Comparing Weber Spirit vs. Victory Gas Grill: Which Should You Choose?
Who doesn't love a good underdog story? David vs. Goliath, the 1980 US Men's Hockey Team, you finally convincing your kids there's more to the culinary world than dino chicken nuggets… We all gravitate to tales of unexpected triumph, and today we're serving up a new one hot off the grates: the Victory gas grill vs. Weber Spirit gas grills. It's a classic case of the plucky newcomer vs. the old guard, setting the stage for a heavyweight bout between a pair of our top-selling grilling brands.
While Weber is arguably the most reputable grill manufacturer out there — it did modernize BBQ, after all — Victory has quickly gained a foothold among outdoor cooking enthusiasts for its blend of quality and affordability. It's only natural to wonder how they stack up, so we've put together this comparison outlining the key similarities and differences in both grill lines. For ease of comparison, we're looking at only the Weber Spirit grills we currently carry: the SP-335 and E-330. And in the spirit of victory (see what we did there?), we'll use the info to find out which grill is right for you.
Brand Overview & History
Weber Spirit Grills
Weber got its start as a Chicago sheet metal shop in the 1890s, but everything changed after part owner George Stephen Sr. began selling the Weber Kettle charcoal grill in 1952. He eventually bought out the company and devoted the entire production to manufacturing grills, from that iconic Kettle to the variety of models and fuel types we know today. The Weber Spirit Series made its debut in the early 1990s and has received a few updates throughout the years, most notably the release of the Weber Spirit II line in 2018.
The Skinny
- The oldest and arguably most well-known grill manufacturer since 1952
- Entry-Level Spirit line carries on Weber's legacy of rock-solid grills at desirable prices
- Includes a variety of models to meet the demands of different backyard grillers
- One of the more value-packed gas grill series on the market, backed by Weber's strong reputation
Victory Grills
First unveiled in 2021, Victory's mission is to help backyard BBQ champs like you savor more of the moments that matter. Our industry-leading engineers have seen to that, with thousands of grill tests conducted over more than 20 years guiding them toward the optimal blend of quality, performance, and features at a highly agreeable price point. With the best all-around grill experience for the money in a crowded product class, Victory makes it easy to celebrate everyday triumphs and Taste Victory™ with the people you love.
The Skinny
- Designed to help you celebrate life's little victories in the backyard
- The ideal combination of quality, performance, and features based on thousands of grill tests
- Crafted by industry-leading engineers with more than 20 years of experience
- Incredible value for backyard BBQ champs who want quality without sacrificing affordability
Weber Spirit vs. Victory Gas Grill: Key Differences
Before we take too close of a look at what Victory and Weber Spirit gas grills bring to the table, we want to stress that we're confident you'll be happy with either purchase. Weber's outstanding track record across 7 decades and counting speaks for itself, and we've long admired the affordable quality found in Spirit models. That being said, we engineered Victory to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible for the Entry-Level class, so you certainly can't go wrong with our homegrown grill. To help you make that decision, we've broken out the key differences between the Victory and Weber Spirit gas grills using the following chart and in greater detail below.
