I've had my weber genesis 3 burner for ~13 years and the thing is a tank, looks brand new, and I hate to get rid of it. But at the end of the day, I've only filled that whole surface just a handful of times in that decade plus; my daily grilling is for wife and 2 boys, so in an effort to utilize more of our deck (which is only 16x12 and wife wants a sectional couch), I need to downsize.

I immediately went to weber site, but noticed they discontinued the 2 burner genesis line a few years ago. I'm afraid I'm not going to be happy with the quality of the spirit line, as every one I've ever seen just looked and felt jankity.

Any other brands out there that make a really high quality, but smaller 2 burner grill? Or any spirit owners that can persuade me otherwise? Maybe newer ones are made better than older ones?

My only must haves are natural gas, thermometer and easily foldable side wings, and would like it to have an optional griddle insert that is made to fit. Just want something really solid that will easily last a decade or more like my current one.

Not looking to spend a small fortune.. maybe $600ish max.

Thanks,

Only popping on here to say that I'm a 2 time Spirit owner and they are essentially disposable. 3-4 for years and then to the curb on heavy trash day.

Poot said:

---

Only popping on here to say that I'm a 2 time Spirit owner and they are essentially disposable. 3-4 for years and then to the curb on heavy trash day.

---

Yep. That's where I am with my current Spirit, time for it to hit the curb. I also need a good quality 2-burner natural gas grill to replace it with.

Following this as I am in the market for a two burner as well.

Quote:

---

my daily grilling is for wife and 2 boys,

---

How old are your boys? I ask because if they're younger, you will most likely be back in a few years asking about larger options once they and their appetite grow.

aTm2004 said:

---

Quote:

---

my daily grilling is for wife and 2 boys,

---

How old are your boys? I ask because if they're younger, you will most likely be back in a few years asking about larger options once they and their appetite grow.

---

10/11. My kids currently eat full cuts of steak or full size burgers, I don't think it can get any worse.

I have the 2 burner Spirit with the cabinet doors underneath and have had it for 2 years. I think it's held up great. Although, I do Dawn soap it down and pressure wash the insides every spring. I haven't had to replace any part on it.

BlueHeeler said:

---

I have the 2 burner Spirit with the cabinet doors underneath and have had it for 2 years. I think it's held up great. Although, I do Dawn soap it down and pressure wash the insides every spring. I haven't had to replace any part on it.

---

I would hope not after 2 years!

My genesis is 13 with all original parts. I clean inside/grates once a year with a periodic exterior wipe down. Always covered which I'm sure helps.

Yeah, I am just surprised to see folks saying the Spirit is a disposable POS. Not my experience at all. I will probably have to replace the burner covers/flame tamers next year, but everything else looks great.

Check out amazingribs.com. They've got tons of reviews on gas grills.

MAROON said:

---

maybe build a grill pad site off the deck - frees up more deck space and you get to keep the three burner.

---

I'm in a garden level, so deck is elevated that's the problem.

I am going to do some reorganizing and actually get the sectional first before committing to downsizing. Problem is my genesis doesn't have foldable wings, you have to loosen a screw, so it's not quick or easy.

Can you replace the screw with a pin of the same size that you can remove when you need to fold it down?

HTownAg98 said:

---

Can you replace the screw with a pin of the same size that you can remove when you need to fold it down?

---

yeh this got me thinking to look into a modification of some sort. If I can easily flip both sides up and down, I will likely keep the one I have. It's just too big with them both on, and I don't like not having them.
They don't fold at all, it's just attach or detach. Maybe I can rig up a folding mechanism, or maybe there is some conversion kit available on the interwebs.

I have a 13 year old Genesis as well and just ordered a new one to replace it. It needs about $3-400 in replacement parts to get it back to new, but then everything else is 13 plus years old. I have the three burner and live alone, but use all the burners quite often. I will grill a lot of something once a week or every other week for lunches throughout the week(hate calling it meal prep). Never even crossed my mind to downsize to a two burner. I have a big patio though and space isn't at a premium like in sounds in the OP's case. The one thing that has amazed me about my weber genesis is the ignitor still works 13 years later. That thing always goes out quick on the cheap ones.

I have a Spirit 3-burner that's almost eight years old. A couple flavorizer bars rusted out around five years old. I forgot about the warranty until it was almost six years old. Along with the bars, the burners needed replacement because they would only light with a handheld lighter (other than the igniter burner). I submitted pictures and got new parts and replaced them without issue.

The burners have the same issue currently, and it probably happened within three months of replacing them. That has been my biggest gripe with the grill. The igniter has been slowly dying the last couple of years and I probably should submit a claim for a new one. The flavorizer bars seem to be holding up better so far, but it has only been two years since I replaced them.

The rest of the grill is in great shape compared to some of the cheaper ones I have had. I'll probably try to get new burners again right before the 10-year warranty is up. New burners and a new igniter and I should get 15 years of use out of it without having to pay anything additional. It was $500 when I bought it, but not sure how much it would be now.

RCR06 said:

---

I have a 13 year old Genesis as well and just ordered a new one to replace it. It needs about $3-400 in replacement parts to get it back to new, but then everything else is 13 plus years old. I have the three burner and live alone, but use all the burners quite often. I will grill a lot of something once a week or every other week for lunches throughout the week(hate calling it meal prep). Never even crossed my mind to downsize to a two burner. I have a big patio though and space isn't at a premium like in sounds in the OP's case. The one thing that has amazed me about my weber genesis is the ignitor still works 13 years later. That thing always goes out quick on the cheap ones.

---

huh, I can't say I've taken particular care of mine. I clean out insides/grates at most once a year. Never had to replace anything.

Man maybe I'll rethink this, hate to get rid of such a high quality grill.

