Latest news with #WeberSpirit
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I tried Weber's 2025 Spirit EP-425 gas grill — and it's incredible value for backyard cooks
As long as I've known about gas grills, I've known Weber, and the Weber Spirit line has long been a staple in the world of outdoor cooking. In 2025, the Spirit received its first refresh in more than 15 years, looking to close the gap between midrange and premium by packing higher-end features into a reasonably budget-friendly frame. So to celebrate Tom's Guide's Get Grillin' Week, I tested the Weber Spirit EP-425, the larger sibling to the more compact EP-325. Both are two of the best grills you can buy now, with the main difference being the number of burners, making the EP-425 ideal for grillers who want a little more elbow room and the EP-325 great for smaller spaces. And while this iteration of the Weber Spirit isn't perfect, it's pretty close. It hits most of the right notes: easy setup, even heat, and one seriously impressive Sear Zone. Investing in a new grill can be intimidating, especially knowing it's an appliance you're likely to own for many years. I can tell you outright the latest-generation Spirit is a sound purchase, but you can read my full Weber Spirit review to learn more about its key features and what kind of performance you can expect. Weber Spirit EP-425 Weber Spirit EP-325 Weber Spirit E-325 Weber Spirit EP-435 Price $799 $649 $549 $899 Size 60.5 x 51.8 x 31.0 inches 60.5 x 48.3 x 31.0 inches 60.5 x 48.3 x 31.0 inches 60.5 x 51.8 x 31.0 inches Weight 126 pounds 103 pounds 103 pounds 126 pounds Burners 4 3 3 4 Cooking Space 533 square inches 450 square inches 450 square inches 533 square inches Fuel type Propane or Natural Gas Propane or Natural Gas Propane or Natural Gas Propane or Natural Gas Digital thermometer Yes Yes No Yes In-shelf cooktop No No No Yes I've put together plenty of grills over the years, some of which have felt more like an IKEA fever dream than a quick weekend project. That's not the case for the Weber Spirit, which ended up being among the easiest grills I've ever assembled. Weber's clear instructions and smart packaging make a big difference, though I'd definitely recommend a second set of hands to help out. We were able to get it put together and ready to cook in under an hour, including giving the grates a good wash. Although the grill doesn't need to be seasoned, I like to give it at least 20 minutes to preheat, and then lightly season by rubbing half an onion coated in oil and stuck at the end of a grill fork on the grates. Most grills have hot spots, or areas that get significantly hotter than the others. The Weber Spirit isn't an exception, but I will say the EP-425 delivered generally consistent temperatures across the entire cooking surface when I checked with my infrared thermometer. Whether I was grilling chicken thighs, vegetables, or a round of burgers, I didn't have to be precious about where I placed them, letting me take advantage of the entire main cooking surface. Sure, the items in the back cooked slightly faster, but I just made sure to flip those first in progression. The lid thermometer proved fairly accurate when cross-checked with a heat gun, and the grill recovered heat quickly after opening. That said, strong winds can blow out the burners if you leave the lid open for too long, so make sure to keep it closed for the best temperature performance. The Sear Zone is the Spirit EP-425's secret weapon, and easily my favorite feature of the latest Spirit line. But it's not a new feature for Weber — the Sear Zone is carried down from the Genesis line, which is the next step up from the Spirit. By combining two right-side burners (on both the 3-burner and 4-burner Spirit models,) the Sear Zone delivers a 40% boost in heat, which is more than enough to develop that golden, caramelized crust on a ribeye or bring a steak to medium-rare in just a few minutes. I would also use it like an outdoor broiler for finishing chicken or reverse-searing thick cuts. Post-grill cleanup is no hassle on the Spirit EP-425. The newly designed grease trap slides out easily and fits disposable trays, very minimal effort needed. The porcelain-coated grates held up well to repeated use and were simple to brush off between sessions, though I'd like to share that I've moved away from bristled brushes to the Scrub Daddy BBQ Brush, one of the best grill brushes overall. For a grill with digital readouts and modular accessory support, the absence of a propane gauge feels like a miss. Running out of gas mid-cook is never fun. It's a small omission, but one that has potential to introduce friction to an otherwise streamlined experience. I'm also guessing the Spirit will find its way to many first-time gas grill users who probably don't yet have a sense of how quickly a propane tank clears out. For what it's worth, I've bought a couple of these $18 add-on gauges over the years for exactly this situation. If you're looking for a gas grill that offers near-premium performance without blowing your budget, the Weber Spirit EP-425 or EP-325 is an easy recommendation. It's well-built, simple to assemble, and packed with practical features that make backyard cooking easier and more enjoyable. The sear zone alone sets it apart from similarly priced rivals. Sure, we'd love to see a built-in propane gauge, but that's a relatively minor gripe in an otherwise excellent package. Whether you're grilling every weekend or just looking to upgrade from an older model, the EP-425 strikes the right balance of power, convenience, and value. It's at the top of my list for beginner grill recommendations.
