Weber’s leaning in that general direction with High+, but the burners are almost six inches from the top of the grill grate, which is simply too far away to get a hard sear. I could get a better, more even sear in my cast-iron pan sitting on the grill’s side burner. I found a sweet spot after weber charcoal grill a few minutes with half power on the left burner and a trickle in the center, which seemed acceptable considering the wind. I nudged up the heat, trying to get up to a steady 325 degrees on the indirect side, but it needed constant adjustment to get anywhere close to consistent temperature.
Full-blast was too much; if I backed off, the temperature quickly dipped. I spent 25 minutes fussing with the burner knob every few minutes, at which point I gave up, feeling like I was driving a boat that just didn’t have the power to sail upwind. Portable grills are a fantastic grilling solution since they can be fired up regardless of where you are or what your living situation is like. This model comes with the frame for the Weber CRAFTED cookware system so you don’t have to spend any extra money on prepping your grill. Instead, you can pick and choose whether you want the pizza stone or any other pieces of cookware.
If you are looking to use your grill more often or consider yourself a lifestyle griller, a Genesis model might be for you. For the most part, the grilling community seems to agree that the E-310 has impressive storage, space, and overall build compared to most gas grills. Controlled via your smartphone, the iGrill 3 uses a digital thermometer to monitor the grilling system. You can also set timers, alarms and even monitor your propane tank levels.
The Weber Genesis II 335 is another excellent grill in a long time of top-end Weber Grills. Read our Weber Q3200 review for another great gas option but do note it is natural gas only, not propane. I reviewed a grill in the LX series, which comes with a few more BTUs of heat and some additional bells and whistles. You can find similar features in other grills or buy them as after-market add-ons, but having them built into the model is a nice touch.
The lids feel heavy and sturdy, the handles strong and secure. To my eye, the lids appear just a short and squat in-person as they do in photos. A member of The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board reports that the grate to lid height is 1″ shorter than 2016 models. Perhaps it’s a optical illusion, but it sure seems shorter weber q than that. If steaks and chops worthy of Instagram are your thing, you’ll want the sear grill, with the sought-after diamond pattern built-in for no-fail grill marks. Weber has a deservedly good reputation for backing up their products (10-year warranty — hello!) and offering support to their customers.