Weber Grills is, without a doubt, one of the industry leaders when it comes to cooking out; their lines of gas, pellet, and charcoal grills are sturdy, reliable, and do a great job cooking.
There are quite a few fans of the grill line out there, but are they king of the crop?
I have grown up with Weber products, but recently, I’ve found myself looking into another great North American grilling line: Broil King.
Broil King has been going for three decades now, and they make a top-notch grill, which is why I decided to do a head-to-head with this Broil King vs Weber roundup.
In this guide, I am going to cover the Baron and Regal lines for Broil King and the Spirit and Genesis II lines of grills from Weber.
In a rush? Here are the winners:
- 2 burners: Weber Spirit II E-210
- 3 burners: Weber Spirit II E-310
- 4 burners: Weber Genesis II S-435
- 5 burners: Broil King Regal S590 Pro
- 6 burners: Broil King Regal XLS Pro
Things to Consider Before Buying a Weber or Broil King Grill
When on the market for any gas grill, build quality and versatility should be the go-to criteria for your purchase. The last thing you want is a grill that feels flimsy, or you won’t feel safe about moving to another part of your yard. For this reason, quality build materials like stainless steel are an excellent place to start.
Also, the BTU’s have a lot of importance during the grilling process. This measurement, which stands for British Thermal Units, signifies the maximum output of the grill. When you have a higher maximum setting, this means that you’ll have a greater range to fine-tune your heating output. There’s a trick that some grill manufacturers like to pull on consumers: they lump all of the burners together so that it looks like the grill has a higher output. Fortunately, quality brands like the ones I’m covering here won’t try to pull the wool over your eyes.
A final feature to consider for your next gas grill is the grate sizing. While we’ll be covering a variety of grills sizes, more square inches benefits a griller in two ways:
- More Physical Space: If you have a lot of food to prepare, then more physical space is going to make the process easier. Some brands like to explain the square inches of a grill by telling you how many hamburgers can be grilled on the grate at a time.
- More Space to Vary Temperature: Grilling can be extremely nuanced. I like to cook with both direct and indirect heat, and having more space will allow you to cook directly atop the burner or use convection heating methods and “bake” your grilled foods.
Presenting Weber Grills
The Spirit II Series
#1 Weber Spirit II E-210 (2-Burner)
- Your purchase includes One Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid...
- Grill dimensions: Lid Open - 57"H x 48"W x 26"D. Lid Closed - 44.5"H x...
- Propane gas grill works with Standard 20 lb LP tank.
- Features: Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates,...
- Two burner grill is built to fit small spaces, and packed with...
#2 Weber Spirit II E-310 (3-Burner)
- Boasts the GS4 grilling system with improved infinity ignition,...
- Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
- 529 Square inches of cooking space over three burners. Left Table down...
- 30, 000 BTU-per-hour input main burners with fuel gauge
- Open cart design with six tool hooks and two large wheels.Built-in lid...
To start, this is a well-built grill line that offers some high-tech features. The feature that stands out the most is the Spirit II’s compatibility with the iGrill 3 system. With it, you can track the internal temperature of your food and have this information beamed to your smart device.
Pros
- These are very well-built.
- The iGrill 3 adds a lot of conveniences.
- With 450 and 529 square inches on both models, there’s more than adequate grill space.
- They both come in multiple colors.
Cons
- The iGrill accessory costs extra.
- These both are tough to move around the yard.
- There could be better instructions.
The Genesis II Series
#1 Weber Genesis II E-210 (2-Burner)
- This product is a Natural Gas unit and you must have Natural Gas...
- GS4 Grilling System includes two high performance stainless steel...
- Porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grates provide 380 square inches...
- Infinity Ignition ensures that by turning the knob, the gas will...
- Stainless steel side prep workspaces feature integrated hanging...
#2 Weber Genesis II E-310 (3-Burner)
- GS4 grilling system includes three high performance stainless steel...
- Porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grates provide 513 square inches...
- Infinity Ignition ensures that by turning the knob, the gas will...
- Stainless steel side prep workspaces feature integrated hanging...