Ottawa Citizen
13-05-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Around the house: Beyond the grill
Article content If you love barbecuing, you may already have discovered griddling. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Adding a griddle to your barbecue opens up new recipes and new cooking methods on your grill. You might even want to invest in a stand-alone griddle. Article content Article content 'The griddle's popularity can be attributed to several factors, including its versatility of use and its ability to create all daily meals, from breakfast to lunch and dinner,' says chef Michael P. Clive, Weber Grill Master. Article content Article content 'A griddle offers consumers the opportunity to take nearly all meals outside and to the grill. A griddle offers endless versatile cooking possibilities. From pancakes and cheesy scrambled eggs with bacon and fluffy pancakes to toasted Italian paninis, crispy smashed burgers with caramelized onions and flavourful fajitas, a griddle is a culinary playground that allows users to make foods that wouldn't traditionally be cooked outside. Griddles are also durable, easy to clean and fun to use.' Article content Article content GRIDDLE ACCESSORIES Article content Griddle accessories offer consumers the ability to cook various griddle specific meals to perfection, Clive reports. 'For example, Weber's smash burger press will give you that flat, thin and crispy burger that is difficult to achieve without. Weber's Griddle Essentials Kit is a five-piece set designed to help grillers create delicious pancakes, fajitas, paninis and more, and then make clean up simple. Article content 'The Griddle Breakfast Set is also hugely popular – consumers can create a complete breakfast on the grill with the egg rings and batter dispensers. These accessories were thoughtfully created to allow consumers to make the most out of their griddle and fully benefit from the versatility of meals it can be used for.' Article content Article content There are also accessories available that can transform your gas grill into a 'new' one in seconds, Clive reports. Weber Griddle inserts are designed to seamlessly replace the grates on a variety of gas grills like the Weber Spirit or Weber Genesis and leverage their burners to provide the unique griddling experience. 'If you're not in the market to add another grill to your backyard, griddle inserts are a perfect way to experience the best of both worlds without buying a brand-new grill,' he says.
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Watch: Weber Spirit 2025 REVIEW
Kate's cooking up on the Weber Spirit grill refresh for 2025, specifically the Weber Spirit E-425 4-burner grill (though it's safe to say you can expect similar performance for the Weber Spirit E-325.) Cooking steak on the Weber Spirit Sear Zone, a sear station that produces epic caramelization, was a total success. Burgers and veggies came out to perfection, too. If you're wondering which Weber gas grill is the best for you, there's a good chance it's the Spirit. Watch this full Weber Spirit grill review to learn more about what to expect.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Weber's New Spirit Grills Are Born From A Fiery Innovation Strategy
Griddle insert for the new Weber Spirit gas grill. There's no question the Covid pandemic made kingmakers out of many manufacturers that play in the outdoor cooking space. More people cooked at home, so naturally, demand for outdoor cooking appliances like griddles, grills, smokers and pizza ovens skyrocketed. That was then, this is now. Recent data suggests consumer demand and confidence are declining, hitting lows not seen in years, potentially signaling a slowdown in the economy. What does this mean for outdoor cooking stalwarts like Weber Grills? Keep innovating--but make sure as much bang for the buck is delivered to consumers. 'Over the past five years, we've significantly expanded our research and development efforts, aiming to launch innovative, high-quality products annually,' said Duane Miller, Vice President, Research and Development, Weber Grills.' Some years that means reimagining iconic Weber lines like our Genesis or Summit gas grills. In other years, we introduce new platforms, such as the Slate Rust-Resistant griddle, Searwood wood pellet grill, Lumin electric grill, and the Weber Works accessory line.' At the heart of Weber's fiery innovation strategy is the consumer – something that has never wavered since the day Weber was founded. 'We focus on creating meaningful experiences—products that enhance how people cook and live.,' said Miller. 