Weber covers more parts on its gas grills for five years and nothing for less than two years, but those grills also cost significantly more. They are able to transfer heat evenly which results in more even cooking. First things first, let’s talk about the design of this portable grill.
When I checked on the grill five minutes later, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the lid thermometer already read 400 degrees. That was hot enough for my needs, so I put my burger on the grill and let it cook. The meat was cooked to perfection in around 10 minutes, and I was really impressed at the heat put out by the grill’s 12,000 BTU burner. Despite its large frame, the Q 1200 only sports 189 square inches of grill space.
She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. 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.
Once that’s done, all that’s left to do is place the grates on the grill and slide the catch pan into place. The sturdy handles extend far enough away from the grill body to make it reasonable to pick up and move even while lit. Last, but certainly not least, we wish this model came weber genesis 2 with a latch to secure the lid. Though it doesn’t solve the issue, the cast aluminum lid is at least heavier than most, so it doesn’t bounce around much during normal travel. But if you’re planning on four-wheeling into your BBQ site, consider using a bungee cord to help secure it.
In our tests, the well-placed vents in both the lid and the firebox provided precise temperature control that no other portable charcoal grill we tried—including two other Webers—could match. Portable grills aren’t just great for toting to a campground, park, or tailgate. If you don’t have the space or budget for a full-size grill, they might also be the portable bbq best option for your backyard. After grilling 65 burgers, 30 pounds of chicken, and 25 pounds of bratwurst on nine portable grills, we have recommendations for both gas and charcoal options. The frame is made of a really tough fiberglass that will resist heat. The burner is made of stainless steel, and the cast iron grill grate has a porcelain coating.
As a portable gas grill that will likely appeal to novice cooks and experienced chefs alike, the accessibility of the Q 1200 is a major selling point. The battery-powered electronic ignition is the same you will find on a high-end, full-size grill. The integrated thermometer — available from 150°F to 600°F — allows you to accurately monitor internal temperatures without having to lift the lid and lose critical heat. The regulator is integrated into the body and employs an infinite controller that is easily adjusted between clearly marked low, medium, and high settings. The Weber Q 1200 is a unique portable grill option, mainly in terms of design.
The carrying case (sold separately) isn’t weatherproof, but you can use a heavy-duty contractor-style garbage bag or a tarp for protection. If you plan to keep the grill outside, it’s worth investing in a bonnet cover to protect it from the elements. portable bbq You can also get a collapsible cart for it if you don’t have a table that will work. There are five different Q grills with different sizes, prices and features so making blanket comparisons to the Traveler is not straight forward.
It seems like it was a one-off fluke, and honestly, the resolution was simple enough that it didn’t bother me too much. This means that the burner doesn’t need to crank out heat at nearly the same rate as other, less well-insulated grills. If you are still not sure if either grill is for you, there are other portable grills that might be worth taking a look at. Both grills are built as tabletop models that you can put on a picnic table at the campground or out on your back deck. However, Weber added further functionality and flexibility with a portable cart for the grill to rest on.
Once the grill cooled down a bit after cooking, I used my wire brush to clean food and grease off the grates. Everything came off the porcelain-enameled cast iron easily, especially because the grates were still a bit warm. 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. With an MSRP of $269, the Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is definitely one of the more expensive portable gas grills you can buy. However, it’s also one of the largest and most powerful on the market.
This grill is the only Weber Q that can be bought as a natural gas grill model instead of a propane gas grill only. All portable grills, in our experience, struggle to control their internal temperature. Not surprisingly, this grill doesn’t offer the control of full-size grills.