What Is the Difference Between the Weber Spirit, Genesis, and Summit Series BBQ Grills?

In a short amount of time, Weber has become the household name for grills. However, buying one isn't easy. You have three different series and several different codes for each series.

In this article, you will learn the most popular Weber grills, the three different series, Spirit, Genesis, and Summit, and their differences.

You will also see a comparison between the Summit, Genesis, and other high BTU (British Thermal Unit) pro grill options.

Is a professional grill worth more? You will find out (short answer: maybe).

Weber is also the latest manufacturer to have supply chain issues. You will have a hard time finding a Weber in 2022. We will rate every series based on availability.

What Is the Difference Between the Weber Spirit, Genesis, and Summit Series BBQ Grills?

Weber Genesis Smart BBQ Grill

The differences between the Weber Spirit, Genesis, and Summit can be confusing.

The Spirit is their smaller grill, Genesis is their mid-size to larger grill, with the Summit being their most significant and most featured, but it is not that simple.

The Summit is their best grill, but a four-burner Genesis is 40% larger and 40% less expensive than a four-burner Summit.

To complicate matters, Weber improved their grills a couple of years ago with their GS4 improvements. The GS4 is their code name for a faster one-strike ignition with a second row of flavorizer bars for fewer flare-ups and better grease management.

However, Weber only included the GS4 on their lowest priced Spirit II models and all Genesis grills, yet none of their best Summit grills. Their new smart grills with Wi-Fi functionality are only available in the Genesis and the Spirit series as well.

Genesis is completely redesigned to be more of a complete outdoor cooking appliance. The Summit and Spirit are due to be changed in 2023.

So, choosing a Weber Spirit, Genesis, and Summit is complicated. First, let us talk about why you might want to consider a Weber grill in the first place.

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Why Weber?

We like different, better functioning products. Appliances and grills are our business. We have tried every grill, ceramic, pellet, and charcoal manufacturer. Weber works. It would be great to offer you tons of options, but none of them seem to perform or last like a Weber.

Before trying an unknown name heavily pushed by your appliance dealer, ask for a demonstration.

Weber GS4 Grilling System

A few years ago, Weber redesigned the Spirit and Genesis models with four core improvements - Weber calls it the GS4 Grilling System.

The five core improvements below are:

1. Ignition system
2. Burners
3. Flavorizer Bars
4. Grease management system
5. iGrill App

Let's look briefly at all four.

Ignition System

The ignition system is now electronic, and lights on the first strike. In other words, you do not have to play with the knob until you have ignition.

Burners

Weber changed the shape of its burners for a more consistent and even heat.

In one case, years ago, our chef placed her hand on a hot grill from another competitor without being burnt (our insurance company was happy).

Flavorizer Bars

Weber reconfigured the Flavorizer Bars to reduce flare-ups and vaporize grease. You can also see the flame when you grill.

Grease Management System 

Grease management is now more effective with easy-to-remove drip pans.

iGrill App

Weber is the best in terms of smart functionality for all appliance manufacturers. Weber introduced the iGrill app as an additional accessory several years ago.

With the iGrill app, you can monitor the food temperature with a Bluetooth temperature probe. It will tell you when to flip your burger, for example, and when you should remove it from the grill. You also have access to recipes.

Although iGrill is simple, it works. Others using sensors have not fared as well, like the MyChef from Lynx. The SmartGrill has the IQ built into it and shows the temperature readings on the outside.

Weber's Warranty and Reliability

Weber is extraordinarily reliable with a 1.3% service rate for 2022. It's well under the average appliance service rate of 9.5%.

It's the second most reliable appliance sold after disposers. Then again, their competitive advantage has been reliability and length of life versus lesser expensive grills.

They are also excellent at after-sales service. Most of Weber's functional parts are covered for ten years. However, you must call them. Then they will ship the part free. You can either install the part or contact us (in Metro Boston) or another service company to replace it. It's a bit different than a normal fix, at least for us.

Let's break down the differences starting with the Spirit series.

Weber Spirit Grill Series

Weber Spirit BBQ Grill

The Weber Spirit grill series is perfect for the small family or novice griller. It's considered an entry-level model equipped with either a two-burner or three-burner configuration, available in black for natural gas.

The Weber Spirit II series has the GS4 improvements and is the least expensive. It's available in two or three burners at 26,000 and 32,000 BTU at up to 424 square inches of cooking area.

The regular Spirit doesn't have the GS4 but will have better features like a stainless body and a more durable stainless grate.

