Weber Genesis S-330

Bottom Line

If you've got the money and want a more luxurious gas grill than our favorite (the Weber Genesis E-310), the Genesis S-330 is worth a look. Reviewers say you'll get the same ease of use and excellent cooking performance; but the extra $250 will buy you features including a stainless-steel shroud and grates (regarded as longer-lasting than porcelain-coated components), a side burner and a sear burner that draws high praise.

Performance

Top grilling performance. Professional reviewers say the Genesis S-330 preheats quickly and grills evenly; Derrick Riches of About.com notes that the sear burner provides "fantastic searing heat." Similarly, consumers say this Weber performs superbly with dishes including steak, chicken, burgers, salmon, or shrimp. One user, a former restaurant manager, says, "This grill is as good or better than what I used in a professional kitchen." Nevertheless, one reviewer calls the grill "so-so" when it comes to indirect cooking (cooking food that is not placed directly on a flame).

Ease Of Use

"Super easy" to operate. Both professionals and consumers say the Genesis S-330 is extremely easy to use. One consumer says it offers "super easy operation with large knobs," while another says, "This is without a doubt the easiest grill to use that I have ever owned." One user also notes that temperature control is equally intuitive, and several praise the gas level indicator as a handy feature. However, several users find that the instruction manual is sub-par, making assembly more difficult than it otherwise would be. In addition, About.com's Derrick Riches finds preheating relatively slow.

Safety

No safety concerns. We found very few reviewer comments about safety. One user says the retail salesperson discussed what to do if the safety mechanism in the regulator were to trip. This user, who gives the grill a perfect rating, adds, "So far with just normal use and turning the tank on and off we haven't tripped anything. Guess the safety mechanism only trips when you forget to do the normal routine."

Cost Of Ownership

A good investment. Many Genesis S-330 owners acknowledge that it's expensive, but the vast majority report that their money has been well spent. "Go ahead and spend the extra money," urges one user, while another says the model's "looks and quality" are worth the higher price. Maintenance involves annually cleaning the insect/spider screen and checking the burner flame pattern. The S-330 includes a warranty of 25 years on the shroud, 10 years on the burner tubes, 5 years on the grates and Flavorizer bars, and two years on other components.