Weber Spirit II E-310 vs Genesis II E-310

If you have ever considered purchasing a semi-stationary grill, you definitely heard about Weber Spirit and Genesis series. These are one of the best-selling modifications on the market that provide perfect cooking and easy exploitation. However, the similarity of these model branches causes certain difficulties in choosing.

Today, we’d like to conduct the Weber Spirit II E-310 vs Genesis II E-310 battle to discuss the main differences between the products. Hope the article will help you make the right choice considering your requirements, conditions, and budget. Let’s get started!
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Main Differences Between the Models

Here is the list of functional differences between our Weber grills:

Comparison Table

1. Weber 45010001 Spirit II E-310 3-Burner

Weber Spirit II E-310 is a large BBQ grill with an impressive cooking area. We’ve already discussed its increased dimensions in comparison with the earlier Weber Spirit II E-210. If you’re interested, you can get acquainted with this information in our Weber 210 vs 310 review.

The E-310 modification gathered all the advantages of Weber engineering. We mean the Weber GS4 grilling system that consists of ignition, burners, flavorizer bars, and intelligent grease management.

The grill boasts 3 separate burners and 3 valves for temperature adjustment. The process is a piece of cake as a built-in thermostat accurately reflects the current °F/°C degrees.

This version works on Liquid Propane. However, you’re free to choose a Natural Gas option if you have the necessary plumbing.

Weber Spirit II E-310 is perfect for frequent cooking tasks, large families, and big parties. It allows for roasting a huge amount of food at once and keep it warm while a new batch is cooked, thanks to a warming rack. Besides, you have lots of storage space around presented by two wing tables (the left folds down), an open cart, and six tool hooks.

However, even the best products cannot avoid some drawbacks.

2. Weber 61011001 Genesis II E-310 3-Burner

Weber Genesis series was developed on the basis of the popular Spirit. This explains a number of similarities revealed when comparing Weber Spirit 310 vs Genesis 310. At first glance, they are almost identical, especially in design. However, we’d like to describe several crucial moments that may influence performance and your product choice.

The Genesis II E-310 boasts the same GS4 system with an intelligent grease management system, flavorizer bars, 3 high-performance burners, and infinity ignition. The first two units significantly differ from their twins seen in the Spirit II E-310 product. We’ll discuss it later in details, so stay with us to know how.

Here, we also have three burners, but the total cooking area was enlarged, making Genesis 310 one of the largest BBQ grills on the market. A warming rack was also changed both in dimensions and construction. In all senses, Weber Genesis is a bigger and more powerful model for the most crowded parties.

Our competitor works on Liquid Propane and even features a unique side-mounted niche for convenient gas tank storage. But, traditionally, you can opt for a Natural Gas modification.

Storage areas were preserved, so we can still enjoy two side tables with six hooks and an open cart.

attention

Please pay attention that though tables became more durable, none of them folds now, which negatively influences the product’s compactness. However, transportation is improved thanks to four wheels.

Surprisingly, Genesis 310 inherited both pros and cons of the Spirit 310 model. Get ready for complicated installation and possible scratches.

Face to Face Comparison

Model Options

As we’ve already mentioned, both Weber Spirit II E-310 and Genesis II E-310 support Liquid Propane and Natural Gas. The models are identical and differ only in gas source.

The Spirit series is also available with a closed cart design, fixed tables, 4 wheels, and changed tank location. If you want such models, please look for Weber Spirit E-310 without the «II» sign.

Apart from the E-310, the Genesis grills include the E-315 modifications. They differ in open and closed cart design. That’s it.

Thus, we’ve got four Weber Spirit E-310 product options:

And four Weber Genesis E-310 product options:

Design and Dimensions

If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight grill for on-the-go use, we’d recommend you Weber Q series. Neither Genesis nor Spirit will meet such needs as they are developed as stationary models. Dimensions only prove that.

However, though Genesis 310 loses in terms of dimensions, it’s easier in transportation thanks to four wheels. Its rival offers two wheels and two massive legs for greater stability.

verdict

Thus, when choosing between Genesis 310 and Spirit 310, consider your transportation requirements. Family use means fewer movements, and a stable grill will ensure safer cooking. However, if owners need to change the grill’s location, Genesis is a better option. It will suit both private use and even professional purposes like street food cooking.

In terms of design, grills are twins. You will get a stylish product made in moderate black, grey, silver, and steel shades. There is also a white lid color option.

Fuel Type

The models discussed use Liquid Propane gas. This gas is usually stored in tanks or cylinders that are widely used for cooking and can be easily purchased.

attention

Weber doesn’t provide gas tanks with the grill kits, so please be ready to buy the unit separately.

Both series support the same tank type. According to the user’s manual, a tank must be approximately 18¼ inches (46.35 cm) high and 12¼ inches (31.1 cm) in diameter with a marked 20 pound (9.07 kg) LPG capacity or 47.6 pounds (21.6 kg) water capacity. Tanks must be provided with an Overfilling Prevention Device and a Type 1 (CGA 810) tank connection. The tank connection must be compatible with the grill connection.