- Dimensions - lid open (inches): 61 H x 54 W x 31 D. Serves 5-7 people,...
#3 Weber Genesis II S-435 (4-Burner)
- GS4 high performance grilling system featuring infinity ignition,...
- 4 stainless steel high-performance burners, 1 side burner and 1 sear...
- 7mm diameter solid stainless steel rod cooking grates provide superior...
- Ample Cooking Surface. Up to 844 sq in, including the tuck-away...
- Compatible with iGrill 3. The iGrill 3 monitors food from beginning to...
Clearly, with five models to consider, you end up with more options. Like the Spirit II, the Genesis II utilizes the GS4 system, which includes the ignition, flavorizer bars, grease management system, and the high-performance burners.
Pros
- Despite having multiple configurations, each grill has a good BTU per square inch ratio.
- Each grill has a four-wheel design for mobility.
- The grease management system is very efficient.
- The cooking grates are porcelain-enameled.
- This is a grill series that’s also compatible with iGrill 3.
Cons
- For most models, the shelving can feel a bit thin.
- They can be a bit on the expensive side of things.
- When it comes to storage, there’s little consistency; some models have open designs and others closed.
Related reviews:
- Weber Spirit vs. Genesis
- Weber Spirit vs. Spirit II
- Weber Genesis II E-310 review
- Weber Spirit E-210 review
Presenting Broil King Grills
The Baron Series
To start, I love the burners on the Baron series; Broil King uses dual-tube burners, which have over 120 ports that provide an even heating profile. For me, these stand out because the openings are on the side, which presents a more even flame height while cooking. The Baron also has its type of flavorizer, which is called the Flav-R-Wave system.
Pros
- The unique burners provide an excellent even level of heating.
- It has three burners that provide a combined 30,000-BTU output.
- The cooking grates are reversible.
- With cast-iron grates, this is the searing fan’s grill.
Cons
- The grates aren’t porcelain-enameled.
- The grills are not made entirely of stainless steel.
- Rust can form on portions of the grill.
The Regal Series
For those that are serious about grilling, the Regal series is the pro variation that has all of the features that a versatile outdoor cooker might need. The grill has the same side-ported grilling burners as the Baron so that you can expect the right level of heat distribution. Unlike the Baron series, the Regal series uses stainless steel grates, so they tend to be easier to clean.
Pros
- The cookbox on these grills are excellent for direct heat or convection.
- These are very durable grills.
- The controls use a linear-flow valve design with Broil King’s Sensi-Touch tech, which grants the right level of control.
Cons
- The burners can rust.
- The doors are easy to dent.
- Porcelain enameling could have helped this grill heat more evenly.
Features and Benefits – Weber
The Spirit II Series
Despite its high-tech features, I think that the Spirit II series of grills is a great choice for those that are just beginning their backyard grill adventures. Let’s take a look at some of its key features:
iGrill 3
Weber is becoming one of the leaders when it comes to incorporating smart technology into their grills. Both the Spirit II and the Genesis II have accessibility when it comes to the iGrill 3 application. This app can be used to set timers, track temperatures, and create grill alerts during your grilling session. It also means that you can leave the grill and work on other things while you wait for your food to reach that ideal internal temperature.
Multiple Color Options
I know, style isn’t everything, but that doesn’t mean that having various color options for a grill isn’t useful. For those that are building an outdoor kitchen, this is a great way to accessorize.
Open Cart Design
When you have a closed cart with doors, you’ll start to notice that you are limited when it comes to space. For this reason, I love grills that have this kind of open-cart configuration because it’s just easier to fit all of your grilling accessories in the open space.
Tank Features
I find it very easy to quickly mount a propane tank to the Spirit II grill; there’s a mounting hook that also has an attached grill level indicator. This indicator makes it very easy to quickly get an impression of how much propane is left in the tank.