| Feature |
Weber Spirit SP-335
|
Weber Spirit E-330
|
Victory
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Mixed materials | Mixed materials | All-stainless steel |
| Cart Storage | Enclosed | Enclosed | Enclosed |
| Wheels |
4 heavy-duty casters
(2 locking) |
4 heavy-duty casters
(2 locking) |
4 heavy-duty casters
(2 locking) |
| Number of tool hooks | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Number of side tables | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of main burners | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Main burner material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Main burner total BTUs | 32,000 | 32,000 | 36,000 |
| Sear burner BTUs | 7,500 | 7,500 | 12,000 |
| Side burner | Yes | Yes | No |
| Flame tamers | Stainless steel Weber Flavorizer Bars | Porcelain-enameled steel Weber Flavorizer Bars | Stainless steel Triple Ridge Flame Tamers |
| Primary ignition | Battery-powered electronic ignition | Battery-powered electronic ignition | Built-in, battery-free piezo spark ignition |
| Secondary ignition | No | No | Yes |
| Total grilling area | 529 square inches | 529 square inches | 626 square inches |
| Grill grate material | 7mm stainless steel rods | Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates | 7mm stainless steel rods with durable chrome finish |
| Warranty |
|
|
|
| Grease management system | Front-access drop tray with a catch pan | Front-access drop tray with a catch pan | Full-width drip tray |
| Hood thermometer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heat baffle system | No | No | Yes |
| Shop Now | Shop Weber Spirit SP-335 | Shop Weber Spirit E-330 | Shop Victory Gas Grill |
-
Quality of Construction
Victory lives up to its name, especially against the Weber Spirit line, with all-stainless steel construction throughout the grill body. To shore up that sturdy design, the Victory gas grill has a doubled-walled grill hood, fire box, and side walls that also provide better heat insulation. Our Weber Spirit models, on the other hand, are built with painted steel frames, painted cast aluminum end caps, and grill carts with painted side and rear panels. There’s a key distinction between the quality of these Spirit gas grills: the SP-335 uses stainless steel in the exterior and hood, whereas the E-330 opts for porcelain-enameled steel.
-
Cart Design
Both manufacturers took great care to ensure their grill carts provided the utmost convenience for Entry-Level grillers, starting with fully enclosed storage space for a propane tank and more. Victory and Weber Spirit grills also boast a pair of side shelves (one of which houses a burner; more on that in a bit) along with the mobility of 4 heavy-duty caster wheels, 2 of which lock for security. For all their similarities, these grill carts feature a minor difference: Victory offers 8 built-in tool hooks (4 on each side), while Weber Spirit has 6 tool hooks (3 per side). It’s not a huge discrepancy, but still something to consider.
-
Burners
For the main cooking area, Victory and Weber Spirit models both use 3 stainless steel burners, though Victory’s provide 4,000 more BTUs in total. Where the brands differ is their use of side burners; Victory includes an infrared side sear burner for quick steakhouse-level searing, while Weber outfits its Spirit grills with a side burner for more common cooking tasks like boiling and simmering. Weber Spirit E-330 and SP-335 gas grills do have 7,500-BTU sear stations situated among the main burners, but their output doesn’t quite live up to Victory’s dedicated, 12,000-BTU sear burner.
-
Flame Tamers
Not all Entry-Level gas grills have flame tamers, so their presence is a great starting point for both brands. Weber’s Flavorizer bars (stainless steel on the SP-335; porcelain-enameled steel on the E-330) are tent-shaped to roll drippings away from the burner, convert them into flavorful aroma, and deflect heat toward the cooking surface. Victory’s Triple Ridge Flame Tamers perform the same functions, but with a unique design — central ridges and strategic gaps in the steel — that better protects the burners. With no flat spots for grease to pool, flare-ups are all but non-existent.
-
Ignition
A faulty ignition system is a griller’s worst nightmare, which is why we’re happy to say grills from both brands light rather reliably. Weber Spirits, however, require batteries to power their electronic crossover ignition system. That’s not the case with Victory’s battery-free piezo ignitors built into each burner knob for quick lightning. As a bonus, the Victory gas grill includes backup match-light ports for secondary ignition if necessary, along with crossover channels that let you start the entire grill from just a single lit burner.
-
Grilling Space
One of Victory’s biggest claims to fame is a best-in-class grilling area, totaling 626 square inches across the 7mm steel cooking rods reinforced by a durable chrome finish. That’s 464 square inches for the main grilling surface, with another 162 square inches on the warming rack. Our Weber Spirit models, meanwhile, offer 529 square inches of cooking space: 424 in the main area, and 105 for the warming rack. In terms of materials, the Spirit SP-335 has 7mm stainless steel rods, compared with the E-330’s porcelain-enameled cast iron grates.
-
-
Warranty
Speaking of Victory’s calling cards, we offer a best-in-class, lifetime warranty on the exterior, which is simply unheard of among Entry-Level grills. Coverage includes 15 years on the stainless steel burners, flame tamers, and cooking grates, along with 2 years on the valves and ignition. Weber Spirit’s warranty is as follows: 10 years on the exterior and burners, 5 years on the cooking grates and Flavorizer bars, and 2 years on all remaining parts.