Both the Spirit and the Genesis come with a special storage area for tanks outside the cabinet base under the right side table. However, while the first grill provides just open space, the second model features a closed niche for neater tank placement.

Once installed, tanks display the gas consumption level through a built-in gauge system.

As we’ve already mentioned, if you have the required Natural Gas plumbing, you can purchase Weber Spirit and Genesis Natural Gas models. In this case, you need no additional tanks.

Cooking Area

Both grill generations use porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates. Materials and design contribute to a crispy crust and attractive grill strips on your food without burning. Moreover, the grates are easily cleaned.

Weber engineers developed a special reversible grate design, which means the grates vary in width on the sides. A thinner part is designed for delicate cooking like vegetables, fish, seafood processing. Burgers, sausages, and meat require a thick grate side for deep roasting and rich flavor.

When it comes to dimensions, the Spirit II E-310 has 424 square inches of the main cooking area that forms 529 inches together with the warming rack. According to the manufacturer, this grill can roast up to 18 medium-sized burgers.

Weber Genesis II E-310 features 513 square inches of the primary area and 669 square inches of the total surface, including the tuck-away warming rack.

Warming Rack System

The warming rack is an excellent addition developed by Weber. The rack allows users to warm food while another batch is cooking. Warmed food doesn’t take space on the main grills, doesn’t overheat or disturb you in any way.

Burners and BTU

Burners are almost the main part of a grill as the cooking result directly depends on their number and location. Each burner looks like a tube with small holes, inside which gas is distributed. Holes allow flames to come out and heat food.

The Spirit E-310 and Genesis E-310 are identical in terms of burners. No matter what model you choose, you’ll get three burners – on the left, right, and in the middle of the grill. The location is optimal for all types of food.

When it comes to heating power, Weber Spirit II E-310 produces 30000 BTU (BTU here stands for British thermal unit).
The increased space requires greater heating capability. That’s’ why the Genesis model offers 39000 BTU.

Burner Valves

Each burner is equipped with an individual valve for accurate flame control. The scale includes the following heating marks: OFF, Start/High heat, Medium, and Low. Thus, orientating on them, users can adjust the optimal flame intensity.

The temperature rate varies from 0° to 600°F/ 315°C. Use the built-in lid thermostat for accurate control.

You can also choose which burner to activate according to your current cooking preferences and needs. The manufacturer calls it Direct and Indirect heat. When you turn on the flame right under the food, you use Direct heat. Indirect heat means the flame is in the next burner.

Burners’ number, position, and independent control make it possible to cook several dishes simultaneously with your Weber Genesis II E-310 or Weber Spirit II E-310.

Ignition

You don’t need to use matches for your grill anymore. Up-to-date Weber grills apply easy ignition with one button push.

The button is located in the same rank with valves (next to the left one). The built-in electrode releases sparks that ignite the left burner. Others flame one by one automatically. The system is called the crossover ignition.

Automatic ignition is recognized as the safest and quickest method.

attention

Please pay attention that the manufacturer recommends preheating your grill for 10-15 minutes after ignition for the best cooking results.

Flavorizer Bars

Ignition was the first element of the Weber GS4 system, and now we came to the next stage, called flavorizer bars.

The bars look like V-shaped plates that cover the burners and serve for several tasks. Apart from burner protection against grease clogs, flavorizer bars vaporize meat juices for a delicious smoky scent. And the liquid left gently falls down into the grease management system.

verdict

The only difference here is the materials. Weber Spirit II E-310 uses porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars. Weber Genesis II E-310 is equipped with stainless steel flavorizer bars.

Storage Space (Tables + Open Cart)

In these series, Weber provides customers with three storage zones. These are dual side tables with 6 built-in hooks (perfect for mitts, spatulas, tongs) and an open cart under the main grill area.

Though engineers seem to save common storage design in both BBQ grills at first glance, we’d like to describe a couple of crucial differences.

Catch Pan

Catch pan is an obligatory part of the Weber GS4 grease system. All juices left after evaporation are directed down into a catch pan.

Weber also offers disposable drip pans that are put in the metal catch pan. Thus, you won’t have to wash it.

Accessories

Both series come with the following kit:

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best BBQ Grill?

Now, when you see how many functional elements there are in a BBQ grill and know how pricey they are, the question of choice becomes even more complicated. Please consider the following buyer’s guide to invest your money wisely.

The other factors to mind are:

Conclusion

Weber Spirit and Genesis are excellent stationary series that guarantee quality, durability, and taste. However, the choice is hard.

We think Weber Genesis II E-310 currently costs too much and provides a too large cooking area for common domestic application.

Weber Spirit II E-310 is our golden mean. The product offers all the advantages seen in the previous grill and more (like a folding table). Smaller cooking grates are still huge enough, even for crowded parties.

Anyway, the choice is yours. And after this review, you see that you can hardly lose anything with these two Weber options. Bon appetit!