The Genesis II Series
When it comes to grill design, it’s clear to see that the Genesis II series is targeted to more experienced grillers. The Genesis II is a direct follow up to the original Genesis series, and it has become known for its plentiful options for grill enthusiasts. Here are a few key features:
Porcelain Enameling
I’ll be honest: I think that every grill should have porcelain enameling on its grill grates. This feature makes an even cook a more easily attainable thing, and it also makes the grates a bit easier to clean. This is one of the reasons I like the Genesis II, and it’s somewhat of a missed opportunity for the Broil King products.
The Sear Station
This, for me, is a real dealmaker because adding a sear to meats and veggies not only adds a bit of texture but enriches the flavor as well. The sear station is a set of three closely-placed burners that make it easier to craft a direct heat cooking profile. With it, you can sear flavor lines onto your meat and then place it atop of another burner to cook the rest of the way.
Infinity Ignition
In the past, I’ve had trouble with electronic ignitions; they tend not always to catch, and you have to replace the battery. The Genesis II isn’t a piezoelectric ignition, but it does seem to be very reliable when it comes to getting the burners started. While it does require a battery, it’s more convenient because these are standard batteries instead of watch batteries.
Features and Benefits – Broil King
The Baron Series
The Baron series of grills is a great option, and I love the aesthetic design. These also are relatively compact and easy to use. They come in a three- and four-burner design, and each has four wheels, which makes them both easy to truck around the yard. Here are a few standout benefits:
Dual-Sided Grates
This model has grates that can be flipped and are made of cast iron. As many know, cast iron is excellent for its heat retention and even heating. In addition, when combined with the great burners, you get a nice even cook. These can also be flipped; one side is for getting sear lines, and the other is great for basting.
Flav-R-Wave Bars
Broil King is known for its Flav-R-Wave bars, which are similar to Weber’s flavorizers. These catch drippings and keep them out of the burners. The drippings are then vaporized on the bars and create a vapor that then flows upwards and flavors the food.
Great Burners
The value of the burner, in my opinion, can’t be undersold. I like the burner design of the Baron; it has a tubular shaping and has more than a hundred side ports that send the flame upwards. As a result, the height of the flame is pretty stable, so you get a good even heating.
Read our detailed Broil King Baron 440 review.
The Regal Series
As the name might imply, there’s a sense of royalty to the Regal series of grills. They are well-made, have great versatility, and have good cooking systems. Here’s a breakdown:
Top-Notch Cookbox
The cookbox is designed for heat retention so if you want to roast, it’s a relatively straightforward process. Also, the dual-tube burners are great for creating an even level of heat inside the cookbox so that foods like chicken and pork can slow cook to perfection.
Easy Assembly
Even the five-burner Regal 5590 is designed to be assembled in only about four hours, which means that you can easily get cooking on the same day. Also, the instructions are reasonably clear and easy to understand.
Good Cooking Performance
In addition to having knobs that use the 180-degree Sensi-Touch control system, Regal grills also utilize stainless steel grates that are pretty great for searing. These also emulate the Weber sear station effect by making it easy to make a sear zone for those meats that you want to encrust. Both models also include side burners as well.
Broil King vs Weber: Social Proof
I decided to take a look and see what others were saying about both grill brands. For the most part, Weber has a pretty dedicated group of fans that love the robust warranties and sturdy designs of both the Spirit II and Genesis II grill lines. New users love iGrill, but some resent the extra charge for the hardware. For Broil King, people seem to like the reliability of the brand, and many seem to also favor the build quality.
Broil King vs Weber: The Verdict
- 2 burners: Weber Spirit II E-210
- 3 burners: Weber Spirit II E-310
- 4 burners: Weber Genesis II S-435
- 5 burners: Broil King Regal S590 Pro
- 6 burners: Broil King Regal XLS Pro
These are two great grill companies with more than a few great series of grills to consider. Still, this is a Broil King vs Weber article, so who do I think is the winner? Well, though it was close, I think Weber pulls out slightly ahead of Broil King. Weber has more variety, and the Genesis II series gives you options. Additionally, the iGrill 3 system is a new development that’s just going to wow those that are looking to add more functionality to their grills.
Find out how Weber grills perform compared to other brands:
Weber grills are NOT made in the USA