Weber Genesis II Series 300 Comparisons : E-310, LX E-340, LX S-340 Reviews

Weber has updated the Genesis II grills, making a number of changes. The 300 Series, including the E-310, LX E-340 and LX S-340, offer powerful new features, which Weber is calling the GS4 Grilling System. This updated line draws on the company’s 30+ years making first-class grills for the backyard chefs.  For more details about the changes from the original Genesis grill line to the Genesis II line, see our article here.

Weber Genesis E-310, LX E-340, and LX S-340 Comparison

 

Genesis E-310 Grill

From Amazon.com:

Overall Rating: 3.8/5
Number of Reviews: 7 (as of March 4, 2017)
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From Home Depot:

Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Number of Reviews: 13* (as of March 4, 2017)
* = Combing reviews of NG and LP versions
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• MSRP: $699
• Stainless steel burners: 3
• Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates
• Porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars
• Main burners: BTU-per-hour input: 37,500
• Primary cooking area (square inches): 513
• Tuck-Away warming rack area (square inches): 156
• Total cooking area (square inches): 669
• Height (lid closed): 45″
• Width (lid closed): 54″
• Depth (lid closed): 29″

Features

• Fuel gauge (LP models only)
• Limited warranty
• Side tables with integrated tool hooks
• iGrill 3 ready
• Open cart design
• Easy access gas tank storage (LP only)

 

Genesis LX E-340 Grill

From Amazon.com:

Overall Rating: 5/5
Number of Reviews: 3 (as of March 4, 2017)
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From Home Depot:

Overall Rating: 5/5
Number of Reviews: 1 (as of March 4, 2017)
Read the reviews

• MSRP: $1,199
• Exterior Surface: Porcelain-enameled steel
• 7 mm diameter stainless steel rod cooking grates
• Stainless steel Flavorizer bars
• Main burners: BTU-per-hour input: 43,500
• Side burner: BTU-per-hour input: 12,000
• Primary cooking area (square inches): 513
• Tuck-Away warming rack area – Elevations compatible (square inches): 156
• Total cooking area (square inches): 669
• Height (lid closed): 48″
• Width (lid closed): 59″
• Depth (lid closed): 29″

Features:

• Limited warranty
• LED fuel gauge (LP models only)
• Side tables with integrated tool hooks
• iGrill 3 ready
• Easy access gas tank storage (LP only)
• High+ heat setting
• Handle light(s)
• Lighted control knobs
• Grill cabinet
• Higher lid

 

Genesis LX S-340 Grill

From Amazon.com:

Overall Rating: 5/5
Number of Reviews: 3 (as of March 4, 2017)
Read the reviews

From Home Depot:

Overall Rating: 5/5
Number of Reviews: 1 (as of March 4, 2017)
Read the reviews

• MSRP: $1,299
• Exterior Surface: Stainless Steel
• 7 mm diameter stainless steel rod cooking grates
• Stainless steel Flavorizer bars
• Main burners: BTU-per-hour input: 43,500
• Side burner: BTU-per-hour input: 12,000
• Primary cooking area (square inches): 513
• Tuck-Away warming rack area – Elevations compatible (square inches): 156
• Total cooking area (square inches): 669
• Height (lid closed): 48″
• Width (lid closed): 59″
• Depth (lid closed): 29″

Features:

• Limited warranty
• LED fuel gauge (LP models only)
• Side tables with integrated tool hooks
• iGrill 3 ready
• Easy access gas tank storage (LP only)
• High+ heat setting
• Handle light(s)
• Lighted control knobs
• Grill cabinet
• Higher lid

 

All grills feature the new GS4 high performance grilling system

The four components of the GS4 system are:

• Electronic ignition: With Infinity Ignition system, you just need to turn a knob to start each of the three burners.
• Better burners: The burner tubes have been tapers, which helps assure that they light reliably.
• The popular Flavorizer bars: These bars catch drippings, which help add the smoked flavor to foods. Drippings that aren’t caught and vaporized just flow down the sloping bars, away from the burners and into the grease management system.
• Grease management system: The grills are designed to remove grease and stop flare-ups. Drippings that run down the Flavorizer bars go into a drip tray that is in the catch pan, under the grill’s cookbox. It is easy to remove the pan and replace the drip tray when it gets full.

