If you’re thinking about getting a Weber gas grill—for yourself or a loved one—I’ve got some news for you: It’s going to be a hit.
Weber consistently ranks among the best, most dependable gas grills you can buy, and it recently introduced some very cool upgrades.
But, as I’m sure you know, there are LOTS to choose from and, while any Weber grill can give you great results, they’re not all created equal.
I’m going to share three things you need to know about Weber. I’ll also help you sort through Weber’s gas grill lineup and tell you which one we think is the real standout.
Table of Contents
About Weber
First, let’s talk a little about Weber. It’s an iconic American brand. If it were a car, it’d be a Jeep Wrangler.
Owning one is practically a rite of passage. And it deserves its good reputation.
Weber has eliminated the two biggest problems gas grills have: rust and faulty igniters.
You can leave your Weber grill out in the elements for a decade and it won’t rust—kind of like a great car, actually.
As for the igniter, it eventually will break on every grill, even ones that cost 7 times what Webers do.
The great thing about Webers is they’re simple. It’s easy to light a Weber with a stick lighter if you don’t want to bother repairing it or get new parts to fix it under the company’s super-long up to 12-year warranty.
Product Lines
Second, you should know Weber makes three gas grill product lines: Spirit, Genesis, and Summit.
Spirit
Spirit is basically Weber’s line for big-box home improvement stores. The price point is low, and the quality is good.
For example, compared with a brand like Char-Broil that might cost a few hundred less, Weber Spirits won’t rust, their igniters work better, and you’ll get better customer service and parts access.
But you should know that assembling a Spirit grill is like putting together an IKEA wardrobe—maddening.
We don’t recommend them, but if you’re on a budget they’re head and shoulders above than other options you’ll find in the aisles.
Summit
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Summit, Weber’s high-end gas grills.
These are expensive and bulky, and made of stainless steel. They arrive practically ready to fire up.
They’ve got lots of burners and a pro-style look, but they’re not exactly pro grills.
True pro grills have higher BTU burners and searing zones you can adjust.
For instance, a Lynx Sedona grill has 24,000 BTU burners versus the Summit’s 13,000 BTUs.
It also has an infrared sear burner that lets you fine-tune the temperature, where the Summit sear station has one setting: on or off.
True pro style grills like Lynx Sedona or XO also give you a better rotisserie and—this might matter to you—bragging rights among the grill masters in your neighborhood.
Genesis
In the middle is Genesis—Weber’s sweet spot. These grills come in right around $1,000, have everything most people need, and are built to last. They require very little assembly, too.
Grates
Finally, let’s talk about grates.
Grill nerds go on and on about stainless steel versus porcelain enamel. Which is better?
We happen to like stainless steel a little better because it won’t chip when you scrape it with a metal-bristle brush.
Porcelain enamel can chip, but otherwise there’s nothing wrong with it. You just want heavy grates.
Higher-end Weber Genec csis and Summit grills have stainless steel grates, while most have porcelain enamel.
We’re about to move on to our pick.
Genesis S-325s – Top Pick
Our favorite Weber grill is the company’s workhorse: the Genesis S-325s.
It’s got an ideal combination of quality, features, and price.
If you have an older Weber Spirit and want to upgrade or if you’re in the market for your first grill and want something with a little more firepower than an entry-level model, the Genesis S-325s is a great choice.
It has three burners, hefty 7mm stainless steel grates, and almost 800 square inches of cook space, plus a new, extra-large prep and serve table.
It also has Weber’s new, proprietary PureBlu high-heat burners, which give you an even flame across the entire grilling area. No more hot spots or constant shuffling.
And if steak is your thing, we think you’ll like this: it has Weber’s biggest high heat sear zone to date, allowing you to sear multiple steaks at once.
And here are a couple of other features we really like on the Genesis S-325s.
Its expandable top cooking grate is super versatile. You can fold it out to create a second level of grilling space for things like corn, potatoes, or a separate grill pan.
You can fold it in to function as a warming rack for a few hot dog buns, or you can fold it up for full access to the main grilling surface.
And check this out – it’s one of our favorite additions to the Genesis line. Weber added a handle light for nighttime grilling. Brilliant. No need to turn it on, just raise the hood and the built-in LED illuminates everything.
You’re still welcome to fumble around with flashlights and headlamps at night, but we don’t think you’ll need them!
In addition to the standout features we’ve highlighted already, the Genesis S-325s also comes loaded with a host of features that Weber’s known for.
You get: Digital thermometer connectivity, Flavorizer bars underneath the grate.
These unique to Weber deflectors catch drippings so they don’t cause flareups and send smoky flavor back up onto your food.
An improved, redesigned pull-out grease tray (we really like this).
It doesn’t have a side burner or a rotisserie, but you might not really need those things.
Shopping Tips
Here are our final tips for shopping:
1. If you want to upgrade a little, look at higher end Weber Genesis grills with a side burner. You’ll appreciate it if you want to cook your whole meal outside without going back in the kitchen. The next step up? Summit. We’re partial to the Summit S-670. This stainless steel beauty’s got six burners, a side burner, a specially designed ignition system, and a rotisserie. Even nicer? Take a look at Lynx Sonoma or XO pro grills.
2. Know what fuel type you need. It’s technically possible to convert a Weber from natural gas to LP, but neither the company nor its authorized dealers will help you. Take our word for it and stick with the correct fuel source.
3. Invest in a Weber cover. I know, I just said Weber’s won’t rust. They won’t. This is just about keeping your grill clean and ready to use. Aftermarket third-party covers can crack and split, especially in the winter. Weber covers are softer and fit your grill perfectly.
4. Weber updated its product numbers this season. You can still find older models, though.