Broil King vs Weber

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If you know anything at all about smoking and grilling, you’ve probably heard of the Weber vs. Broil King grill debate. These two companies when combined hold a tremendous amount of market share when it comes to gas grills. Thankfully their model lines match up quite well. One big difference between the two is where…

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Broil King vs Weber cover photo

If you know anything at all about smoking and grilling, you’ve probably heard of the Weber vs. Broil King grill debate. These two companies when combined hold a tremendous amount of market share when it comes to gas grills. Thankfully their model lines match up quite well. One big difference between the two is where they manufacture their grills.

Because they have so many model lines it isn’t such an easy task to state one is better than the other. These are both premium-line gas grill manufacturers that use quality materials. Read on and we will explain the differences between the two and discuss their manufacturing methods and locations.

Broil King Grills vs. Weber

Weber and Broil King are two well-known brands in the BBQ world. These grills each offer their own unique sense of style and comfort. They both have a lot to offer. 

In terms of versatility, from both companies, you can find things like wood pellet grills, propane grills, charcoal grills, electric grills, and even portable grills. Our focus today will be on traditional outdoor grills; that fall specifically into the propane / natural gas category. 

Just a heads up. Both companies have a very large offering of grills from introductory to high end. Let’s cover the basics of what each manufacturer offers. 

Weber Revamped the Genesis Line

Back in 2022 Weber announced that they were taking the Genesis line, one of the most recognized lines of gas grills, and making a series of large changes and improvements. The two biggest changes came with the rollout of the Weber CONNECT smart system and the improved sear station. 

For a deeper look into all the upgrades for the Genesis line, take a look at Michael Haas’s quick take review.

Introductory Model Line :

IMAGE MODEL FEATURES
byb2-table__imageWeber Spirit E 310
  • 530 square inches of cooking space
  • Push start ignition
  • 3 stainless steel burners/32 000 BTU's
CHECK PRICE
byb2-table__imageBroil King Signet 320
  • 635 square inches of cooking space
  • Sensi-touch control temp. knobs
  • 3 stainless steel burners/40,000 BTU's
CHECK PRICE

Mid-Range Model Line :

IMAGE MODEL FEATURES
byb2-table__imageTop PickTop PickWeber Genesis SX-335
  • Smart Gas Grill
  • Extra side burner
  • 39 000 BTU's
CHECK PRICE
byb2-table__imageBroil King Baron S 490
  • Infrared Burner
  • Comes with rotisserie burner
  • 50 000 BTU's
CHECK PRICE

Luxury Model Line :

IMAGE MODEL FEATURES
byb2-table__imageTop PickTop PickWeber Summit S 670
  • 769 square inches of cooking space
  • 10 year company guarantee
  • 60 800 BTU's
CHECK PRICE
byb2-table__imageBroil King Regal S590 Pro
  • 875 square inches of cooking space
  • Sensi-touch control knobs
  • 55 000 BTU's
CHECK PRICE

Comparison of: Intro, Mid, and High-End Grills

As we compare these two manufacturers, we will pit specific products against each other in matched categories and see just who comes out on top. Remember that each company has its own unique features to offer. We’re just here to compare them. 

Weber and Broil King Introductory Lines

Weber Spirit E-310 vs. Broil King Signet 320

Apples to apples, these grills are approximately the same size. They are both fairly large overall in size, but not as large as some of their other lines. 

The Weber Spirit is bulkier by design and may require some additional storage space. Let’s break it down and give you a rundown of each one. 

Check out this side-by-side comparison chart as well. 

Weber Spirit E-310Broil King Signet 320
Technical SpecsWeber Spirit E-310Broil King Signet 320
BTUs32,00040,000
Cooking Space529 square inches635 square inches
Dimensions (closed)45.5H x 52W x 24D48.4H x 23.2W x 56.5L
WarrantyUp to 10 yearsUp to 10 years
Hooks/ShelvesStainless steel side tables, 6 hooksStainless steel side tables
ThermometerBuilt into lidBuilt into lid
MaterialsStainless steel with cast iron gratesStainless steel with cast iron grates
Compare PriceCompare Price

Weber Spirit E-310 Review – Angry BBQ Top Pick

What We Like…

  • 3 stainless steel burners
  • Lower Cabinet With Door
  • 530 square feet of cooking space
  • Push-button start is simple

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Shorter Warranty
  • Fewer BTUs for a large cooking space

The Weber Spirit as we mentioned, is bulkier than its counterpart here. At the same time, it stands out in an overall design that makes it look sleek and more appealing overall in terms of the visual aspect. 

