The company offers a wide range of accessories and replacement parts to keep their grills running smoothly for years to come. They also provide helpful resources and guides to help customers get the most out of their grilling experience. On the other hand, gas is more convenient once you have it—you weber gas grill simply turn a knob to start the fire, and there’s no need to wait for coals to burn down before you begin cooking. But you’ll need a special hook-up for natural gas, or to run to the store for liquid propane. Gas-cooked foods also can lack a certain charred grilling taste preferred by some.
The downside of charcoal grills is that they require more time and effort to set up and maintain. They also produce more ash and require more cleaning than gas grills. We tested popular models of pellet grills at our Lab where we grilled, seared, baked, and smoked using each grill to thoroughly analyze every feature and the grill’s overall performance. The grills were then rated on heat control and retention, size, features, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value.
This makes it easy to cook a wide range of meals, from grilled vegetables to homemade pizza. One thing to note is that the Weber Q1200 Grill runs on propane, which means you’ll need to have a propane tank on hand to use it. This may be a drawback for those who prefer the simplicity of a charcoal grill or don’t want to deal with the hassle of propane. One of the great things about the Weber Kettle Grill is its versatility.
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. You will need to make sure there’s an electric outlet nearby since most need to be plugged-in for the ignition and the auger. To get you ready for peak grilling season, we’re doing a new round of testing on both gas and charcoal grills in early 2023. We’ll be testing both tried-and-true models as well as a few of the newer grills on the market. For a gas-powered grill, the Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top choice thanks to its three burners, compact design, and useful features.
But as one grill master pointed out, the ability to have such a large work area makes it easier to cook up a variety of tasty dishes. After a short-and-sweet 15-minute setup, it took our tester 10 minutes to light the grill and another 10 for it to get warm. From there, it turned out pork, burgers, steaks, chicken, veggies, and even grilled pineapple with fabulous results. While some foods call for direct heat right over the coals, you can also position the fuel to the side to cook indirectly. You can even use the Weber to slowly smoke more traditional barbecue by adding a little wood to the fire.
Natural gas grills are similar to propane grills, but they are connected to a natural gas line instead of a propane tank. Natural gas grills offer the same convenience and consistency as propane grills, but with the added benefit of never running out of fuel. The downside of natural gas grills is that they require a gas hookup, which can be costly to install. One of the standout features of the Weber Q1200 Grill is its compact size. With a cooking area of 189 square inches, it’s small enough to take with you on the go, yet large enough to cook up to eight burgers at once. This makes it perfect for tailgating, camping, or just grilling on the go.