There’s a reason Weber is nearly synonymous with classic, quality grills. The brand has been around since the ’50s when the founder first invented the kettle grill. The Q series grills are designed for grilling, although there are cases of people roasting on them, grilling is by far the strength of this series. The cooking grate is made of porcelain enameled cast iron the burners are not inhibited by flavorizer bars so the grate gets direct heat from the flame. Weber creatively created the grates to ensure that any grease or drippings bypass the direct flame. The clever design of the Weber Q Series, combining all of these features, enables this small, portable gas bbq to provide an even temperature whilst cooking.
This is not to say that it cannot be controlled, but that it will likely take a bit of a learning curve until you figure out how to do so. Temperature control tends to run away if this grill still has room to heat, i.e., it has yet to achieve its maximum temperature. Still, our testers were able to control the weber q heat of this grill better than other models. Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates provide even heat distribution across the entire grilling surface and superior heat retention. Because the grills we tested include gas, charcoal, and electric models, we put them through separate testing scenarios.
The Performer has the appearance of an upgraded Original Kettle. It includes a cart with a work table, a charcoal storage bin, and weber charcoal grill a sensible lid-holding rack. The grate has a removable center, meant for adding a pizza stone or other Weber cooking accessories.
The Company’s founder George Stephen, Sr., established the outdoor cooking category when he invented the original kettle charcoal barbecue more than 70 years ago. Weber offers its barbecues, accessories, services, and experiences to a passionate community of millions across 78 countries. The key to using the Q 1400 successfully is to wait a sufficient amount of time for the grill to come to temperature. Once you do, the 189 square inches of cooking space can handle the grilling needs of anywhere from one person to four or more—depending on what you’re cooking up. We were really impressed with the meal created using this grill, especially the quality sear marks it left on veggie shish kebabs, hanger steak, zucchini slices, and marinated chicken breast.
There’s truth to the idea that you get what you pay for – and what you overpay for. When you examine most of Weber’s offerings, you’ll find that they’re simple and well engineered, not over-engineered. Most of us want to find quality materials, with the best design, for the least amount of money, and many Webers fit that weber genesis 2 bill. Weber’s grills under $100 tend to skew that idea, though, by not delivering on the engineering, the materials, or both. So, if you want quality and longevity, you should probably go with a high-grade model. If you want a lighter grill and aren’t cooking for more than a few people, the Q1200 is a great option.
They have a tabletop model, the RoadTrip 225 Tabletop, that offers 225 square inches of cook space and up to 11,000 BTUs of heat across two burners. If you want to use a wood pellet grill, you’ll definitely get great-tasting food, though you’ll have to plan in advance to have pellets on hand. Since wood pellet grills work by indirect heat, you’ll be able to smoke food as well, without any accessories.
While 13 extra pounds may not seem like a lot on paper, it could feel that way if you have to lug a grill over uneven ground to get to your campsite. By sacrificing the extra cooking space, you gain a lighter grill that’s more suited to travel – and still offers great performance. Both grills are built as tabletop models that you can put on a picnic table at the campground or on your back deck. However, Weber added further functionality and flexibility with a portable cart for the grill to rest on.