Weber Genesis E-310

The E-310 has three burners made from stainless steel. The Flavorizer bars are porcelain enameled. Like the other Genesis II grills, it has a grease management system that makes grilling safer and less messy.

There is plenty of cooking area, 513 square inches with an additional 156 square inches in the warming rack. The burners are stainless steel and the cooking grates are porcelain-enameled cast iron.

This unit has an open cart design–it no longer has the cabinets below. For extra space, it has a table on the side that folds down when you aren’t using it. The lid is porcelain-enameled and has a thermometer. It’s easy to move, with 2 large wheels and 2 swivel, locking casters.

The E-310 comes in black. It is able to use either liquid propane or natural gas.

How does the Genesis II E-310 compare to the Spirit E-310?

The Spirit E-310 has been a workhorse for Weber for several years. It has less cooking area, 424 square inches, plus 105 square inches for the warming tray. On the Genesis E-310, it’s 516 and 156 square inches.

The Spirit model does not have the updated GS4 system, though it does have Flavorizer bars and a grease tray with catch pan. The BTU for burners on the Genesis II E-310 is 37,500; for the Spirit it is 32,000. The Spirit is not iGrill ready. It is less expensive than the Genesis.

Pros and Cons

Here is a quick look at the pros and cons, as reported by reviewers. Keep in mind that the Genesis II line is very new—it came out at the end of 2016—so there are actually very few reviews so far.

Pros:

• Customers love how fast the grill heats up.
• Assembly takes approximately 45 minutes, and one reviewer said it “wasn’t difficult.”

Cons

• Assembly is more difficult than it was on earlier grills. One reviewer said the documentation and drawings “could be better” for the wiring and brackets.
• Not made in the U.S.A. like earlier models. This one is made in China.

Weber Genesis LX E-340 and LX S-340

The LX E-340 and LX S-340 are deluxe models and the same machine, with a single difference. The E means the grill is porcelain-enameled steel. The S means the grill is stainless steel.

The 340 has three stainless steel burners, and stainless steel rod cooking grates. The cooking area is 513 square inches with an additional 156 square inches on the warming rack. The Flavorizer bars are stainless steel.

The burners have a High+ setting, which lets you boost the heat anywhere on the cooking grate. You’re all set when you need a higher grilling temperature. The side burner is a helpful addition, letting you heat your BBQ sauce or other foods while the meat sizzles under the lid.

This model has the cabinets below the cooking area, just like the earlier Genesis models. It has side tables with tool hooks for convenience. The one on the left can be folded down when not needed. The lid is stainless steel and has a thermometer. It is easy to move from one area to another, thanks to 2 large wheels and 2 swivel, locking casters.

Both the E-340 and the S-340 have a stainless steel finish and use either liquid propane or natural gas.

Pros:

• Assembly is relatively quick and straightforward.
• Made in the U.S.

Cons:

• The grill is very heavy, so it takes 3 people to get it out of the packaging to start assembly.
• The illustrations on the documentation aren’t always accurate for small details.

All of the models are ready for the iGrill 3, Weber’s new Bluetooth thermometer system.

Genesis LX S-340 Front Control Panel

What Is the iGrill?

Weber grills have gone digital. The iGrill, which is an optional accessory for the Genesis II line, is a Bluetooth thermometer. Just look at your smartphone or tablet to find out the temperature of your food, in real time. It also tells you how much fuel you have in the tank. You no longer have to leave the conversation to check how the food is doing.

To use the iGrill, you download the app and connect the iGrill to Bluetooth. You can use up to 4 probes, so you can keep track all the food you are grilling.

Warranties

The Genesis II line has a generous, but limited warranty that varies by part.

• Cookbox and lid: 10 years for no rust or burn through; 2 years for the paint, which doesn’t include discoloration or fading
• Cooking grates and Flavorizer bars that are porcelain-enameled: 5 years
• Burners, cooking grates, grease management system and Flavorizer bars that are stainless steel: 10 years
• Ignition system: 10 years, but doesn’t cover battery
• Remaining parts: 2 years

Best Features of the 300 Series

What sets these grills apart are:

• The burners: their high quality, how easy it is to turn them on and the even cooking surface
• The grease management system, which deals efficiently with excess grease
• Being iGrill ready, a big plus for cooks who want to invest in the Bluetooth thermometer
• Performance and reliability: all of these grills get high marks for dependable cooking

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Compare Prices on the Weber Genesis II E-310

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