Weber Spirit E-210

Bottom Line

For those who love outdoor cooking but lack the space or money for a full-sized gas grill, the Weber Spirit E-210 may be the perfect solution. You'll have to make do with just two burners, and there are no fancy extras; still, you'll reap the benefit of a well-built, high-performing product, and you'll have money left over to stock up on grill-ready steaks and chops.

Performance

High-quality, but no frills. The Spirit-E-210 is small -- with only two burners -- and basic, but reviewers say there's no skimping when it comes to cooking performance. Raters give it high marks for cooking at all temperatures, as well as for indirect cooking (where food is not placed directly on a flame). About.com grilling guide Derrick Riches says the grates give a lot of heat, although he adds that preheat times can be long because the model is not very powerful. Still, users praise its even cooking, with one home griller commenting that, "food is quickly seared and very juicy."

Ease Of Use

A breeze to use. While the Spirit E-210 may lack fancy extras, reviewers say that its ease of use is unbeatable. One user calls it a "breath of fresh air," noting that it is easy to move and easy to assemble. Another says that the easy cleanup "is appreciated," and several praise the fold-down side tables, which can help save space when necessary. Many say the grill is easy to assemble, and they also like that the unit is lightweight. We found few complaints about the Spirit E-210's convenience, although one user finds the side tables flimsy.

Safety

No gas-related concerns. We found virtually no comments about gas- or fire-related problems in reviews for the Spirit E-210. In fact, the few comments that involved safety had to with construction. On the one hand, some owners say they like how solid and secure the unit is; on the other, an owner complains of cracks in the lid and broken grates upon delivery, and another notes that the side tables feel flimsy. The Spirit E-210's user manual instructs owners to check for gas leaks and ensure the drip tray does not have built-up grease before operating the unit.

Cost Of Ownership

Well priced, well worth it. At $400, the Spirit E-210 is priced "very reasonably," according to one user; another calls the grill "a great value." We found no comments regarding the annual maintenance, which involves checking the insect screen each year and cleaning it if necessary; checking the burner tube ports annually and cleaning or replacing them if necessary; and checking the burner flame pattern regularly (an incorrect pattern may mean the screen or tubes are dirty). The warranty lasts 25 years for the shroud and five years for the grates.