A couple years ago I bought a cheap grill on special at my local home improvement store and to be fair, it did me well for the past two years. But the more I cooked on it, the more I realized how different it is to have an inexpensive grill designed for cooking hotdogs and burgers on casual summer evenings versus something that would truly be a tool in my backyard cooking arsenal. That's why I was so excited when Weber offered to send me their new 4-burner Spirit EP-435 Gas Grill along with a bunch of accessories like a griddle, wok frame (and wok), Weber Works insert that holds the prep tubs, and the grill cover.
- Guys who host neighborhood barbecues and family cookouts will benefit from the dual-zone cooking capability that allows simultaneous preparation of multiple dishes using the main grilling area and dedicated side burner.
- Outdoor cooking enthusiasts planning guys trips to vacation properties or lake houses will value the robust construction and professional-grade features that deliver consistent results in any outdoor environment.
- Men who appreciate precision cooking will excel with the Sear Zone's 40% additional power for perfect steaks and the digital thermometer that provides accurate temperature readings day and night.
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking long-term value will recognize the exceptional build quality and 10-year limited warranty that justifies the investment compared to replacing cheaper grills every few years.
My Real-World Performance Impressions
Build quality here is excellent and it is absolutely clear why a grill like this commands a premium price point compared to the cheap one I got before. The casters are robust and sturdy (though better suited for rolling on hard surfaces than in my grass), the knobs are both easy to grip as well as visually interesting and the markings are clear as well. Overall it just feels well designed and the quality of the metal is far above what you might find if you decide to "cheap out" like I did before.
The Sear Zone has been impressive, though I've experienced the wind sensitivity that other users mention - it works best when the grill is closed. While it is much better than other gas grills in this price point that I've used, it still suffers from the fact that gas burners just can't put out the same level of heat as actual fire from wood or charcoal. My fix for the wind issue is to plug the holes that are open for the rotisserie with some paper towels. That helps but it is not perfect.
What I'm Planning to Cook on This Weber
With something like this I'm really excited to be able to create some awesome meals for the family and hopefully invite some friends over as well. For instance, with the side burner I can have some beans or rice going while grilling some shrimp and steaming some vegetables in the wok with my bamboo basket instead of running back and forth from the kitchen.
Similarly, imagine creating a mushroom sauce to put on top of a perfectly cooked ribeye that you cook slowly on the left side and then POW, hit it with the high temp Sear Zone to get that delicious char.
Pretty much the only thing Weber didn't send was the rotisserie but I've been a Weber fan for many years - though I've never had one of their grills. So I know I'll be picking that up soon so I can do some rotisserie chicken and maybe even some al pastor recipes that I saw a guy at Smokeslam down in Memphis show me how to do sideways on a rotisserie instead of upright like you'd find at a gyro stand.
Perfect Bridge Between Entry-Level and Premium Grilling
This Weber represents the ideal entry-level grill for men unwilling to exceed $1,000 while still demanding professional capabilities. Unlike true budget grills designed solely for burgers and hot dogs, the Spirit EP-435 enables practice of advanced grilling techniques across multiple cooking styles without requiring investment in Genesis-level pricing. The sophisticated features allow outdoor cooking skills to develop through short to medium-length cooking sessions focused on steaks, burgers, chops, and vegetables rather than extended smoking applications.
I sort of wish that there was a way to offer smart features to maintain temperature over long periods of time for roasting like I have on my Z Grills pellet smoker, but realistically I see a gas grill and especially this one as something that is a do-everything unit that will let my outdoor cooking skills shine on short to medium length cooking sessions - steaks, burgers, chops, more so than smoking ribs or a brisket so I'm okay with not having features like this.
(Weber does offer smart functions on some of their more advanced grills including the Weber Searwood pellet smoker that looks like an amazing bridge between low and slow smoking while also offering the ability to create a nice good sear.)
Assembly Experience and Professional Help
I'm not great with building things - my strength is in doing things online more so than with a hammer or screwdriver, so the fact that Weber partners with Angi for Professional Grill Assembly at only $99 makes this another great feature that can sometimes be overlooked.
In my case, I had Jason Albright, a handyman, come out and assemble my grill. He was a great guy and you can contact him directly at albrightjt@att.net or 419-410-1630 if you are in the Toledo, Ohio area. Otherwise, you can also look on Angi for a grill assembler near you wherever you might be living since they serve people nationwide.
Weber Spirit EP-435 Is a Clear Winner for Serious Outdoor Cooking
I'm looking forward to spending more time with this Weber grill, but I can already tell you that this is a clear winner for guys looking for a great gas grill that is easy to use for creating awesome meals this summer. The Spirit EP-435 bridges the gap between basic grilling and advanced outdoor cooking, requiring no Genesis-level investment. It provides the foundation for mastering diverse cooking techniques while delivering consistent results that budget alternatives simply cannot match. For current pricing and availability, check Amazon.com, where you'll find competitive pricing and convenient delivery options for this exceptional outdoor cooking investment.
