Weber Genesis vs Summit Grills – What’s the Difference?

When it comes to choosing a grill, you will find that some grill brands have a multitude of different options to choose from. For example, Weber offers various series of grills – namely, the Weber Q, Spirit, Genesis, and Summit series.

Within each series Weber has anywhere from two to a dozen or so individual grill products. They all have unique qualities and vary to some extent from one another.

Two of the most well-known lines that Weber offers are their Genesis and Summit series. These are some of the most popular choices across the board because the lines have a good reputation and nearly all of the grills in these series rank as some of the top options on the market.

But which series should you choose? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive review and overview of the Weber Genesis vs Summit lines of grills. We will share some of the grills from each line and let you know just what sets the two apart.

 

High Level Overview of Genesis & Summit Grills

Before we get too far in the weeds, it’s important to frame this comparison by looking at how each series relates to other products on the market.

The Weber Summit series definitely falls into the high-end gas grill category. They’re pricey, but you can expect these grills to be designed with elite craftsmanship and to come loaded with upgrades like rotisserie kits, rear infrared burners, and more.

The Weber Genesis series is more of a mid-range grill. But as you’ll see, we think quite highly of the Genesis series – the grills are extremely well made, they just lack the upgrades you’d see on a more luxurious setup.

Weber Genesis Overview

The Weber Genesis is the top-notch grill series. It includes several different grills within the series. This series is larger grills that are very nice without falling into the high-end category. They fall into a mid-range category.

The Genesis grills do have some additional features to a standard grill but the Summit is a high-end grill so it may have even more bells and whistles to catch your attention. In terms of the price, Genesis is in the mid-range price category as well.

The Genesis series provides even heat distribution with cast iron cooking grids that are coated in porcelain enamel. The grids act as a cover for steel flavorizer bars. The Genesis series is now in the second generation so you will want to look for the Genesis II label to be sure you’re not getting an old series that is now outdated.

You will find 3 or 4-burner grills that offer anywhere from 12,000 to 13,000 BTUs per burner. These grills are also compatible with iGrill technology. This allows you to monitor your grilling food temperature from an app on your phone.

You will also find that many of the grills in this series have side burners. Some have sear stations. They are all on movable carts that have varying levels of storage.

The Weber Genesis is backed by a 10-year warranty through Weber. Here are some of the most prominent features of the Weber Genesis line.

• Intuitive burners with even temperature distribution
• Grease is caught by flavorizer bars and anything else collects nicely in a small drip pan
• Infinity ignition system that works wonderfully
• Flavorizer bars to add flavor and reduce flare-ups
• iGrill technology
• Color options and burner options

You will also see some additional features that the Spirit line doesn’t include like enclosed carts with more storage, additional side burners and sear stations, and various attachments. All of the Genesis series grills are at least 3 burners.

Weber Summit Overview

The Weber Summit series also has multiple grills available. Some of them are freestanding while some of them are capable of being built-in to a space. This series is a high-end series which means that is the top of the line. It has all of the premium features as well as a premium price range.

Here are some of the high-end features that set the Weber Summit series apart.

• Heavy-duty stainless steel materials
• Steel rod cooking grids
• LED-backlighting for the control knobs
• Rotisserie stations
• Snap-jet ignition design
• Rapid sear burner technology

These are just a few things that you will find is standard across most high-end grills but is rarely available in traditional grills that don’t fall into the high-end category. The same is true of Weber Summit grills.

The Summit series has a light to make grilling in the dark a breeze. You get to enjoy the same flavorizer bars, cooking grid design, and burner power that you experience from the Genesis series.

The snap-jet ignition means that every burner ignites individually and it’s a very simple ignition process. The flavorizer bars are stainless steel. Even the side burner has substantial BTU power. The rotisserie kit that comes with each of these is also a pretty awesome additional feature.

These grills are all spacious with at least 3 burners. Again, this series is covered by Weber’s 10-year warranty and their quality customer service.

On both the Genesis and Summit series, you will find propane and natural gas options to choose from as well as the potential for conversion.

Now, let’s take a look at some of Weber’s top grills, including grills from both the Genesis and Summit series.

Weber Genesis vs Summit – Grill Comparisons

This is not an exhaustive comparison list as there are plenty of excellent Weber grills that we will not take a look at here.  Our hope is to compare two of the most popular choices from the Genesis and Summit series so that you can get an idea of the differences and similarities of the two.

Weber Genesis II E-310

The Weber Genesis II E-310 is a definite fan favorite because it has a closed-in storage space, plenty of shelving and work space, and has all of those primary features that you need. It powerful burners with plenty of BTU output at 39,000 BTUs for the main cooking space.

This grill has 669 square inches of cooking space when you include the warming area. It is equipped with 3 stainless steel burners that have a porcelain enamel coating. This grill is offered in both natural gas or propane fueled options.