MAROON said:

---

maybe build a grill pad site off the deck - frees up more deck space and you get to keep the three burner.

---

My deck is 12x82 and I'm still planning to mount my grill outside it to make it easier to blow the deck off.

Get a 2 burner blackstone griddle. It does everything a grill will do and more. You can thank me later.

ag0207 said:

---

Get a 2 burner blackstone griddle. It does everything a grill will do and more. You can thank me later.

---

I have a blackstone for camping (it's a tailgater, half grill half griddle), I throw the griddle on my Weber when I need it.
I prefer having a lid to maintain temp. I'm in Denver and it's not unusual for me at all to grill inn30 degree weather.
I also like to throw canned food directly on the grill, and I don't think those black stones lids leave much clearance.

Depends on which one you get. Some have built on lids or you can order one if it doesn't. I picked a four burner up off of Facebook marketplace place a while back for $150. They require a little more care but are great to cook on.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Blackstone-2-Burner-28-Propane-Griddle-with-Hood-and-Omnivore-Griddle-Plate/3759740355?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wmlspartner=wlpa&cn=FY25-ENTP-PMAX_cnv_dps_dsn_dis_ad_entp_e_n&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=222222222983759740355_0000000000_21407473164&wl0=&wl1=x&wl2=m&wl3=&wl4=&wl5=9027404&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=3759740355&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21690411341&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpIiXANEYDfcC132NT89D1x9&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy_fOBhC6ARIsAHKFB7-fyhnkhiOD1iw5eYdJZOHh3mGZbQcuuouMYaobXV9JbkZkMBHSG44aApigEALw_wcB

They have conversion kits for natural gas if you can't find one in natural gas.

I have cooked on mine in cold weather with no issues. However, it was Texas cold not Colorado cold. If you give it 15 minutes or so that cast iron will get very hot and retain heat very well.

The canned food is a no go but that is why they make microwaves and ranges.

I have a 2 burner genesis...shocked to hear they discontinued these! Have you considered trying to find a used 2 burner genesis? Agreed that comparatively the Spirit feels very light weight, especially the hood

Why not get a Medium or Large BGE in a nest, they can have a pretty small footprint? Definitely not disposable and gives you some flexibility over a gas grill. I have built 3 outdoor kitchens in the last 10 years, first one at my old house, second one at the ranch and third one at my current house. The first was totally blown out https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2954877 , built in Lynx Professional grill, side burner, BGE, etc., the second was Jenn Air gas grill, Blackstone, BGE, the third one and my favorite BGE and Blaze Kamado. I honestly cannot remember the last time I used a gas grill, the only reason I added the one at the ranch is because I had it in my garage from my first house.

beatlesphan said:

---

I have a 2 burner genesis...shocked to hear they discontinued these! Have you considered trying to find a used 2 burner genesis? Agreed that comparatively the Spirit feels very light weight, especially the hood

---

This. If you are in a large metro area and have time to check Marketplace regularly, you shouldn't have any trouble finding one in great shape.

TMfrisco said:

---

beatlesphan said:

---

I have a 2 burner genesis...shocked to hear they discontinued these! Have you considered trying to find a used 2 burner genesis? Agreed that comparatively the Spirit feels very light weight, especially the hood

---

This. If you are in a large metro area and have time to check Marketplace regularly, you shouldn't have any trouble finding one in great shape.

---

yeh I've looked on CL, FB and varage sale. Nothing as of now.

I have a Kamado Joe and I love that thing. It is superior to a gas grill in all but 1 thing...quickness. It's a good 20-30 minutes before it's ready to cook on, so for grilling some burgers or fajitas or something during the middle of the week, it's hard to beat a gas grill or blackstone. Light it up and it's ready to go by the time you go inside and get the meat ready, and you're finished within 30 minutes. Do you get the same taste as you do grilling with charcoal? No, but it's a tradeoff I think many will make when time is a priority.

My KJ has become my weekend or "we don't have anything going on tonight so I have time" grill. I love that thing and I will only get rid of it to get a larger one.

If you have A high quality gas grill you should make sure you have some "High Quality H2O"

DO NOT get rid of the Genesis. You will regret downgrading if you downsize. Keep the grill, replace the wife.

Ogre09 said:

---

DO NOT get rid of the Genesis. You will regret downgrading if you downsize. Keep the grill, replace the wife.

---

the wife is also in the same condition I got her 20+ years ago.. that's a tough call!

62strat said:

---

aTm2004 said:

---

Quote:

---

my daily grilling is for wife and 2 boys,

---

How old are your boys? I ask because if they're younger, you will most likely be back in a few years asking about larger options once they and their appetite grow.

---

10/11. My kids currently eat full cuts of steak or full size burgers, I don't think it can get any worse.

---

Uh, two burgers and a much bigger cut of steak is in your future. For both by the way....

Found this Weber Genesis on FB marketplace yesterday for $100. It needed the flavorizor bars and grill grate replaced, so I ordered those from the jungle website and they'll be here tomorrow. This Genesis seems to be much higher quality than the Spirit that just hit the curb.

Several years ago, I upgraded the grate and flavorizer bars to stainless on my grill. I got the right grate, but ordered the wrong bars.

I called Weber about exchanging them. The CS rep asked why I was replacing them, I explained that I had the enamel coated ones and they were rusting. They refunded my purchase of the SS grates and sent the correct SS steel bars at no charge.

I sent the wrong bars to someone on the OB, they had a grill that they would fit. Exceptional customer service, and very rapid.

62strat said:

---

Ogre09 said:

---

DO NOT get rid of the Genesis. You will regret downgrading if you downsize. Keep the grill, replace the wife.

---

the wife is also in the same condition I got her 20+ years ago.. that's a tough call!

---

Sounds like you got 2 keepers!