My Weber Spirit E-325 isn’t shiny anymore. It’s got grease spots on the side tables and carbon buildup on the grates—battle scars from three months of heavy rotation. If you want to know how this machine actually holds up once the ‘new grill smell’ fades, you’re in the right place.
Look, buying a gas grill shouldn’t be this confusing. But here we are, drowning in options. So let me save you some time and tell you exactly what this grill does well and where it falls short.
Why I Chose the Weber Spirit E-325 Gas Grill
View Deal Here
Check Price on Amazon
I needed a new grill after my old one finally gave up. My deck isn’t huge, so I needed something compact. But I also wanted the power to sear a steak properly. That’s where the Weber Spirit E-325 caught my eye.
At $599, it’s not cheap. But it’s not wallet-crushing either. The big selling point? The sear zone. Two burners combine to pump out 40% more heat. We’re talking 700°F – hot enough to give you those restaurant-quality grill marks.
I get 360 square inches of main cooking space plus a 90-square-inch warming rack. That’s enough for 6-8 burgers or a couple of steaks with sides. Perfect for my family of four.
The Snap-Jet ignition was a pleasant surprise. You light each burner with one hand by turning the knob until it clicks. No more juggling a lighter while holding tongs and a beer.
Read more: Napoleon TravelQ Review 2025
Weber Spirit E-325 Assembly: The Good and the Annoying
Putting this grill together took me about 90 minutes. I’ll admit – I didn’t read the instructions at first. Big mistake. I had to take apart the wheels and redo them.
Learn from my error. Follow the manual. The parts come labeled, which helps a lot.
The cookbox clicks into place first. Then you build everything around it. Simple enough if you’ve assembled furniture before.
Here’s my warning about those plastic wheels. They feel cheap. Really cheap. Take your time with them because cross-threading those bolts would suck.
If you’re not handy or just don’t feel like dealing with it, Weber Spirit E-325 offers professional assembly for $99. I would’ve paid it if I’d known how tedious those wheels were going to be.
How the Grill Actually Performs
I’ve cooked steaks, burgers, chicken, pork chops, and vegetables on this grill. Here’s what I learned.
Heat and Temperature Control
The grill heats up fast. Give it 15 minutes with the lid closed, and you’re at 500°F. The sear zone goes even higher – I’ve hit 700°F multiple times.
Heat spreads evenly across the grates. I barely need to rotate food. My old grill had hot and cold spots everywhere. This one doesn’t.
But here’s something weird. Some people say their grill won’t go above 450°F. I had this problem once. Turns out the regulator goes into “bypass mode” when it thinks there’s a gas leak.
The fix is annoying but it works. Every single time you light the grill:
- Open the lid
- Make sure all knobs are off
- Turn your propane tank on all the way
- Wait 60 seconds (yes, really)
- Light one burner at a time
- Set everything to high and close the lid
Do this ritual, and you won’t have temperature problems. Skip it, and you might end up frustrated.
That Sear Zone Is No Joke
I threw two ribeyes in the sear zone last weekend. Six minutes later, I had steaks with a perfect crust and medium-rare centers. The flavorizer bars over that zone glow red-hot and vaporize the drippings. That’s what gives you that signature grilled taste.
I tried cooking pork chops on the regular burners without using the sear zone. They came out fine, but nothing special. Next time I used the sear zone and got way better results.
For burgers and chicken? The regular burners work great. But for steaks? Always use the sear zone. It’s the whole reason to buy this model over the cheaper E-310.
Two-Zone Cooking Works Great
I set up the grill for chicken wings last week. Left burner on high, other two on low. After 15 minutes, it held steady at 400°F. Wings came out crispy with nice char, cooked through without burning.
Three independent burners make this easy. I can sear steaks on one side while keeping baked potatoes warm on the other.
Weber Spirit E-325 Accessories
View Deal Here
Check Price on Amazon
Weber has this new “Weber Works” system with snap-on accessories. You can add bottle holders, spice racks, and extra tool hooks to the side rails.
Honestly? Most of it’s overpriced. Here’s what I actually bought:
Weber Spirit E-325 cover ($79-99) – Buy this. You need it. The grill has an open back (more on that disaster later), so rain can mess things up if it’s not covered.
Cast iron griddle ($140) – This was worth it. I use it for breakfast, smash burgers, and stir-fries. Turns half the grill into a flat-top.
Good grill brush ($20) – Don’t cheap out here. Those cast iron grates need proper cleaning.
Everything else? Skip it or buy cheaper versions on Amazon.
