We are all looking for it, that great all-round gas grill that can be used anywhere. We might just have found it! Weber is a household name in producing high-quality grilling equipment. They aren’t budget models, but they are a really worthy investment if you are into your grilling. Today, we are going to help you with our Weber Q2200 review. We’ll explore its features and give you all of the information you will need if you are thinking about buying one.
Weber Q2200 Review | What You Need to Know
| Size | 40"x41"x24" |
| Cooking Area | 326 square inches |
| Fuel | Gas |
Key Features:
- Integrated Hood Thermometer
- Easy to Clean
- Portable
- Even Cooking
The Weber Q2200 portable gas grill is designed to be a great ‘all-rounder’. It has the cooking area to qualify as a ‘stay at home’ grill but has all of the features required to be considered a portable grill.
Let us show you some of the features that make this grill one of the best…
Size and Weight of the Weber Q2200
OK, we like to be straight with you in our reviews. This isn’t the smallest of portable grills, and we certainly aren’t saying this is the most compact we have ever seen. But that might not necessarily be a bad thing. Why? The primary function of a grill is to cook on, not carry around. With a cooking area of 326 square inches, you will have all the space you need…
This means that it isn’t tiny, but you get a lot of cooking area for a marginal increase in bulk.
You might notice from our measurements above that the grill seems pretty broad… But what we haven’t told you is that this measurement includes the width with the two side tables folded out! These tables actually fold into the cooking chamber’s body, so it is much smaller when you need to store or transport it.
The Weber Q2200 weighs in at around 42 pounds. This isn’t the heaviest grill we have seen, but nor is it the lightest. This is, of course, a ‘dry’ weight. You will have to factor in carrying Gas too.
What Makes the Weber Q2200 Portable?
This is an excellent portable grill for several reasons. You’ll find two chunky and very sturdy insulated handles on either side of the cooking chamber. Making it really easy to carry, even with the weight.
The portability doesn’t end there, however. This gas grill can be used in two ways. You can either carry it and mount the cooking chamber on any flat surface using the integral feet. Or, you can clip the cooking chamber onto a durable glass-reinforced nylon frame. This is included with the grill.
The frame would be more suited if you have a little more storage. For tailgate BBQ parties, you could just leave it at home.
The Cooking Surface on the Weber Q2200 Grill
As surface area goes, this is colossal for a barbecue of this style. The manufacturer reckons that this suits 3-4 people. Unless you have a huge appetite, you could comfortably accommodate enough food to feed 6, with little difficulty.
The surface itself is constructed from porcelain enamel coated cast iron. This is an excellent feature as you get all of the non-stick benefits of porcelain enamel, making for easy cleaning. You also get the superior heat retention of a more traditional cast iron grill.
The grill doesn’t just cook using the direct heat of the flames. As time passes, the grates themselves heat up. This allows you to get a nice even sear on anything from corn to steak. There are no cold spots, which can often be the major downfall of lighter and smaller grills.
The cast iron does make the grill slightly weightier, but that said, we consider this a completely worthwhile trade-off. The results it produces are actually awe-inspiring for a grill of this size.
Another notable feature about the cooking surface is that the grate comes in two halves. This is beneficial for a few reasons. First, when it comes to cleaning, you aren’t trying to maneuver a great dirty slab of cast iron around. Secondly, when it comes to storage, you could remove the grates and put items such as accessories inside the cooking chamber.
Cleaning the Weber Grill
When we saw this grill, it became apparent that there was quite a lot of design and thought that had gone into it. The porcelain enamel really polishes up nicely. Even burned on food is pretty easy to remove with a cloth and a little elbow grease. But ease of cleaning doesn’t stop there.
At the center of the base of the cooking chamber, you will find quite a sizeable hole. This hole and the cooking chamber’s unique shape allow cooking juices and oils to drip out of the bottom of the grill.
You needn’t worry about spoiling whatever lies beneath. Weber has been smart enough to add a removable steel tray. Among the Weber Q2200 accessories, you will find disposable inserts for this tray. They make cleaning up the messiest part of grilling a breeze. Just slide the tray out, remove the insert and dispose of it responsibly. It really is as easy as that.
When the Grilling grates are removed, you will find that the grill’s main body is actually pretty ‘open plan’. With a brush or cloth, and a tiny bit of patience, the grill is very easy to clean. This is even more of a blessing when you consider that you might be carrying it a short time later.
Weber is really easy to clean. Instead of us describing it, why not see it for yourself in this video? It’s packed with lots of handy tips!
What Gas does the Weber Q2200 use?
Liquid Propane is the common choice for the Weber Q2200.
