Most top manufacturers offer several different versions of their most popular grills. Weber is notorious for doing so—their Genesis lineup has undergone many changes through the years, with various sub-classifications for each new category.
Is there an appreciable difference between the Genesis Silver A and B models? That’s what we’re here to talk about.
Weber Genesis Silver A vs B
Weber is continuously tweaking its Genesis lineup, and the Silver A and B models have been out of the running for a while. But the key difference between them is that the A was the only 2-burner unit in the bunch, while the B model included 3 burners. There was also a C model, which also had 3 burners, as well as a wider cart.
About the Weber Genesis
In the early 2000s, Weber offered three different “trim” levels for its gas-powered Genesis series: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Silver represented the lowest rung on the ladder, but given the company’s reputation for quality, these were still solid options.
For each of these trims, there are B and C models. The Silver level, though, has the distinction of including an A model as well. The A is a 2-burner unit, while all of the others include 3 burners.
The older grills in the Silver lineup featured an open cart. In 2004, Weber added a center-mounted hood thermometer to the design. The control knobs were mounted on the right side of the unit, while plastic shelves were attached to the left side.
By 2005, the company had switched to a closed-cart design for the Silver series, but most of the other features remained the same. All Silver models included a standard black hood (though other colors were available), with porcelain-coated steel cooking grates and Flavorizer bars.
There are a couple of details that set the B unit apart from the C. One is the width of the cart—the former has a narrower design. The C also includes a side burner to the right of the control panel, while the B model has no side burner.
We should note that some of the features might vary, depending on the retailer. While the steel grates were standard, the Genesis grills sold at Home Depot often came with porcelain-coated cast iron grates instead. Other upgrades may have been included as well.
Weber Genesis Silver A vs B
Full disclosure before we get started: You’ll have a hard time finding either of these models. They’re no longer available on the company website, and even online retailers that specialized in used items (like Amazon) didn’t have any listed as of this writing.
Even if you do manage to get your hands on one, it’s difficult to find parts. Any warranties on the originals would have expired a long time ago.
That said, if you’ve already located a Genesis Silver A or B and want to know how they differ, here are the basics.
Price
Since the Silver A only includes 2 burners, it stands to reason that it would come with a lower price tag. Assuming that it’s from the same year as its B counterpart, an A should be less expensive than a B model.
Warranty
Weber offered the same warranty for all of its Silver grills. The grilling grates were covered for three years, while the Flavorizer bars came with a one-year warranty.
Although the grills themselves are discontinued, you might still be able to find newer replacement parts that come with their own warranties. Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you make a purchase.
Size
If you were to look at the A and the B side by side, you might not recognize a huge difference in terms of size. While the knobs on the right-hand side of the Silver B clearly denote the presence of three burners, the two are otherwise quite similar.
However, the extra burner translates into extra cooking space. The Genesis Silver A includes about 350 square inches of room for your ingredients, whereas the B offers approximately 424 square inches.
It’s also worth pointing out that the plastic side table on the Silver B includes an extension. That means there’s more room for condiments, utensils, and other sundry items as well. As a space-saving bonus, you can fold this table down when you’re not using it.
The long and short of it is that the Silver A will take up less space on your deck or patio, but the B is capable of cooking for larger crowds. Which one you select should depend on which of these qualities is more important to you.
Quality
As these units both come from the same company and line, there’s no noticeable difference in quality. Weber grills are popular for a reason—they’re sturdily built, with plenty of thoughtful touches that help set them apart from lesser models.
Again, though, remember that any Genesis Silver A or B grills you find will be over a decade old. While they may have been reliable in their day, there’s a good chance that they’ve run into problems since then.
Warming Racks
Every grill in the Genesis line comes with a warming rack. That’s not an unusual feature for gas grills. The Silver B, however, is also equipped with a warming basket.
In fact, this is true of every other grill in the Genesis line—except for the Silver A. The smaller size and budget-friendly nature of that model meant that the manufacturers had to forgo some of these extras.
Unlike the warming rack, which can get in the way during cooking, the warming basket is designed to swing out of the way when you lift the grill’s lid. This added convenience makes the Silver B a more attractive choice.
The Bottom Line
With the Genesis Silver A, Weber created a budget-friendly option for shoppers who couldn’t afford the higher-priced models in their repertoire. The unit was also small enough to fit on snug patios and backyard areas.
The Silver B was essentially the same grill with an extra burner, more storage space, and an optional warming basket. The main difference lies in the number of burners, since that gives the B a slightly larger footprint and more points in the versatility department.
Best of luck, and happy grilling!
I have a weber I’m trying to identify as the paper inside the door in not readable. it looks the same as the last picture in your article. Silcer, igniter, burner,sear, burner,burner& stove top on right. Is that a Genisis C?