The Q1200 is a portable liquid propane grill from Weber that comes in an incredible variety of colors to match anywhere and everywhere you want to grill. It is made for camping or tailgates, especially if you’re a Florida State fan, as one official color is “Florida State University Maroon,” and it has some great features for all skill levels. This review will look at the key features of this grill and compare it to some other options.
Q1200 Specifications and Dimensions
To get a better idea of this grill’s identity, let’s take a look at some numbers.
- Grilling Area: 189 inches of primary cooking area
- Grates: Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates
- Burners: One stainless steel burner
- Heating Power: (8500 BTU/hour) / (189 square inches) = 45 BTU per hour per square inch
- Dimensions (with the lid ajar and tables out): 24.6”H x 40.9” W x 20.5”D—15.5”H with the lid closed
- Color Availability: Fuchsia, Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, Titanium, and Florida State University Maroon
- Warranty: 5 years cook box, lid assembly, burner tubes, grates, and plastic components, and 2 years on all other parts including paint
Reviews
On Weber’s website, this grill had 326 reviews with 95% being 5 or 4 stars and only .05% being 1 or 2 stars. Reviews on Amazon were similar to those on Weber’s site.
This grill is popular with folks across the board. Some of the favorite features mentioned were the portability and even cooking. The downside mentioned in reviews was mainly the difficulty screwing on the liquid propane tank to the nozzle.
What Makes the Q1200 Great
This grill has quite a bit of grilling space for a tabletop grill. With 189 square inches of space, you can cook for the whole family at one time, making this grill great for camping, traveling, or use on a small balcony or patio.
The Q1200 features porcelain-enameled cooking grates that make a perfect non-stick grilling surface for any occasion. In addition, the cooking grates are dishwasher friendly, so you can throw them in for an easy clean after a camping trip, or even after an extra messy home use.
I love the built-in thermometer. This is not a standard feature on a tabletop or portable grill, so it’s a great addition by the Weber team. The thermometer adds to the smooth and even cooking experience you get with the Q1200. Overall it’s a great little grill.
What I Don’t Like
There isn’t a lot not to like about this grill, but as a portable or tabletop grill, it does leave a bit to be desired.
The downside for this one is the weight. This grill is touted as a portable or tabletop grill, meaning you will likely be hauling it around to use it. Unfortunately, the weight makes this difficult for many people.
The engineers missed another major flaw when it comes to portability on the Q1200. The gas inlet is in a frustrating position to carry this grill, as it inhibits your ability to hold onto one of the handles. That, coupled with the weight of the grill, makes it difficult for most of us to transport the Q1200.
Versus the Q1000
As far as cooking is concerned, the Q1000 and Q1200 are identical. Although the Q1200 features an electronic ignition, where the Q1000 has a push-button ignition, they have the same heating power and same cooking space.
The Q1200 is an upgrade with the folding side tables to give you more prep space in a small area at a campsite or on an already full table. Both grills have removable porcelain-enameled cooking crates and removable catch pans for easy cleanup. On both grills, these standard items are also dishwasher safe.
The small price difference in the 1200 versus the 1000 is simply due to the addition and convenience of the folding tables. The choice of which one will work best for you is personal preference, although I tend to lean toward paying the additional money for the electronic ignition and side tables.
Versus the Q2200
The Q2200 is an upgrade to the Q1200 regarding grilling space, but a small downgrade in terms of overall heating power. Both grills feature one stainless steel burner, and both use liquid propane to heat.
Everything else about the Q2200 is identical to the Q1200 aside from weight. The Q2200 is a bit heavier than the Q1200, so it would be better suited to long trips if used as a portable grilling option, versus the Q1200 which could be taken tailgating or on a quick weekend camping trip.
Since the small amount of added grilling space and the upgrade in BTU do not equal more heating power, I don’t think this grill is worth the money to upgrade. The Q1200 cooks evenly and can hold a surprising amount of food for its size, so there is no need to spend the extra money on the Q2200.
Versus the Spirit E 210
The main difference between the Q1200 and the Spirit E 210 is that the Q1200 is portable and the E 210 is not. This might make the comparison a bit unfair since they each have their purpose, but I think it’s important to look at what Weber considers their next step up regarding LP grills.
The Spirit has much more heating power, and two burners versus the Q1200’s single-burner. The overall grilling space on the 210 also far surpasses the Q1200, primarily due to the depth of the grill.
Both grills cook evenly and work well in smaller spaces where a more substantial model would not work, like a small patio or deck area. Both grills also have fold-down side tables for added workspace while grilling.
The E 210 is a great first step for you if you are looking for a stationary grill, and I would highly recommend it. The Q1200 can also be a great jump into grilling and is great in that it can go with you as you travel or if you are moving from apartment to apartment often.
Overall I can’t recommend either grill over the other because there purposes are relatively different. You will need to decide which purpose is most important to you. These are a great pair to own together, however, so don’t count out a dual purchase.
Versus the Q3200
The Q3200 is a cart-mounted grill that is the highest end option for those interested in the Q series. Although this grill is still touted as a portable option, it is the biggest and most difficult to travel with option you could choose. It would be best suited for semi-permanent travel, not for short trips or tailgates.
The Q3200 features more overall grilling power and more cooking space than the smaller Q1200, but still keeps the great non-stick cooking grates and the convenient side tables. Both grills also feature hood-mounted thermometers for easy temperature monitoring.
The larger hood leaves extra space to cook whole chickens, unlike the thinner Q1200. The Q3200 also features a second stainless steel burner, which is what helps it to overcome the Q1200 in both power and space.
The Q1200 is certainly still the best option as far as portability is concerned, but if you are looking for a great grill for a permanent campsite or even for a great portable starter grill for your small deck space, the Q3200 is a great option for you.
Related Posts