In the grilling world, there is no more hotly debated topic than that of Broil King vs. Weber. Both of these companies are known for making solid, sturdy, and long-lasting grills that are great for a backyard barbecue. Which is better, however, is a much trickier proposition, especially when you take into account their long history of excellent products.
Of course, that is the reason that you are here, after all! We have gone through the specifics for each of these brands, from their most popular models to what makes each grill company tick to finally, once and for all, settle the great debate of Broil King vs. Weber.
Any good comparison needs to start at the very beginning. This will give you a better idea of just how these grills have built their excellent reputations.
Once these first grills started to take off, the company began to expand. They now have grown beyond their original charcoal design into gas grills, pellet grills, and cookbooks and sauces.
Broil King started to really gain steam in the late 1990s. The brand was purchased by Cadco. This company is a larger manufacturer of foodservice equipment and tools, which allowed them to expand the reach of Broil King to what it is today.
Now that you have an understanding of where these two companies came from, it is time to delve into the details of some of their best offerings to see which is the better bet for your backyard banquets.
Important Considerations
Whenever you are making a big purchase or looking for a new cooking system like a grill, there are several things that you need to take into consideration. These are the things that we looked into for each grill that we put head-to-head to find the perfect model for your needs.
| Broil King Signet 320 | Weber Spirit E-310 | |
| Fuel type | propane | propane |
| Total cooking area | 635 sq. in. | 529 sq. in. |
| Primary cooking area | 400 sq. in | 424 sq. in. |
| Burners | 3 | 3 |
| BTUs | 40,000 | 32,000 |
| Dimensions | 62.2 x 23.2 x 48.4 inches | 52 x 24 x 45.5 inches |
| Weight | 134 lbs. | 130 lbs. |
| Warranty | lifetime | 10-year on the cook box, lid, and burner tubes; 5-year on grates and bars, 2-year on remaining parts |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON BBQGUYS |
The first two grills that we will be looking into are the Signet 320 from Broil King and the Weber Spirit E-310. Both of these grills are mid-ranged models that are great for smaller settings with a big appetite. They are quite similar, though they do definitely differ in their details.
Burners and BTUs
When it comes to the number of burners for both of these grills, they are even. They each come equipped with three different burners. Each burner has a knob on the front, which will allow you to easily adjust the heat for full force, or zoned cooking.
The BTU output is a different story entirely, however. The Signet can crank out an impressive 40,000 BTUs of heat. This is a bit surprising for a grill this size, though it owes it to the oversized design of the burners.
The Weber, on the other hand, can put out a lower, yet still toasty, 32,000 BTUs. This makes it a great option for anyone looking to slow cook their foods since it will take longer for quick heating with this grill.
Cooking Area
When looking for a new grill, you should focus on the primary cooking area. Since this is where most of the food will be cooked, the Weber Spirit is a bit bigger in this side-by-side comparison. Its primary cooking area is 424 sq. inches, which is more than enough for even a larger backyard get-together.
The Signet 320 has a smaller primary cooking area but makes up for it with a spacious warming rack.
Cooking System
Though both of these grills work in a very similar fashion, their cooking systems are a bit different. They both feature three different burners. These burners are controlled on both models with easy-to-use knobs, which allow you to dial-up or down the heat as you see fit.
The Signet 320 utilizes cast iron grates, which are extremely durable and good for heat retention. These grates are also quite heavy and tricky to clean, however. This grill also features Broil King’s signature Flav-R-Wave cooking system, which allows for more even distribution of heat. This grill also utilizes an electronic start.
The Spirit’s grates are also made with cast iron, though these are porcelain coated. This makes them much easier to clean since they are essentially non-stick. This grill comes with Weber’s patented Flavorizer bars, which cover the burners to prevent flare-ups. These bars also help to retain the flavors of your food by vaporizing any juices that happen to fall onto them. The Spirit is also started with electric ignition.
Size and Weight
Though neither of these grills is going to be confused with a portable model, thanks to its weight of more than 130 pounds, they do vary by size. If you are someone that is looking for a grill that doesn’t take up as much room because you have a smaller grilling space in your backyard, then the Weber Spirit E-310 is going to be a better bet. It is much more compact than the Broil King Signet 320. Of course, a Signet is a good option for anyone that has a bit more room in their outdoor space.
Warranty
The best thing about both of these companies is how much time they devote to creating an exceptional product. The next best thing about them is how well they stand behind their grills once you get them home. Both companies offer a great warranty, though the slight edge has to be given to the Broil King.
The Broil King Signet, like many of their grills, comes with a lifetime guarantee. No matter if something breaks on you when you are grilling way down the road, they will still replace it with very little issue.
The Weber warranty is, without a doubt, still a good one, though it doesn’t last quite as long. For the Spirit E-310, you get a 10-year warranty on the cook box, lid, and burner tubes, while only a 5-year warranty on the grates and bars and only a 2-year warranty on everything else.
