Spirit or Genesis


 

LarryR

TVWBB Diamond Member
So I think it's time to retire my circa 1993 Red Genesis rather than rebuild her for a third time.

I think the major difference between the Spirt and Genesis is size, correct? Anyone with a Spirit wish they'd gone bigger and those who went big do you ever think smaller would have worked fine for you? 90% of the time the grill will be used for cooking chicken with the occasional hamburgers, hot dogs or brats. I use my Kettle or Komodo Kamado for everything else. Thanks in advance!

Here's my girl, going to miss her. Have had so many great cookouts on her
 
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The Spirit and Genni are from different planets, as far as I'm concerned. If I'm not mistaken, the Sprit is made in China and has thinner gauge metal. I would expect a Spirit to be of quality comparable to an ECB or Charmglow type grill. As the saying goes, buy the best and cry only once.
 
I was in the same boat recently deciding between the Weber Spirit or Genesis. What sold me on the Genesis was when I did a side by side comparision at Lowe's. Lifting the lid on the Spirit felt like it was a toy (IMHO) compared to the much stouter and heavier Genesis. I figured for the length I was planning on keeping the thing an extra $200 bucks was well worth the more substantially built Genesis. Plus ... it just looks so damn good. Best of luck with your decision and let us know which way you went.
http://gasgrilladvice.com/weber-gas-grill/weber-spirit-vs-genesis
 
I posted most of this last month:

I recently took back a Spirit 310 and got a Genesis ep330.

The Spirit had a hot spot along the entire back wall due to the integrated burner design, which the Genesis doesn't have.

The Genesis heats up more quickly and will hit the 700s; the Spirit would hit 600 after 15 minutes and rarely higher.

The warmer rack on the Genesis has a bar along the back to keep items from rolling off of it; the Spirit doesn't which is annoying to deal with and extremely cheap on Weber's part.

You can tell that the welded cart on the Genesis cost much more to make, than the stamped sheet metal of the Spirit.

I cook for 4 normally and on occasions 8. Regardless, I do find the Genesis works better when I'm cooking meat and multiple sides for 4, even though it isn't that much bigger I can fit everything without as much cramming stuff in the grill.

The side tables on the Genesis are larger and it makes a real difference during use.

There are other things like the handles, the drip pan holders, side table caps, and the ignitors that contribute to the higher cost and quality of the Genesis.

The Spirit has control stops at full and half, while the Genesis only has one stop at full. I thought it was weird considering the Genesis is the higher model.

If I were to buy again, I'd get the Genesis E-310. The sear burner side doesn't sear noticeably better, than the non-sear side. I've used the side burner twice; and would prefer a normal side shelf, that doesn't have the crevices to hold nasties. I've also bought grill grates, and use them more than the fancy stainless steel grates of the EP-330.
 
Thanks @Eric S.;665942]

Yea just read the specs/reviews on the two and for $200 more Genesis is the clear choice, this one lasts me 1/2 as long as my last one did it's costing me $70 a year. Not bad.

Thanks for the input, going to get this baby ordered (through amazon of course).
 
Nothing wrong with picking up a new Genny, but I have to ask, why in the world wouldn't you "rehab" your redhead once again ? From what I can see, the frame and firebox both appear to be solid. What does she need ? Burners, grates and flavorizers along with a fresh coat of paint ?
 

 

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