Mark Foreman
TVWBB Wizard
Well, it’s been a bit over a month and a dozen assorted cooks on my new Spirit E-425.
Overall I have been really pleased with it. Here are my observations:
Smaller size is perfect for the two of us. Can cook with only 2 burners. Would cook using 1 burner on the Genesis but that was a bit tricky.
Jury is still out on the snap burners though but they do fire up every time. I did give up the side burner when buying the Spirit.
Not having a gas gauge doesn’t seem to be an issue. I bought a in-line gauge but just lifting up on the gas can (weigh w fishing scale) gives a pretty good indication of how much is left. The gas gauge on the Genesis was always iffy in its operation.
There are NO wires, batteries, or other electronics!
Genesis (2020 SE-335) gets to ~625 degrees. Spirit goes to 700 plus. Sear boost burners work better than the Genesis sear burner in my opinion.
Genesis has 9mm SS grates, the Spirit has Weber cast iron. I think they are reversible (?? not sure, haven’t tried it) but CI grates work pretty well. I may be upgrading to SS at some point.
Spirit is build is good. In many ways it better built than the Genesis, no plastic clips and the like. Not sure about the cook box.
Spirit is WAY easier to clean. A lot less corners, indents, and crannies to dig gunk out of. When the grease tray is removed, it literally removes the bottom of the cook box.
It may be just me, but I am liking the painted side shelves better than the SS ones on the Genesis. Easier to keep clean and don’t look “stained”.
The griddle insert works very well but the cooler edges are a bit noticeable due to its size (does way less!)~. The Genesis exhibits the same thing but its bigger size makes it less noticeable.
At the end of the day I think the Spirit 435 at $599 (now $679) performs as well or perhaps a bit better the my Genesis SE-335 which was $999. It certainly fits my use and needs better. Am very happy I bought it.
That all being said, I down sized and sold 1 kettle, a WSK E6, 14 and 22 inch WSMs with all their extras. Last step is to cleanup and sell the Genesis. Won’t be asking a lot for it but it needs a bath first.
I am currently left with the Spirit E-425 for griddle and grill cooking and a 2015 Performer for grilling, small smoking, and rotisserie jobs. For longer smokes, I use a Smokin-it 3 electric. Covers all the bases.
Seems like I have gone full circle from a kettle to an E6 and back to kettle while down grading from a loaded Genesis II to a Spirit and in both cases I am happier and find them actually easier to cook with and clean.
Overall I have been really pleased with it. Here are my observations:
Smaller size is perfect for the two of us. Can cook with only 2 burners. Would cook using 1 burner on the Genesis but that was a bit tricky.
Jury is still out on the snap burners though but they do fire up every time. I did give up the side burner when buying the Spirit.
Not having a gas gauge doesn’t seem to be an issue. I bought a in-line gauge but just lifting up on the gas can (weigh w fishing scale) gives a pretty good indication of how much is left. The gas gauge on the Genesis was always iffy in its operation.
There are NO wires, batteries, or other electronics!
Genesis (2020 SE-335) gets to ~625 degrees. Spirit goes to 700 plus. Sear boost burners work better than the Genesis sear burner in my opinion.
Genesis has 9mm SS grates, the Spirit has Weber cast iron. I think they are reversible (?? not sure, haven’t tried it) but CI grates work pretty well. I may be upgrading to SS at some point.
Spirit is build is good. In many ways it better built than the Genesis, no plastic clips and the like. Not sure about the cook box.
Spirit is WAY easier to clean. A lot less corners, indents, and crannies to dig gunk out of. When the grease tray is removed, it literally removes the bottom of the cook box.
It may be just me, but I am liking the painted side shelves better than the SS ones on the Genesis. Easier to keep clean and don’t look “stained”.
The griddle insert works very well but the cooler edges are a bit noticeable due to its size (does way less!)~. The Genesis exhibits the same thing but its bigger size makes it less noticeable.
At the end of the day I think the Spirit 435 at $599 (now $679) performs as well or perhaps a bit better the my Genesis SE-335 which was $999. It certainly fits my use and needs better. Am very happy I bought it.
That all being said, I down sized and sold 1 kettle, a WSK E6, 14 and 22 inch WSMs with all their extras. Last step is to cleanup and sell the Genesis. Won’t be asking a lot for it but it needs a bath first.
I am currently left with the Spirit E-425 for griddle and grill cooking and a 2015 Performer for grilling, small smoking, and rotisserie jobs. For longer smokes, I use a Smokin-it 3 electric. Covers all the bases.
Seems like I have gone full circle from a kettle to an E6 and back to kettle while down grading from a loaded Genesis II to a Spirit and in both cases I am happier and find them actually easier to cook with and clean.
