loree4's Full Review: Weber-Stephen Products Q Propane Grill
For grills, who says larger is better?? I wanted a gas grill, with a great deal of space for cooking, but I didn't want it to take up space like a SUV on my deck.
In addition, I wanted to be able to easily move it myself...I never dreamed I'd also be able to load it in my car and take it to the park, also!
I went shopping at Home Depot for a standard grill. Consumer Reports said the Weber Silver B was highly rated, so that was what I went shopping for. The Sales Rep at Home Depot excitedly told me the night before he bought the Q and then preceded to show me the clam-shaped wonder. I immediately fell in love (with the grill), as I did when I first saw a Volkswagen Beetle.
For $199 from Home Depot (also Amazon has it for $179), I have a grill I could carry to the car with the same abilities as a full-sized grill, minus an internal thermometer.
For $40 from Amazon, I purchased the cart which is also a brilliant piece of design work. It works great to keep on the deck, but it also folds down as a carrying cart so the Q can easily transported when heading to the park or beach.
Both a pro and con, are the welder propane tanks you will need to purchase with the Weber Q. Averaging $3, you can get about an 1.5 hour use out of each. The GREAT thing about the ability to use welder tanks IS when you head to the beach or park...much easier to take a small tank. Recycle the welder tanks at Home Depot/Lowe's when empty.
I do think the more common Coleman propane tanks would have been a better choice than welder tanks. Welder tanks are blue, and taller/thinner than the Coleman tanks.
You would need to spend $16 to get the optional hose adapter to hook up a 20-lb. propane tank for regular home use. Weber (www.weber.com) sells it for $35 plus shipping. The best price is $16 from Lowe's, although it is not a Weber product.
The Q starts quickly. Run the gas for several seconds for the propane to make its way through the pipes, then click the red button a couple of times. If it is windy at the beach, there is a place you can put a match underneath for a safe start.
It heats quickly. Run it at high, close the cover, and then run the grill brush over the grill for a quick clean up from the last use. Then, grill, grill, grill. Weber says you do not need to oil the grate first. The grate is a easy to remove and clean, that is really only needed once a year, depending on use. And there is a replaceable, aluminum drip pan at the bottom.
There is ample grill space to cook a meal for four...even a large chicken can get grilled in there. Running the grill on high after you have taken off your food, and using a grill brass brush is Weber's recommended method of cleaning.
The two fold-out tables are a great addition...rumors are not true that they are for Weber Q's flying ability. ha!
The tables have hooks for tools, and when folded in, do an effective job of holding the tools when you are headed to the tailgating party.
At 35 pounds, I can easily pick up this unit to move it, but I leave it on the cart most of the time. The legs have flimsy pads on them that do come off.
I would imagine the round lid enhances the smoke flavor, but it is just a splendid looking design. Terrific to see innovation in a product line that usually creates similar looking products.
The price of $179 is good, but one really needs the cart, cover and hose adapter...so the total cost is ~$275. I purchased the cover ($10) which probably is optional, but keeps the outdoor stuff off the grill. I also spent $8 for Weber tools.
For me, a terrific deal all the way around. My only complaint is that there is not a bundle deal from Weber. I still think items should be purchased separately, but I would have liked a bundle deal (or at least a mail-in bundle rebate) as an option to save money.
To learn more, and see some of the best animation on the web with a sense of humor built in, go to www.weber.com and click on the Q.
Customer service is triple A and always available. Friendly, and immediate solutions are available. Instruction book is very good, and well designed like the Q itself. I do wish they had an additional cookbook, or at least recipes on their web site targeted to the Q.
Last note: To give that smoked flavor, put hickory wood chips wrapped in aluminum (poke holes in it) and put to the side of what you are cooking. I've seen it suggested that the wood be soaked in water for an hour before doing this. Cook slow and low temps for terrific flavor. Enjoy!
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