Spirit vs Genesis


 
Dave_C

Dave_C

TVWBB Fan
I have a question for you guys? I am not very familiar with the newer Weber grills, the Mother in law is looking to buy and keeps sending my ads for Weber Spirit grills. I tend to lean more toward Genesis but not sure why really. Can someone with knowledge greater than mine elaborate/educate me on the main differences? Thanks in advance.
 
For the everyday griller, in my opinion the primary difference on the newest Genesis vs. Spirit is really just cooking space. I have not cooked on a newer spirit, but there have been many very positive reviews of it, especially given it's price point. Again my opinion, is the Genesis is by far the better eye candy, and can be opted up with more bells and whistles. But the Spirits are very capable little cookers.

I am sure there are BTU differences, but all the recent reviews I have seen have shown the Spirit to be holding their own, even in the case of high temp cooks and I think Weber was smart by adding the sear zones into (certain models) of them as well.
 
Cody Bratton said:
For the everyday griller, in my opinion the primary difference on the newest Genesis vs. Spirit is really just cooking space. I have not cooked on a newer spirit, but there have been many very positive reviews of it, especially given it's price point. Again my opinion, is the Genesis is by far the better eye candy, and can be opted up with more bells and whistles. But the Spirits are very capable little cookers.

I am sure there are BTU differences, but all the recent reviews I have seen have shown the Spirit to be holding their own, even in the case of high temp cooks and I think Weber was smart by adding the sear zones into (certain models) of them as well.
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Cody, Kind of what I thought, just didn't know if the materials were a lot cheaper or its just sometimes smaller and minimized bells and whistles.
 
I recently examined the new Spirit line on one of my trips to Home Depot. I was a little surprised at how well made and sturdy they were, not to mention good looking. I wouldn't be ashamed to own one if I was in the market for a new grill.
 
The Spirits now come with Stainless Steel Flavorizer bars, instead of Porcelain Enameled. However, the SS is paper thin.

The Porcelain Enameled Cooking Grates on both Spirit and Genesis are far thinner and lighter than those from 5 and 10 years ago.

If you have any cooking grates for a 2 or 3 Burner Spirit from flipping grills from older models, I would probably swap them in.

The Spirit has the Snap Jet ignition now (From the Summit line). This effectively eliminates “my igniter stopped working” but is a little bit tricky to use as compared to just literally “push a button” like on the current Genesis.

Genesis SS Flavorizer Bars are thicker, but again, also getting thinner than the past.

All said and done, depending on how often she grills, the longevity of those parts might not matter really, because they could last a good long while with a cleaning every so often. I’m sure everything is “fine”. But when having access to see how the thickness and weight of all the components changed over the years, it’s wild (but understandable, capitalism after all).

But if you have spare parts laying around to swap in, the older stuff is heavier and thicker.

I guess this ends my rambling.
 
Steve Hoch said:
I recently examined the new Spirit line on one of my trips to Home Depot. I was a little surprised at how well made and sturdy they were, not to mention good looking. I wouldn't be ashamed to own one if I was in the market for a new grill.
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I was in an Ace in another town that had this ultimate new model Spirit that I hadn’t seen before. $799 is a little steep, but it seemed extra nice. It had stainless shelves and an electronic thermometer with a grate level temp probe.

Like you, I wouldn’t be ashamed to have one of the “regular” new Spirits, and even more so this model. I agree Weber has done some upgrades that make these new Spirits feel way more solid. No, not 1998 Genesis solid, but very good by current comparison.

IMG_7711.jpeg
 
I still dislike that they space the grate bars so far apart I can get my index finger between them to the 2nd knuckle. I mean come on? How hard would it be to get them MAYBE? another 1/8" tighter?
 
LMichaels said:
I still dislike that they space the grate bars so far apart I can get my index finger between them to the 2nd knuckle. I mean come on? How hard would it be to get them MAYBE? another 1/8" tighter?
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I agree. I have tossed around the idea of cutting one in half and having the large one in the middle, with the two halves on either end, but I am hesitant because it in turn adds another seam. If a one piece grate were available, I could see myself purchasing it.
 
Cody Bratton said:
I agree. I have tossed around the idea of cutting one in half and having the large one in the middle, with the two halves on either end, but I am hesitant because it in turn adds another seam. If a one piece grate were available, I could see myself purchasing it.
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Just buy a different grate, i think the new spirits are a good buy even if the price scares me but we are used to buying 2nd hand nostalgic early genesis grills, with the 4 burner all our accessories fit. These new grills are not really for the TVWBB old boys so somewhat a mute point.
 
LMichaels said:
I still dislike that they space the grate bars so far apart I can get my index finger between them to the 2nd knuckle. I mean come on? How hard would it be to get them MAYBE? another 1/8" tighter?
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That may be an optical illusion. Looks like they have the thin pointed side of the grate up rather than the wide flat side that should be up. Can't see why Weber would change the grate.
 
JSaus said:
That may be an optical illusion. Looks like they have the thin pointed side of the grate up rather than the wide flat side that should be up. Can't see why Weber would change the grate.
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Not an optical illusion. I can literally stick most of my finger between them. Sorry that is inexcusable on that expensive of a grill. I can understand it if buying a $299 el cheapo. But not on this
 
LMichaels said:
Not an optical illusion. I can literally stick most of my finger between them. Sorry that is inexcusable on that expensive of a grill. I can understand it if buying a $299 el cheapo. But not on this
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The good news is the grates could be the first things that rust on the grill, so you could toss them and get better ones.
 
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