Weber Genesis S-330 Gas Grill Review

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By: Max Good, AmazingRibs.com’s Full-Time Grill Tester

This model was discontinued in 2016 and replaced by the Genesis II and II LX lines.

Genesis is one of the most popular grills in the USA, appearing in backyardBBQ coast to coast. Like all Genesis models, the S-330 has three stainless steel burners that line up from left to right with control knobs on the front panel. This burner configuration is relatively new. Prior to 2011 Genesis burners lined up from front to back with control knobs on the right side shelf. The current design is better for 2-zone indirect cooking and frees up the side shelf for workspace. The S-330 also includes a 10,000 BTU sear burner located between the left and middle main burners. Use of the sear burner with all three main burners boosts the E-330 Heat Flux number (BTU/Primary Cooking Surface) from 74.95 to 94.67. A 12,000 BTU side burner is added to the right side shelf as well.

Genesis E and EP models are colorful porcelain coated enamel whereas the S models are 430 stainless steel. The S-330 is readily available online and at all big box stores in LP and NG models. It has a double wall stainless steel hood and double cart doors. The cart is painted metal with stainless steel control panel and side shelves and four casters. The hood and shelves have cast aluminum end caps with tool hooks on the shelves.

It features 7mm stainless steel rod cooking grates and stainless flavorizer bars with battery powered ignition. S-330 LP models come with a “Precision Fuel Gauge” located inside the cart next to the LP tank. Hang the tank on the fuel gauge scale, it measures the weight in 20% increments and shows your approximate fuel level. An S-310 model is offered that is the same as the S-330, but without a sear burner and a side-burner.

Black and stainless steel add-on cabinets that nestle under the side tables are optional and stainless work surface extensions are also available. The add-on cabinets have adjustable height wire shelves.

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Product Information:

Model:

Genesis S-330 Gas Grill
Item Price :

1,099.00
*Price Subject To Change
Made in USA:

yes
Review Method:

Looked Closely At It
We have seen this product up close and we have also gathered info from the manufacturer, owners, and other reliable sources.
Primary Function:

Grill
Burner Type:

Side, Sear
Fuel:

Propane Gas, Natural Gas Capable
BTU:

38,000
Heat Flux:

74.95
Heat Flux is the BTU per square inch and is a more useful measure of how much heat a grill delivers than BTU alone.
Main Burners:

3
Primary Capacity:

Mid-Size (about 25 burgers) : 507 square inches
Secondary Capacity:

130 square inches

Manufacturer:

Weber-Stephen

Weber-Stephen is one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers of BBQ equipment and related accessories in the world. Weber grills and smokers cook beautifully and have great features that are clever, effective and easy to use. As popularity and demand for BBQ gear grows worldwide, Weber continues to earn their long standing reputation for quality, durability and outstanding customer service and support, (7 days a week from 7am to 8pm CST), in an increasingly competitive environment. Even in this crowded marketplace, many consumers are still willing to pay more for the Weber name and they are rarely disappointed. They make a variety of cookers and smokers. Their iconic black charcoal kettles are known throughout the world. Indeed Weber is expanding globally.

Weber-Stephen was family owned since it was founded in 1952 by George Stephen. At the end of 2010 the Stephen family sold a majority stake to Chicago investment group BDT Capital Partners. In 2012, Weber settled a class action suit out of court regarding their use of the phrase, “Made in USA”. Weber previously qualified the “Made in USA” statement by specifying their products are assembled in the USA with some components that are sourced globally. Here is an excerpt from Weber’s statement “Weber believes that because all Weber grills and the disputed accessories are designed and engineered in the USA, and all grills save for one line [Spirit]* are manufactured and assembled in the USA using component parts primarily made in the USA, it did nothing wrong and therefore has valid defenses to plaintiff’s claims. The court has not held a trial or ruled in favor of either party on any disputed issues. Weber and the plaintiff have agreed to settle the matter to avoid the costs of continued litigation.” As a result of this suit, Weber can no longer claim to be made in America.

Since then Weber, like many others, has outsourced manufacturing of more product lines. Things change, but we believe Weber’s commitment to quality and innovation has not.

The biggest barrier for many folks is price. Webers are not cheap, but when you consider that they last decades, the price is easy to justify. Many some cheap grills fall apart after three years or so.

Our main complaint: All Webers have the obligatory bi-metal dial thermometer in the hood that gives you a ballpark reading of what the temperature is high above the meat. Since we cook on the grates, though, it’s always better to bring your own digital thermometer and place a probe there. It appears this is beginning to change as Weber enters a new era of digital technology and software based products.

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Published On: 11/26/2012

Max Good, AmazingRibs.com’s Full-Time Grill Tester - Max Good is AmazingRibs.com's Vice President of Product Reviews & Keeper of the Flame and is the world's only full-time reviewer of outdoor cooking equipment including smokers, grills, pizza ovens, griddles, and more.

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