Outstanding Features
Both of these grills are relatively straightforward models that don’t have, or need, a lot of bells or whistles to make a delicious meal. They both feature an accurate lid thermometer to help you cook your foods correctly. They also both feature shelves that can be folded up or down at your convenience and heavy-duty casters. The Spirit also comes with an easy-to-use fuel gauge to measure just how much propane you have left in the tank. The Broil King Signet 320 has an enviable amount of warming racks, making it a great option for larger get-togethers.
Conclusion
No matter how you slice it, these are two excellent options. They both are easy to start, easy to use, and could make an excellent addition to anyone’s backyard. If you are looking to save on space while getting the most cooking area for your money, then the Spirit might be the right option. Of course, if you have a larger space and want room to keep your food warm after you have grilled it, then the Signet 320 from Broil King might work better for you.
| Broil King Baron S490 | Weber Genesis II S-435 | |
| Fuel type | propane/natural gas options | propane/natural gas options |
| Total cooking area | 644 sq. in. | 844 sq. in. |
| Primary cooking area | 444 sq. in | 646 sq. in. |
| Burners | 4 | 4 |
| Side burner | Yes (10,000 BTUs) | Yes (12,000 BTUs) |
| Rotisserie burner | Yes (15,000 BTUs) | Available for purchase separately |
| BTUs | 40,000 | 48,000 |
| Dimensions | 57 x 24 x 45.5 inches | 65 x 29 x 45.7 inches |
| Weight | 157 lbs. | 214 lbs. |
| Warranty | lifetime on cast aluminum cook box; 10-year on dual-tube burners and stainless steel cook box; 2-year parts | 10-year limited |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON BBQGUYS |
Our next two models that we will examine are the Broil King Baron S490 and the Weber Genesis II S-435. Both of these grills are much larger than our previous entry, making them a great option for anyone who loves to grill lots of food at once or likes to entertain.
Burners and BTUs
Both of these grills come equipped with four different burners in the main cook box and a side burner on one of the shelves. This allows them to put out a ton of heat, though the Weber can put out a bit more than the Broil King.
The Genesis II is capable of cranking out an eye-popping 48,000 BTUs in its main cooking area. This allows it to heat up quickly and grill a lot of food at once. The side burner can put out an impressive 12,000 BTUs for side dishes.
The Broil King Baron is no slouch when it comes to bringing the heat either. This grill can crank out 40,000 BTUs in its main cooking area, as well as 10,000 on its side burner. The provided rotisserie burner can also create up to 15,000 BTUs as well.
Cooking Area
Since both of these models are larger than average grills, it should come as no surprise that they have extremely large cooking areas. Again, the slight edge has to be given to Weber in this duel, as it comes with a larger cooking surface.
The Weber grill has a 646 square inch main cooking surface, which would allow anyone to cook as much meat as their heart, or party desires. The total cooking area adds up to 844 square inches, which should provide plenty of room to keep your meals warm while you are grilling the next round.
By comparison, the Baron S490 is a bit smaller than the Weber but still provides plenty of grill space. The primary cooking area is about 444 square inches, while the overall size is 644 square inches.
Cooking System
As we mentioned above, each of these grills comes equipped with four main burners and one side burner. The side burners are perfect for making steamed vegetables or sauces while you grill on the main surface.
The Broil King Baron uses their patented Flav-R-Wave system to both protect the burners and allow foods to retain their juiciness. These triangular grates cover over the burners and are situated below the cast iron grates. Whenever juices drip down onto them, they instantly vaporize and surround the food that is being grilled, which helps to make it all the tastier. This grill also comes equipped with a rotisserie burner that will allow you to effortless cook whole chickens or roasts to mouthwatering perfection.
The Weber Genesis’ cooking system is consistent with their other models. The porcelain enamel cast iron cooking grates are easy to clean and retain heat very well. The flavorizer bars vaporize any drippings and help to protect the burners from any damage. If you want to spend a bit of extra money, you can also purchase a rotisserie cooking kit to use with this grill.
Size and Weight
Both of these grills are, unsurprisingly, quite large. They are designed to feed an army and will both require a small one to get them into place after they are assembled. The Weber Genesis II is the larger of the two when it comes to both weight and overall dimensions. This behemoth of a grill weighs in at 214 pounds, making it difficult to move about even with the high-quality casters. The Broil King Baron is no lightweight either, weighing in at 157 pounds. Both will take up about the same amount of space, though the Weber is on the taller side.
Warranty
As with the previous model, the Weber Genesis comes with a 10-year limited warranty. Each of its different components will be covered for a different amount of time, with the cook box and burners getting the longest coverage.
The Broil King Baron’s cook box is guaranteed for life, while the burners and steel components in the cook box are only covered for 10 years. All other parts are guaranteed for 2 years.
Outstanding Features
Perhaps the best feature of the Genesis II is its size. The cooking surface is absolutely enormous, making it a piece of cake to grill tons of food at once. The side burner is another big plus since it can really crank out a lot of heat with no effort at all.