This grill has wheels on its cart to make moving it super easy. The wheels also lock to safely keep it in place otherwise. The Weber Spirit has 529 square inches of total cooking space. The majority of that is on the primary rack with about 105 square inches on the warming rack. 

This grill has 3 burners and puts out around 32,000 BTUs. You will find that this is considerably less than the Signet, despite the larger cooking area that the Spirit offers. This just means that the heat output is going to be lower in comparison. 

The cooking grate is cast iron so it won’t rust easily and it will retain heat well for cooking purposes. This is a cooking grate designed to last. The side shelves are stainless steel and offer plenty of space as needed. They are a bit tedious to fold in for storage. 

Broil King Signet 320 Review

What We Like…

  • 3 stainless steel burners
  • 635 total square inches of cooking space
  • Sensi-touch control temperature knobs
  • 10-year Warranty

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Not as visually appealing as the Spirit

The Broil King Signet is smaller in size and stature compared to the Spirit but it’s also less bulky and slightly more user-friendly overall. They too offer propane gas or a natural gas option and the price will vary depending on which you choose. 

The Signet King 320 comes in only one color choice, which is a nice stainless steel and black that looks great anywhere. The stainless steel is not as shiny so, at first glance, the visual comparison is handed to the Spirit. 

The Signet King is easy to move and the side trays easily collapse for storage. It’s not as bulky as the Spirit and it’s easier to move around all things considered. It just feels lighter and moves less roughly. 

The cooking area is wider overall at 635 square inches but the primary cooking rack is smaller at only about 400 square inches. The warming rack takes up the rest of that space, making the actual cooking surface smaller than that of the Spirit. At the same time, it’s plenty large to cook for small crowds and families alike. 

The Signet is equipped with 3 burners that exude 40,000 BTU, which is higher than the Spirit. The grill heats quickly and stays nice and hot overall. The burners are high-quality stainless steel that are made in America. 

Weber and Broil King Mid-Range Line Comparison

Weber Genesis SX-335 Vs. Broil King Baron S490 PRO IR

Again, we compare two grills that fall into the same category when it comes to size and functionality. Let’s find out how Weber and Broil King stand apart when compared in the mid-range category. 

Here is a quick reference comparison chart. 

Technical SpecsWeber Genesis SX-335Broil King S490 PRO IR
BTUs39,00040,000
Cooking Space787660
Dimensions (closed)48.5H x 62W x 27D46.5H x 57W x 24D
Warranty12 years15 years
Hooks/ShelvesStainless steel shelves, 6 hooksStainless steel shelves, 4 hooks
ThermometerTemperature displayed as part of Weber CONNNECT system, no built-in lid thermometerBuilt-in to lid
MaterialsStainless steel, porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking gratesStainless steel, stainless steel rod cooking grids


Weber Genesis SX-335 Smart Grill Review – Top Pick

What We Like…

  • Plenty of cooking space
  • Expanded sear zone
  • Frames for the Weber CRAFTED grillware included
  • Side grill locker for extra storage
  • Weber CONNECT system included
  • Side burner for extra cooking space

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Pricey
  • Stainless steel cooking grates rather than porcelain-enameled cast iron

While the Genesis SX-335 may be a mid-line grill, its feature list is anything but mid-tier. Whether you go with the stainless steel look or all-black, it’s a striking grill full of features. It comes with the Weber CONNECT system standard so you can monitor your cook with the built-in display or from the Weber app on your smartphone.

Weber also upgraded the wheels on the cart with four heavy-duty swivel casters. Two of them lock to keep your grill steady while cooking. The cart also has two side shelves, one that also is the side sear station.

The cart has plenty of storage from the interior cabinet to the side locker. You’ll have plenty of room for all your tools and the CRAFTED grillware.

