With a three-burner gas grill, you can turn the backyard or patio into an outdoor kitchen at the turn of a dial. This type of grill is ideal for families of 4 to 6 people, which is why there are so many different models competing for the top spot.
Weber’s position within the grilling community is well-known. Although the company first entered the arena with the invention of the kettle-style charcoal grill, they created the Genesis line of gas grills in 1985. This series offers plenty of style in addition to substance, with multiple options available.
Keen-eyed shoppers will note that Genesis grills with an “S” before the model number have a stainless steel finish, while the “E” variation opts for an enameled finish. This variation extends to the body panels, lid, and cooking grates. The difference is a minor one, but it’s enough to distinguish the two.
So what sets this specific model apart from the rest of the company’s featured grills? With these Weber Genesis S 310 reviews, we’ll attempt to find the answer.
Pros:
- Retains heat well
- Sturdy and durable build
- Good customer service department
- Attractive stainless steel design
Cons:
- Takes a while to preheat
- The stainless steel used is mid-range in terms of quality
Weber Genesis S 310 Reviews: Features & Benefits
Design and Construction
The Genesis S-310 features an enclosed cabinet-style design, hiding the propane tank and built-in fuel gauge behind a set of shiny stainless steel doors. (Note that Weber only offers the fuel gauge for LP models, and not the natural gas versions.) The cast aluminum cart is sturdily built, as are the stainless steel body panels and dual-layer hood.
The cooking grates are composed of 8-millimeter stainless steel rods, which is prized for its ability to conduct heat. Stainless steel burner tubes and Weber’s steel “Flavorizer” bars round out the construction.
Weber uses 400 series stainless steel for this grill, which is an interesting decision. Most grill companies are partial to 304 stainless steel, which is more effective at resisting corrosion. However, the 400 series has a more attractive finish, so that may be why Weber has chosen it for the grills in the Genesis “S” line.
In a shift from some of Weber’s previous offerings, the burners on this grill run perpendicular to the control panel. The control knobs are also located in the front, while they used to be relegated to a panel on the right-hand side.
Burners
Each of the three stainless steel burners offers a BTU output of 12,666, giving the entire grill a combined output of 38,000. This is a decent number for a three-burner unit, although the S-310 lacks the sear station that’s present in some of the other products in the S line.
If you do the math, this grill offers about 75 BTUs per square inch. Grilling experts used to claim that a grill would need at least 100 BTUs per square inch in order to be effective. However, the basic output isn’t as important as the heat retention, and the S-310 has plenty to offer in that regard (see Heat Retention, below).
The burners are outfitted with “Flavorizer” bars, which are also made of stainless steel. These are designed to give grilled meats the same robust taste that they would achieve if they were cooked over a charcoal fire. When the drippings fall between the cooking grates, they hit the Flavorizer bars, sizzling to create a flavorful smoke.
Size
All told, the Genesis S-310 offers 637 square inches of cooking space. 507 inches are located on the primary grilling surface, and another 130 are available on the spare warming rack.
A grill with 507 square inches of grilling space can accommodate about 25 standard-sized hamburger patties. If you use Weber’s burger press to make them, the surface will probably only hold about 20. With these numbers, you can easily accommodate a party of 4 to 6 people.
Heat Retention
If the S-310 has one major flaw, it’s the initial heating process. The burners take a while to get hot, which can be frustrating. After all, instant gratification is one of the main reasons why most people choose gas grills in the first place.
That said, once the grill does reach the desired temperature, it offers superb heat distribution, cooking the food evenly and efficiently. The dual-layer hood is equipped with a double vaporization system, which helps keep the heat in the cooking chamber where it belongs.
Cleanup and Maintenance
The stainless steel cooking grids are reasonably easy to clean, especially if you do so as soon as possible after cooking. If the grates aren’t treated correctly, they’ll need to be replaced more often, so you’ll be saving yourself time and money by cleaning them regularly.
The cooking grates can also be removed to give you easy access to the burners and firebox. Use a stiff wire brush to remove any residue from the interior once the grill has cooled down.
