If you use the grill only occasionally, you may need to wipe down the burner tubes to make sure they light effectively. While the high heat setting perfectly seared burgers without burning, the Q 1200 also outperformed the competition at steady medium-low heat for items such as bone-in chicken and sausage links. Before testing, we pored over other professional reviews, such as those at Meathead’s AmazingRibs.com, and analyzed online customer reviews of dozens of models. Through Bread Pay™, we offer easy and affordable financing options so you can pay for your purchase over time.
Our picks fit about half as much food as their full-size counterparts (six burgers versus 12) and aren’t ideal for large cuts of meat that require slow or indirect cooking, such as roasts or pork shoulder. If you have the space, you’ll probably be happier with one of our full-size gas or charcoal picks. The stainless steel grates take a little more work to clean than cast iron, but not a herculean effort by any means. The firebox pops out for easy emptying, but the handle bolts make removing it without tipping a little difficult.
This 20-pound propane grill folds up like a suitcase, and you can carry it with one hand. Though this 30-pound grill takes some strength to lift, its roomy handles make it comfortable for one person to carry. There are a few models to choose from and we’ve got a guide that looks at the most popular Weber Q1200 vs the Q2200. Even the largest model it is smaller and more compact than the Traveler, you can purchase a foldable cart. After that, I loaded the grill up with bratwurst links to see where the heat zones were.
Small enough to grill on-the-go, with enough grilling space to execute an entire meal. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Weber has a great reputation for reliability, and when we surveyed Wirecutter readers about their grills, Weber owners were overwhelmingly satisfied with their choice. As long as you clean your grill properly and shield it from the elements, it should last many years.
Porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates are best at searing foods, though cast iron does add an extra 5 to 10 pounds to the total weight of a grill. We also prefer an open grate design that allows ambient heat from the firebox to brown the areas in between the grill marks. But portable grills are generally not as versatile as a full-size grill.
Greg Baker is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and food writer with four decades of experience in the food industry. His written work appears in Food & Wine, Food Republic, and other publications. Sign up to receive new product news, exclusive offers, grilling tips & recipes, and more from Weber and its affiliates / subsidiaries! Register your grill and gain quick and easy access to manuals, replacement parts and warranty. Use the table to keep small serving dishes, seasonings, and tools within arm’s reach.
It’s made for use with a small propane tank (and does not come with an adapter for larger tanks), which can be stored underneath the firebox when packed up. One tester noted that the cast iron grates produced enviably golden-brown sear on weber bbq a steak, although the surface of the grill did not produce consistent heat, which resulted in burning in some places. If you’re not the camping, beachgoing, or apartment-dwelling type, you may see little value in a portable gas grill.
Performance-wise, it cooks consistently across the grates without hot or cool spots. While it is one of the heavier grills we tested, the wheels make moving the grill around a simple task. Cleanup is easy using a top-down approach of wiping the inside of the lid with soapy water, cleaning the grates with a grill brush, and emptying the grease collector.