This is a great grill,Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill Review

This is a great grill,Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill Review

 This is a great grill, when it works. Unfortunately, getting to get it to work can be a challenge as Weber has a longstanding problem that the safety valve in their regulators is very very finicky, particularly if you try to use it with the separately sold Weber adapter hose and a larger 20lb propane tank. The problem is widespread and well documented in reviews across the web (see the low-star reviews on the "Weber 41455" on Amazon for instance).

How finicky? If you're lucky, you'll be able to get the grill to light up as long as you are willing to spend 5-10 minutes turning it on every single time - a long sequence of very very slowly opening the valve on the propane tank and then letting it all sit for a while for pressures to equalize before you even try to turn on the grill, and then a 5-15 minute "reset sequence" if you do something too fast and it doesn't work the first time... if you're unlucky or have one of their defective regulators, even that won't work.

What if you call customer service to get help? They're friendly enough and will quickly diagnose the problem (since it is so common) and offer to ship you a free replacement regulator, but the problem is so widespread that they can't build the replacements fast enough to keep them in stock, so you may well be waiting at least a week or two as they ship them to all the customers in front of you in line before you finally get your replacement and can start grilling...

Past those two issues, once you get this grill to work it is a great grill, nice and hot, great ceramic cast-iron cooking surface, built-in thermometer very helpful, nice looking and a streamlined footprint if you have a smaller patio, and all the other good things that people say. Buyers just need to beware this very well might not work out of the box so you might be waiting a few weeks to do a repair, particularly if you plan to use it with the Weber adapter hose and a larger standard 20lb propane tank.

 This is a great grill,Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill Review

Grill is a little on the heavy side Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

Grill is a little on the heavy side Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

First off, let me say I love this grill. It is fantastic.
Cons:
-Grill is a little on the heavy side. Cast iron grate, quality components and a sturdy base all combine to make this a little heavier than other portable grills. This is compared to my last portable grill, a shoddy lightweight grill made by Coleman.

Pros:

 
-Cast iron cooking surface. This is my first time with cast iron as opposed to the skinny stainless steel wires that most grills have. I'll never go back.
-Solid construction. Every piece looks and feels like it was made with quality materials.
-Two side tables. What can I say, they're extra useful
-Thermometer
-Taller grill lid than the q200 series. Lets you cook a larger roast or something else tall. Probably wont fit a Beer can chicken though (although I'm definitely going to try)
-Utensil hooks for grilling tools
-Precision flame control
-Fits a variety of propane tanks (you may need the adapter, sold separately)
-Has an excellent line up of accessories. I've also go the rolling cart on the way, it looks great.

Don't forget to buy the duffel or vinyl cover if you're going to be storing this outside. You wouldn't want dust and pet hair to cover your hardcore grilling machine.

100% satisfied, A+ product.

Followup (April 6, 2010):
I ended up buying a couple of accessories that I think really bring this grill together. We live in a apartment, and I find each of these to be indispensable:

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Grill is a little on the heavy side Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

BBQ's that were costing me $100

BBQ's that were costing me $100

 I bought this grill (online) to replace the latest in a series of disappointing (and increasingly expensive) backyard BBQ's that were costing me $100 worth of repair parts and considerable grief every year. Having had a single Weber charcoal grill for 25 years I knew they knew BBQ and quality. Reviewing the features of the Q series, it appeared to me ( as an engineer and discriminating BBQ'r,) that they had "a better idea. "
That said, the Weber web site is disappointing and tells you very little about the size and differences between the various Q series grills.
Ok, here goes.
My grill arrived standing on end in an apparent "rough delivery". Opening the box I saw that it was packed SUPER securely with multiple layers of form fit HD card/ fiber board. Impressive packaging. . No damage. From there it took all of 5 minutes to assemble. Two pins for the cover, two screws for the handle , a nut for the thermometer . ANYBODY could do this in 10 min (with no more than a screwdriver.) I got the Q 220 model which is their, higher end, mid sized portable. Overall closed size is 31" long x 16" wide (with the cover handle and hinges sticking out a few more inch's on each side . ). Closed height is approx 16" off the table/ground. Grill surface area is slightly football shaped and has a max dimension of 15"wx 21" long. The grill /grate itself is a 1 piece, massively heavy, ceramic coated cast iron with solid sections that protect the burner below from drippings (Very smart feature!) The cover of the Q220 is approx 7" tall in the center and includes a thermometer. (BTW, that similar in height as a 22" charcoal Weber and 1" taller than the 200) IMHO, the grill size is "just right" for a home grill that can still double for the occasional trip to the park or grandma's. 

