In this Weber Spirit II E-310 review, you’ll learn what the key features of the E-310 are and all the perks that make it so easy to use. Plus, you can determine whether the grill fits your new-BBQ budget and your grilling style.
When it comes to grilling, Weber knows you take your meat (and veggies) seriously. To that end, the Weber Spirit II E-310 offers plenty of cooking space, customizable grilling settings, and a long-term warranty competitors can’t touch.
But is this the perfect grill for your needs? Let’s find out what they like about it and what we feel could be improved.
Weber Spirit II E-310 Key Features
From a well-known grill manufacturer, the Spirit line of gas grills from Weber is the company’s entry-level models.
If you are looking for a no-nonsense grill designed to serve 5 to 7 people and are willing to pay a premium for better build quality relative to its peers, the Weber Spirit II E-310 might be the right grill for you.
Here are the general specs on this grill:
Specs
- Liquid propane fuel (also a natural gas option, discussed below)
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- Three burners with 529 square inches of cooking space
- 30K BTU-per-hour input
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Cart design for utility and portability
The first feature that jumps out about the new Weber Spirit II E-310 is that it comes in multiple lid colors. Where previously it only came in black, the Spirit II E-310 is now offered in black, ivory, red, and blue.
The next thing that immediately catches the eye is that the previous model’s storage cabinet has been removed. Weber did this in order to provide additional room and easier accessibility to your tools.
Also “new” is the GS4 Grilling System.
This system is comprised of 4 components; (1) the Infinity Ignition, (2) burners, (3) Flavorizer Bars and (4) Grease Management System. While not previously marketed as a complete grilling system, these features were found in the older model of the Spirit E-210.
This model is compatible with the iGrill3 system (opens in a new tab) an app-connected thermometer with meat probes for precise temperatures of your meat. Lastly, a natural gas version of the grill is offered in addition to the propane model.
Pros
- GS4 grilling system that focuses on performance and easy cleanup
- Smoke-infusion Flavorizer Bars
- 10-year warranty from Weber
- Plenty of storage and prep space
- Heats quickly and offers a large grilling area
Cons
- Built-in lid thermometer doesn’t appear completely accurate
- The packaging may be inadequate, depending on how careful delivery personnel is
- No safety lock on the Infinity Ignition, which could lead to accidental activation
Weber Spirit Ii E-310 Review
Our Weber Spirit II E-310 covers everything from the grill’s design and build quality to the performance you can expect and the unit’s cost. Read on for all the details you need to make the right buying decision.
Design and Build Quality
Though the E-310 offers ample cooking space and plenty of built-in features, it’s also lightweight. Anyone expecting a heavy-duty grill might be disappointed when faced with an assembled unit that feels flimsy to move around.
However, the fact that Weber backs their grill with a 10-year warranty instills confidence. And despite the trim design, the grill’s performance is as competitive as you would expect from a brand like Weber. Even if your grill arrives in roughed-up packaging, Weber is happy to make things right.
And, while it’s not a reflection of the product’s quality, you might be happy to hear that Weber knows not every griller’s favorite color is black. Along with the classic black finish, you can choose from three new lid colors that were previously unheard of in the BBQ world: sapphire, ivory, and red (good luck finding them in stock at all times, though).
The cookbox and shroud are made from cast aluminum, which is more durable than sheet metal commonly found in other grills. Additionally, the shroud is porcelain-enameled, which helps prevent fading, peeling, and rusting and is easier to clean.
The lid includes a center-mounted thermometer, although we always recommend having a good digital thermometer on hand.
The side shelves and burner tubes are stainless steel, and the cooking grates are porcelain-enameled cast iron, which provides superior heat retention and searing compared to thinner wire grill grates. Also, the cooking grates don’t require seasoning and are good to go right out of the box.
Propane models are powered by a 20-lb tank (sold separately) and have a built-in fuel gauge (which determines the remaining fuel by the tank’s weight) so you always know how much propane you have. The natural gas-powered models of the E-310 come with an included 10-foot flexible hose allowing easy hook-up to a gas line.
The storage cabinet has plenty of room for the propane tank and also has additional space for tools and other accessories.
The stainless steel side shelves provide room for food platters and prep work. Additionally, each shelf has 3 tool hooks on the ends, which provide a convenient place to hang grill brushes, tongs, etc.
Ease of Assembly
Since the Weber E-310 comes with written instructions, it’s fairly simple to assemble. But if you do need extra assistance, you can download the BILT app. The BILT app even shows each step in 3D, plus rotates the view for a better look.
Download the app, find your unit, and check out the instructions before you attempt to put a part somewhere it doesn’t belong.
Even with the app, it may take some time to get this beast assembled. It’s a large grill, with plenty of parts, so you will want to set aside at least a couple of hours to get the job done right.