For the Broil King Baron, the most impressive feature is the included rotisserie kit. Though you can buy one of these separately for the Genesis from Weber, it is included with the purchase of the Baron, which is an amazing value, not to mention a great way to make a delicious meal.
Conclusion
These are two outstanding grills. Both of them are extremely large and can really put out a lot of heat. They are both also quite heavy as well. If you are looking for the largest grill that you can possibly buy, then the Genesis II might be the right model for you. The Broil King is on the smaller side but comes with a rotisserie kit and can still cook tons of food at once, making it an awesome value in the right situation.
| Broil King Imperial XLC | Weber Summit S-670 | |
| Fuel type | propane/natural gas options | propane/natural gas options |
| Total cooking area | 1,000 sq. in. | 769 sq. in. |
| Primary cooking area | 500/250 sq. in | 624 sq. in. |
| Burners | 6 | 6 |
| Side burner | Yes (10,000 BTUs) | Yes (12,000 BTUs) |
| Rotisserie burner | Yes (15,000 BTUs) | Yes (10,600 BTUs) |
| BTUs | 60,000 | 60,000 |
| Dimensions | 76 x 24.8 x 49.2 inches | 74.1 x 26.5 x 50.5 inches |
| Weight | 313 lbs. | 289 lbs. |
| Warranty | lifetime on cook box; 10-year on burners, grids, and Flav-R-Wave; 2-year on parts | 10-year limited |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON BBQGUYS |
Our final two combatants are for experience grill masters only. These two grills are extremely large and are made for someone that wants to cook tons of food at once.
Burners and BTUs
Both of these grills come with 6 different burners. They also both feature a side burner and a rotisserie burner, basically making them a complete kitchen in the backyard. Both of these grills also put out 60,000 BTUs in their main cook box, though the heat varies in the different sections.
For the Broil King Imperial, it can put out 10,000 BTUs on its side burner and 15,000 BTUs for the rotisserie. The Weber Summit can provide up to 12,000 BTUs on the side burner but only 10,600 BTUs on the rotisserie section.
Cooking Area
These grills are meant to be exceptionally large, and they both deliver on this promise with flying colors. The Imperial has a larger cooking area overall at 1,000 square inches compared to the Summit’s 769. The Summit, however, has a larger main cooking area of 624 square inches. The Imperial’s primary cooking area is broken down into two different sections, with one measuring 500 square inches and the other equaling out to 250 inches squared.
Cooking System
Both of these grills utilize similar cooking systems to the previous entries on our list, with the Broil King featuring their Flav-R-Wave system and the Weber utilizing the Flavorizer bars. Both of these systems work to perfection to the same end, though the Broil Kings allow for more even heat distribution.
Even though both of these grills use the same number of burners, the Weber is a bit easier to utilize. The design of the knobs and their position in coordination with the burners are a bit easier to understand and utilize right away than the Imperial. Of course, with a bit of practice, the Imperial is easy to use as well.
Size and Weight
The overall size of these two grills is basically the exact same, with a few inch differences here and there. The weight, however, is a different story entirely. No matter which grill you prefer, they are both absolute beasts. The Broil King Imperial tips the scales at 313 pounds, making it nearly impossible to move with one person alone. Of course, the Weber Summit is quite heavy as well, weighing in at 289 pounds. Both of these models are the type of grill that you need to pick the location for very carefully since once you get it in place, you won’t want to move it again.
Warranty
As has been the case with all of their entries, Weber’s Summit comes with a 10-year limited warranty, with the cook box and grates being covered for the longest amount of time. The Broil King Imperial comes with a lifetime guarantee on the cook box, a 10-year warranty on the burners and grids, and a 2-year warranty on everything else.
Outstanding Features
Perhaps the best feature for the Imperial from Broil King is how much storage space it provides. It has a variety of drawers and cabinets, as well as tool hooks, to keep you organized while you are grilling. This is absolutely essential when you are making a lot of food at once, which makes this a very attractive grill.
The Weber Summit also comes with some nice features. It has tool hooks that are very easy to use, as well as a more user-friendly design. Even if you haven’t ever used a grill of this magnitude before, you should be able to get started on the Summit without too many issues.
Conclusion
If you are looking to make enough food to feed the whole town, the Broil King Imperial and Weber Summit are two awesome options. They both can put out a ton of heat and have loads of space for grilling. The Weber has a larger primary cooking area, but the Broil King provides lots of space to cook and keep your food warm as well.
When it comes to finding a new grill, you can’t do much better than a Broil King or a Weber. These two companies have built a great reputation through the years for outstanding grill designs and high-quality builds. They also make plenty of grills to fit your lifestyle and grilling style. Whether you have a huge backyard or a smaller one, you can easily find a Weber or a Broil King grill to fit the bill. As far as declaring a winner in the debate of Broil King vs. Weber, it really comes down to personal preference. No matter which grill you pick, you are guaranteed to get a good one that is sure to help you make great food for years to come.