Weber packed 787 sq. in. of total cooking space into the SX-335 with 513 sq. in. of primary cooking space and 274 sq. in. of expanded warming rack. The three burners put out 39,000 BTUs per hour. When you want to get that extra sear on your steaks, Weber expanded their sear zone to allow more steaks to get hit with 13,000 BTUs per hour.

It also has a side burner putting out 12,000 BTUs per hour, ideal for cooking sides or warming sauces.


Broil King Baron S 490 PRO IR Review

What We Like…

  • Included rotisserie kit with a specific burner setup
  • All four swivel casters are locking
  • Infrared side burner quickly reaches extremely high temperatures for perfect searing
  • Side shelves fold down to help take up as little room as possible when not in use
  • Control knobs are backlit, perfect for cooking into the night

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Smaller cooking area that the Genesis SX-335

Broil King put out a nice, industrial-looking grill in the Baron S490 PRO IR. It is a major step up in looks from the Signet line. This grill has more than looks, though. It has plenty of features to go with the look.

It features four stainless steel Dual-Tube burners as well as a ceramic infrared side burner that serves as searing station. The other burner is a rotisserie burner to help provide the proper heat at the right location for the included rotisserie kit. The kit includes a motor, spit, and clamps. This makes the Baron S490 PRO IR perfect for doing rotisserie-style chicken, other poultry, and small roasts.

Where the Baron lacks is in cooking space. The Genesis SX-335 has over 100 sq. in. more in cooking space, and the primary cooking space on the Baron is only 460 sq. in. However, the Baron’s 40,000 BTUs per hour can quickly and efficiently cook in that space. You just have to be aware of some space limitations.

Like the SX-335, the Baron has four swivel casters, but all four of the Baron’s are locking, providing additional stability to keep your grill where you want it.


Weber and Broil King Luxury Line Comparison

Weber Summit S-670 Vs Broil King Regal

Below, you will find a quick reference comparison chart as well. 

Technical SpecsWeber Summit S-670Broil King Regal S590 PRO
BTUs60,00055,000
Cooking Space769 square inches875 square inches
Dimensions (closed)57.1H x 74.1W x 30D49.2H x 62.5W x 24.8D
Warranty10 years15 years
Hooks/ShelvesStainless steel side tables, 6 hooksStainless steel shelves, 6 hooks
ThermometerBuilt into lidBuilt into lid
MaterialsStainless steel with cast iron gratesStainless steel with stainless steel cooking grids

Weber Summit S-670 Review  – Angry BBQ Top Pick

What We Like…

  • Includes a rotisserie burner
  • 6 stainless steel burners
  • Natural gas grill
  • 10-year company guarantee
  • Large and versatile grill option

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Price. It’s by far the highest but like most things, you get what you pay for.

Update: Weber is currently revamping the entire Summit line, including smart grill options.

The Weber Summit is pure stainless steel with no black or color additions. It is sleek and stylish and also noticeably more expensive than the Imperial. You can expect to spend about $2,700 on this premium grill that Weber offers. 

One thing we want to point out is that both of these grill models have both natural gas and propane gas choices and the prices may vary depending on which feature you choose. The overall weight of the Summit is much heavier and bulkier to maneuver. It weighs in at about 290 pounds. This weight exemplifies the build quality of a Summit. You are getting heavy gauge steel that will stand the test of time.   

In size, the Summit is slightly larger, measuring at 3.9×2.5×4.3 feet. The Summit is equipped with front-mounted controls and 6 stainless steel burners. The burners are set up with a snap-jet ignition system that is individually tied to each burner. 

The S-670 comes with a built-in smoker box. This enables you to put in your favorite wood chips to add a smokey flavor to your grilled items. There is also a sear station and a gourmet kit which allows you to remove the round center area of the grids to drop in Weber cooking accessories like their griddle, chicken cooker, and more.

You will not be short on hooks to hand all your grill tools either. There are over 6 hooks. Don’t forget grill lights built onto the handle, lighted control knobs, and 9mm solid stainless steel cooking grates.

This grill also had a rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner which provides the ability for indirect rotisserie cooking. The cart is enclosed and the grill is equipped with a thermometer.  

