The Q 1200’s small fold-out side tables are handy for keeping grill tools within reach, though we wouldn’t feel confident resting a large tray brimming with meat or other heavy things on them. The thermometer in the dome lid is nice, but it isn’t necessary other than for letting you know when the grill is hot and ready. The weber charcoal grill 1200 is flare-up resistant and excellent at maintaining consistent heat. It’s constructed from quality materials, has some nice extra features, and is reasonably comfortable to carry (although heavy). Portable grills aren’t just for camping, picnicking, and tailgating; they’re also great for city and apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space. And they can be a good option if you don’t have the budget for a full-size grill.
You can cook about six burgers at a time on the Q 1000’s 189 square inch grilling surface. The Weber Q 3200 has the largest cooking area of all the Weber Q gas grills with 393 square inches of grilling space. The Q 3200 also comes with a stand for the grill, making it the only freestanding Weber Q model. This model also has a Grill Out handle light, which illuminates your grill for nighttime cooking.
In a few cases, this might be an actual problem in which Weber’s customer service will be more than happy to send you out a new one. I don’t think you can damage this thing short of beating it with a hammer, but even that would take a little work. If you have any problems at all with the Q 100, I highly recommend talking with Weber’s customer service. They are friendly and are very quick to resolve problems and send out replacement parts. High-quality materials are used throughout to make sure that it will last for years.
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). Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart.
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. 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. I was curious if this was a common issue with the grill, and after combing through hundreds of reviews, I couldn’t find any mention of other people having this problem.