Planning ahead for summer, we bring you a roundup of the best gas grills with powerful burners that cater to all kinds of outdoor spaces. Here you’ll find gas grill reviews that evaluate their ignition system, the quality of each barbecue, the capacity and the levels of heat distribution.
Dimensions lid open: 4.7ft H x 4.3ft W x 2.1ft D
Dimensions lid closed: 3.7ft H x 4.3ft W x 2.2ft D
Weight: 115 lbs
Burners: 3
BTU: 30,000
Ignition type: Infinity ignition
Warranty: 10 Years
Energy-Star Certified: No
The Weber Spirit II E-310 grill boasts outstanding ignition and heats up very fast. The grill also features porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates, which are easy to maintain and are durable. It is also simple to clean with a smart grease management system, where all the remnants go into a removable tray.
It is also of a high-quality build with flavorizer bars, a spider prevention screen, thermometer control to avoid accidental charring and reversible grill plates to allow more flexibility in cooking techniques. The plates are thin on one side for more delicate grilled veggies whereas the thick side is ideal for large steaks. One of the biggest advantages of the Weber Spirit II E-310 grill is its ten-year warranty which could make this worth the splurge.
Weber Spirit II E-310: Design and build
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Two side tables
- 424 square inch cooking area
As you'd expect from a brand like Weber, build quality and design are really high standard with the Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill. This isn't top-end stuff, but it's also not cheap, so you get quality without having to break the bank.
The grill surface is constructed from three porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates. These are backed by even burners that pack in an impressive 30,000 BTU-per-hour input running on a 20lb liquid propane tank, though not as powerful as the Dyna-Glo 4-Burner Gas Grill. There are also two side tables so having everything at your fingertips is much easier than some grills.
Grilling space, a key part of any grill purchase decision, is decent with 424 square inches of cooking area - a touch smaller than the Char-Broil Performance 475 4-Burner. That equates to about 12 burgers at once on the main grill plus another four on the warmer rack section which offers a further 105 square inches of rack space. So this should be good for most families and even barbecue parties.
The parts used are made from high quality materials and, as such, you get a ten year warranty with the grill. So should anything go wrong, or if rust sets in early, then you should be good to go back to Weber to get it fixed.
Weber touches like the porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars are great, designed to catch dripping and cut back on flare-ups. There's even a grease management system to help make cleaning easier too. More on that below.
Weber Spirit II E-310: Features
- iGrill 3 compatible
- Spider prevention screen
- Steel flavorizer bars
The main feature of this grill has to be those steel flavorizer bars we mentioned. These are tent-like metal lengths which stand above the burners and allow for a more even distribution of heat across the grill surface. They also act as a channel to help the dripping run-off in a way that's easier to clean and cut-back on flare-ups which could otherwise cause burning to food.
Attention to detail is fantastic with even the grill plates featuring two side variations. One side is thinner than the other so you can flip them for a more delicate cooking experience if you need, say for things like fish and shrimp. While the thicker side is good for more thick sear marks on things like steaks.
While the iGrill 3 doesn't come with this unit, it can be used with it. This is a digital thermometer which works with a probes to monitor the inner grill and internal food temperatures. While the grill does have a spot to slip the iGrill 3 into place, you do also get a thermometer on the lid which does the job well for internal grill heat.
The Weber Infinity Ignition has been enhanced and is now covered by a ten year warranty rather than the old two year one. All you need to do to get started is turn the gas knob to High, press the ignition and watch the burners flame on.
The left and right side tables are nice features which allow you to hold raw materials and place cooked items out ready, without clutter. There is also an area for hanging tools with six hooks and addition storage space at the bottom of the unit.
Weber Spirit II E-310: Performance
- Superb heat generation and sustain
- Fast cooking times
- Excellent subtle control
Firing up the grill could not be easier thanks to that smart ignition which gets you up and warming at the literal touch of a button. Go for the three burner option and you get all that 30,000 BTU-per-hour of power right away meaning very little waiting time to get right up to 500 degrees.
From cooking steak and chicken to fish and veggies, this can handle it all in a consistent way that will leave you confident. While you have enough power to cook a full 12 set of 1/4 pound burger patties with just two minutes on either side, you can also gentle cook veggies and fish quickly applying that same two minutes on each side rule.
It's super simple and this is largely thanks to that consistency of heat that allows you to judge accurately how fast you're cooking. You can also control burner zones for direct and indirect heat if you want to cook varying food items at the same time.
The propane scale is a nice touch which shows you how much gas you have left so you can relax knowing you're not going to run out suddenly and get a nasty surprise.
The grease trays slide out easily and there's a disposable drip plan that can be trashed, making cleaning super fast and simple. Those porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grates are also easy to clean with a gentle work over using a stainless steel brush.
Weber Spirit II E-310: User reviews
The Weber Spirit II E-310 grill has received largely positive reviews and scores an average of 4.9 out of five stars on Best Buy. Users particularly liked the even heat distribution and the ease of installing the grill. Some that had previously used only charcoal grills found this to be a game-changer, other users like the “high quality, sturdy” parts in the grill and some praised the customer service for their promptness in response and particularly liked that it comes with a ten-year warranty.
I tried out Weber and what a difference. The temperature is even, building the grill was simple, and cleaning the grill is easier than any other grill. Definitely recommend this to barbecue enthusiasts.
Best Buy customer
Should you buy the Weber Spirit II E-310?
If you want a medium sized propane gas grill that will last, offers consistent heat that can be easily controlled, is easy to start, maintain and clean, plus is backed by a superb ten year warranty, then the Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill is for you.
You may want more than a three-burner grill so going bigger could be a good idea. Or you may want to save money and go for a cheaper brand – just don't expect it to last as well.
If this product isn't for you
The Char-Broil Performance 475 4-Burner Gas Grill is a capable system that's large enough for families and most parties. It produces consistent heat with no flare-ups to make grilling easy and the result great every time. It is an easy start and simple cleaning with the only disadvantage of a shorter warranty.
The Dyna-Glo 4-Burner is a large-scale gas grill at an affordable price, yet delivers a high-end performance. It features stainless steel burners and is a powerful grill yet falls short on warranty and some replacement parts may be hard to find.
If you’re looking to cook a big meal without spending big bucks, the RevoAce 4-Burner Gas Grill may be the best option for you. This top-rated grill is an affordable way to own a large and highly usable grill, which includes a side burner and pushes out plenty of propane power. Though it isn’t built to last like many high-end gas grills, it is powerful without breaking the bank.
