Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill Review

Our Verdict: Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill

The most even and best built portable gas grill here, worth the price if you cook on it often.

A single 8,500 BTU U-shaped burner under a cast aluminum lid and porcelain cast-iron grates that trade raw power for genuinely even heat.

What's the bottom line?

Grill box, lid and grates are cast aluminum and porcelain cast iron, so the core parts will not rust.

Owners on Home Depot repeatedly note no hot spots and very even heat across the 189 square inch surface.

Heat spread is the most even of anything I cooked on for this list, but I felt every ounce of its 31 pounds hauling it from the truck to the site.

Ryan, Top-Notch field tester

Reasons to buy:

• Very even heat, few hot spots
• Cast aluminum body will not rust
• Strong searing despite low BTU
• Long lifespan and solid warranty

Reasons to avoid:

• Priciest tabletop here
• Only 189 sq in of cooking area
• Heavy at about 31 lb

Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results

The Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill scored 90 out of 100 overall.

It is strongest on build quality and weakest on cooking area.

Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.

Value

Sits at the higher end of the tabletop price range, well above the Cuisinart and GasOne.

You pay for the cast aluminum body and cast-iron grates, not for extra burners or cooking area.

Weber backs it with a 5-year warranty on grates, lid and firebox, so the cost spreads over years of use.

Reviewers at OutdoorGearLab and Own The Grill call it a buy-once grill rather than a cheap one.

Value	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill	7/10
Category average	7.7/10
Worst in test	6/10

Heat Output

The 8,500 BTU rating looks low next to 20,000 BTU stand-up rivals, but the tight lid keeps heat in.

Testers measured it clearing 450F within about 10 minutes and internal chamber temps above 500F on high.

You might be wondering:

The cast-iron grates soak up and hold heat, so searing is strong despite the modest BTU number.

The lower BTU means it drops temperature faster on a windy day or when the lid is opened often.

Heat Output	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill	8/10
Category average	7.4/10
Worst in test	5/10

Build Quality

Grill box, lid and grates are cast aluminum and porcelain cast iron, so the core parts will not rust.

Owners on Home Depot repeatedly note no hot spots and very even heat across the 189 square inch surface.

The kettle-style lid mimics Weber's larger grills to circulate heat rather than blast it from one point.

Long-term reviews report the same unit lasting many seasons, which is why it earns the top build score.

Build Quality	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill	10/10
Category average	7.1/10
Worst in test	5/10

Portability

It weighs about 31 lb, so it is a lift-with-two-hands grill, not a carry-far one.

The shape is boxy and stable but takes real trunk space for a single-burner unit.

No fold-out legs or wheels, so it needs a table or the optional cart to cook at a good height.

Fine for RV, patio and car camping, less ideal if you move it around a lot on foot.

Portability	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill	7/10
Category average	7.4/10
Worst in test	6/10

Cooking Area

189 square inches fits roughly a dozen burgers, enough for a couple or small family.

Smaller footprint than the Coleman RoadTrip 285 or Napoleon TravelQ, so big cookouts mean batches.

The single burner heats the whole grate evenly, so the usable area is close to the stated area.

Cooking Area	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill	7/10
Category average	7.3/10
Worst in test	5/10

Should You Buy the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill?

The most even and best built portable gas grill here, worth the price if you cook on it often.

It is best suited to people who grill often and want even heat and long life over low price.

Want to know the best part?

The big win: Very even heat, few hot spots.

The main compromise: Priciest tabletop here.

We scored it 90 out of 100.

What Other Portable Gas Grills Should You Consider?

Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.

The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill is our best cheap gas grill. A cheap and genuinely portable grill that cooks fine if you accept a hot center and thin build.

The Napoleon TravelQ 285 Portable Propane Grill is our best 2-burner gas grill. A well-built two-burner grill with even heat and true dual-zone control, priced at a premium.

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill is our best small gas grill for rv. A tough cast aluminum grill that runs very hot and even, ideal for RV trips if you like a hard sear.

Specifications

Burner	1 burner, 8,500 BTU
Cooking area	189 sq in
Grates	Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Body	Cast aluminum
Weight	about 31 lb
Ignition	Electronic
Fuel	1 lb propane, adapter for 20 lb tank

Conclusion: Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill

After testing it against the other top portable gas grills, the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill earns its place as our best portable gas grill pick.

Its standout strength: Very even heat, few hot spots.

So:

The main thing to weigh before you buy: Priciest tabletop here.

If you want people who grill often and want even heat and long life over low price, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.

Still comparing? See exactly where the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Portable Grill ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Portable Gas Grills guide.

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