The grill surface itself also has a lot to do with the effectiveness of the Q 1200. Unlike so many other grills that are outfitted with a simple, stainless steel grate, the range of this barbecue is porcelain-enameled cast iron. While it is likely best known in its skillet form, this material is famous for heat retention and the resulting even distribution across the cook surface.
After all, if portability is what you are after, you also want to keep things simple. The pared down design is also great for an easier grilling experience, particularly for newbies. I also like that there is a built in thermometer – a hood mounted thermometer, in fact. As with most of these, you do have to be wary of them – they tend to be off by a few degrees in either direction. You will have no problem getting up to 500 Fahrenheit degrees, something that you can expect with larger grills.
Despite this, I wouldn’t say that the grilling space is overly compact. This is because you have enough room for 12 burgers or a few more hot dogs weber genesis 2 at one time on the cooking grates. They also offer two models with 285 square inches of cooking space and 20,000 BTUs, the X-Cursion and the 285.
And, when you compare it to other portable grills in its class, this is definitely the heftier option. I have been using grills since I was in my teens and have had my fair share of experiences with a wide varieties of brands and models. The main thing I want you to take away from this section portable bbq is that all of these grills have great cooking performance. By the way, I realize that everyone has different needs for their grills and that styling preferences are purely subjective. I am simply sharing my opinions on these grills after quite a lot of time cooking on both of them.
I think this is best illustrated by these two skirt steaks that were seared for three minutes per side. I have been cooking on both a Traveler and a couple of Weber Q’s for months now and wanted to share my thoughts on a Head to Head comparison. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Get BBQ guides, recipes, and our free digital cookbook sent straight to your inbox.
Thus, you can easily tackle all kinds of meat and can even give searing a try. You can call the Q2200 portable if you want but there are no lid latches on the grill, it is a pain to carry and the optional folding cart is incredibly flimsy. Both grills are solidly built but with very different materials.
For extra protection, the electric cable is about six-foot-long, and it has been grounded to prevent fires. Along with all this, the grill also includes aluminum liner for maximum heat retention. In fact, some of its weight can actually be forgiven due to how well constructed this gas grill is.
Throughout my testing, I was easily able to achieve temperatures of 450 to 500 degrees with this portable grill, which was enough for my needs. However, if you like to cook with really high temperatures—I’m talking over 500 degrees—you might have trouble getting there with only one burner. If you want a lighter grill and aren’t cooking for more than a few people, the Q1200 is a great option. If you want more room for food and are willing to lug around a bit more weight, then the Q2200 is more in line with what you are looking for. If you’re looking for a new gas grill that can slide into your car for a weekend getaway or tailgate, you probably have looked at the Weber Q-series of grills.
People are delighted that such a compact grill has serious high heat grilling ability. It has enough of cooking space for a small family and its temperatures are high enough to tackle almost any kind of BBQing that you can imagine. It is also really easy to use and a lot of fun to work with as well. Even as a seasoned BBQ cook, I am still excited by the electronic ignition on this gas grill. If you have ever tried to manually start a fire, even on an electric grill, then you know what a hassle it can be.
However, it is relatively expensive compared to other top models we tested. In particular, the Cuisinart Grillster produces a ton of power for a gas grill, and is offered at a phenomenal price. The infrared Solaire Everywhere also packs a punch for its size, and should be on the radar of any meat griller.