Weber Q Grills

An Unofficial Site About Weber Q Grills

I have been collecting Weber grills for almost a decade and am considering adding a Weber Q to my collection.  I haven’t decided if I am going to make the purchase or not but wanted to share what I have learned during my research. This site will walk you through the different the Weber Q grills, show you what is unique about the Weber Q series and explain the biggest problems with these grills as well as how these problems can be avoided. 

The Weber Q grills are very different from traditional Weber gas grills in that they utilize a curvilinear burner tube and manage flare-ups through a highly engineered cooking grate instead of Flavorizer bars.  The visual design of the Weber Q grills is also a clear departure from Weber traditions. 

The Weber Q grills are fine grilling machines but the new burner and grate design dictate that they will not perform like a Weber Genesis.  The primary performance difference between the two is that indirect and low heat grilling is extremely easy on a Weber Genesis but very challenging on a Weber Q.  The primary advantages of the Weber Q grills are that they have a small footprint, are highly portable, extremely affordable and look sharp. 

The Weber Q grills are available as either gas or electric models.  At one time Weber marketed a charcoal version the grill known as the CharQ but this model was discontinued a few years ago. The posts linked at the bottom of this page provide detailed information and comparisons for each Weber Q grill.  I have a page dedicated to the Weber electric grills (Weber Q 140 and Weber Q 240) but the rest of this site is focused on the Weber Q grills that use gas. 

Despite the specific differences between the models the Weber Q grills all have several features in common. 

The Design of Weber Q Grills 

The Weber Q grills are pretty.  These guys look like nothing else on the market; sleek, aerodynamic and modern.  I am a huge fan of the classic Weber kettle design but the boxy look of the Genesis has never really impressed me visually.  The Weber Q grills just look sharp. 

Depending on where you live in the world you have different design options available.  Those of us in the US have the Titanium series available while folks in Europe have more colorful options. 

The Construction of Weber Q Grills 

The construction of the Weber Q grills is a clear departure from traditional Weber grills.  All previous Weber grills were constructed from either stainless steel or porcelain enameled steel.  The Weber Q grills are made of cast aluminum.  The carts for the Weber Q grills are molded plastic. 

One of the benefits of constructing the Weber Q grills from aluminum and plastic is that the body and cart are corrosion resistant.  Whenever I am in a coastal area I always see a ton of Weber Q grills; all the salt in the air can tear other grills to pieces.  These materials are also lighter than those used in traditional Weber grills which helps make Weber Q grills portable. 

The Curvilinear Burner on Weber Q Grills 

The Weber Q grills all contain a patented curvilinear burner as the primary burner.  The Weber Q 300 and Weber Q 320 also have a second burner which is linear.  The burner has several unique features but the primary one is that a single burner circles around the base of the grill.  While there are many positive features with this burner design this is also what makes indirect cooking a tricky matter.  I have a post written about this patented burner design if you would like to learn more.  If you want to dive into the guts of the US patent yourself then you can download a copy here. Weber Q Burner Patent

The Grates on Weber Q Grills  

The Weber Q grills all contain a patented cooking grate constructed of heavy duty enameled cast iron.  The patented grate design is what allows the Weber Q grills to operate without the Flavorizer bars found in other Weber gas grills. I have a post written about this patented cooking surface that explains what is unique about the grate and how it functions in partnership with the curvilinear burner.  If you want to dive into the guts of the US patent yourself then you can download a copy here. Weber Q Grate Patent

The Weber Q grates are a mixed blessing.  Enameled cast iron grates have always been a premium upgrade on any Weber grill.  They are excellent at holding heat and when properly used can put down serious grill marks.  The downside of cast iron grates is that even though they are enameled they will rust if you don’t take care of them properly.  It is strongly recommended that you treat these grates like any other piece of cast iron and season them heavily.  Do not rely upon the porcelain enameled coating to protect these grates from rust.  

The Name on the Weber Q Grills 

This might not matter for some folks but there is something comforting about the seeing the Weber name on a grill.  I realize that not everything Weber produces is gold but if I have the choice between a generic Big Box product and a Weber product I buy Weber.  In general Weber quality is very good and the customer service has a reputation for excellence. 

Problems with Weber Q Grills 

There are two issues that generate the most complaints about Weber Q grills are rusting grates and the grill not getting hot enough.  I am convinced that 95% of all complaints about Weber Qs could be resolved or prevented with a little bit of extra information.

The problem with rusting grates can be prevented by seasoning these grates properly.  Here is a step by step guide detailing how to season cast iron.  The problem with the grills not getting hot enough is due to the safety valve in the gas regulator.  Here is a step by step guide showing you how to properly light the Weber Q as well as how to determine if the regulator is faulty.

The graphic below lets you see the main differences between the Weber Q Grills at a glance.  More detailed information about the Weber Q grills is available from the links below the graphic.

For more detailed information about each of the Weber Q grills use the following links:

• Weber Q 100 and Weber Q 120
• Weber Q 200 and Weber Q 220
•  Weber Q 300 and Weber Q 320
•  Weber Electric Grills (Weber Q 140, Weber Q 240)