Is Weber Spirit EP-335 your rooftop BBQ answer?

Outdoor space is the ultimate luxury in London.

So when I moved to a new flat with a roof terrace, I knew I had to maximise every last inch of it.

My first purchase was a beanbag chair. In the compact space, versatile seating seemed the most practical solution. But the second investment, and perhaps the most important, was a barbecue.

We may only enjoy sporadic warm weather spells here in the UK, but when they do arrive, I firmly believe they should be filled with alfresco living – especially when it comes to cooking.

Hosting friends and family feels hugely improved with an outdoor burner in the mix. Although I am no expert grill master, whether I am serving up burgers, sausages, halloumi and the like, it always tastes better with a classic BBQ char. I have used many different grill machines in my time, from portable burners likely to result in burnt fingers, to XXL models to whip up feasts for my huge extended family, but Weber’s Spirit EP-335 Gas Barbecue is the easiest to use.

I selected this model as it seemed the most appropriate for my roof terrace. It’s a lot lighter than some of the others on the market (even if it is tipping into 45kg territory), the footprint won’t consume the space, and since it’s gas-operated, it won’t require a plug socket or extension cords.

I put the BBQ expert’s model to the test – here is what I thought.

The most important part of setting up Weber’s Spirit BBQ is to first check the dimensions and weight (44.5kg) to ensure they will fit your space. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions that make the assembly process far easier than others, taking about 90min for two people to put together.

As I said, I’m hardly an expert BBQ user – and yet, the Spirit couldn’t be easier to use. Contrary to many smart household essentials, there is not a lot required to get to grips with it in the quest to enjoy juicy and flavoursome meat and veg.

The Spirit is a three-burner barbecue operated by gas. It is split into different zones so you can cook at different heat intensities. The Sear Zone, as Weber refers to the main cooking area, has the option of boost burners for when speed is needed. To turn these and the other burners on, simply trigger the Snap-Jet ignition and adjust the temperature. The fact that you can do this one-handed is so helpful when you’re juggling utensils, dishes and ingredients. This is enhanced by the well-placed hooks for tools.

The temperature is easy to monitor, even in fading light, with the included digital thermometer. This also ensures an even cook and, when you’re a novice like myself, the likes of steak that are notoriously challenging to get right are grilled to perfection, whether you like it rare or well done.

It should be noted that Weber BBQs simply looks good. The stainless steel cooking machine is an attractive addition to any outdoor space, especially since you can pack away the more unsightly necessities like the gas tank in its cabinet.

But the material does more than bring a stylish modern aesthetic to your garden or balcony. It’s easy to clean – as we all know, the worst part about grilling is the clean up. The Spirit harnesses the Weber grease management system, which is made up of a removable tray that catches all the hard-to-remove residue. Even the bars are made of stainless steel, but in this case, it’s about maximising the juicy flavour as well as funnelling grease away from the fire. Safety first, after all.

The brand also has a wealth of attachments that add more possibilities, including a Dutch oven or chicken roaster for a Sunday feast done right.

As a bonus, it comes with a 10-year warranty.