Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill Review: The Backyard Chef’s Workhorse, Tested and Vetted

I still remember the frustration of my old, big-box-store grill. It promised the world but delivered a landscape of culinary disappointment. One side would incinerate a burger to charcoal while the other barely cooked it through. Flare-ups were a constant, chaotic battle, turning a relaxing evening into a frantic firefighting exercise. After just a few seasons, the tell-tale orange bloom of rust began to creep across its thin metal, and the igniter became a game of chance. This experience is all too common; we invest in an outdoor appliance hoping for years of happy memories and delicious food, only to be let down by inconsistent performance and poor durability. The search for a reliable grill isn’t just about cooking; it’s about reclaiming the joy of outdoor entertaining without the constant headaches of a subpar machine. It’s about investing in a tool that works with you, not against you, to create perfect results every single time.

What to Demand from a High-End Propane Grill Before You Buy

A high-end propane grill is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming your patio or deck into a true outdoor kitchen. It’s the centerpiece of summer barbecues, family dinners, and quiet evenings spent perfecting a new recipe. The main benefit of investing in a premium model like the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill is the promise of consistency, longevity, and versatility. You’re escaping the cycle of replacing cheaper grills every few years and instead acquiring a durable appliance that delivers precise heat control, robust construction, and features that genuinely enhance the cooking experience. This means less wasted food, less frustration, and more time enjoying the process and the results.

The ideal customer for this type of product is the serious home chef—someone who grills multiple times a week, loves to entertain, and values performance over a rock-bottom price. They’ve likely experienced the pitfalls of lesser grills and are ready to invest in a long-term solution. It’s for the person who wants to perfectly sear a thick-cut ribeye, gently cook a side of vegetables, and keep sauce warm, all at the same time. Conversely, this grill might not be suitable for those with very limited space, as its footprint is substantial. It’s also likely overkill for the person who only grills a handful of times per year or for those on a strict budget, for whom a more basic, compact model would be a more practical choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The Weber Genesis S-335 is a commanding presence at 57.7 inches wide and 27 inches deep. Before you even consider it, measure your patio or deck space carefully. You’ll need not only enough room for the grill itself but also adequate clearance around it for safety and comfortable movement while you cook. The two large side tables are fantastic for prep but add to the overall width, so account for them in your planning.
• Capacity/Performance: This isn’t just a 3-burner grill. It features three main PureBlu burners, an extra-large dedicated sear zone, and a side burner. This configuration provides immense versatility and capacity. You can easily cook for a large family or a backyard party, searing steaks in one area while grilling chicken and vegetables at a lower temperature elsewhere, all while simmering a sauce on the side. The BTU output is high, but more importantly, the heat is distributed evenly, eliminating the frustrating hot spots common on cheaper models.
• Materials & Durability: This is where premium grills truly separate themselves. The Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill is constructed primarily from high-grade stainless steel, from the lid and frame to the cooking grates and FLAVORIZER Bars. This material offers superior heat retention and, crucially, exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion. As one user noted of their previous Weber, it can last for over a decade even when stored outside, which speaks volumes about the value of this investment. The 12-year limited warranty further backs up this commitment to durability.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Thoughtful design makes a huge difference in the day-to-day experience. Features like the pull-out grease management system simplify cleanup significantly. The PureBlu burner design, with its raised gas ports, is engineered to minimize clogging from food debris, ensuring reliable ignition and flame. While any grill requires regular cleaning, the high-quality materials and smart engineering of the S-335 make maintenance a straightforward task rather than a dreaded chore.

While the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Beast: First Look at the Weber Genesis S-335

From the moment the box arrived, it was clear the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill is a serious piece of equipment. The weight alone speaks to the quality of the materials inside. Unboxing revealed meticulously packed components, with gleaming stainless steel everywhere you look. Assembly is required, and while it’s a multi-step process, the instructions are clear, and the parts fit together with precision—no wrestling with misaligned holes or stripped screws. One user mentioned their delivery included setup, which saved them hours, though they still made a few minor adjustments. This aligns with our experience; it’s worth taking the time to double-check every connection to ensure perfect operation from day one.

