Weber has been in the grilling game for so long, it can be difficult to parse the differences between all their available options.
Even if you’re a grilling aficionado, you might be tempted to lump all of Weber’s offerings into one general category.
I did the same thing for a long time, which is why I decided to put together this Weber E310 vs E330 review.
When you’ve finished reading, you should be able to decide which one of these grills would be more at home on your lawn or patio.
In a rush? Here is the winner:
- Dimensions - Lid Open (inches): 62"H x 59"W x 31"D | Dimensions - Lid...
- Equipped with the powerful Gs4 high performance grilling system
- Use the side burner to Simmer BBQ sauce or sauté veggies
- Sear station creates an intense heat zone to quickly add sear marks on...
- Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates provide superior heat...
What To Consider When Buying A Gas Grill
Before I review the products themselves, let’s take a look at why you might be looking to buy one of these units in the first place. Even if you’ve purchased a gas grill in the past, you might learn something new.
Why Gas?
Although gas grills tend to be pricier than their charcoal-burning counterparts, they’re often more of a bargain. Here’s why: A gas grill can be ready to cook within minutes, whereas a charcoal fire takes at least half an hour to prepare. That means you can enjoy your favorite grilled foods at any hour of the day or night, with no need to plan ahead.
Additionally, you can use a gas grill when the weather is less than ideal, especially if you close the lid. While you might be able to maintain a charcoal fire in the rain, it’s a lot more difficult. Gas-powered flames can be reignited at the touch of a button, but if your charcoal briquettes are extinguished, you’ll have to start from scratch (and deal with a lot of wet, soggy ash to boot).
That brings me to my final point: Gas grills are much cleaner than their charcoal- and pellet-fueled counterparts. While it’s still important to maintain good maintenance habits, you’ll have no ashy buildup to contend with.
Of course, if you’re a die-hard charcoal fan, I’m probably not going to be able to persuade you to make the switch. If that’s the case, then neither one of these units will be a good fit for you.
If you do decide to take the plunge, here are the key features you should keep in mind when shopping for a gas grill:
- Budget—Know what you can afford to spend
- Ease of assembly—Think about whether you’ll be putting the grill together on your own, or if you’ll have help
- Cooking grates—Look for a heavy-duty stainless steel or cast iron construction
- Grilling Performance—How powerful are the burners? How many are included?
- Cleanup and Maintenance—The grease management system should be effective and simple to maintain
- Storage—Does the unit include any shelving or tool hooks?
Weber E310 vs. E330: Product Information
Here’s what you’ll find when you unpack these offerings from Weber:
Weber E310
- Cart-style grill with lower shelf and two side shelves
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron grilling grates, with a total of 669 square inches of cooking space
- GS4 grilling system, including two powerful main burners with stainless steel heat deflectors
- “Flavorizer” bars
- Two oversized wheels and two rolling casters
- Built-in tool hooks
Pros:
- 10-year warranty and 100 percent Weber guarantee
- Easy to assemble
- Quality construction
- iGrill compatible (accessory sold separately)
Cons:
- Wheels aren’t suitable for uneven terrain
- Open drip pan can be hazardous for pets and small children
Weber E330
- Cart-style grill with lower shelf, side shelf, and additional side burner
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron grilling grates, with a total of 669 square inches of cooking and warming space (513 for cooking, 156 on warming rack)
- GS4 grilling system, including two powerful main burners with stainless steel heat deflectors
- “Flavorizer” bars
- Built-in sear station
- Side burner for simmering and sautéing
- Two oversized wheels and two rolling casters
- Built-in tool hooks
Pros:
- Durable grill with superb construction
- Attractive design
- Side burner and sear station add versatility
- Heats quickly and efficiently
Cons:
- High price point
- Exposed drip tray poses the same hazards as the E310
Features & Benefits of the Weber E310
Budget
While the price tag for the E310 is slightly lower than the one for the E330, this is still a fairly expensive unit. Neither one really falls under the “budget” category, but if cost is your primary concern, then this is the unit to consider.
Ease of assembly
Although the assembly is fairly time-consuming, the instructions are clear and concise. If you’ve ever put together a grill before, you shouldn’t have much trouble. First-timers might want to enlist the aid of a family member before getting started.
Cooking grates
The grates feature a porcelain-coated cast iron construction, with 513 square inches of available grilling space. An additional stainless steel warming rack offers another 156 square inches.
