Weber Traveler Review: Is the Premium Portable Grill a Good Buy?

Some portable gas grills have built-in stands that collapse for storage, and these models often have wheels that make them easy to pull behind you. Other options might just have carrying handles, but you’ll want to check the weight of the grill — models that weigh 30+ pounds may be uncomfortable to carry long distances. The single-rack model with the largest grilling area is the Weber Traveler.

Although this portable powerhouse reaches top temperatures with ease, it is more difficult to learn how to harness the heat of the grill surface for foods that require more low-and-slow cooking. If portability is paramount to your decision, the Cuisinart Grillster is about half the size and weight of this grill, features a lid latch, and still packs a punch in terms of output power. But if you hope to regularly grill up delicious meals while on the road, the Weber Q 1200 is an accessible portable grill that is sure to appeal to both novice cooks and professional chefs alike. If you’re not the camping, beachgoing, or apartment-dwelling type, you may see little value in a portable gas grill. Weber LP gas grills make portable grilling easy and without a mess.

When cooking on this grill, none of the food stuck to the porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and the temperature responded easily to any adjustments in the control knobs. It left a beautiful golden brown sear on the fish and a tasty crust on the steak, and there were no flare-ups during operation. We also loved that the grill has a removable firebox that captures grease — the whole thing can be lifted out of the grill and wiped down or even sprayed with the hose for easy cleaning. Our only complaint about this grill is that the lid lock isn’t the most secure and can come undone if the grill is jostled around.

But the price is justified by the grill’s build-quality and Weber’s warranty and overall reputation for longevity. 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 weber portable grill for letting you know when the grill is hot and ready. This 20-pound propane grill folds up like a suitcase, and you can carry it with one hand. Email updates from our community of grill masters, food enthusiasts, and lovers of outdoor cooking. Low-to-high temperature range provides the perfect heat to sear steaks, grill juicy chicken, and even make fluffy pancakes for breakfast.

The design that keeps heat in and dissipates what heat does transfer to the exterior justifies much of the cost while making it a safer grill all around. It has side dampers to adjust airflow and regulate the temperature when it’s closed. The built-in thermometer skewed about 30 degrees lower than our test probes, but the heat retention was very good overall.

There’s no need for piezo buttons, a lighter, or starter fluid with this grill because the ignitor is electric. Once you have attached the liquid propane tank correctly to the grill unit, most portable gas grills feature a “click and turn” button for igniting the grill. Some of the grills we tested featured just one knob, used for both igniting the grill and controlling the strength of the flame.

If your return is due to an error made by us, you will not be responsible for shipping costs. We inventory many of our products in our warehouse in North Liberty, Iowa to provide quick and flexible shipping options for the entire country. Certain custom-finished products and other items will ship factory direct from the manufacturer when necessary and can take additional time to process. Cleanup was simple, and as the grill comes with no specific cleaning instructions, dumping the spent ash was a simple task.