It’s undeniable that both Americans and Canadians enjoy their time outdoors with a gas grill. BBQing may be considered one of the favorite pastimes of North Americans, which is no wonder as to why several quality brands are coming from both the USA and Canada. Two of the top brands include Weber and Broil King.
Weber was first established in Chicago almost seventy years ago. Fun fact: the iconic domed-shaped backyard charcoal grill, invented by George Stephen, was originally a marine buoy cut in half! Despite looking more like a space satellite than a cooking device, their grills were real game-changers.
Broil King grills have been proudly North American-made since 1986, with three manufacturing sites based in both the United States and Canada. They pride much in the fact that practically all their grill components are fabricated by local workers, with local materials!
One of the most significant differences between Broil King vs. Weber is their ages. Weber grills have been around for several generations with a strong reputation, while Broil King grills have yet to become a household name. In this case, does experience necessarily equate to better performance and quality? Let’s find out!
Weber Spirit II E-210 vs Broil King Baron 320
Before we pit the two grills against each other, see what both have in common. These grills feature:
- Black and stainless-steel color schemes
- Wheels for smooth relocation and positioning
- Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids
Now time for the differences.
Although both grills look the same size at first glance, the Weber Spirit has a bit more cooking area (360 square inches) vs. Baron’s 330 square inches. That may not seem like a lot, but 30 square inches is the difference between a couple of extra steaks or burgers.
On the other hand, the Baron grill packs more heating power (90 BTUs per square inch vs. 73 on the Spirit) because of its three stainless steel burners. The reduced cooking area, coupled with an additional burner, means that there is more concentration of heat and searing power.
The cooking grates in both grills are more or less identical, but the Baron grill ups the ante by including a modification of the gratings. Baron 320’s grills aim to catch juices and preserve flavor while cooking. As mentioned previously, Broil King grills take pride in being 100% North American-made and sourced, so don’t expect cheap, mass-produced quality here.
Winner: The Baron 320 by Broil King takes the crown. It’s a small-to-mid-sized outdoor grill that packs more heat, all with the superior build quality. Indeed, three is the magic number!
Weber Summit E-470 vs Broil King Baron 440
For the second round, our two contenders are the Summit E-470 from Weber and the Baron 440 from Broil King. These two grills are in a more substantial weight class than the Spirit II E-210 and the Baron 320 from the previous round of comparisons. The common features between these two heavyweights are as follows:
- Four main burners
- At least one side burner
- Two side tables
- Large cooking areas
- Porcelain-iron grates
- Natural gas as a fuel source
Now, let’s look at the qualities and features that set these two apart!
Up first is the Summit E-470. Carrying the reputable Weber name, this grill is the one to beat, but how does it stack up? This grill has a total cooking area of approximately 646 square inches, which includes the primary cooking area and the warming rack area.
The main burners produce heat up to 48,800 BTU, while the searing station burner heats up to 10,600 BTU. The results are excellently seared steak and evenly cooked burgers in just minutes.
Some inclusions of this grill are the two side tables, illuminated control knobs, handle lights, swivel casters, and tool hooks. The Summit E-470 utilizes its own Snap-Jet individual burner ignition system, stainless-steel Flavorizer bars, a porcelain-enamel lid with a built-in lid thermometer, and reversible heavy-duty porcelain-coated cast iron hotplate.
In contrast, the Baron 440 nearly matches the Summit E-470 with its 644 square inch total cooking area. In terms of burner output, the main burners produce 40,000 BTU while the inset side burner heats up to 10,000 BTU.
An underrated perk of the Baron 440 and other Broil King grills is the extensive warranty. Nothing in this world is perfect, and of course, there will be times something that looks good turns out to be a dud. This grill includes a 10-year warranty on its burners and a 2-year warranty on its other parts.
The Baron 440 is decked out with an array of innovative technology exclusive to Broil King. Its Stainless steel Flav-R-Wave™ cooking system works miracles by essentially reincorporating the juices that seep out during cooking. The result is exceptionally moist and flavorful grilled steaks, burgers, chicken, and so on— every time!
Other technologies installed into this grill are Dual-Tube™ burners, Linear-Flow™ valves with 180° sensi-touch™ control, Sure-lite™ electronic ignition system, and the Deluxe Accu-Temp™ thermometer. Despite all these seemingly sophisticated and hi-tech add-ons, the Baron 440 is very user-friendly. If anything, the technology makes the grill more comfortable to use and control.