'Every invention must be purposeful, manufacturable at our high standards, and priced to deliver exceptional value.' For 2025, Weber's reimagined Spirit gas grill is a prime example, which turns 30 this year. First launched in1995, Spirit was designed to bring Weber's legendary grilling experience to more people with a smaller footprint, high-quality, and affordable gas grill. Today, it's the world's best-selling gas grill by volume, renowned for its durability, versatility, and performance. Weber's goal in reinventing Spirit was clear: purpose-driven innovations that enhance outdoor cooking without compromising the grill's core strengths. 'Affordability was key, so we designed a line that upholds Weber's reputation for exceptional quality, performance, and culinary results—at the right price,' said Miller. The new Weber Spirit lineup and accessories are impressive. This begs a very important question: How was Weber able to cram so much innovation into such an economically attractive package? According to Miller, it all starts with understanding what consumers genuinely value and making strategic decisions about where to invest—while also knowing where to optimize to keep costs down without compromising performance. 'For the new Spirit gas grill specifically, we worked closely as an integrated team – R&D to product to supply chain to manufacturing to marketing - to strike that perfect balance between innovation and value, making sure we delivered on what consumers told us they needed the next generation of the Spirit grill to do for them while balancing cost,' said Miller. Searzone on the new Weber Spirit E435 gas grill. All Spirit models now feature a closed cart for a more polished look and added storage. At the same time, we made thoughtful adjustments, such as removing the standard tank scale. Weber also worked to gain efficiencies in packaging, which lowered freight costs. 'Perhaps the most meaningful innovation is that we engineered a powerful sear zone technology that is now available at a $449 price point,' said Miller. According to Roberto Carvajal, General Manager, Gas Product Manager for Weber Grills, the core of the Spirit grill development was a commitment to listening to consumers—just as the company first did 30 years ago. 'We conducted extensive research across three continents, grilling alongside outdoor cooks in their homes to understand their lifestyles and what truly matters in a stand-up gas grill,' said Carvajal. 'This hands-on approach ensured we weren't designing based on assumptions but on real insights from both current and prospective Spirit owners.' These insights shaped every detail of the grill—from the cook engine to the closed cabinet that discreetly hides the gas tank to the sturdy stainless-steel handle, a signature of Weber quality. Carvajal said consumer feedback also inspired its Weber Works accessories line—a series of interchangeable, snap-on, or drop-in accessories that let owners customize their grills. In essence, Weber Works is designed to make every step—from kitchen to grill to table—more seamless and efficient. Weber's thoughtful and customer-centric approach to innovation means nothing if product isn't available online or at brick-and-mortar retailers. How does the company manage cost of materials and logistics so that Weber products show up on time? Carvajal said Weber has one of the industry's best supply chain teams, who along with trusted partners help the company navigate the macro-economic environment's complexity and changes, often ensuring Weber gets ahead of shipping disruptions to secure supply and manage costs. Carvajal said enterprise software provider SAP enables the Weber supply chain team to stay one step ahead of disruptions. 'It is an essential part of getting products to the marketplace – from demand planning to component purchasing to on-time shipping to our retail partners - SAP helps ensure we deliver on our commitments to customers.' Positive feedback for the new Spirit lineup indicates Weber's innovation strategy is working, with consumers giving the line an impressive 4.7-star average rating. and the most rewarding 'Our new Weber Spirit grills have been met with tremendous enthusiasm worldwide,' said Carvajal. 'The most rewarding feedback comes from the stories our customers share—the meals they've cooked and the moments they've created with their Spirit grills.' So where does Weber take the Spirit brand from here? 'We're passionate about helping people experience the joy of outdoor cooking and continually innovating to make it easier and more enjoyable,' said Carvajal. While the Spirit grill line already offers a wide range of accessories, Carvajal said Weber is constantly evolving based on consumer feedback. "Whether through smart technology, upgraded tools, or enhanced cooking capabilities, we'll continue refining the Spirit line with meaningful innovations while staying true to the quality, performance, and value that have made it the world's best-selling gas grill.'