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BBQ's that were costing me $100

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

• Portable gas grill with 280-square-inch cooking area and 12,000-BTU stainless-steel burner
• Made of cast aluminum with glass-reinforced nylon frame and a painted finish
• Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grate; electronic ignition system; adjustable burner valve; drip pan
• Built-in thermometer; work tables; runs on a 14.1-ounce or 16.4-ounce LP cylinder (sold separately)
• Measures 25 inches long by 51-2/5 inches wide by 26 inches high; 5-year limited warranty

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

The Q 220 Portable Gas Grill

As part of the Weber Q series, the Q 220 portable gas grill provides a 280-square-inch cooking area, and it includes a 12,000-BTU stainless-steel burner, an electronic ignition system, and an adjustable burner valve for just the right amount of heat. The grill also comes with a porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grate, a drip pan, a built-in lid thermometer, and two folding work tables with tool hooks. Ideal for grilling at the beach, in a park, when camping, or at home, the portable unit runs on a 14.1-ounce or 16.4-ounce LP cylinder (sold separately). Made with a cast-aluminum lid and body with a glass-reinforced nylon frame and a titanium-color painted finish, the grill measures 25 inches long by 51-2/5 inches wide by 26 inches high and carries a five-year limited warranty.

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Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Q 220 Gas Grill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill Review

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill Review

I have actually never reviewed something on amazon and rarely write reviews period but I was somewhat skeptical of this grill upon buying it so I wanted to leave a review.

This thing is awesome. Put it together today and the quality is excellent. Far better than anything you can find at home depot, lowes, etc for anything less than 500. The stainless steel grill grates alone make it worth it. They are thick stainless steel rods that get extremely hot and will not rust. Burners are also stainless steel. The construction is really solid and the whole thing is backed by webers warranty and customer service which is awesome.

I just turned this on to do the initial burn off of all the oils and stuff used in manufacturing and it was way over 600 degrees after just 10 mins of preheating. I thought my cheap brinkmann used to get hot enough, but in comparison it wasn't even close. It would take 15-20 mins to get as hot as this thing got in 5 mins.

While the product is made in China (which is the only way weber can afford to sell it for under 600 with the components it has) if anything is bent or damaged all you have to do is call 24/7 and they'll send you a new part. Mine was totally fine. One small screw was threaded incorrectly but I can get another one at home depot or from weber.

I highly reccomend this grill especially for the price.

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Outdoor Gas Grills Weber

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill

Q: The description by the picture indicates Stainless Steel Rod Cooking Grates but the product description indicates cast iron, Which is it?

A:

Stainless Steel

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill

Q: Does food stick badly to stainless steel grates? I had stainless steel once and it was awful with sticking

A:

It doesn't stick as badly as you might think. Just follow the instructions on tempering the grates, and spray a light coating of vegetable oil on the food prior to grilling.

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill

Q: I can only have one burner lit, and when I try to light a second, gas flow to the first dips. This is not the auto shut off. suggestions?

A:

This is normal for any gas appliance that is pulling off a rail with one regulator. If the flow becomes so low that the first burner goes out completely, then you have two problems: 1. a defective gas regulator on the end of the hose; 2. or the orifice for the second burner is larger than the first one and is pulling more gas than required. I would talk to a local propane dealer technician if it concerns you.

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Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Ducane 31311001 Affinity 3100 LP Gas Grill

Assemble for a grill

Assemble for a grill

Remember in high school when you were dating that girl and you *thought* you were in love? And then you broke up and a few years later someone better came along and you found out what real love really felt like? Remember that grill that you thought you loved? You know, the one that you bought at Walmart with for $199 with 8 burners, a built in sink and a helicopter landing pad? Well, you haven't loved a grill until you've owned this one. Simplicity is key, and combined with great build quality, this grill is an absolute WINNER.

Let me just say this: there's a reason why this grill is more than ones from other makers even though it may seemingly have less features and less burners. It is so well made and so easy to put together it's crazy. This thing is a tank. And it's beautiful.

It's like comparing a BMW and Kia. They both have CD players and leather seats - but are they equal? Nope.

A couple of GREAT things about this grill:

1. It is amazingly easy to assemble for a grill. The directions are all pictures, which is kind of annoying, but if you can't read you'll love it.
2. It is packed very well.
3. It is beautiful when assembled. It is a real work of art.
4. It cooks food so darn well - evenly, accurately and with precision. It heats up quickly.
5. The fold down trays on the side are a nice touch. The grill takes up a really small footprint when you need it to.

A couple of NOT so great things about this grill:

1. If you're used to cooking 17 cobs of corn 14 burgers, 12 hot dogs and a two t-bones simultaneously, this is not the grill for you.
2. I don't really like the back of the handle - instead of being solid, it has like some ridges (to add grip I guess?) and it feels, well, not good.

