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Weber 4421001 Spirit E-310 LP Gas Grill
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This is my first Weber grill — the E310. I just trashed a Great Outdoor grill after 10 years and I was looking for something that would give me the same durability and value. After reading reviews and talking to friends with Weber grills I took the plunge. I decided on the 310 over the 210 because of the extra burner. I looked at a variety of other grills (Char-Broil, Kenmore, Brinkman and others recommended by Consumer Reports), but none of them matched the quality in construction or the write-ups on the internet from users. We didn’t need all the extra frills found on the others. I ordered on Amazon to save on shipping and NO SALES TAX!
The Good
Be prepared — this is one heavy mother in a very large box over 150 lbs. It is packaged very smartly — all parts well protected. There were no chips or scratches of any kind. Once unpacked and sorted it was put together in 1-1/2 hours. Assembly was not difficult even though the pictures used to demonstrate steps are somewhat cryptic. Just sort out your parts and make sure you are using the correct bolts in the correct spots as called for. I had to rework one piece because I used the wrong fastener. A wratchet wrench makes the job much easier than the one supplied with the grill.
Once assembled, it went right to work. I ran it for 30 minutes on high to get rid of any protective oils and that “new” smell. No gas leaks or problems. Ten minutes later it was cooking a couple of big fat rib steaks. Heating is very even and also very quick — I wasn’t used to the temperatures this thing produces. A one inch thick steak medium rare took less than six minutes. Since then we’ve cooked the normal things and all has gone very well. I’ve yet to try indirect cooking, but I’m anxious to give it a go. The tool holders are a nice addition and the cabinet provides enough space for storing some additional pans and tools.
We also ordered the Weber grill cover at the same time. It fits perfectly and does a great job of protecting the grill from the elements. I do not recommend buying a cheaper non-Weber version. This one is made to last.
The Not-So-Good
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why Weber puts the controls on the right-hand shelf instead of the front of the grill. You lose the right shelf to all but a couple of bottles or one very small sauce pan. It’s not enough to keep me from recommending the grill, but it would be 100% perfect if they had a different design for the controls.