If you’re interested in branching out on more user-friendly, hi-tech grills like Weber, we recommend reading our Napoleon versus Weber battle!
The Broil King Baron 440 is undoubtedly the king. In this case, being a couple of inches smaller doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance. The difference between the BTUs and the total heated areas of both grills is virtually negligible, but the advanced technology and great warranty helped to give Baron 440 the lead.
Weber Genesis II S-435 vs Broil King Regal 490 Pro
Skipping the introductions. This round of comparisons between Weber and Broil King is between a couple of their best-selling grills. Both of these grills feature:
- Quadruple burner-grills
- Huge cooking areas
- Side burners
- Large control knobs
- Stainless-steel grates
The Weber Genesis is an excellent grill from the famous brand. From its looks alone, you may already be sold. Its true beauty, however, lies inside. Equipped with over 840 square inches of the cooking area, with an additional warming rack, you can churn out backyard barbeque in a jiffy.
A nice feature of the Genesis is its Sear Station, which allows extra-high temperatures to cook meat quickly while also sealing in its juices. Through the use of stainless-steel grates, heat rapidly conducts and distributes evenly. The results are a reduction of hot spots and gorgeous char marks!
The Broil King Regal is also quite the head turner at a slightly lower price tag. Unique to this grill is the side and rotisserie burners. The Genesis gas grill’s rotisserie burner is optional and is not in the initial setup. The Regal is noticeably smaller but produces more heat, which makes the entire grill comparable to the Genesis’ Sear Station.
If you’re wondering which is better stainless steel or cast iron grates, both grills utilize stainless-steel grates, which, compared to cast iron, provide more natural cleanup and results. Not to mention, safer and longer-lasting than cast iron cookware. The cons of cast-iron cookware include possible iron toxicity due to leeching and rusting.
It’s a close call, but the Weber Genesis II S-435 wins. Grills from Weber are already known to be top tier in the grilling world, but this one does not rest on its laurels.
Having a dedicated Sear Station, warming rack, and side burner makes this machine versatile and allows for a more controlled experience. With the Broil King Regal 490 Pro, the higher heat output makes it great for grilling, but there may be times when you don’t need all that power, which is what makes having some dedicated compartments helpful.
Who Reigns Supreme?
Depending on where you’re from, you may already have your favorite in mind. Both are solidly built grills with high-quality materials, but this is our verdict:
Although Weber and Broil King both had a winner in each comparison category, the Broil King grills won in the best of three.
In the first comparison, Broil King’s Baron 320 grill was the clear winner because of its heat output provided by its three burners. The Weber Spirit only had a slight lead in terms of the primary cooking area size.
Now in the second category, the Broil King Baron 440 came out on top, if only by a hair. Both the Baron 440 and the Weber Summit E-470 grills were almost identical in terms of size and heat. However, Baron 440 won out due to having more innovative features that help with grilling.
In the last comparison, the Weber Genesis II S-435 grill was the victor. Despite being another close fight, the Genesis II S-435 won out due to its overall aesthetic and versatility.
Before generalizing based on three short reviews, it’s also essential to consider user experiences with each. Despite all the supposedly “better” features and quality of the Broil King grills, more people still buy Weber grills and have pleasant experiences. Based on reviews from actual owners, Broil King grills received fewer reviews and of those reviews, a higher turn out of negative reviews than Weber grills.
On the other hand, you should take customer reviews with a grain of salt. It is crucial to keep in mind that not everyone who is satisfied (or dissatisfied) feels compelled to leave a rating or review for a product. Both brands provide extensive warranties so that you can take a risk on either without a problem.
It was a tough fight in the Broil King vs. Weber battle. Both have good reputations and quality products. However, in the end, Broil King justly earned its name and strengthened its claim to the iron grill throne.
I spent most of my life fascinated by food, and the outdoors. I can’t think of a more fitting combo that leads to mastering the art of BBQ one day. I ended up decent enough to grill the perfect burger and choose the best equipment after years of improvement. I create this website for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, who are fueled by interest but lacking in help, feel educated when they leave because I see my past clueless self in them.