We talked a little about the gas bottle influencing the weight and portability of the grill. Weber has included an adaptor that fits miniature gas bottles. This makes it much more portable. A single small gas bottle will last for around 2 hours, assuming regular use.
If you will be in situ for quite a while or don’t have far to travel, you can also consider using a regular ‘patio gas’ sized bottle. This gives you the ultimate flexibility for how you use your grill.
How to Cook on the Weber Q2200
Cooking on the Weber Q2200 is really very simple. Unlike some portable gas grills, there is no messing around with matches or splints to get the grill lit. The unit comes with an integrated electronic ignition. Here is a word of warning; you will need to remember your AAA batteries if you want it to work!
Controlling the flame on the Weber Q2200 is super simple too. To the cooking chamber’s right, you will find a substantial and easy to see burner valve. Turn it towards you, and the flame gets bigger. Turn it away. The flame gets smaller.
Speaking of flames, we talked about even cooking. Here is how the Weber Q2200 achieves this…
Within the base of the cooking chamber, you will find a stainless-steel burner tube. This is in a ‘ring’ style that circles the outer third of the cooking grates. The upper surface of the tube is covered with hundreds of holes that each produce fierce little flames. It is these flames that heat the entirety of the large cooking grate.
Other Features
There are a few other little touches that we really like on this grill. If you have any experience grilling, you’ll already know that having a flat ‘working area’ to leave food is vital. Well, Weber has got you covered as the Q2200 features two foldable side trays.
These give a substantial amount of room. One thing we really like is that they are on opposite sides of the grill. This means that you can have a ‘cooked’ side and a raw ‘side,’ reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Another great feature is the included utensil rack included on the front of the stand. This provides an ideal place to hang a set of tongs, a spatula, and maybe even a wire brush to clean the barbecue between servings.
Are There Any Downsides to the Weber Q2200
We strive to be honest in our reviews. Our Weber Q2200 review is no exception. This portable gas grill is perfect… almost. There are a few things which we feel it is only fair to discuss: –
Weight
We find that for a portable grill, it is just a little on the heavy side. This is in part due to the substantial cooking grate, which does give good results. It is a little bit of a trade-off. You could go for a lighter model, but chances are you won’t be able to cook nearly as much or get a similar result.
It all depends on how you are going to use the grill. If you are looking for something to bring along when you are camping, you might be better served by a Cuisinart CGT-180TS Portable Propane Grill. But do note, you’ll be losing a lot of cooking space.
Side Trays
Don’t get us wrong, we love the side trays. They are handy. The only downside we can see to them is this. They are made of plastic, and they fold inside the grill chamber. It will only take one moment of carelessness at the end of the day, and you’ll end up with lovely sear stripes on your side trays. The only solution is to let the grill cool, and seeing as it has a cast iron core, this can take a while.
This is a minor point, and it’s doubtful you’ll cook and want to pack up immediately.
The Burner Tube
The circular burner tube really does provide an even and consistent result. It does have a small downside, though. You have to be really meticulous when you clean the grill. The holes all point up and may be subject to falling debris from the grate above. Unless you clean the cooking tube, you may find that the holes become blocked over time
FAQ
Are Weber Grills Worth the Extra Cost?
In our opinion, yes, they are. They are excellent bits of kit that offer premium quality. The results, when cooking, speak for themselves. They provide no-nonsense grilling and are really simple to use.
Why are Weber Grills More Expensive?
You’ll no doubt be aware of the famous phrase “you get what you pay for”? The components that go into this grill are really high quality. You aren’t getting a mesh grate. You are getting porcelain-coated cast iron. The body isn’t lightweight, thin steel. It’s substantial cast aluminum.
Should I Season My Weber Grill?
Weber does not recommend seasoning the cooking grates. Remember, they aren’t pure cast iron. Therefore they are not subject to the same oxidization and problems. They are coated in the factory, so they don’t need a protective layer of oil to keep them in good condition.
How Long Do Weber Grills Last?
Remember at the start, we said that Weber grills are an investment. We really meant it. If you purchase a Weber Q2200, you will absolutely be able to see that you have bought quality. They are reliable, simple, and pretty much bulletproof. There’s a good chance that if you look after your grill that it will last you years. Most parts of the grill can be ordered and replaced too!
What do You Think?
Hopefully, our Weber Q2200 review has given you a flavor of what this portable gas grill is all about. There are lighter models, but if you want practically identical results to ‘home’ grills, this could be an ideal choice. Essentially you get the best of both worlds; a large degree of portability with excellent cooking capability. That is a win in our book.