You also have a 12,000 BTU side burner and a 7,500 BTU sear station located between the two burners in the middle for added heat.

Their SP-335 includes every Weber option, including the Sear Station, side burners, and a storage cabinet. The regular Spirit series even has a smart grill.

Overall, a Weber Spirit series grill is good value. It's solid and will last far longer than the cheaper competitive grills.

Let's look at their most popular models.

Weber Spirit E-210 Grill - $509

• Enameled lid and grates, two burners, closed cart

Weber Spirit E-310 Grill - $619

• Enameled lid and grates, three burners, closed cart

Weber Spirit S-315 Grill - $649

• Enameled lid, stainless grates, three burners, closed cart

Weber Spirit E-330 Grill - $669

• Enameled lid and grates, three burners, a sear station, and side burner, closed cart

Weber Spirit SP-335 Grill - $759

• Stainless lid and grates, three burners, a sear station, and side burner, closed cart

Weber Spirit SX-315 - $849

• Smart grill With a stainless lid and grates, three burners, sear station, and side burner, closed cart

Weber Spirit II Series

The Weber Spirit II series adds the GS4 grilling system.

Weber Spirit II E-210 - $419

• Enameled lid and grates, two burners, open cart

Weber Spirit II E-310 - $519

• Enameled lid and grates, three burners, open cart

Weber Spirit Availability: Very Limited

Weber Genesis Grill Series

Weber Genesis BBQ Grill

The Weber Genesis series is perfect for everyday grilling but big enough to cook for your big party.

Genesis is Weber's most popular grill series with three and four-burner sizes only versus the two and three-burner models of the Spirit grill or the four and six-burner Summit series.

All Weber Genesis grills have the GS4 system. You choose between a three burner at 39,000 and 513 square inches or a four-burner at 48,000 and 646 Square inches plus the fold-down area.

Genesis grills differ from have a stainless body, stainless grates, a side burner, and sear station, much like the Spirit series grills. 

This year, Weber introduced the Weber Crafted Outdoor Kitchen Collection, also known as their OGS system. The Weber crafted collection is a frame kit fitting new cooking accessories for several specialty Genesis grills.

• Flattop Griddle - You can cook anything on a grill, but now you can cook breakfast foods like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and grilled cheese.
• Roasting Basket - Ever try to grill vegetables? You can't do it effectively. Bits of vegetables always slide off the grill to the fire below. The new basket allows you to cook vegetables easily.
• Baking Stone - The baking stone is great for cooking pizzas or anything with a crust.
• Dual-Sided Sear grate - You can serve a steak on one side and more delicate items like fruits and veggies on the other side.
• Rotisserie Skewer Set and Rotisserie Crisping Basket - You can make kabobs or crisp French fries with these two accessories.

Other Weber Genesis grill improvements this year include a larger sear zone, lighting, larger prep table, an expandable top grate, and a tank monitor. 

• Larger Sear Zone - A larger sear zone with better BTU from 9,000 to 13,000 this year. Weber still uses another row of burners rather than the more directed infrared technology of the pro grills.
• Night Vision - It illuminates the entire grill surface with light-up knobs in certain models
• Extra Large Prep Table - I like this feature. You can place more on the side tables.
• Expandable Top Grate -It's a good idea, but there is no heat source on the back.
• Tank Monitor - You don't have to guess anymore. The monitor on the front will tell you how much gas is left in the tank.

The following are available models:

Weber Genesis SP-E-325s - $1,029

• SP-E stands for "Special Edition." It's their 3-burner unit with the 12,000 BTU sear zone in the middle. These models add longer-lasting 9-millimeter steel grates. Steel will last longer than cast iron and porcelain. This grill has a better handle along with internal lighting

Weber Genesis SP-E-335 - $1,299

• SP-E-335 has the same burner profile as the 325 but adds side burners. You can now boil corn or cook lobsters as you grill.

Weber Genesis SX-335 - $1,449

• The SX-335 is Weber's available smart grill. The Weber smart grill eliminates guesswork by using Bluetooth meat probes and sends push notifications to turn the food over or remove the food off the grill. The Weber incorporates the meat probes and displays the temperature right on the grill.

Weber Genesis SL-435 - $1,599

• The SL-435 is Weber's four-burner with 48,000 BTU, 13,000 BTU sear, and the 12,000 BTU side burners.

Weber Summit Grill Series

Weber Summit BBQ Grill

The Summit is Weber's largest and most featured grill at four and six burners, with a smoker, side burners, and a rotisserie available in 4 and six burners.