 

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Assemble for a grill 

E210 Gas Grill

  E210 Gas Grill

I actually purchased my E210 from a local retailer, but thought I would write a review for it here anyways.

Pro's
-----
* Gets up to 550 degrees in mid winter here in Utah
* Very sturdy construction, even the fold down shelves are very stable unlike most grills.
* Sides are basically closed with only a few small holes for rotisserie (had a bird build a nest in my last one so this was important for me, no where for them to get in now)
* Enclosed Propane area
* Propane tank meter (done by weight)
* Solid Iron Grills, good weight, good heat retention, great sear marks.
* Ignition system is great, battery powered, not one of those little push powered igniters that always break.

Con's
-----
* Cost, at $499 this was the most expensive BBQ I have purchased, and it seemed odd considering it didn't have many of the features that most others in that price range have.
* No Side Burner, but really who actually uses that thing anyways.

Personal Thoughts:
------------------
I was a little leery of getting what seemed like a feature lacking BBQ for basically a $500 price tag. But the more I thought about it the more I realized I really didn't want all of those extra little gadgets that I frankly never used. I wanted a well made, well thought out, but otherwise basic BBQ. Enter the E210, which fits the bill perfectly. It is a bit expensive compared to other BBQ's with the same basic features, but what you are paying for is a good design and good quality. I do not regret the purchase at all, it fits exactly what I needed it to. It hits higher temps than most cheap BBQ's, most likely due to the well thought out design with little room for air to escape the BBQ.

 

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Replacing my 9 year GasGrill

Replacing my 9 year GasGrill

Replacing my 9 year old Ducane, and couldn't be happier. She was one of the good ones, actually made in South Carolina, but this Weber has better temperature control and gets hot! Nice when you're grilling in winter!

Assembly was easy, the firebox and gas line assemble came pre-assembled; you just build the cart and attach the finishing components such as the ignitor, knob cover plate, side shelves and door. Took about an hour and 45 min. The instructions are clear and concise. Needed tools are a #2 Phillips screwdriver and a 7/16ths deep dish socket would be useful for the 8 nuts securing the side table brackets.

Deal maker for me was the heavy cast iron grates. These are exactly the same quality as the $699 E-310 Genesis, just smaller, and they leave great grill marks! (Please see picture).

Even though this grill has 2 burners it gets hot! Up to 550 degrees within 10 min on high. Turn down the temp and it dropped to 400 within a couple of minutes.

A nice feature is the propane tank gauge, which is spring mounted and based on full tank weighing 38 lb.'s. I could tell by feel that my tank was getting low when I picked it up, and the gauge confirmed my suspicion by letting me know that I'm down to a fifth of a tank just with a simple glance at the well-marked hanging scale indicator.

This is the 2013 model, with burner knobs moved to the front, providing more useful work space. If needed the side tables collapse, but still feel very secure and substantial when used in the upright position.

I'm very pleased with my purchase and would recommend this to a friend.

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Replacing my 9 year GasGrill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Spirit Liquid Propane Gas Grill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Spirit Liquid Propane Gas Grill

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Spirit Liquid Propane Gas Grill

• Three stainless steel burners put out 32,000 BTU-per-hour
• 424 -square inch of cooking area and 105 -square inch for warming
• Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates and porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars
• Electronic Crossover ignition system starts with the push of a button
• Assembled dimensions with the lid open 63-inch by 52-inch by 32-inch

Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Spirit Liquid Propane Gas Grill

Spirit E-310 LP Gas Grill

Where Form Meets Function

This basic-but-beautiful model has three stainless-steel burners and practical features like stainless-steel side tables that fold down when you aren't using them.
The grill's porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates combine the ease of porcelain enamel with the superior heat retention of cast iron. The grates require no seasoning and are easy to clean.
Providing plenty of space to grill up all those summertime--or year round--favorites, the unit offers a 32,000-BTU-per-hour input, and its total capacity consists of 529 square inches of cooking space (a 424-square-inch primary cooking area and a 105-square-inch warming rack).
The grill also provides porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars that smoke and sizzle when cooking juices drip down, adding flavor to your meal. Other highlights include six tool hooks, a center-mounted thermometer, an enclosed cart with smooth-rolling casters, and a porcelain-enameled steel shroud, which means no fading, peeling, or rusting to worry about. Requiring a 20-pound LP tank (not included) to operate, the gas grill's fuel gauge lets you know exactly where you stand on fuel at all times (LP only).

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Outdoor Gas Grills Weber Spirit Liquid Propane Gas Grill