For home chefs, owning a gas grill can open up a whole new chapter of possibilities. Even if you’re working with limited space, there are plenty of smaller options available. That’s where the 3-burner models come in.
The grilling industry owes a great debt to the Weber company. In 1952, founder George Stephen invented the kettle grill. Since then, competitors have scrambled to keep up with the brand.
In addition to charcoal grills, Weber offers an impressive lineup of gas-powered units. Their Spirit series has built up quite a following, with the E-310 earning particularly high marks.
The Spirit E-330 is similar to the E-310, but it offers a side burner in addition to the 3-burner range. How well does this model hold up to the industry standard? Our Weber Spirit E-330 review is designed to provide you with an answer.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Easy to clean
- Relatively compact footprint
- Reliable ignition
Cons:
- Unit is quite heavy for its size
- High price point
- Time-consuming assembly
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gas Grill
If it’s convenience you’re looking for, a gas grill can be a wise investment. It allows you to cook your meals outdoors with very little effort.
However, gas-fired units don’t offer as much smoke flavor as their charcoal-burning counterparts. That’s why charcoal grills have a legion of hardcore fans. If you’re one of them, the Weber Spirit E-330 might not be the best fit.
Here are the most important things to consider when shopping for a gas grill.
- Price: Does the grill fit into your designated budget?
- Quality: Will the unit be able to hold up to years of regular use?
- Size: How much cooking space do you think you’ll need?
- Cooking Grates: What are they made of? Will they clean up easily?
- Ease of Assembly: How much does the unit weigh? Are the assembly instructions clear and simple to follow?
- Maintenance: Is the grease management system effective? Do you have easy access to the grease drip tray?
- Other Features: Is there enough space for prep and storage?
Weber Spirit E-330 Review: Features & Benefits
Burner System
The Weber Spirit E-330 is outfitted with three stainless steel burners. Each is independently controlled by a knob that’s located on a control panel just beneath the corresponding burner.
The stainless steel construction allows for excellent heat distribution (see Temperature Control, below). It’s also highly resistant to rust, so the grill is built to last.
Each of the three main burners puts out 10,667 BTUs of energy. These are fairly standard numbers and should deliver solid results.
A fourth burner can be found to the left of the grill. This burner also operates independently of the others and offers a BTU output of 12,000. I think it’s ideal for keeping sauces and side dishes warm. When the side burner isn’t turned on, the space can be used for prep or storage.
This unit is also equipped with a sear station. Located between the left and center burners, these additional flame jets are designed to leave impressive grill marks on steak and other seared meats. Note that the sear station cranks out 7500 BTUs all on its own.
Cooking Grates
With the Spirit E-330, Weber offers cast iron cooking grates with a porcelain coating. This is an appealing choice for several reasons.
First of all, cast iron is an effective heat conductor. Even when the burners have been turned off, the grates will continue to hold their heat for a long time. If you’re the type of griller who likes to create visible grill marks, you’re likely to be pleased with these.
Cast iron also allows ingredients to cook evenly. There’s no need to fret over hot zones or cold spots—the entire surface should heat to the same temperature. Bear in mind that this is true only when all of the burners are engaged.
If you’re worried that it will take a long time to season the grates, the porcelain coating takes care of that. The enamel doesn’t need to be seasoned before the first use, and it cleans up easily afterward. The added protection will also help the grates last longer, as long as they receive the proper care.
Grilling Surface
This unit offers 529 square inches of cooking space, including the spare warming rack.
However, the primary grilling surface measures just 424 square inches. The second-tier rack is a handy feature, but it’s better at keeping ingredients warm than at cooking them.
To put it in practical terms, this grill should be able to accommodate about 20 hamburger patties. The surface is also broad enough to hold long skewers for shish kabobs. A grill this size is well-suited for families of 3 to 6 people.
For a unit that has only three burners, these are impressive numbers. Still, it may not be enough for larger families or anyone who frequently hosts large parties. If you fall into either of those categories, you might want to expand your search.
Temperature Control
As we mentioned, the stainless steel burners offer superb heat distribution. The cast-iron cooking grates are a big help in this regard as well. If the grates can retain their heat for long periods of time, the entire cooking surface is affected.
The porcelain-enameled lid also does an effective job at keeping the internal temperature steady. Should you have any doubts in this regard, the lid is equipped with a reliable built-in thermometer.
Grease Management System
The Spirit E-330 is outfitted with Weber’s “Flavorizer” bars. These inserts are designed to sizzle when they come into contact with fat or drippings. The resulting vapors will circulate around the cooking box, boosting the flavor of the grilled food.
Any juices that don’t evaporate are collected by a grease tray. This tray empties out into a second catch pan. Both the grease tray and the catch pan are removable and simple to clean.
