Weber 61010001 Genesis ii E-310 Review

Ever since they made their first kettle grill in 1951, Weber has been manufacturing some of America’s most excellent grilling equipment. Both their charcoal and gas grills are held in high regard by the grilling enthusiasts all over the country. Their Summit, LX, Spirit, Genesis and other lines of products are well-known to anyone who knows a thing or two about grills.

The model we’re about to analyze here is Weber Genesis II E-310. Those who already own it describe it as an ideal blend of convenience and performance.

Even though it is the most basic model in the series, it still brings a load of benefits. Some of these include efficient heat design, solid construction, powerful burners, and ease of cleaning.

In case you’re looking to invest in a model that will provide you with reliable performance for the years to come, keep on reading. Genesis II E-310 seems to be a fan favorite and undoubtedly deserves a more in-depth look. For that matter, we’ll analyze the model’s design, power, and ease of use. We’ll also try to determine its value for the money and help you decide if it’s the right gas grill for your needs.

Why Get It?

Where most mid-range gas grills focus on a cabinet-style design, Weber decided to take a different approach. As we said, Genesis II E-310 is the smallest model in the line. This means that it avoids the bulkiness of doors and focuses on the convenience of racks instead.

All those who look for dependability and reliability will appreciate how solid and sturdy this grill is. Both the side tables and the lid come manufactured from heavy-duty steel. However, it should still be mentioned that Weber decided to use some plastic elements, too. The overall appearance is cheapened by the side tables being wrapped in gray plastic. The same can be said for the plastic trim on the model’s lid.

The primary feature of this model, however, is the so-called GS4 High-Performance Grilling System. To put it simply, this is a system consisting of three propane burners. Each of these is rated at an impressive 37,500 BTU. As you can already guess, this provides the user with an excellent amount of heating power.

How does all of this work? To protect the burners from drippings and grease, Weber has equipped E-310 with wedge-shaped bars. Their other purpose is to act as deflectors. In other words, the wedge-shaped bars also spread heat in an even manner, both across and above the grilling surface.

Each of the model’s burners comes with weather-resistant electrodes. Moreover, all three of them use the same module for ignition. The company refers to it as “Infinity Ignition”. Like with most grills of this type, you’ll have to supply it with disposable AA batteries.

Another essential advantage of this model is that it supports smart technology. Indeed, it is among just a couple of such gas grills on the market. It is, however, important to mention that Weber did not develop this technology on its own. They’ve bought the iGrill brand, which is a line of wireless thermometers.

In other words, Genesis II E-310 brings full support of the iGrill thermometers. The thermometer works as an add-on, and it fits perfectly into a special socket on the grill. The iGrill 3 works well with all brands of grills, although only Weber’s models come with dedicated slots for it.

When it comes to the cooking area, this unit comes with 513 square inches of it. We can also add the 156 square inches of the heated rack for a total of 669 square inches.

This is more than enough for most of the larger families. Furthermore, this turns E-310 into a fantastic choice for tailgating events. With it, one is able to prepare all kinds of food in large amounts quickly.

Another praiseworthy feature is the design of the unit’s cooking grates. They are made out of porcelain-enameled cast iron. This means that they can easily resist all kinds of messes that come with cooking, and are very easy to clean up. They are also reversible, letting the owner use both their thinner and wider sides. For example, the wider side is great for burgers and steaks, while the thinner one makes an excellent surface for preparing fish and shrimps.

Another point to consider is portability. Fortunately, this gas grill comes equipped with caster wheels. With two swiveling wheels on the front and two large ones on the back, relocating this grill is effortless. The wheels are lockable when stationary and sport a heavy-duty construction that allows use on all terrains.

Ease of Cleaning

One of the most significant advantages of Weber grills is that they’re exceptionally easy to clean. Genesis II E-310 has large parts, and there are only a couple of them. These parts are also quite spaced out, so it’s relatively easy to disassemble the machine for maintenance or cleaning.

Another excellent thing here is the elegant grease management system. One doesn’t have to worry about drippings and juices that manage to make it past the burners. They will be funneled towards the special drip tray. Pretty impressive, wouldn’t you say?

Warranty

Like all other products sold by Weber, this one is also accompanied by an impressive warranty deal. The entire GS4 system is covered by 10 years of warranty. This includes the cook box, the ignition system, the cooking grates, the grease management system, as well as the burners.

The porcelain bars and the porcelain cast-iron grates are covered for five years. All remaining parts, on the other hand, come with a standard 2-year warranty.

Testimonials

In case you need more space, you can also opt for the E-410 model. It’s a grill from the same series but one that offers more cooking space and has four instead of three burners.

What to Watch Out For

A Word of Advice

Every time you’re about to do some grilling, lightly coat the grid and the food with cooking spray or oil. This will prevent the food from sticking on the grate. It will also make the food stay moist for longer.

Also, try to avoid trimming all of the excess fat. Make sure to leave a thin layer every time you’re doing the trimming. The thin layer will moisten the meat as it’s getting grilled. Use a drip pan with broth, beer, or water to add even more moisture.

Verdict

When it comes to the under-$1000 price range, this model is undoubtedly one of the better choices. Like all Weber gas grills, E-310 sports an impressive construction quality. Moreover, it has an excellent performance due to its powerful burners covering a cooking surface of 513 square inches. The fact that it’s fully compatible with the iGrill 3 thermometers is a bonus.

These and other qualities are bound to turn this fully-featured grill into a bestseller. It is well-designed, durable, and loaded with convenient features – just what we expected from Weber.