lacks some of the versatility—and heat output—of our other picks. To help you keep the good vibes (and good food) going, we cooked burgers, barbecue, and chicken on seven top-rated grills—and researched dozens more—to find the best.
In general, we don’t think side burners are worth the $100-plus premium. If you want to splurge on a grill with exceptional temperature control and a dedicated searing zone, go for our upgrade pick, the Weber Genesis E-325s, instead. It offers the same quality as our top pick, but it’s more compact. The E-210 has a cast-aluminum firebox, an enameled steel lid and open cart, and two side tables.
With innovative features made to create a seamless culinary experience, Kamado Joe Classic Joe I is ready for any barbecue. In less than 90 seconds, you can switch between cooking modes to serve a one-of-a-kind menu that’ll have people talking until your next epic meal. Embrace the versatility of the Commercial Series™ 2 Burner Gas Grill and discover that the cooking possibilities are endless. In less than 60 seconds, you can switch between cooking modes to serve a one-of-a-kind menu that’ll have people talking until your next epic meal. Embrace the versatility of the Commercial Series™ 3 Burner Gas Grill & Griddle and discover that the cooking possibilities are endless.
The grates and a grilling light added to the handle of the grill are the only difference between the E and SP E. Grill companies are starting to get the hang of better searing capabilities, even adding little “sear burners” for the task. Weber’s leaning in that general direction with High+, but the burners are almost six inches from the top of the grill grate, which is simply too far away to get a hard sear.