Once assembled, the grill feels incredibly solid and stable. The lid has a satisfying heft, opening and closing smoothly without any wobble. The stainless steel grates are heavy and substantial, promising excellent heat retention. The control knobs turn with a smooth, firm resistance that inspires confidence. Compared to previous grills we’ve tested in lower price brackets, the difference in build quality is night and day. This doesn’t feel like a temporary fixture; it feels like a permanent, premium outdoor appliance, ready to become the heart of the backyard. You can see its full feature set and build specifications to get a better sense of its premium construction.

From Searing Steaks to Slow-Cooked Ribs: A Performance Deep Dive

A grill’s true worth is proven over fire, not on a spec sheet. Over several weeks, we put the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill through its paces with everything from delicate fish and vegetables to thick-cut steaks and low-and-slow ribs. This wasn’t just cooking; it was a comprehensive test of its power, precision, and versatility. The results were consistently impressive, confirming that this grill performs as good as it looks and feels. It’s a machine built for those who are passionate about grilling and demand the best from their equipment.

The Heart of the Grill: PureBlu Burners and the Sear Zone in Action

The single biggest failure of most gas grills is uneven heating. The PureBlu burner system in the Genesis S-335 is Weber’s direct answer to this problem, and our testing proved it to be incredibly effective. The unique, tapered shape of the burner tubes ensures consistent gas pressure from front to back, while raised gas ports help prevent food drippings from causing clogs. The result? A remarkably uniform cooking surface with no discernible hot or cold spots. To test this, we covered the entire grilling surface with chicken thighs and burgers. Everything cooked at the same rate, achieving a perfect, consistent color across the board. This is a game-changer, echoing one user’s relief after upgrading from a grill plagued by “horrible hot spots where burgers would cook twice as fast as others.” With the S-335, you can use every square inch of the grates with confidence.

The dedicated sear zone, however, is the star of the show for steak lovers. It’s essentially an extra burner situated between two main burners, designed to generate intense, direct heat. We cranked it up and seared a pair of 1.5-inch thick ribeyes. The result was a deep, mahogany crust and beautiful diamond grill marks in under 90 seconds per side, while the inside remained a perfect medium-rare. It delivered steakhouse-quality results with ease. This powerful feature is what truly elevates the S-335, providing a level of performance that many other grills simply cannot match. The ability to create such a powerful sear is a feature that really sets it apart in a crowded market.

Flavor and Functionality: FLAVORIZER Bars and Grate Design

One of the classic arguments against gas grilling is a perceived lack of flavor compared to charcoal. Weber’s iconic FLAVORIZER Bars tackle this head-on. These angled stainless steel tents sit directly above the burners, serving a brilliant dual purpose. First, they protect the burners from grease and drippings, which prevents flare-ups and extends the life of the components. Second, and more importantly for flavor, they catch those drippings and instantly vaporize them, creating a plume of smoke that infuses the food with that classic, smoky barbecue taste. While cooking fatty pork chops, we observed this process in action; instead of a greasy fire, we got a gentle sizzle and smoke that coated the meat, adding a layer of complexity to the final flavor.

Working in tandem with the bars are the heavy-duty stainless steel cooking grates. Their substantial mass allows them to absorb and retain a tremendous amount of heat. This is critical for creating those coveted grill marks and ensuring a consistent cooking temperature even when the lid is opened. They are also remarkably durable and, with proper care, will resist rust for years. The combination of the hot grates for conductive heat and the smoky vapor from the FLAVORIZER Bars for convective flavor creates a complete cooking system that produces truly delicious results.

Beyond the Basics: The Side Burner and WEBER CRAFTED System

A truly great grill should be more than just a box for cooking meat; it should be the center of an outdoor kitchen. The Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill embraces this philosophy with its well-integrated side burner and expandability. The side burner is powerful enough to handle a variety of tasks, saving you countless trips back into the house. We used it to sauté mushrooms and onions for our burgers, heat a pot of barbecue sauce for ribs, and even boil a small pot of water for corn on the cob. It’s a genuinely useful feature that makes the entire grilling process more seamless and enjoyable.

