With summers around the corner, BBQ enthusiasts are setting up their grilling gear, ready to fire their grill. But if you are relatively new in the grilling game and are considering purchasing a grill, then - Weber Spirit Vs. Spirit ii, which grill is worth purchasing?
Anyone who has been grilling for a long enough time is familiar with the term Weber, as it surely rings a bell, considering that the company produces some of the best grills in the market.
Every grill manufactured by Weber has been built tough, designed thoughtfully to enhance durability, and has a user-friendly nature. These admirable characteristics of the products have turned the brand into a popular one and consumer’s favorite, with the grills achieving 5-star ratings.
Therefore, today, we will review and compare the two most beloved Weber grills- Weber Spirit Vs. Spirit ii.
Weber Spirit Vs. Spirit ii
Weber Spirit
The Spirit models were introduced in the 1990s to address grillers’ major concerns: budget and space problems. A challenging situation that almost every griller encountered back then was reported to be fitting a huge grill into a compact space.
Weber initiated a series of gas grills known as the Spirit line-up to address this concern. Every grill in the series featured compact grills that came with foldable shelves to deliver the well-known high-quality performance of Weber.
Spirit series has two grill sizes: large and small. The larger grills had a spacious grilling area assisted with a side burner, whereas the smaller grills had wheels and foldable shelves to support portability and storage.
Thus, the Weber Spirit Series is a flawless combination of performance and innovation to produce grills with excellent results but in a smaller footprint.
Spirit ii
Later, in 2018, a better and much more enhanced version of the Spirit line-up grills was introduced: Spirit ii. These grills are an improved version of the popular Spirit models and have been designed to address any flaws found in the earlier models.
Though the grills have not been fully modified and better features like the expansive grilling area have been maintained, other new features, for example, only two sturdy wheels instead of four and a lighter design, have been introduced in the recent edition.
Additionally, Spirit ii is a model backed up by a longer warranty span than the Spirit line-up and has limited models available. Still, the drawback of Spirit ii grills stands to be the elimination of the originally incorporated side burners.
Commonalities Between The Grills
While the designs might have been upgraded, regardless, the two editions retain a few common features, defining the essence of the Weber series introduced under the name of the Spirit line-up.
Firstly, both grills are priced similarly towards the higher end of the spectrum. Compared to other market competitors, Weber grills are costly. However, when a comparison is drawn between Weber Spirit Vs. Spirit ii, the latter is more affordable among the two.
Secondly, both of the 210 grills measurements for the cooking area ( (360 sq in primary + 90 secondary)) you’d notice are alike in the two versions, but the Spirit ii seems a bit bulkier in its design. Lastly, to not compromise on durability, the standard of construction and the materials used (porcelain enameled cast iron grates) in the composition have been kept the same throughout the years.
Comparison Table
| Features | Weber Spirit | Weber Spirit ii |
|---|---|---|
| iGrill 3 | Unavailable | available |
| Heat OutPut | 32,000 BTU | 30,000 BTU |
| Design | Closed cabinet | Open Cart |
| Color Option | Black | Black, Sapphire, Red, Mocha, and ivory |
| Side Tables | Right and Left | left only |
| Warranty | Limited 10 year Warranty | Comprehensive 10 year warranty |
| wheels | 4 | 2 |
Differences Between The Grills
iGrill 3
A feature that is lacking and is only present in Series ii is the iGrill option. Even though iGrill is sold separately, its compatibility is absent in the Spirit series, and it is a technology that makes one’s grilling experience more efficient.
The feature allows a griller to generally pair the grill with the smartphone to make tracking the inside grill’s real-time temperature easier and more accurate from start to finish.
GS4 Grilling System
Weber, known for creating the covered grill, has always been at the forefront of grill technology, making grills that do more than just grill—they can sear, bake, roast, and more. Their latest model, the Spirit II gas grill upgrade, now includes the GS4 Grilling System. This high-tech feature was previously exclusive to the more upscale Genesis II grills, which I observed in the latest models.
The GS4 system is what makes these grills special, with four main parts: a reliable ignition that starts every time, durable stainless steel burners for even cooking, Flavorizer® Bars that catch drippings and add smoke flavor to your food, and a grease management system to keep things clean. The Spirit II even has some improvements, making these grills even better.
Grilling with the GS4 is easy and gets great results. You get even heat, easy starts, tasty smoke flavor, and less mess. Plus, the Spirit II comes with a solid 10-year warranty but you will get this weber grill pretty expensive, so you know Weber stands behind their grills.
Heat Output
BTU (rating per hour) is a measurement unit globally adopted to evaluate the cooking performance of a gas grill and serves as one of the grill’s core elements.
The E-310 models of the Spirit series tend to have a BTU rating of 32,000 compared to the Spirit ii, which has a lower rating of 30,000. The difference is insignificant and does not impact the heating performance of the grills.
On the other hand, for all Spirit II 210 models, the BTU rating has been kept consistent at 26,500 because the grilling area is the same size. Therefore, the same amount of fuel is needed to generate heat across the surface adequately.
