Quite recently, Weber made the most significant update to their line-up in the last ten years by introducing the Genesis II series. You can find many models of the original Genesis series in the new Genesis II series. The update introduces not only a more modern design, but also an improved grilling system and new size options. In the article below, we are going to take a look at two interesting models: Weber Genesis 310 vs 410.
Many people often get confused in choosing between these two models because they look terribly similar to each other. However, the price difference between Weber Genesis 310 and Weber Genesis 410 is quite significant – about two hundred bucks. You definitely don’t want to spend that many dollars for something that you don’t benefit from. Therefore, continue reading before you make your choice!
Overall Dimension
The first difference between Weber Genesis 310 vs 410 that you can easily tell right away is the overall size. This is an important consideration if the available space in your kitchen is very limited. You have to make sure that you can actually put the model you are interested with in your kitchen.
Weber Genesis 310 has a better chance to fit in a tight kitchen because it is relatively smaller. It measures, 54 inches wide, 29 inches deep, and 45 inches tall. However, it also requires some clearing on top of it to allow you to open the lid. You need a free space of at least 16 inches tall and 2 inches deep to fully open the lid.
In addition, Weber Genesis 310 also makes a great choice for a limited space because the left side table is foldable. You can fold it down when it is not in use, effectively freeing some space. The right side table is not foldable because the gas tank rack is directly under.
On the other hand, Weber Genesis 410 is wider. The dimensions are 61” (W), 29” (D), and 45” (H). Just like Weber Genesis 310, this model also requires some clearing on the top to fully open the lid. However, both the left and right side tables of Weber Genesis 410 are not foldable.
Cooking Area and Number of Burners
The second important difference between Weber Genesis 310 vs 410 is the total cooking area. Obviously, with a larger size, comes a wider cooking area. With more cooking area, you can cook more foods at once.
Weber Genesis 310 has 513 square inches primary cooking area that is powered by 3 stainless steel burners. On the top of the primary cooking area, there is a tuck-away warming rack that is approximately 156 square inches. So, in total, you have 669 square inches total cooking area. In general, Weber Genesis 310 is ideal for family meals and entertaining a small group of friends and relatives. With Weber Genesis 310, you can easily cook to serve 5 – 7 people at once.
On the other hand, Weber Genesis 410 has a total cooking area of 844 square inches, consisting of 646 square inches primary cooking area and 198 square inches of warming rack area. Weber Genesis 410 is powered by 4 stainless steel burners, ensuring that the extra surface gets evenly heated. This model is quite more versatile; it is great for family use as well as for grilling enthusiasts who love to cook for larger groups of people. It is suitable for serving about 8 – 10 people at once.
Features
Both Weber Genesis 310 vs 410 are available in LP (liquid propane) and natural gas versions. These grills are not convertible. So, make sure that you choose the version that is suitable for your particular need. If you don’t have any gas line in your home, choosing the LP version will be much more practical. Besides, the LP version comes with a fuel gauge that enables you to monitor the remaining fuel level easily.
As mentioned above, both models come with side tables (Weber Genesis 310’s left table is foldable), which are handy for food preparation. Each has six tool hooks. They both have an open cart design that allows the user to quickly access various tools and ingredients directly in the rack. For some mobility, they each are equipped with two swiveling all-weather wheels. You will find the wheels as a great help when moving the grill.
iGrill3 Bluetooth Thermometer
Both have the porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and lid that are incredibly durable. The lid has a built-in thermometer. However, you are probably intrigued to try using the iGrill3 feature that these models are compatible with. The iGrill3 Bluetooth thermometer can connect to your smart phone via the Weber iGrill app. There are several guides and timer settings in the app, which are very practical for novice cooks. The app will notify you once the perfect temperature for serving has been reached.
Performance
One of the worries that people usually express about a wider cooking surface is whether the whole area is heated evenly, and whether it takes longer to heat. However, there is no need to worry about Weber Genesis 410 because it is armed with an additional burner to take care of the extra surface. As the effect, Weber Genesis 410 also heats up evenly, and it can get hot quickly when needed.
After all, Weber’s grills are always known for their excellent cooking performance. Weber Genesis 310 also has very good heating performance, and it distributes the heat evenly without any cold spot.
Both Weber Genesis 310 and Weber Genesis 410 are equipped with an electric ignition system. They are very easy to start. You only need to turn the knob. The electric ignition requires an AA battery to work.
Conclusion
Weber Genesis 410 is only worth the money if you really need the wider cooking area. If you indeed cook for 8 – 10 people regularly, getting Weber Genesis 410 is not a bad idea. However, if you only cook for 5 – 7 people, Weber Genesis 310 is sufficient. It has a foldable table to allow you to save some space when the grill is not in use.
