It is rumored the Spirit II is being discontinued this year and Weber is reverting back to the original Spirit line. So why bring it up? A few good reason I’d like to point out regarding this outstanding grill.
The open cart, or open frame design of the Spirit II doesn’t appear to be offered in the Spirit line. While the closed cart with doors design appeals to many, in my opinion, it is prone to rust. Once the cart is shot, grills tend to find their way to the landfill rather quickly. The open cart design allows for humidity to escape, keeping it dry. Weber seems to be leaning towards the closed cart design, as most of their gas grills, both natural gas and propane are this type. Weber may have addressed the issue as well, as the newer closed carts have better ventilation. My last propane grill, a Genesis Silver B with an open cart has lasted over 20 years, and I passed it on to one of my kids. It’s still in use.
The Spirit II grills have most of the features, like the GS4 system, of their Genesis II counterparts for 30-40% less, with the same 10 warranty. I’ve heard how the Genesis is built like a tank, and it is. But the spirit II is no slouch, and holds its own in every discernable way. Yes the burners are less btu’s than on the Genesis, but it is also smaller, with lest bulk, and the closed bottom design of the cookbox helps the Spirit II retain heat.
Speaking of the warranty, the Spirit II carries that same 10 year all parts warranty as the Genesis II. This is not true of the Spirit line, which has a 2-5 year warranty depending on the part. And that closed cart? Two years. One of my flavorizer bars rusted through in just over one year. As most know, flavorizer bars are the most abused part of the entire system, reaching temperatures in the four digits. I could not find replacements for the Spirit II line anywhere, not even on the Weber website. I called Weber, and they said the bars are not available for purchase, since all parts of the Spirit II are warrantied for 10 years. But they could send me a new set absolutely free. Talk about great customer service. I asked if the cast iron grates are also covered, and Weber said yes, the entire grill is covered. 10 years of replacement parts. On the house.
For those wanting a smaller grill, the Spirit II comes in a two burner model. The Genesis II line does not carry one. Weber did offer a Genesis two burner model, the LX S-240 or B-240, but discontinued it a few years back.
Because the Spirit II is being discontinued, it can be found at a discount. A local farm store was offering an extra $100 off the natural gas models, bringing the price of a two burner down to $229.
For these reasons, I think the Spirit II is a bargain worth considering if you are looking to buy a new gas grill this year.
Topic: Spirit II discontinued 2021, get ‘em while they last! (Read 362 times)