Broil King Regal S 590 Pro Review

What We Like…

  • Bigger cooking area than the Summit S-670
  • Included rotisserie kit and specialized rotisserie burner
  • Sensi-touch knob technology with built-in lights
  • Condiment bins built into the side shelves
  • More storage in the cabinet

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Less BTUs per hour over a larger cooking space
  • Doesn’t quite match all the features of the Summit S-670

The Broil King Regal S590 PRO is a massive five-burner grill that has an additional side burner and the specialized rotisserie burner. It packs a massive 875 sq. in. cooking space under the stainless steel lid giving you plenty of room for an entire meal (or two.)

What is interesting that in the other size comparison, Broil King usually has a smaller cooking area powered by more BTUs. With the Regal S590, Broil King has done the opposite. They have a larger cooking area, but fewer BTUs, putting out 55,000 vs the Summit S-670’s 60,000.

However, the Regal S590 PRO is usually significantly cheaper than the Summit S-670 and is still a great grill. It offers plenty of storage, a side burner, and four heavy-duty locking swivel casters.


A Brief History of Weber Grills

Weber brings a lot to the grill table. Since starting back in 1893 they have brought many innovations to the BBQ world. Back in 1952, George Stevens of the Weber company, fabricated the first Charcoal Kettle which revolutionized the way people would BBQ at home. Today, we’re focusing on the key lines that make up Weber’s offering.

Spirit Models Overview:

  • The Spirit series is Weber’s introductory gas grill line. It is still a very high quality grill when compared to lesser brands but lacks some of the innovative features of the Genesis line. The Spirit provides quality construction and materials with a no-frills approach. They are typically smaller in size. If you want more grill space and burners, you need to step into a Genesis. There are now two different Spirit lines. The Spirit and Spirit II. We go through these in great detail here.

Genesis II Models Overview:

  • The Genesis line brings the quality construction and materials of the Spirit but brings you into the latest innovations such as options for infrared burners, attractive exterior colors and finishes, and more. This is the mid-range line for Weber but a very high end product in the world of gas grills. Currently Weber has almost 40 different Genesis II models available. Full 10 year warranty. We compare the differences of the Genesis to the Spirit here.

Summit Models Overview:

  • The Summit series comes in charcoal or gas options. These are the premium choices from Weber. The Summit is the pinnacle offering from Weber. No expense is spared when building this series. The highest end materials and every possible creature comfort are included in this line. Be ready to shell out a premium for this line of grills. Full 10 year warranty.


A Brief History of Broil King

Broil King also has multiple grills to choose from. They have similar choices in the categories of pellet, gas, charcoal, portable, and even built-in grill options. Broil King was founded in 1906 by the Onward Manufacturing company. There is a lot of heritage in this company and they are still family-run. Here are the lines you will see discussed today. 

Signet Models Overview:

  • The Signet is a gas grill that compares to the Spirit series from Weber. It’s simple and sturdy with easy-to-use dials and controls. This is a standard-sized grill with side trays. This line has 3 options to choose from and is part of Broil King’s introductory lines. The Signet is one of Broil King’s best-selling gas grills today. Full 10-year warranty is standard.

Baron Models Overview:

  • The Baron compares to the Weber Genesis line. It comes in comparable sizes and burner options as the Genesis II line.  In this mid-grade range, you start seeing better construction, materials, options, and sizes being available. Standard features like the 8mm stainless cooking grids and Flav-R-Wave system gets you into the realm of premium features. Infrared burners are also available in this line. Full 15-year warranty is standard.

Regal Models Overview:

  • The Regal line is now Broil King’s flagship offering. Previously the Imperial line was the premium model line, that has recently been discontinued in what appears to be an effort to reduce model lines that had minimal differences. You get every new innovation offered from Broil King, the best materials, fit and finish and the largest grill sizes. It’s stainless steel with closed shelves and plenty of dials (that illuminate) and controls. Broil King is famous for adding extra options as standard affair. The Regal series has 9mm stainless cooking grids, rotisserie kit, and Full 15-year warranty.

When it comes to choices, Weber has more choices to offer overall but their number of choices could be overwhelming to some. We decided to focus on the lines that compete more directly with one another. We wanted to compare apples to apples with this comparison and I think we did a good job with the lines we picked. We also wanted to pick the lines that are best sellers for the companies and are readily available.