The Summit six-burner grill has 60,000 BTU, a 10,600 BTU sear, a rotisserie and rotisserie burner on the top at 10,000 BTU, and a smoker basket of 6,800 BTU to infuse flavor as well as the 12,000 BTU side burner.

Yet, Summit does not have the GS4 grilling system or the new Genesis OGS. The older system with a snap jet ignition, only one set of flavorizer bars, and a different grease management system is still reliable but not improved like Genesis.

The difference in the Summit models is four or six burners with 48,000 BTU and 60,000 BTU total burner output. You have a choice of stainless with stainless grates or the less expensive enamel with enamel grates. Summit is available as a built-in as well to fit in an island.

Let's look at the Weber Summit's models.

Weber Summit E-470 Grill - $2,199

• Enameled lid and grates, four burners, side burner, sear station, rotisserie, open cart

Weber Summit S-470 Grill - $2,199

• Stainless lid and grates, four burners, side burner, sear station, rotisserie, open cart

Weber Summit E-670 Grill 7371001 - $2,949

• Enameled lid and grates, six burners, side burner, sear station, rotisserie, open cart

Weber Summit S-670 Grill 7370001 - $2,949

• Stainless lid and grates, six burners, side burner, sear station, rotisserie, open cart

Weber Summit S-460 Grill 7160001 - $2,449

• Built-in, stainless lid, and grates, four burners, sear station, rotisserie, closed cart

Weber Summit S-660 Grill 7370001 - $2,949

• Built-in, stainless lid, and grates, six burners, sear station, rotisserie, closed cart

Weber Summit vs. Genesis BBQ Grills

Comparing Genesis vs. Summit is like comparing two different types of grills. The best Genesis before the smart series is the SL-435 at $1,599 with stainless body and grates, 12,000 BTU side burners, and 13,000 Btu sear zone.

You would compare this grill to a four-burner stainless Summit grill at $2,199. Although they are both 48,000 BTU and have the same side burner output at 12,000 BTU and similar sear zones.

Size

The four-burner Genesis is larger at 646 square inches versus 468 for the better Summit. The Genesis is also less expensive at $1,249 vs. $2,099 for the Summit.

Rotisserie

However, the Summit will allow you to grill differently with a rotisserie and a 10,000 BTU infrared burner on the top. It's an important distinction. Infrared is intense heat and perfect for a rotisserie. With the crisper basket, Genesis has better accessories, but Summit will cook faster.

Smoker

The Summit will also have a 6800 BTU smoker basket allowing you to infuse flavor by adding different wood chips.

Sear Station

Genesis now has the better Sear Station at 13,000 vs. 10,600. It's just a row of burners and not a true infrared sear like the professional types.

Genesis OGS 

The OGS is the biggest development for Weber in recent years. You can now accessorize the grill to cook differently.

Size

Summit, as I said, also has the largest grill with all the features at $2,799, but for 2022 the Genesis at a lower price could be a better grill for you to consider.

Weber Summit vs. Other Professional Grills

Lynx Professional Built-In Grill

The Summit or Genesis is an excellent grill for the money. You won't be cheated buying a $1299-3000 grill. Technically, Weber has all the Lynx, DCS, or Hestan professional grill features.

However, a professional grill will have higher BTU burners at 23,000-25,000 BTU versus more than 10,000 BTU burners for the Summit.

You can cook faster in a pro grill due to the higher heat burners. You also have a better rotisserie at 50 pounds with a hotter infrared burner located at the back.

DCS has an 18,000 BTU infrared versus 10,000 for a Weber. The sear on a professional grill is infrared as well. We cover infrared vs. gas in other articles. It's more intense direct heat, whereas a gas burner spreads the heat further. The Sear Station of a Weber is just another row of burners versus the infrared of a pro grill.

If you want lines on your meat or to quickly sear it, a pro bbq grill will be better than the Weber Summit. You will pay over $6,000 for a professional grill vs. $1,299 –$3,000 for a Weber.

Read More: Best Professional Outdoor BBQ Grills

Should You Buy a Weber Spirit, Genesis, or Summit Grill?

Weber BBQ Grill

It's hard to know. This year is the year of component issues, so you have two questions to ask.

1. What is the right grill for the way you cook?
2. What will be available?

The Spirit is the smallest, and Summit is the largest with infrared and smoking capabilities. Both are great grills. However, Genesis may be the best pick in 2022. It's updated with tons of accessories.

Additional Resources

Want to know the latest information on all the best grills? Download the Yale BBQ Grill Buying Guide with features, BTU outputs of all the grills, and detailed profiles of all the best brands. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.

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