Design
The most distinct and prominent difference between Weber Spirit Vs. Spirit ii lies in the grill’s design. Spirit series was introduced featuring a cabinet design contrary to the open-cart style of the Spirit ii.
The closed cabinet design not only neatly tucks away the propane tank but also helps users by providing them with the much-needed space for storing away their grilling accessories when not needed.
Conversely, the Spirit ii’s open cart style leaves the propane tank uncovered and exposed but does provide immediate access for tank change or refueling.
Color Options
For many smokers, aesthetics is fundamental to the grill’s functionality. An aesthetically pleasing design automatically appeals to the consumer as it effortlessly integrates elegance and space and, most importantly, conveniently blends in with the surroundings.
The original Spirit grills are only available in stainless steel and black. However, the Spirit ii, depending on the availability, comes in various lid color options in addition to the classic black, such as sapphire, red, ivory, and mocha.
Side Tables
An underrated feature in grills is the drop-down side tables. Customers might not fully appreciate their importance unless they’ve experienced the convenience of a little extra cooking space firsthand. These tables are highly useful for holding prep materials and spices and keep all the demanded cooking materials ready and at your fingertips.
Spirit series has stainless steel and durable drop-down side stables on both sides, which can be folded when not in use or with limited space. But Spirit ii grills are deprived of the foldable side tables on both sides and are only available on the left side.
Warranty And Cost
Interestingly, despite the same quality, the late Spirit series is comparatively less costly than the Spirit series of older models.
These grills vary in features and capabilities, and their costs reflect these differences. Here’s a breakdown of their prices:
- Spirit E 210 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane): $499.00
- Spirit II E 210 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane): $449.00
Note: Opting for an upgraded burner with these models would require an additional $100.
- Spirit II E 310 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane): $569.00
- Spirit E 310 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane): $619.00
These prices offer a clear perspective on the range and options available within the Weber Spirit series.
Likewise, a better warranty offer is given to consumers in Spirit ii than in the Spirit series, whereby the 10-year comprehensive warranty is more than the limited 10-year warranty for the initial Spirit grills.
The warranty for the E 210 grill includes coverage for the following:
- Burner Tubes: 10 years, ensuring no rust through or burn through.
- Lid Assembly: 10 years
- Cooking Grate: 5 years,
- Flavorizer Bars: 5 years
- All Other: 2 years
SPIRIT II GAS GRILL SERIES
- All Parts - 10 Years (This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear and is conditional upon the terms and conditions specified in the warranty document.
Wheels
Wheels are an extraordinary feature of grills that make movement seamless and smooth. Both Spirit editions have wheels, but four lockable wheels in the Spirit series can keep the cart in a single place.
Meanwhile, the improved Spirit ii grills only have two wheels that are much thicker and bigger than the original ones, precisely included for movement on rougher and uneven terrains.
Crucial Considerations
Until now, we have focused on listing an overview, commonalities, and differences in Weber Spirit vs. Spirit ii. Still, now it’s time to be more specific and enlighten you on the crucial considerations you should make before purchasing either grill.
To help you narrow down your decision, you can always consider the product among the lines of:
- Affordability: what is your willingness to pay for a new grill, and do you think the upgraded new features are beneficial and worthy of their price?
- Efficiency: How long do the burners take to Ignition system, and are they reliable enough to retain the heat for a prolonged period?
- Maintenance and set-up: are all parts of the grill easy to clean, and how long does it take to assemble the grill to make it operational?
- Size: is the accumulated cooking space sufficient to suit your needs? What are some of the additional storage spaces the grill has to offer?
- Durability: Can the grill’s composition materials last for years? Is the grill built to last?
Additional Features: if there are any additional features of the grill, are they sold separately or included in the grill? Do these features aid in improving efficiency?
Conclusion
Weber Spirit Vs. Spirit ii are undoubtedly the company’s most cautiously produced grills. However, as evident by the comparative analysis, our verdict favours the Spirit ii as it takes the lead and is an edition which is much more advanced. Nevertheless, our presented verdict is open to interpretation and does not necessarily have to align with your perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Weber Spirit II being discontinued?
According to a recent report, the reason for the discounted prices of Spirit ii grills is that they will soon be discontinued.
What is the difference between Weber Spirit and Weber Genesis?
Weber Spirit grills are smaller and have porcelain bars. The Genesis are almost twice the size of the Spirit grills and have stainless steel bars. Both lines uphold Weber’s reputation for quality and performance, the Spirit series is more about value and fundamental grilling, whereas the Genesis series caters to a more premium grilling experience with advanced features and larger sizes.
How many color options are there in Spirit ii?
Spirit ii has five color options: classic black, sapphire, red, mocha, and ivory.
Where is Weber Spirit II made?
Weber Spirit ii is engineered and designed in the States and assembled in China through globally sourced components. Weber grills, including the Weber Spirit II series, are primarily manufactured in the United States, with factories in Illinois and other locations.