-
-
-
Extra Features
Each of these grills manages grease well, with Victory’s full-width drip tray providing a bit more convenience than Weber’s front-access grease tray and catch pan. The Victory gas grill also features a heat baffle system that provides another layer of heat diffusion to the grilling surface. Finally, both brands have a built-in hood thermometer — though Victory’s modern, rectangular design is a departure from the circular style found on Weber Spirits.
Weber Spirit vs. Victory Gas Grills: A Closer Look
Got all that down? It's OK, we don't expect you to commit everything to memory — that handy chart above will always be there for a quick glance at how Victory and Weber Spirit grills stack up to each other. But perhaps you'd like more information about the individual grills so you can consider each in total, in which case we've got you covered too.
Weber Spirit SP-335 Gas Grill
The more durable of our Weber Spirit models, the SP-335 grill features stainless steel in all the right places: the exterior construction, Flavorizer bars, and cooking grates. From there, this grill has much in common with its E-330 counterpart. There’s the side burner for additional cooking tasks, searing station nestled among the main burners, built-in thermometer, 6 convenient tool hooks, and much more to love from an Entry-Level grill bearing the Weber name.
The Skinny
- Mixed materials used in construction, which is backed by Weber's 10-year warranty
- Stainless steel Flavorizer bars reduce flare-ups and vaporize food drippings
- Spacious 529 square inches of overall grilling surface
- Operates using reliable, battery-powered electronic crossover ignition
- 7,500-BTU sear station and 12,000-BTU side burner for simmering and boiling
Weber Spirit E-330 Gas Grill
The Weber Spirit E-330 shares many design elements with the SP-335, differing only in construction materials used for specific components. Like what, you ask? Well, E-330 grills feature porcelain-enameled steel in the exterior and Flavorizer bars, along with porcelain-enameled cast iron for the grill grates. The trade-off is a slight dip in price, so it’s worth considering what types of materials you value in a gas grill if you’re leaning toward a Weber Spirit.
The Skinny
- Built using a variety of materials and comes with up to 10 years of warranty protection
- Porcelain-enameled steel Flavorizer bars keep a handle on pesky flare-ups
- Features 529 square inches of combined grilling space
- Battery-powered electronic ignition provides a quick and steady start
- Sear station and side burner combo provide impressive cooking flexibility
Victory Gas Grill
When we designed the Victory gas grill, it was all about reimagining the possibilities for making a quality Entry-Level model. That meant all-stainless steel construction, a best-in-class warranty with lifetime coverage, and top-notch customer service. But savoring the moments that matter also requires the right set of features, like a steakhouse-level infrared sear burner and effortless ignition. And when it comes to performance, the Victory name says it all.
The Skinny
- All-stainless steel construction and a best-in-class warranty with lifetime coverage
- Triple Ridge Flame Tamers minimize flare-ups so you can better enjoy grilling
- Largest-in-class 626 square inches of total grilling area
- Effortless, battery-free ignition with backup lighting for peace of mind
- 12,000-BTU infrared side sear burner quickly produces steakhouse-level sear marks
Final Considerations
We'll be honest: we don't envy the position you're in (aside from the fact that you're now one step closer to taking home an incredible grill). What we mean is that Victory and Weber Spirit are quite evenly matched, and either choice will result in a wonderful grilling experience for you and your family. Of course, our vote goes to Victory — after all, we engineered it to beat competitors like the Weber Spirit, no matter how highly we think of this Entry-Level line from one of our favorite brands.
That being said, the only thing that matters is where you come down on this comparison. If you're ready to make a call, or if you simply have further questions about Victory or Weber Spirit grills we couldn’t cover here, then give our grill experts a ring at 1-877-743-2269. They're always standing by to help you make the best decision for your backyard, which is what this whole exercise was all about in the first place!
View on BBQGuys.com
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.