The stainless steel burner tubes clean up easily, too. We would recommend investing in a grill brush for this task if you don’t already have one. Without it, the chore takes a bit longer. If you’re the type of cook who dreads the cleaning process, this could be the unit for you.
Fuel Gauge
One of the cleverest aspects of the Weber Spirit E-330 is the addition of a built-in fuel gauge. It can be difficult to tell how much liquid petroleum is left in the tank without resorting to uncomfortable contortions. The gauge eliminates this painful step.
This feature is tucked away inside the lower cabinet, near the spot where the LP tank should go. It’s printed with 6 images of fuel tanks, each with varying degrees of fullness. The image of a full tank is located on top, with the “empty” graphic taking up residence on the bottom.
As the amount of fuel in the tank decreases, a red indicator will move down the gauge, alerting you to the current level. Remember that the tank itself is not included with the grill—you’ll have to purchase that separately.
Storage
The grill is flanked by two side shelves. As we determined earlier, the one on the left is actually a burner. When the burner lid is closed, the space can be used to hold side dishes or barbecue tools. A second shelf is located on the right-hand side of the grill.
Both shelves are fixed, meaning that they don’t fold down the way some similar versions do. However, because the footprint of the grill is fairly small to begin with, we don’t see this as a major problem.
This is a cabinet-style grill that hides its LP tank behind a single door. While this additional space can function as a storage unit for some larger grills, the tank takes up most of the room here.
Warranty
The following components are under warranty for 10 years: Cookbox, Lid, Burner tubes.
These parts are covered for 5 years: Cooking grates and Flavorizer bars.
Any parts not mentioned above are covered by a 2-year warranty.
- Equipped with upgraded features and the perfect size for hosting a BBQ...
- Sear station creates an intense heat zone to quickly add sear marks on...
- Keep food warm or toast buns on the built-in warming rack and simmer...
- Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates retain even heat for the...
- Built to last with heavy duty, porcelain-enameled lid and cookbox that...
Weber Spirit E-330: Social Proof
What’s the consumer response to the Weber Spirit E-330? After doing a bit of research, here’s what we were able to find out.
The overall response was largely positive. Users were pleased with the size of the unit, the effective grease management system, and the flavor boost provided by the “Flavorizer” bars.
The long assembly process and high price were sometimes listed as drawbacks, but there were no serious complaints. On the whole, consumers seemed to feel that they got what they paid for.
Possible Alternatives
If you’ve read this Weber Spirit E-330 review and still want to keep your options open, here are a few ideas to get you started.
#1 Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner
Char-Broil offers a comparable model at a budget price. There’s no sear station, and the cooking surface is a bit smaller at 360 square inches. Still, if you want a 3-burner unit that won’t break the bank, this one should get the job done.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Char-Broil
- Quality—Weber
- Cooking Surface—Weber
- Grilling Grates—Weber
- Ease of Assembly—Char-Broil
- Cleanup and Maintenance—Weber
Take a look at the Char-Broil model if you want an inexpensive gas grill that can see you through a season or two.
#2 Dyna-Glo Premier 3-Burner Gas Grill
This model represents a step up from the Char-Broil in terms of quality. While it still isn’t quite as durable as Weber’s version, it’s a powerful grill with plenty of eye appeal. Note that there’s no side burner available on this unit.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Dyna-Glo
- Quality—Weber
- Cooking Surface—Dyna-Glo
- Grilling Grates—Weber
- Ease of Assembly—Dyna-Glo
- Cleanup and Maintenance—Weber
For a reasonably priced grill that packs an impressive punch, give the Dyna-Glo Premier 3-Burner Gas Grill a try.
#3 Monument Grills 4-Burner Gas Grill with Side Sear Burners
Looking for something a bit bigger? This 4-burner unit covers 513 square inches on the main surface with an additional 210 available on the warming rack. There are also two side burners—one for heating sides and sauces, and one for searing meat.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Monument Grills
- Quality—Weber
- Cooking Surface—Monument Grills
- Grilling Grates—Weber
- Ease of Assembly—Monument Grills
- Cleanup and Maintenance—Weber
Go ahead and take a look at the Monument Grills model if you need more space for your grilling adventures.
Final Thoughts
What’s the takeaway from this Weber Spirit E-330 review? For fast and easy outdoor cooking, we think this grill is difficult to beat.
Though this model may be too small for some grilling enthusiasts, it’s quite versatile for a three-burner gas grill. The side burner is a nice touch, and the built-in warming rack makes the space seem larger than it is. Most importantly, the unit is built to last.
For a better look at the Weber Spirit E-330, click here.