The grill has durable wheels that don’t stick or wear out in the weather. You also get all of the GS4 grilling technology like flavorizer bars, high-performance burners with even heat distribution, infinity ignition that rarely fails, and more.

We love the sleek black color but be aware that you can choose from some other color options as well for this particular model. It has closing doors around the propane tank and some accessory hooks as well. Don’t forget the iGrill 3 app technology too!

Pros:

• Even heat distribution on burners
• Plenty of BTU output for the space
• 660 square inches of cooking space
• Searing side burner
• Plenty of storage and storage hooks

Cons:

• Even though the value is there I wouldn’t exactly call this grill cheap.  You get what you pay for though

Weber Summit S-670 Gas Grill

The Weber Summit series is the high-end series from Weber. This is where you can look if you want high-end features like conversion from propane to natural gas, backlit knobs, rotisserie cooking, and rapid searing technology.

The Summit series does not disappoint. It has all of those really great premium options as well as a premium price tag. However, as far as high-end grills are concerned, the price is still affordable.

The Summit S-670 has 60,000 BTUs designated to the primary cooking area. The cooking spade is a total of 769 square inches when you include the warming rack and rotisserie area. The rotisserie section and the side burner have their own BTU output as well.

The cooking grates are optimal at 9 mm stainless steel. This series also has the snap-jet burner ignition that gives you individual burner control. The side tables are stainless still as is the lid and the flavorizer bars.

This grill will work with iGrill 3 technology. It has LED knobs as well as a light for cooking needs. It has plenty of storage, doors that enclose the propane tank, and just about anything you could possibly need in a grill. It is also covered by the 10-year Weber warranty.

Pros:

• High-end grill features
• LED-backlit knobs
• Rotisserie infrared burner
• High power with 60,000 BTUs
• Storage space, shelves, and side tables

Cons:

• Some things, like the knobs, are made with plastic which takes away from the overall high-end quality
• Price is definitely on the high end

Budget Friendly Alternative – Weber Spirit E-310

The Spirit series is a small series that Weber offers and is a cheaper alternative to the Weber Genesis vs Summit debate. These grills often have 2-3 burners rather than 3+ burners. It makes a great option if you need something a bit more budget-friendly but still with plenty of quality.

The Spirit is more like a traditional grill. It doesn’t have as many additional features. This particular model actually has an option for natural gas or propane. Additionally, you can choose from an open-concept design or this design with a closing door over the propane space.

The Spirit E-310 has a total cooking care of 529 square inches. These are covered by 30,000 BTUs designated towards the main cooking area. This particular line does not have the flavorizer bricks or compatibility with the iGrill technology. It also does not have the special ignition designs of the other series but it is simple to ignite.

You do get a side burner with searing properties and you also have accessory hooks that you can use for storage. There are closing side shelves on each side. The materials are durable and standard, in line with the other Weber series.

Pros:

• Standard grill series option
• Closed door for propane space
• Stainless steel burners
• Plenty of BTU output
• Simple and yet well-made
• 10 year warranty

Cons:

• This grill is designed with more affordable materials and may not last as long as some

Weber Genesis vs Summit – Summary

Hopefully, you have gained a basic understanding of the difference between the Genesis series vs. the Summit series. There are some notable differences between the 2 series but, in all actuality, they are both great series of grills.

Weber is known for their quality and their grills have been sought after for many years. Their 10-year warranty also speaks volumes, although the warranty may be limited in some ways. We’ve covered a lot of ground, including reviews, so we want to provide a basic summary of the similarities and differences between these two lines.

Keep in mind that the Summit is a high-end series. This means it is higher-priced than the Genesis series but it has some pretty neat features to go with it. The Summit series features stainless steel flavorizers, backlit knobs, infrared rotisserie stations, and a special ignition with more control for each burner.

Then the Genesis series offers some great features. It has its own ignition system that is easy to use and almost never fails to ignite the first time. This series also has the flavorizer bars. It doesn’t have the rotisserie addition but it does have plenty of power and the side searing burner technology.

Both of these grills operate and coordinate with the iGrill technology that allows you to monitor your food from the app. Both series also have color options and the capabilities to choose natural gas or propane based on your needs.

You will find that the Genesis grills are at a more affordable price because it is not a high-end grill. It’s a step above the traditional grill and falls somewhere in the middle in both price and overall functionality.

In our reviews, we made a point to share with you the most popular selections from Weber’s 3 primary lines to give you a good opportunity to note the differences between them.

Final Thoughts

We hope that this guide helps to clarify the similarities and differences between the Weber Genesis vs Summit series. Both series are loaded with some really great grill options that can meet your needs. Whether you have the budget and the need for a high-end grill or you just want to go with something standard yet well-made, we’ve got you covered.

Weber is not new to the grilling industry. They’ve been in this practice for a number of years and their quality speaks for itself in terms of ratings and reviews. The warranty for 10-year coverage extends to every grill across every series they have.

Both winners in our books and it’s truly hard to pick one over the other in the debate. We hope you can find one that suits you!