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Weber Genesis E-325s vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner)

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) is cheaper at $349. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Weber Genesis E-325s or Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner)?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) is the cheaper at $349.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Weber Genesis E-325s Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner)
US price $999 $349
BrandWeberChar-Broil
Released20222025
Burners 3 4
Total btu 52000 41000
Primary cooking area sqin 513 435
Fuel propane propane
Material cast aluminum cookbox; porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates porcelain-coated cast-iron grates; porcelain-coated steel lid
Side burner No Yes
Ignition type Electronic crossover ignition Electronic ignition
Release 2022 2025

Sources — Weber Genesis E-325s: qualitygrillparts.com (verified 2026-06-19). Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner): charbroil.com (verified 2026-06-19).

What's the difference between the Weber Genesis E-325s and Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner)?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Burners: Weber Genesis E-325s 3 vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) 4
  • Total btu: Weber Genesis E-325s 52000 vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) 41000
  • Primary cooking area sqin: Weber Genesis E-325s 513 vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) 435
  • Material: Weber Genesis E-325s cast aluminum cookbox; porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) porcelain-coated cast-iron grates; porcelain-coated steel lid
  • Side burner: Weber Genesis E-325s false vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) true
  • Ignition type: Weber Genesis E-325s Electronic crossover ignition vs Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner) Electronic ignition

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Weber Genesis E-325s

Only one whitelisted tester with a readable hands-on body covers this exact grill: Wirecutter, which names the Weber Genesis E-325 its upgrade pick after grilling 140+ lbs of food across an 18-grill test. It praises rock-steady low/set-temperature control (better than the Spirit line) and a dedicated sear zone that builds a dark crust, but flags weak firepower away from that zone. A Serious Eats review of the same model was bot-blocked and could not be verified, so it is excluded. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Holds a low/set temperature exceptionally steadily, even better than the Spirit models, making it strong for indirect roasting/smoking; Dedicated sear-zone burner builds a dark, flavorful crust on steaks and burgers; Large cooking area (~20% bigger than the Spirit E-425, fits ~15 patties) with a cast-aluminum firebox and long 12-year box/10-year burner warranty.

Flagged: Away from the sear zone it is a 'gentle' grill not heavy on firepower, giving slightly paler sear marks than the older Spirit II E-310; Big 57-inch footprint with side tables that don't fold down, and no cover is included.

Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 4-Burner (with Side Burner)

Only one whitelisted tester covers this model: Wirecutter (NYT) hands-on tested the Charbroil Performance Series FlavorMax 4-burner and eliminated it in the first round after a dangerous flare-up. No lab measurements were reported for this SKU. No other whitelisted hands-on review (Good Housekeeping, Reviewed, Serious Eats) exists. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Flagged: Dangerous flare-up / fire hazard: testers had to extinguish a 'raging inferno,' called it 'scary and unsafe,' and cut it in round one.

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