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Weber has updated their mid-price line of Genesis grills, releasing the new models in December 2016. The new Weber Genesis II grills lineup offers not just cosmetic changes. The new line is a significant revamp, as the company phases out the original Genesis line.
Here is an overview of what’s new and different in the Weber Genesis II line, and the different models available.
Weber Genesis II Grills: What’s New
- Open cabinet. When you first look at the basic models of the new Weber Genesis II grills, the first thing you will notice is the open design for the cabinets. If nothing else, it makes it easier to find what you’re storing down there. The LX models still have a cabinet.
- Wide-body look. All of the Weber Genesis II grill models seem to have a wider feel to them. That’s because the covers are a bit shorter.
- iGrill 3 ready. Weber has gone digital with the new line. You still need to buy a Weber iGrill Bluetooth thermometer, which is sold separately. These thermometers give you very precise data about the temperature of your meat and other foods. To use it, you need to download the iGrill app.
- New colors. The E-410 Genesis II models come in copper, crimson and smoke colors, available with the liquid propane models, not natural gas. It also has the standard black and porcelain enameled steel. For some reason, this is the only model with five color choices.
Weber Genesis II Grills: What’s Different
- Uniform cooking surface. Grills are all about their burners. With the Genesis II models, Weber has redesigned them so they cook evenly everywhere on the surface. The flame and heat are more uniform, the result of a tapered tube that applies a steady pressure. They also resist clogging better because the burner ports are bigger and project above the surface. This also helps them resist corrosion.
- More choice in burners. In the past, Genesis models had 3 burners. Now you have a choice of 2, 3, 4 and 6 burners.
- Reliable ignition. The new grills have an E2i electronic ignition system designed to last longer and be more dependable. It turns on with a single push of a button, and each burner can be ignited individually.
- Heat deflectors on the flavorizer bars. The deflectors help to maintain even heat distribution around the entire cook box.
- Easier LP tank replacement. Replacing tanks is a pain. With the new models comes an easier, friendlier design.
- More complex assembly. Long ago, Weber boasted that two people could put a Genesis together in about ten minutes using just one tool. But it’s a bit more complicated now. The newest documentation shows 37 steps, using around 161 parts. But you only need two tools, the wrench that is included in the box and a Phillips head screwdriver.
- Made in China. Through last year, Weber grills were “Made in the U.S.A.” The new line is made in China.
- Different warranty. The housing is now guaranteed for 10 years, not 25. The flavorizer bars are now good for 10 years, not 5. The grates are also good for 10 years, not 5. In the earlier line, the porcelain-coated, enameled grates were guaranteed for 3 years, and that is now 5. Before the bars were guaranteed for 2 years, now it is 5 years. The ignition is now guaranteed for 10 years, a big jump from the prior 2 years.
Genesis II Grills Options Available
Here are the grills available in the Genesis II line:
Genesis II E-210, with two burners, porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars and an open design. It has 380 square inches of cooking space, plus a warming rack with 114 square inches. It has a side table and a grease management system. With a closed lid, it is 45 inches high, 47 inches wide and 29 inches deep.
Genesis II LX E-240 and LX S-240, with two burners, stainless steel flavorizer bars and a grill cabinet. The cooking area is 380 square inches, plus a warming rack with 114 square inches. It has side tables and a grease management system. With lid closed, it is 45 inches high, 47 inches wide and 29 inches deep. The LX version includes high+ heat setting, handle light(s), lighted control knobs, grill cabinet, and a higher lid. The LX S version gets a stainless steel exterior.
Genesis II E-310, with three burners, porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars and an open design. It has 513 square inches of cooking space plus a warming rack with 156 square inches. The unit has side tables and a grease management system. With lid closed, the grill is 45 inches high, 54 inches wide and 29 inches deep. See more on the new Genesis E-310.
Genesis II LX E-340 and LX S-340, with three burners, stainless steel flavorizer bars a grill cabinet. It has 513 inches of cooking space, plus 156 square inches in the warming rack. The unit has side tables and a grease management system. With its lid closed, the dimensions are 48 inches high, 59 inches wide and 29 inches deep. The LX version includes high+ heat setting, handle light(s), lighted control knobs, grill cabinet, and a higher lid. The LX S version gets a stainless steel exterior. See more on the Genesis LX and LX S-340 grills.
Genesis II E-410, with four burners, porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars and an open design. It has 646 square inches of cooling space, plus 198 square inches in a warming rack. It comes with side tables and a grease management system. This unit is available in black, copper, crimson and smoke. With the lid closed, it is 45 inches high, 61 inches wide and 29 inches deep. See more on the Genesis E-410.
Genesis II LX E-440 and S-440, with four burners, stainless steel flavorizer bars and a grill cabinet. This unit offers 646 square inches of cooking space, plus 198 on the warming rack. The unit has side tables and a grease management system. With lid closed, it is 48 inches high, 65 inches wide and 29 inches deep. The LX version includes high+ heat setting, handle light(s), lighted control knobs, grill cabinet, and a higher lid. The LX S version gets a stainless steel exterior. See more on the LX and LX S-440.
Genesis II E-610, with six burners, porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars and an open design. It offers 770 square inches of cooking space, plus a warming rack with 228 square inches. The grill has side tables and a grease management system. Lid closed, it is 45 inches high, 68 inches wide and 29 inches deep.
Genesis II LX E-640 and S-640, with six burners, stainless steel flavorizer bars and a grill cabinet. This unit has 770 square inches of cooking space, plus 228 on the warming rack. It has side tables and a grease management system. With the lid closed, it is 48 inches high, 72 inches wide and 29 inches deep. The LX version includes high+ heat setting, handle light(s), lighted control knobs, grill cabinet, and a higher lid. The LX S version gets a stainless steel exterior.
What do those letters mean?
- LX means deluxe model. Deluxe generally includes:
- Underneath cabinet
- Side burner (the x40 designation specifically)
- High+ heat setting
- Handle light(s)
- Lighted control knobs
- Grill cabinet
- Higher lid
- No LX in front of the model number means it is a basic model.
- E-xxx means the surface of the grill is porcelain-enameled steel.
- S-xxx means the surface of the grill is stainless steel.
Summary
Critical components on the new Weber Genesis II line have major improvements. This is especially noticeable with a more even cooking surface, an improvement that every serious cook will appreciate. Making the ignition easier and more reliable was a sensible upgrade. No griller wants to monkey around, trying to turn the cooking unit on.
It’s nice to now have such a choice in how many burners you get, especially if you’re cooking for a crowd. The iGrill thermometer brings Weber grills into the digital age. Cooks who are used to this feature indoors will be glad to have them on the grill too. Small things like making it easier to replace the LP tank are actually quite major for grillers who dislike the chore.
These grills will be harder to assemble. Time will tell if having the units made in China will affect performance and durability. At any rate, most of the changes in the warranties are positive, with longer guarantees on several components.
Overall, the Genesis II line has more options and greater dependability. It looks like a winner.
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