Ease of Use
One of the best features of the Weber Spirit II E-310 is the Infinity Ignition.
Weber promises that the grill is “guaranteed to ignite every time,” which is music to every barbecue enthusiast’s ears. Instead of fumbling around getting your grill to light, just flip a switch, and you’re ready to go.
The quick ignition means you’re up to temperature in no time. This eliminates the time you used to spend standing around waiting for the grill to heat up. That said, the built-in safety function in the propane connection could cause headaches.
The cart design is also handy for ease of use because you have plenty of space to prep plates, hang utensils, display platters, and more. A fold-away side table makes storage easy, too, and the warming rack is a standard touch that helps keep buns and side dishes warm.
According to Weber, you need to really wrench the propane connector on tight before the grill fires up. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind and your family’s safety, of course.
Performance
Cooking up any cut of meat (plus side dishes) is easy, thanks to the grill’s expansive surface. The E-310 has 529 square inches of cooking space spread across three burners and the warming rack. The burners offer 424 square inches of grill area, while the other 105 inches are in the auxiliary rack.
Underneath the burners, you’ll find burner tubes that help offer consistent gas flow for even cooking. The result is evenly cooked meat cuts and tender veggies. Even better, the cast iron cooking grates (finished with porcelain enamel) are reversible. With this feature, you can give steaks a thick seer while cooking fish and shrimp more delicately.
While the built-in thermometer in the lid isn’t always reliable, the unit is very responsive to temperature adjustments. A quick turn of the dial will get you the perfect temperature (use a digital thermometer or another alternative to the built-in) in no time.
It’s tough to talk about the performance of the E-310 without mentioning the Flavorizer Bars. While it sounds a bit hokey, these angled bars vaporize grease and offer up a smokey flavor in exchange. Whatever makes it past the bars winds up in the “grease management system.” The result? Tastier grilled meat and vegetables and less mess to deal with afterward.
Ease of Cleanup
While everyone loves grilling, no one enjoys the post-BBQ cleanup. Weber understands this, and they aim to make it a bit easier. You’ll find the grease management system a big help when it’s time to remove grease, but also because it cuts down on flare-ups from droppings.
The Flavorizer Bars can zap some grease, but whatever is left drops into a disposable drip tray. Pop it out, toss it in the trash, and replace it with a clean one. Or, you could DIY a liner from foil to give your wallet a rest—but Weber’s solution is simpler, albeit not cost-effective over time.
Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates also make cleanup simpler. The reversible grates not only offer a customized grilling experience, but they’re also easy to scrub clean without much effort. That is, as long as you tackle them before they cool completely and have hardened-on debris.
Relative Price
On the scale of supremely cheap to exceedingly expensive, the Weber E-310 is more budget than premium. While the features are high-performance, the price is just as palatable as whatever you’re searing on top.
When it comes to the similarly priced competition, you won’t find as many features or even the same number of burners. Clearly, the Weber option is a step up from cheaper grills that will wear out after a season or two of heavy-duty grilling.
In fact, the Weber 310 earns better reviews than a handful of more expensive models from other brands, too. It comes in under budget while checking plenty of boxes for features, and the GS4 grilling system alone is worth the investment.
Alternatives to the Spirit II E-310
By now, you’ve learned all about the Spirit II E-310 Liquid Propane Grill. But there’s also a natural gas model that Weber offers. It appears to be tougher to find, but you can’t deny that having options is always desirable. If you already have natural gas plumbed to your barbecue area, the Spirit E-310 Natural Gas Grill is a great option.
Combining all the great features (and the same amount of cooking space) of the liquid propane option with the convenience of piped-in gas, Weber caters to BBQ enthusiasts of all stripes.
Of course, another high-performing alternative is the Weber Spirit E-210, the precursor to the E-310. The earlier model offers fewer BTU (26,500) and less cooking area. It has a total of 450 square inches—360 on the grill and 90 in the warming rack. It’s similar in price, despite having one fewer burner. Yet, it receives the same excellent reviews as the E-310.
If you don’t need all the grilling space of the E-310, the E-210 might be a comparable alternative. But if you really want the full experience—and full three burners—the E-310 is beyond compare. Plus, the older model doesn’t have the high-tech grill setup of its newer sibling.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the perfect grill, Weber offers tons of options. But with its long list of performance-grilling features, the Weber Spirit II E-310 might be the best option for your summer (and year-round) barbecuing needs.
From the large storage area to the convenience of having three full burners and a smoke-flavor function, the E-310 tops the list of the best grills on the market. And, Weber has eliminated plenty of grilling headaches—like igniting troubles and messy cleanup—executing your next grill out with ease.