Even more exciting is the grill’s compatibility with the WEBER CRAFTED Outdoor Kitchen Collection (accessories sold separately). By replacing the standard right-side cooking grate with the CRAFTED frame kit, you unlock a new world of culinary possibilities. You can drop in a custom-fit griddle for pancakes and bacon, a pizza stone for crispy, wood-fired style pizzas, or a wok for high-heat stir-frying. This forward-thinking design transforms the S-335 from a simple grill into a modular cooking platform. It means your investment can grow with your culinary ambitions, a key reason why this grill offers such exceptional long-term value. Exploring the full range of compatible accessories shows just how versatile this system can be.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback strongly reinforces our own findings, particularly concerning the brand’s reputation for longevity and quality. A common narrative emerges from long-time Weber owners who are replacing grills that have provided over a decade of faithful service. One user mentioned their previous model lasted 12 years and was still going strong, while another recounted a Weber that served them for 15 years and was then passed on for another 10. This speaks directly to the justification for the higher initial cost—it’s an investment that pays off over time.

Users consistently praise the cooking performance, with one new owner declaring, “weber made me a believer!” after experiencing the “even and precise” heat distribution. This is a powerful endorsement, especially from someone upgrading from a lower-quality grill with known hot spots. However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques. One of the most noted drawbacks, which we also observed, is the lack of a built-in propane tank scale on this particular model. For a grill in this premium tier, it’s a surprising omission that would add significant convenience. It’s a minor annoyance, but a valid point for a product that otherwise excels in user-friendly design.

How the Weber Genesis S-335 Stacks Up Against the Competition

While the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill is a formidable contender, it’s important to understand the landscape of alternatives. The market offers a wide range of options catering to different budgets and needs, from direct competitors to highly specialized portable units.

1. EUHOME 4-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill

The EUHOME 4-Burner grill presents itself as a budget-conscious alternative for those who need a large cooking area. With four main burners and a side burner, it boasts impressive capacity on paper. For the griller who prioritizes size and a lower upfront cost for large gatherings, this could be an attractive option. However, the trade-off typically comes in the form of materials and engineering. It’s unlikely to feature the same grade of stainless steel or the advanced burner technology found in the Weber, meaning it may be more susceptible to hot spots, flare-ups, and long-term corrosion. This is a choice for the user who needs capacity now and is willing to compromise on longevity and performance consistency.

2. ROVSUN 100,000 BTU Portable Gas Camping Stove

This ROVSUN unit occupies a completely different niche. It’s not a grill, but a high-powered, single-burner outdoor cooker designed for specific, high-heat tasks. With a massive 100,000 BTU output, it’s perfect for homebrewers needing to boil large pots, campers cooking for a crowd in a single large skillet or wok, or for use with a turkey fryer. Someone would choose this over the Weber if their primary need is raw, portable power for a single vessel, not the nuanced, versatile cooking surface of a traditional grill. It’s a specialized tool, not an all-in-one backyard solution.

3. Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas Grill with VersaStand

The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet is designed for the griller on the go. Its compact size, light weight, and VersaStand make it the ideal choice for camping, tailgating, or for those with a small apartment balcony. It offers the convenience of gas grilling in a highly portable package. However, its small 150 sq. in. cooking surface and 5,500 BTU burner cannot compare to the massive capacity and power of the Weber Genesis S-335. This is the perfect grill for someone who prioritizes portability above all else, whereas the Weber is built for the user who has a dedicated space and wants a powerful home base for all their outdoor cooking adventures.

The Final Verdict: Is the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill the Right Choice for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Weber Genesis S-335 3-Burner Propane Grill is a superb machine that lives up to its premium reputation. It is a significant investment, but one that is justified by its exceptional build quality, outstanding cooking performance, and intelligent design. The even heat of the PureBlu burners and the intense power of the sear zone deliver unparalleled consistency and control, taking the guesswork out of grilling. When you factor in its robust stainless steel construction, which promises over a decade of reliable service, the long-term value becomes undeniable.

While the lack of a built-in tank scale is a minor miss, it does little to detract from the overall excellence of the package. We wholeheartedly recommend this grill to the serious backyard chef who is ready to graduate from lesser models and invest in a tool that will elevate their outdoor cooking for years to come. If you’re tired of replacing rusty, inconsistent grills and want a dependable workhorse that delivers delicious results every time, your search is over. To make this centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen a reality, you can check the latest price and availability right now.