It all started with a buoy and a dream. In 1952, George Steven, buoy welder (and boy genius) for Weber Metal Works had a vision. In this vision, he foresaw a time when he would be able to control the heat on his backyard grill and to cook his burgers evenly and without putting himself in fear for his life. Using the bottom of a buoy as a base for his cooking grill and the top half as a lid, George sought to make his dream come true. In 1956, the Weber grill was born and the Weber name became part of the American BBQ tradition.
Now some, sixty plus years later, the buoy may be gone, but the Weber dream lives on. To this day, we’re still pledging our allegiance to the Weber name with every burger we flip and every kebab we put a stick into to. But grilling has come a long way since 1956, and so has the Weber grill. Now, with so many options flooding the market, the question is not whether to buy a Weber or not, but which Weber grill to buy. Too much choice? No problem, we can break it down for you before its time to break out your own grill this summer.
Features to Consider
Give me the best Weber out there. We wish it were so easy. Comparing Weber grills is like comparing apples to oranges. One man’s treasure can be another man’s trash, even if it does come with a six-burner grill and rotisserie. Before you ask for the best, it’s important to answer a few questions first, namely about the size of the grill you’re looking for, the fuel type, the cooking grates and other features that might influence your choice.
Size
When you’re figuring out the size Weber grill you need, think about the number of mouths your feeding and what your planning to put in them. If its hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, you’re going to need a lot less cooking space then you would for spareribs and baby backs.
When it comes to Weber grills, total cooking area runs as follows:
- Electric grills range in size from 145 to 280 square inches
- Charcoal grills range in size from 260 to 1,100 square inches
- Gas grills range in size from 500 to 1,000 square inches
If you’re cooking for one or two, look for a grilling area of about 200 square inches.
To feed a family of four, look for a grilling area of 400 to 500 square inches.
For five or more look for a grill with at least 550 square inches of cooking area.
Cooking Grates
As for grill parts, the grates get hit the hardest. Not only by the food itself but by the intense heat of the grill. That’s why choosing a grill grate with the right surface is so important. Over time, poor quality metal will wear down and the food won’t turn out up to top chef standards. Weber makes cooking grates in porcelain coated cast iron, plated steel, and stainless steel. Here’s a little closer look at all three:
Stainless Steel
Looking for the “steel standard?” Stainless steel grates are most commonly found on Weber premium models in their original condition. They are known for their durability and reliability and are easy to clean but should be cleaned often. If properly cared for, a stainless steel grate can last a lifetime.
Plated Steel
A bit less durable than their stainless brethren, the plated steel grills make up for their lack of endurance with their low price, low maintenance, lightweight, and faster heating time.
Porcelain Coated Cast Iron
From man of steel to iron man? Don’t let the porcelain coating fool you. There’s nothing delicate about the searing superpowers of the Weber cast iron grill. The porcelain coating only serves to sidestep the seasoning process and reduce maintenance.
Meet the Weber Big Three
As the Weber company evolved three major players began to emerge, each with its own set of models to cater to personal grilling needs. While the models have their own distinguishing features, there are characteristics common to all within the series. We’ll reference individual models in greater detail later on, but for now, a brief introduction.
The Spirit Series
Complete your life and complete your patio. If two’s a company and three’s a crowd, there’s a Spirit series model with your name on it. With a two to three burner grill, and tons of features, like fold-down table leaves, flavorizer bars, and stainless-steel burners, the Spirit series all you need for an intimate dining experience.
Genesis II Series
Whether its open cart or enclosed cart, it’s always a la carte with the Genesis II series. From the 3 burner E-310 to the 4- burner S-335, the Genesis series comes with a range of grill sizes and a wide variety of features to choose from. Choose from E models with porcelain cooking grates, S models for stainless steel grates, and the exclusive SE model with a handle light and cooking grates 9mm thick.
Summit Series
Believe it or not, there’s more than meets the eye to Summit Grill. Considering that what meets the eye is a formidably sized 4-6 burner grill with a stainless steel enclosed cabinet, that’s saying a lot. Take, for example, the 470 series with a patented Sear Station for seared in flavor that most grill lovers only dream of. Weber also offers built-in Summit models tailored for backyard configurations.
What are Weber’s Top 3 Best Grills By Grill Type?
Whether it’s charcoal, gas, or electric, the Weber name does not discriminate. Weber doesn’t care how you cook your burgers, they just want to you to make the best darn ones you possibly can and they make some of the best darn grills out there in all three types to help you do it. Here’s a little bit about grill types and the top Weber grills in each category.
And the envelopes please:
Best Weber Grill 2019: The Summit Stainless Steel 60,800 BTU Grill
If gas grills were cars, the Summit Stainless Steel would be a souped-up hummer with spinning rim hydraulics and a stereo sound system. This grill gives new meaning to stepping on the gas. If money is no object and huge gas grills are the objective the Summit has:
- A massive six burner grill
- Side burner, sear burner, and a stainless-steel smoker burner with a stainless steel smoker box
- Enclosed cart with stainless steel doors, 6 tool holders and a cookbook
- 838 square inch total cooking area
Best Gas Grill for the Money: Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill
However, if you’re looking for a little less bang with a little more buck, let the Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill move you. More a sleek race car than a deluxe hummer, this updated model of the Spirit series offers state of the art components with a bigger grilling space than previous models. Other features include:
- Legendary Gs4 grilling system with improved infinity ignition, known for its startup speed
- Porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars for smoky charcoal flavor
- Grease management system
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- 529 square inches of cooking area
- Open cart design with six tool hooks and two large wheels
Best Weber Charcoal Grill: Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
We’ve come a long way from rubbing two sticks together. The only thing primitive about this high-performance grill is the method of cooking. The Performer Deluxe combines all the technologies of modern grilling (including push of a button ignition- no sticks needed) with the traditional flavor of real meat grilled over coals. Other modern stone age features include:
- 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled bowl and lid with 363 square inch total cooking area
- Electric touch and go gas ignition system
- Aluminized steel one-touch cleaning system with removable ash catcher
- Removable LCD cook timer and built-in lid thermometer
Best Weber Electric Grill: Weber Q1400 Electric Grill
The buoys are back in town. If you noticed the buoyish appearance of the Weber Q1400 electric grill bore a striking resemblance to the original Weber, that’s not the only way Weber is going back to basics. This compact model has everything you need to grill for a quiet night at home. But don’t judge the Weber Electric by its cover, it’s got a heavyweight cast iron grill plate behind that lightweight aluminum shell, making for some searingly hot entrees. Other features of the Q1400 include:
- 1560-Watt heating to heat a 189 square inch total cooking area
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body
- Infinite control burner valve settings
- Full out of the box assembly
Do All Weber Grills Have a Warranty?
You bet your sweet ash they do. Due to a recent upgrade, all current generation Spirit II, Genesis II, Genesis II LX, and Summit series models purchased after 10/1/ 17 come with full 10-year warranties on all parts, excluding normal wear and tear.
For other models, warranty coverage may vary by part. For example, while a lid may come with a ten-year warranty, igniters may carry a 2-year warranty; a flavorizer may feature a five-year warranty. For specific coverage information, check your owner’s guide. If you no longer have your owner’s guide, you can look it up here.
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