For me, owning a gas grill is as necessary as having a kitchen in the first place.
I can’t imagine what my home would be like without one.
That’s why I’m always curious about the latest offerings, particularly when they come from high-profile companies like Weber.
In this roundup, I’ve pitted the Weber S330 vs E330 to find out which one might be a better investment.
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...
Things To Consider When Buying a Gas Grill
Convenience is the main reason to invest in a gas grill. There’s no need to wait for your coals to heat up, as you would with a charcoal-fired unit. In fact, you don’t have to plan ahead at all. With a gas grill, you have the makings of a great cookout right at your fingertips—literally a button-push away.
Gas-powered units are also much easier to clean than charcoal or pellet grills. You’ll still have to deal with the grease and residue left behind from whatever you’ve cooked, but the fire itself leaves few traces. If you’re the type of cook who likes to improvise, and if you prefer to spend more time preparing your meal than cleaning up afterward, a gas grill could be the ideal solution.
Of course, there are two sides to every story. Some grilling enthusiasts find that they just can’t live without that charcoal flavor, and are willing to wait as long as it takes in order to get it. These individuals would probably be better off saving their money and sticking with a plain charcoal-burning kettle grill.
Before you begin your search for the perfect gas grill, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Price—Look for a unit that meets your budget
- Construction—You’ll want a grill that’s made of heavy-duty steel, with durable cooking grates
- Assembly—The instructions should be clear and easy to follow
- Performance—How many burners does the unit have, and how many BTUs do they generate?
- Maintenance—The grill should be easy to clean, with an effective grease management system
- Storage—Does the grill include any shelving or tool hooks?
- Bonus Features—Some gas grills will come equipped with extras, such as searing burners, rotisserie equipment, or Wi-Fi capability
Weber S330 vs. E330: Product Specifications
Here’s what you’ll find in the box when you unpack these gas grills from Weber:
Weber Genesis S330
- Cabinet-style gas grill with stainless steel construction and built-in thermometer
- Three stainless steel burners with individual control knobs and porcelain-enameled heat deflectors
- Stainless steel cooking grates covering 507 square inches of cooking space; 130-square inch warming rack also included
- Sear station
- Built-in “Flavorizer” bars
- 6 tool hooks
- 4 rolling casters (2 with locking mechanisms)
Pros:
- Quality construction
- Plenty of storage
- Efficient heating system
- Built-in fuel gauge
Cons:
- Expensive
- Comes in a large, bulky box
Weber E330 Series: Genesis & Genesis II
Genesis
- Cabinet-style gas grill with stainless steel construction and built-in thermometer
- Three stainless steel burners with individual control knobs
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates covering 637 square inches of cooking and/or warming space
- Built-in “Flavorizer” bars
- Sear station (optional, for an additional price)
- 6 tool hooks
- 4 rolling casters (2 with locking mechanisms)
Pros:
- 5-year warranty
- Compact, attractive design
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Porcelain coating on grates wears off easily
- Unit is prone to rusting after 1-2 years of use
Genesis II
- Cart-style gas grill with stainless steel construction and built-in thermometer
- Three stainless steel burners in the main cooking area with individual control knobs
- Side burner
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates offering 513 square inches of cooking space (side burner has an additional 156 square inches)
- Sear station
- Weber’s GS4 grilling system
- 2 sturdy wheels and 2 rolling casters
Pros:
- 10-year warranty
- High-tech, sophisticated system
- iGrill compatible
- Sear station and side burner add versatility
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Add-ons (such as grill cover and iGrill function) sold separately
Features & Benefits: Weber Genesis S330
The main burners on the S330 can crank out 38,000 BTUs, while the side burner offers an additional 12,000 BTUs worth of power. Another sweet feature is the sear station, which can be fired up anytime to add a nice char to your grilled meats.
Most of Weber’s gas grills offer highly functional grease management systems, and the S330 is no exception. When the grease hits the Flavorizer bars, it will smoke and sizzle to deliver real barbecue flavor. The excess is then siphoned off into a disposable drip pan that can be easily removed when full.
The built-in tool hooks and lower left cabinet offer plenty of storage space, while the side table can be used to hold dishes and condiments. Assembly is fairly simple, but it goes faster with two people. The total cooking surface is ample, but the grill itself is compact enough not to overwhelm the yard or patio space. If you can afford it, the Genesis S330 is a fine option.
Features & Benefits: Weber E330 Series (Genesis & Genesis II)
Genesis
This is another three-burner, cabinet-style gas grill, with many other similarities to the Genesis S330. The main difference is in the construction of the cooking grates. While the S330 features heavy-duty stainless steel grates, the grids on the E330 are made of porcelain-enameled cast iron. While both styles are perfectly acceptable, the porcelain coating on this model tends to wear down and chip off after just a season or two of use.
Performance matches the S330, with a burner output of 38,000 BTUs on the main cooking surface and an additional 12,000 on the side station. The Flavorizer bars come standard, but if you want the additional sear station, you’ll have to pay extra.
Cabinet-style grills can be slightly more time-consuming to assemble than their cart-style counterparts, so that’s something to be aware of when shopping. Also, note that the enclosed gas tank (not included with purchase) and efficient grease management system on this unit don’t allow for much storage space. Fortunately, the design also includes a side shelf, and the additional burner can also be used as a shelf when it’s not turned on.
Genesis II
Unlike the other two models listed, the E330 Genesis II is a cart-style grill. This makes it slightly easier to assemble, in addition to giving it a less bulky appearance.
The porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates on the Genesis II seem to hold up fairly well over repeated use—better than the ones on the earlier model. The total BTU output for this unit is 60,000, including the sear station and side burner. That gives it plenty of power for a unit that comprises just 669 total square inches of cooking space.
A generous 10-year warranty is included with every purchase, giving you a backup plan even if one of the well-designed components should fail. If you’d like to take advantage of the iGrill component, which allows you to control the temperature via your smartphone, you’ll have to purchase it separately.
What Other Customers Are Saying
Curiosity drove me to scour the internet to see what others were saying about these featured Weber grills. Here’s a brief rundown on each one.
Weber Genesis S330
While customer response to the S330 was mainly positive, a few people complained about how long it took to assemble. A few others claimed that the unit wasn’t as well-made as it appeared, with rust and corrosion appearing after just a season or so. Given the high price tag, these complaints were enough to make me slightly leery.
Weber Genesis E330
Time-consuming assembly was another talking point here. If you’re going to invest in this grill, evidently you should have at least one person willing to help put it together. Others gave high marks to the construction and performance of the unit, particularly the optional sear station.
Weber Genesis II E330
The performance of the Genesis II E330 was praised across the board, from everyone from former chefs to grilling newbies. Of the three grills listed here, this one gets the highest marks for longevity and durability. For most reviewers, this grill was well worth the investment.
The Bottom Line
So, who wins the Weber S330 vs E330 series roundup?
This might seem like an obvious answer, but the Genesis II E-330 is clearly superior to its competition here. Not only is it the most technologically advanced, it offers a more generous cooking surface and an attractive design. I don’t have anything against cabinet-style grills per se, but the ones listed here don’t give you a great deal of storage space. By contrast, the lower shelving—and additional side shelf and burner—offer more convenience in this regard. The 10-year warranty is another huge plus—although based on the information available, you can probably expect the Genesis II to last far longer than that.
Click here to take a closer look at the Weber 61012001 Genesis II E-330.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about these products! Wishing you the best of luck as you search for the perfect gas grill.
