Do you want a reliable gas grill? Thinking Weber, but don’t want to spend a lot of money? You could consider the Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill. It’s a three-burner grill with Weber support and reliability.
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Full Review – Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill
Spirit is the ‘budget’ line of gas grills from Weber. The Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill, which runs around $600USD doesn’t sound budget. But then you pay for the Weber name and reputation. The truth is, that this grill gives you three burners and nothing else. It is a basic model without any extras. The standard configuration has three burners, producing up to 32,000 BTUs under 424 square inches of cooking surface. Not an impressive number. The porcelain-coated cooking grates are heavy enough to put grill marks on a steak, but this isn’t a high-performance unit.
Now, this isn’t a bad grill. For a three-burner grill, it has a small footprint and with the fold-down side tables, is perfect for small spaces. It has good potential for indirect grilling and can do most grilling tasks well. The stainless steel design isn’t going to win any awards, but it is still relatively attractive. This is a nice gauge for checking how much propane you still have and a nice space to hide such a tank.
The real reason not to buy this model is that it lacks the qualities that other Weber grills have. Weber has innovated their gas grills over the past few years, but this model lacks those innovations. With the Spirit II or Genesis II, you get improved burners and ignition and a better warranty. Those models have a ten-year warranty on virtually everything. This grill has a warranty that covers components for anywhere from ten to two years. Additionally, for 2021, Weber has introduced their ‘smart’ grill version that adds a WiFi-enabled temperature monitoring system directly into the grill.
One last thing, while this grill looks shiny, the stainless steel it is made of isn’t the best of quality. It takes more effort to keep this grill looking good than it does a basic black grill.
Specifications
- Three 10,667 BTU top ported stainless steel burners
- 424 square inches of primary cooking space with a total of 529 square inches
- 32,000 BTU maximum output from the main burners
- Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates
- Fold-down side tables
- Electronic Ignition (one AA battery)
- Cast aluminum and stainless steel construction
- Cover and propane tank sold separately
- Sold as Propane or Natural Gas – not convertible
- Also available in an enameled painted version
- Made in China by Weber-Stephen Products Company
PROS
- Good Burner Design
- Solid Construction
- Strong Warranty
CONS
- Comparatively Basic Grill
- Doesn’t Use Weber’s Better Cooking System
- Low Heat Output
- Lower Grade Stainless Steel
Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill Review
Summary
Weber Spirit Gas Grills are built to be more affordable than Weber’s very popular Genesis line. The Spirit S-315 has a collection of stainless steel body parts, though it is mostly cast aluminum and enameled steel in construction. This is a simple gas grill. It has three burners and nothing else. Of course, this grill has the Weber name on it as well as Weber support, which is very good.
Ultimately, this is a simple and small gas grill. If you need small, it is a good choice. The side tables fold down, so it stores in a small corner of your patio. The heat output is low, to be honest. Quiet low, in fact. Weber’s engineering makes the most of that heat, but most competing grills offer higher cooking temperatures and shorter preheat times. I’m not saying that you should buy this grill. What I do recommend is that you scroll down a bit to see some of my suggestions for something better.
Consider Instead:
Weber Spirit II E-310
No, it isn’t as attractive, however, you get a better warranty and Weber’s latest cooking system. This is still a simple grill and not heavy-duty. On the other hand, it has the same number of burners, cooking area, and cooking grates and costs more than $100USD less. This model is compatible with Weber’s iGrill technology, so if you want connected temperature monitoring, you can get it for around $100USD. Not a bad deal.
Broil King Monarch 490
For a little more money you can get all the bells and whistles that this price range in gas grills has to offer. The Broil King Monarch might not have the same quality as the Weber Spirit, but it comes with a side burner and full rotisserie system. Now when I say that the quality isn’t the same, it’s actually a minor downgrade with the Broil King. Nothing significant. If you want the features, then this is the grill to buy.
Napoleon Rogue 425
Like the Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill, the Napoleon Rogue 425 is a simple three-burner gas grill. They both have fold-down side tables, a mixture of cast aluminum and enamel steel construction, and the same cooking area. They are both also, very similar in price. What the Napoleon has is more power and a better warranty. Of the two, the Napoleon is the better choice. Of course, this gas grill doesn’t have stainless steel body parts. (see my article “Napoleon versus Weber“)
About Me
I have been writing about Barbecue & Grilling for 25 years. I have cooked on almost every grill or smoker ever built. In that time, I have endeavored to match people with the grill or smoker that is right for them. I believe that the right product is the one that you find easy to use, capable of doing everything you want, and is reliable. If you have a good first experience, you will be back for more. In this way, we grow barbecue for the next generation. I want you to make the memories that your children will cherish.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article and the website it appears on uses sales affiliates to cover the cost of operation. If you choose to purchase a product through the links provided, a portion of that sale will go to me. It helps me create content, so I can help you and others have the best barbecue experience. I am grateful to all my readers over the years that have been so kind as to assist me in my exploration of outdoor cooking. Thank you.