Grilling Performance
The three burners, installed back to front, offer a combined BTU output of 38,000. While this is a decent amount for a grill of this size, there’s no side burner, which makes it more difficult to prepare several meal components at once.
Cleanup and Maintenance
The porcelain coating makes the main grates fairly easy to clean, but be careful not to use anything too abrasive or the porcelain might flake off. The “Flavorizer” bars will give your grilled meats a smoky flavor, but they should be replaced when the grease buildup gets to be too much.
Because of the cart-style design, you can see when the grease tray might be in danger of spilling over. The unfortunate corollary to this is the fact that small children and pets might get curious about the tray and attempt to investigate. Make sure never to leave the grill unattended when the burners are lit.
Storage
The side shelving and convenient tool hooks give you plenty of space for condiments, side dishes, or beverages for the thirsty chef. The lower shelf is ideal for long-term storage, especially if you invest in the grill cover (sold separately).
Features & Benefits of the Weber E330
Budget
The E330 isn’t the most expensive gas grill you’ll find, but it’s not a budget option either. As I mentioned earlier, you should go with the E310 if you’re looking for a cheaper model. That said, if you can afford it, I think the E330 is worth the extra cost in the long run.
Ease of assembly
Because the E330, like the E310, offers a cart-style design, it isn’t particularly hard to put together. The instructions are generally easy to follow, and once you’re in the groove, it’s fairly obvious where things are supposed to go. However, you should still plan to devote at least 3 hours to the project, especially if you’ll be doing it alone.
Cooking grates
Porcelain-coated cast iron grilling grates offer superb heat retention and distribution. With the proper care, they can last a long time, but the porcelain might wear through at some point, depending on how often you grill. Since the 10-year warranty doesn’t cover basic wear and tear, you should make sure the grates have been thoroughly cleaned and dried before you put them back on the grill.
Grilling Performance
When it comes to performance, the E330 earns high marks. The sear station alone offers an impressive BTU output of 9,000, and leaves awe-inspiring grill marks on steaks and chops. The side burner cranks out 12,000 BTUs at full power, making it a great choice for sauces and sautéed vegetables.
The primary grilling area has a BTU output of 39,000 over three burners. Each of the main burners is controlled individually, giving you better control over the entire cooking surface. Should you have any issues with the burners or the ignition system within the first 10 years, the warranty is in place to protect your investment.
Cleanup and Maintenance
As noted previously, the porcelain coating on the cooking grates aids with the cleanup. “Flavorizer” bars should be replaced as needed, depending on how often you grill and how fatty the meat is.
The grease management system is virtually identical to that of the E310, meaning that the drip tray is out in the open. This is convenient to the chef, but could be problematic if there are curious pets or children about. As long as these potential issues are held at bay, you should have an easy enough time dealing with the waste disposal.
Storage
The E330 offers plenty of storage, particularly for an open-cart grill. The side burner can double as another shelf when you’re not using it, and the lower shelf is set far enough below the grease tray to make it suitable for storing tools and condiments. If you want to keep your grilling tools close to your unit during the off-season, I’d recommend purchasing the optional cover to keep them from getting damaged or lost.
What Other Customers Are Saying
What does the general public have to say about these Weber grills? To find out the answer, I did a little web surfing. Here’s what I was able to discover.
Weber E310
The E310 was quoted as being exceptionally user-friendly, even for novices. Many buyers were impressed by the quality and the construction as well, even with the Weber name to set the bar high. Others praised its versatility, although our concern about dogs finding their way to the grease trap was repeated at least once.
Weber E330
While several people mentioned the high price tag, most consumers seemed to feel that the Weber E330 was worth it. The majority of the complaints I encountered had to do with optional add-ons, such as the iGrill hookup, and not the unit itself. On the whole, this grill earns high marks, even from professional chefs.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a favorite is always a tough call, particularly when the two models have as much in common as these do. However, I would award the top prize to the Weber E330, by a slim margin.
For me, the built-in sear burner alone would seal the deal, but the overall power and versatility of this model are worth more than a second glance. It can be assembled in just a few hours, and you’ll get years of quality barbecue in return. With plenty of storage space and attractive bonus features like the iGrill Wi-Fi option, this is more than just a grill—it’s a conversation starter.
Click here for more details about the Weber 61012001 Genesis II E-330.
Whether you agree with my final choice or not, I hope you’ve been entertained and enlightened by this Weber E310 vs E330 matchup. Best of luck, and happy grilling!
