Note that the cast iron grates are not as wide as the opening between them. Reversible cooking grates aren’t unusual, but Spirit II grates are a little different than most. Spirit II reversible grates have a thin side which Weber believes is “ideal for food such as shrimp and fish”, and flat side which “creates a thick sear mark”. The ultimate goal is an evenly dark brown crust across the entire surface of the meat, which transforms dull, tan meat to a delicious flavorful crust thanks to the magical Maillard reaction.
A stainless steel work surface is made of cast aluminum that is rust-resistant and durable fitted with built-in hooks for tools. With the E-310 models, however, the Spirit char broil performance II has a lower BTU of 30,000 as against the 32,000 of the Spirit series. This difference is insignificant and does not affect the performance of both grills though.
Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their gas grill brand to their friends and family. From Bluetooth speakers to patio furniture to gas and charcoal grills, here’s what we think you need for backyard entertaining char broil performance and cooking. Finally, be aware that a few parts of a grill are consumables, so you will need to replace them occasionally. The burner hoods (metal “tents” that sit over the burners and guide grease away from the flames to prevent flare-ups) are usually the first to go.
Ill is your entry to the Weber family and to everyday grilling. The build quality on the Spirit is the same high quality as you’d expect from Weber. The open cart design allows for extra storage, especially if you choose the natural gas option, and the cast-iron grates work well in extending the life of the machine. It only weighs about 107 pounds, which is light for its class. Still, try the Weber Q1200 if you want a true portable barbecue.
Weber’s warranty covers burner hoods on the 2022 Genesis models and all parts on the Spirit II models for 10 years. Or you could find third-party options that claim higher performance and long lifespans (though we haven’t tested these claims ourselves). We wish the bars of the Spirit II E-310’s warming racks ran front to back, parallel to the main grates, like they do on our upgrade pick, the Genesis E-325s. That way, you could easily slide a spatula under stuff that’s warming.