Can you smoke low-and-slow barbecue on a Weber Kettle?

Yes. By arranging charcoal briquettes in a perimeter "snake method" around the bowl, a 22-inch kettle maintains 225°F to 250°F for eight hours on a single unassisted burn.

Which grill heats up faster for weeknight dinners?

The Weber Spirit E-310. Turning the gas dials and pressing the Snap-Jet igniter delivers cooking temperatures in 10 to 12 minutes. A charcoal chimney on the Kettle takes 15 to 20 minutes to ash over.

How does cleaning differ between the two?

The Kettle features a One-Touch stainless steel sweep blade that drops ash into an enclosed bottom catcher bowl. The Spirit uses an under-cookbox grease tray with disposable drip pans.

Do both grills feature 10-year manufacturer warranties?

Yes. Weber covers the cookbox, lid assembly, and porcelain enamel against rust and burn-through for 10 years on both models.

smokers grills

Weber Original Kettle 22 vs Weber Spirit E-310

Mike Ross · How we research · Updated 2026-09-01 · 2 min read

The picks

Best for authentic charcoal flavor, high-heat searing, and smoking versatility

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22"

The default charcoal grill, and a competent smoker with the vents half shut.

Cooking area: 363 sq in
Diameter: 22 in
Dimensions: 39.5 in H × 22.5 in W × 27 in D, lid closed

$$$$Charcoal

Check current price on Amazon

Best for weeknight push-button convenience and multi-burner temperature zones

Weber Spirit E-310

Three burners, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, and instant Snap-Jet ignition. The baseline backyard gas grill.

Burner output: 24,000 BTU-per-hour input across 3 stainless steel burners
Cooking area: 450 sq in total (360 sq in primary, 90 sq in warming rack)
Dimensions: 46.20" H x 48.30" W x 26.60" D (lid closed)

$$$$Liquid propane

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Compared

Weber Original Kettle 22 vs Weber Spirit E-310: published specifications side by side. An em dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure.
Spec	WeberOriginal Kettle Premium 22"	WeberSpirit E-310
Price band	$$$$	$$$$
Cooking area	363 sq in	450 sq in total (360 sq in primary, 90 sq in warming rack)
Diameter	22 in	—
Dimensions	39.5 in H × 22.5 in W × 27 in D, lid closed	46.20" H x 48.30" W x 26.60" D (lid closed)
Cooking grate	Plated steel, hinged	—
Warranty	10 years on bowl and lid, no rust or burn through	10 years cookbox, lid assembly, and burner tubes; 5 years grates and Flavorizer bars
Burner output	—	24,000 BTU-per-hour input across 3 stainless steel burners
Weight	—	98 lb
Cooking grates	—	Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates
Where to buy	Check current price on Amazon	Check current price on Amazon

Charcoal flavor against gas speed

The debate between the Weber Original Kettle 22 and the Weber Spirit E-310 is the defining choice in backyard cooking: authentic charcoal smoke versus instant gas convenience:

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 (The Charcoal Benchmark): A circular porcelain-enameled bowl designed for high heat, low-and-slow smoking, and everything in between. Burning hardwood lump or briquettes delivers deep smoke flavor that propane cannot duplicate.
Weber Spirit E-310 (Push-Button Gas Workhorse): Powered by three stainless steel burners delivering 24,000 BTU across heavy porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates. It heats up in ten minutes at the turn of a knob, making quick weeknight grilling effortless.

Specification breakdown

Feature	Weber Original Kettle 22	Weber Spirit E-310
Fuel Source	Charcoal & wood chunks	Liquid propane
Cooking Area	363 sq in (Single grate)	450 sq in (360 main + 90 rack)
Burners / Heat Zones	Manual charcoal zoning	3 Independent gas dials
Ignition Time	15–20 min (Chimney starter)	Instant Snap-Jet ignition
Cooking Grates	Plated steel (Hinged sides)	Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Smoking Capability	Excellent (Snake method)	Limited (Needs a smoker box)

Daily cooking considerations

Weeknight Convenience: If you grill multiple weeknights after work, the Spirit E-310 eliminates charcoal prep, chimney lighting, and ash cleanup. Turn the valve, ignite, and start grilling in minutes.
Flavor and Smoky Bark: If you demand intense wood-fired aroma, charcoal sear marks, or want to smoke pork shoulders and ribs on weekends, the Kettle handles both high-heat searing and all-day smoking with exceptional ease.
Footprint & Storage: The Kettle weighs only 32 pounds on three legs and tucks into any shed or corner. The Spirit is a full-sized cart grill on four caster wheels.

Read our beginner smoker guide for step-by-step instructions on setting up two-zone cooking and charcoal snakes on the Kettle.

Who each one is for

Choose the Weber Original Kettle 22 if you love the hands-on ritual of charcoal grilling, want authentic smoke flavor on a budget, and desire the flexibility to smoke low-and-slow barbecue.

Choose the Weber Spirit E-310 if you value rapid push-button ignition, precise multi-zone temperature control, and easy weeknight family cooking.

Common questions

Can you smoke low-and-slow barbecue on a Weber Kettle?: Yes. By arranging charcoal briquettes in a perimeter "snake method" around the bowl, a 22-inch kettle maintains 225°F to 250°F for eight hours on a single unassisted burn.
Which grill heats up faster for weeknight dinners?: The Weber Spirit E-310. Turning the gas dials and pressing the Snap-Jet igniter delivers cooking temperatures in 10 to 12 minutes. A charcoal chimney on the Kettle takes 15 to 20 minutes to ash over.
How does cleaning differ between the two?: The Kettle features a One-Touch stainless steel sweep blade that drops ash into an enclosed bottom catcher bowl. The Spirit uses an under-cookbox grease tray with disposable drip pans.
Do both grills feature 10-year manufacturer warranties?: Yes. Weber covers the cookbox, lid assembly, and porcelain enamel against rust and burn-through for 10 years on both models.

Sources

Every figure on this page came from one of these. We have not tested these products ourselves — how we research.