Any excess drippings are funneled into a removable grease tray that’s positioned beneath the burners. Take it out after each use, empty the contents into a waste receptacle, and wash the tray with hot, soapy water.
Warranty
A 10-year limited warranty is in place for the firebox, lid, and burners. This is an impressive guarantee that well exceeds the industry standard.
Be aware that this warranty only covers defective parts, and doesn’t extend to normal wear and tear.
Social Proof
What did other buyers have to say about the Weber Genesis S-310? We were wondering the same thing, so we took to the internet and found a few positive reviews.
Aside from the fact that the burners were slow to heat up, the response was consistently good. Buyers claimed that the unit helped to cement Weber’s reputation for durability, and that the heat retention was excellent. A few were charmed by the stainless steel finish, but it was noted that the appearance wouldn’t have any effect on the performance.
Possible Alternatives
If these Weber Genesis S 310 reviews have left you underwhelmed, there are plenty of other options out there. Let’s take a look at three popular ones.
Before we begin, it should be noted that the original Weber Genesis S-310 has been discontinued in favor of the updated version, the Genesis II S-310. We’ll go into more detail about this at the end of the review.
#1 Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill
In addition to the three main burners, this unit from Char-Broil features an optional infrared burner, which can be controlled individually. It’s also much more affordable than the S-310.
How They Compare:
- Design and Construction—Weber
- Burners—Weber
- Size—Weber
- Heat Retention—Weber
- Cleanup and Maintenance—Char-Broil
- Warranty—Weber
For a quality grill at a reasonable price, take a look at the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared model.
#2 Cuisinart CGG-7400 Four-Burner Gas Grill
Looking for something a bit larger? The Cuisinart CGG-7400 has a fourth burner, two side shelves, and a built-in bottle opener.
How They Compare:
- Design and Construction—Weber
- Burners—Weber
- Size—Cuisinart
- Heat Retention—Weber
- Cleanup and Maintenance—Cuisinart
- Warranty—Weber
If three burners doesn’t sound like quite enough for you, check out the Cuisinart CGG-7400.
#3 Dyna-Glo Premier 3 Burner Gas Grill
The Dyna-Glo Premier offers less grilling space than the Genesis S-310, but it has plenty of other benefits that make it worth a look. If you prefer cast iron cooking grates to stainless steel ones, this could be the right grill for you.
How They Compare:
- Design and Construction—Weber
- Burners—Dyna-Glo
- Size—Weber
- Heat Retention—Weber
- Cleanup and Maintenance—Dyna-Glo
- Warranty—Weber
Give the Dyna-Glo Premier a try if you like the sound of the Weber Genesis S-310, but aren’t prepared to make that kind of investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Weber Spirit and Weber Genesis grills?
In general, the Spirit line is more basic, while the Genesis models offer more of the proverbial bells and whistles. Grills in the Genesis series also feature stainless steel cooking grates, which are sought out by many grilling aficionados.
Why are Weber grills so much more expensive than most other brands?
To put it bluntly, Weber charges more because their grills are built to last. Some other brands might earn high marks for being affordable, but they’ll probably need to be replaced within a few years. Meanwhile, you can expect a Weber grill to last for up to a decade, even if you use it regularly.
Does the Weber Genesis S-310 have an electronic ignition system?
Yes. With this grill, there’s no need to use matches or stick lighters to start up the burners. Just open the lid, turn on the burners, and set them to whatever temperature you prefer.
Tip: It’s a good idea to close the lid and let the grill preheat for 10 to 15 minutes, especially before using it for the first time.
The Bottom Line
Are we willing to recommend the Weber Genesis S-310? We would, but the original version isn’t as easy to find anymore. As a replacement, we would suggest the upgraded version, the Genesis II S-310.
There are just a few slight differences between the two. The updated model has an open cart-style design, as well as a more sophisticated grease management system. With the included warming rack, the grilling surface offers 669 square inches of space. On the whole, it’s a well-built gas grill that carries on Weber’s tradition of quality.
Click here to take a closer look at the Weber Genesis II S-310.