Weber Spirit E-325 vs E-310: Which Should You Buy?
| Feature | Weber Spirit E-310 | Weber Spirit E-325 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Space | 424 sq. in. (Larger) | 360 sq. in. (Smaller) |
| Sear Zone | No | Yes (Dedicated "Boost Burner") |
| Price | ~$50 Cheaper | ~$50 More Expensive |
| Best For | Cooking for crowds (burgers/dogs) | Steak lovers (high-heat searing) |
| Primary Benefit | 18% more cooking room | Superior, restaurant-quality results |
Weber Spirit E-325 vs E-425: Is Bigger Better?
| Feature | Weber Spirit E-325 | Weber Spirit E-425 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Burners | 3 Burners (+ Sear Zone) | 4 Burners (+ Sear Zone) |
| Cooking Space | Standard (~427 sq in*) | Large (646 sq in) |
| Side Burner | No | Yes (for sauces/sides) |
| Approx. Price | $599 | $699 |
| Heat Flexibility | Two-zone cooking | Three-zone cooking (High/Med/Low) |
| Best For | Couples or families of 2–4 | Large groups or 6+ people |
Cleaning Is Actually Easy
One thing Weber Spirit E-325 did right: the new grease tray. It slides out for cleaning. Scrape it, wipe it, slide it back. Done in two minutes.
My dad’s old Weber Spirit E-325 made you remove the grates and burners to reach a narrow grease catch. You’d end up with grease everywhere. This new system is way better.
I clean the tray every 2-3 cooks. Wait too long and you’re scraping off hard, burnt gunk.
The cast iron grates clean easily with a brush while they’re still warm. Don’t wait until they cool or you’ll fight stuck-on food.
Should You Buy This Grill?
Here’s who this grill is perfect for:
- You cook for two to four people most of the time
- You want serious searing power without spending over $1,000
- Your deck or patio space is limited
- You grill a few times per week
- You care about the Weber name and warranty
Skip it if:
- You need to feed six or more people often
- You want the absolute sturdiest build
- You move your grill around a lot
- You live somewhere with brutal weather and no cover
- Your current grill works fine
Pros and Cons
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
|
|
View Deal Here
Check Price on Amazon
FAQs
1. What is the “Sear Zone” and how do I use it?
The Sear Zone is a specific area on the grill with an extra “Boost Burner” (red knob). When turned on, it provides 40% more heat than the standard burners, allowing you to quickly sear steaks to get restaurant-style grill marks without overcooking the inside.
2. How many burners does it actually have?
It has 3 main burners, plus the additional Boost Burner in the Sear Zone. This gives you high-heat flexibility while still maintaining enough space for indirect cooking.
3. Can I convert the E-325 from Propane to Natural Gas?
No. Weber designs these grills to be fuel-specific. Converting a Liquid Propane (LP) model to Natural Gas (NG)—or vice versa—is not supported by Weber and will void your 10-year warranty for safety reasons.
4. Do both side tables fold down?
Yes. Unlike some older 3-burner models where only one table folded, both side tables on the Weber Spirit E-325 fold down. This makes it much easier to store in tight spaces or on small balconies.
5. What are “Weber Works” side rails?
These are specialized rails on the sides of the tables that allow you to “snap on” accessories like bottle holders, extra tool hooks, or a paper towel holder. They are designed to keep the main table surface clear for food prep.
6. Is it compatible with the Gourmet BBQ System (GBS)?
Yes. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates have a removable circular center. You can swap this center for GBS accessories like a pizza stone, poultry roaster, wok, or griddle (sold separately).
7. What kind of warranty comes with this grill?
Weber offers a 10-year limited warranty on the core components:
- Cookbox and Lid: 10 years (no rust/burn through).
- Burner Tubes: 10 years.
- Cooking Grates & Flavorizer Bars: 5 years.
8. Does it have a built-in thermometer?
It comes with a standard analog lid thermometer. However, the “Spirit EP-325″ variant includes a digital thermometer, and the “Spirit EX-325″ includes “Weber Connect” smart technology for phone alerts.
9. How do I clean the grease management system?
The Weber Spirit E-325 features a slide-out grease tray and a replaceable catch pan located inside the cabinet. You simply slide the tray out from the front (behind the door) to scrape it clean or swap the disposable drip pan.
10. How many burgers can I fit on it?
The primary cooking area is roughly 360 square inches, which fits about 15 to 20 standard-sized burgers at once, plus additional space on the tuck-away warming rack.
Learn More About Grilling
If you want to learn more about grilling, check out these other helpful resources!
Popular Buying Guides
Recently Published Posts