Broil King isn’t the only grill company with Canadian roots. Napoleon Grills is based in Quebec and makes competitive grills compared to Broil King and Weber.

Are Weber and Broil King
Made in the USA?

Made in the USA logo

Both of these companies have their primary headquarters and production plants in the USA. 

Where are Weber Grills Made?

Weber headquarters are located in Illinois and this is where the grills are assembled and produced. The thing to note here is that while the grills are made in the USA and the company is headquartered there, many of the components of the grills are imported

Unfortunately, this actually puts them on the edge of being able to claim that their products are made in the USA. This is not an uncommon practice. What you need to keep in mind is that some of the grills are built on USA soil and the offices are headquartered there as well. 

Weber grills has continued to change components to imported components over the years and more attention has been drawn to this noticeable fact. Our research shows that the more premium lines of grills are still assembled in the USA and they might contain globally sourced materials. The Weber Spirit and the Genesis II are currently made in China.

Where are Broil King Grills Made?

On the other hand, Broil King grills are built in the USA and so far there is no information that suggests otherwise. It’s not clear whether the parts are also made in the USA but the fact that there is nothing trying to draw that out, makes us think they are in the clear. 

Broil King has manufacturing plants in both Indiana and Tennessee. They also have a plant in Ontario, Canada. This is a family-owned company fully supported in the North American range, using for sure North American steel for their products. 


General Comparison

In a match between Broil King Grills vs. Weber Grills, they both stand out to us in their own ways. What we noticed the most is that Broil King typically had higher BTUs for the cooking space covered. This may be good or bad depending on your skill set and attention span. I’ve heard Weber fans call Broil King, “Burn King”. To me having the extra BTU’s is great for the people that know how to use a grill and keep an eye on their cooks.

They both offer custom warranties and guarantees from the company. Weber has unique iGrill technology that connects to a phone app while Broil King has Sensi-touch knob technology that sets them apart. 

The overall construction is comparable in quality. Broil King uses American-made steel and tends to be less bulky and cumbersome. 

Conclusion

It’s hard to pick a winner in this type of comparison because both companies are the leaders in this gas grill space. We helped point out the differences of each and what makes them unique. At the end of the day Broil King comes in with slightly lower prices or includes a couple more features than Weber. Weber is known for high quality but what’s disappointing is they continue to outsource more labor and parts to countries outside of the US. I believe in US and Canadian made goods so I personally prefer Broil King.

If I had to pick one of these units based on overall value, build quality and features, I would pick the new Genesis SX-335 Smart Gas Grill. I’m a proponent of technology that makes our lives easier, and the Smart Grill capabilities of the SX-335 along with the over build quality of Weber Genesis grills, makes this a top pick.

However, we want to point out that both brands are quality options. Choosing a clear cut winner is certainly a challenge and you can’t go wrong with any one of the models compared and reviewed above. 

Here’s to sweet summertime and outdoor grilling! Happy shopping. Still interested in another Weber comparison?

AngryBBQ Team

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2 Comments

2 thoughts on “Broil King vs Weber”

  1. A few things to note. The Broil King has a cast aluminum top on the fire box on Signet line and the Weber does not.

    On the Summit line Weber does not use a cast aluminum firebox at all and the summits fall apart from rust because of it. I would never recommend a Weber Summit gas grill to anyone as they are way overpriced and fall apart. The Spirit and Genesis are very good grills.

    I like the fact that Weber finally has some competition and wish I saw more of them in the big box stores as competition will keep Weber on its toes.

    Reply

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2 thoughts on “Broil King vs Weber”

  1. A few things to note. The Broil King has a cast aluminum top on the fire box on Signet line and the Weber does not.

    On the Summit line Weber does not use a cast aluminum firebox at all and the summits fall apart from rust because of it. I would never recommend a Weber Summit gas grill to anyone as they are way overpriced and fall apart. The Spirit and Genesis are very good grills.

    I like the fact that Weber finally has some competition and wish I saw more of them in the big box stores as competition will keep Weber on its toes.

    Reply

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