The Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18″ is the only charcoal portable we tried that can sear and cook foods about as well as a full-size backyard grill. It’s a good choice if you like cooking with charcoal or don’t want to spend a lot, but it’s less convenient than gas, especially when you’re on the go. Weber’s warranty covers most of the hardware—including weber gas grill the lid, firebox, burners, cooking grates, and plastic components—for five years. In our tests, the Q 1200’s heavy-duty cast-aluminum firebox was the best at evenly absorbing and reflecting heat. That, along with the U-shaped burner, provided the most consistent grilling of all the portables we tested, with the fewest hot spots.
But portable grills are generally not as versatile as a full-size grill. 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. Two separate burners allow for multiple types of cooking (like searing and indirect heat), as with a standard-size grill. It gets hot and has, as one tester noted, “highly responsible” temperature control. In our tests, it produced “nice golden-brown” steak with “defined grill marks” and a “good crust.” During one test, even a delicate fish filet did not stick to the grates.
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. Weber doesn’t make a grill cover for the Jumbo Joe, but a contractor garbage bag or a woven poly tarp should do the trick if you want an extra barrier from the elements. And since the spacious firebox fits a full chimney starter’s worth of coals, you can get two or three rounds of grilling per load. If you plan to keep the grill outside, it’s worth investing in a bonnet cover to protect it from the elements.
It’s portable in the sense that it’s easy to move from one semi-permanent location to another but, at that weight, it’s not the right grill for a beach day or to take on a wander in the woods. At home, I cooked all kinds of meats, from chicken thighs and wings, to brats and salmon filets. Everything cooked in a reasonable time with that delicious, grilled flavor that Weber has built an empire with. While an extra burner would make this grill a little more versatile, I think most people that buy this are looking to keep it simple.
I should start by saying that all feels like a bit of a stretch. While the Traveler does fold up easily and can be dragged around without too much effort, it is still rather heavy pounds to be exact — especially with the grill grates inside. I personally wouldn’t want to drag or carry this grill on a hike or even a long walk.
When the side tables are tucked inside the grill for transport, the Q 1200 is about the size of a small carry-on suitcase. It weighs about 30 pounds, and you need two hands to carry it, because it doesn’t have a latch to hold the lid securely to the firebox. But the position of the side handles helps to evenly distribute its 30-pound heft and lessens the burden of hoisting and moving the grill.