Have you ever wished you could replicate the joy of backyard grilling wherever your adventures take you? Imagine bringing that smoky, delicious BBQ flavor to your camping trips, tailgates, or even just a day at the park. For many grill enthusiasts, the dream of a truly portable yet powerful grill has been just that – a dream. Until now.
Enter the Weber Travel Grill, a game-changer in the world of portable grilling. This innovative grill from Weber aims to bridge the gap between convenience and performance, offering a full-fledged grilling experience in a compact, travel-friendly package. As someone who’s always on the lookout for the best gear to enhance outdoor experiences, I was eager to put the Weber Travel Grill to the test.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the Weber Travel Grill, exploring its design, features, and, most importantly, its performance in real-world scenarios. We’ll cover everything from setting it up at home to taking it on the road, examining what makes this grill a standout choice for travel enthusiasts and BBQ lovers alike. Is the Weber Travel Grill truly the ultimate portable BBQ solution? Let’s find out.
First Look: The Weber Travel Grill – Designed for the Wanderer
Portable gas grills have been around for a while, but often they compromise on size and grilling capability for the sake of portability. The Weber Travel Grill boldly addresses these shortcomings with its smart design. Weber has focused on creating a portable grill that’s not just easy to carry, but also offers a substantial cooking area and the reliable performance Weber is known for.
The standout feature is undoubtedly its foldable scissor-legged design. This ingenious mechanism allows the grill to collapse neatly for transport and storage, a feature that immediately sets it apart from many other portable grills on the market. Coupled with robust, all-terrain wheels, the Weber Travel Grill is clearly built with mobility in mind.
Weber Traveler grill with burger patties cooking on the grill grates
Alt text: Weber Travel Grill in action, showcasing burger patties sizzling on the cast iron grates, highlighting its portable BBQ capabilities for outdoor cooking.
But it’s not just about portability. Weber understands that a travel grill still needs to deliver on cooking performance. The Weber Travel Grill boasts a 320 square inch cooking surface, a surprisingly generous size for a portable unit. This means you can comfortably cook for a family or a small group, whether you’re at a campsite, a tailgate party, or simply enjoying your patio.
Having tested numerous portable grills in the past, my first impression of the Weber Travel Grill was overwhelmingly positive. It looks and feels like a well-engineered piece of equipment, promising to be a reliable companion for any grilling adventure.
Key Features of the Weber Travel Grill: Built for Convenience and Performance
Weber has packed the Travel Grill with features designed to enhance both the grilling experience and its portability. Let’s break down the key elements that make this grill stand out:
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Effortless Foldable Design: The scissor-legged stand is the centerpiece of the Weber Travel Grill’s portability. It folds down and unfolds smoothly, making setup and takedown a breeze. This is crucial when you’re on the move and want to minimize setup time.
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Large, Durable Wheels: Forget struggling with flimsy wheels on uneven terrain. The Weber Travel Grill is equipped with large, sturdy wheels that can handle grass, gravel, and even slightly rougher surfaces. This makes transporting the grill from your car to your cooking spot effortless.
a close up of weber traveler wheels
Alt text: Close-up of Weber Travel Grill wheels, emphasizing their robust and all-terrain design for easy transport of this portable weber travel grill.
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Grease Management System: No one wants a greasy mess, especially when traveling. The Weber Travel Grill features a well-designed grease drain system that channels grease into a removable drip pan. Weber also offers disposable aluminum liners for easy cleanup, a thoughtful touch for convenience on the go.
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Integrated Side Shelf: While compact, the Weber Travel Grill includes a sturdy, mounted side shelf. It’s perfectly sized for holding a serving platter, grilling tools, or condiments, providing valuable workspace even in a portable setup.
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Tool Hooks: Keep your grilling essentials within reach with integrated tool hooks. This simple yet effective feature prevents your tools from cluttering your prep area and ensures they are always handy when you need them.
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Automatic Lid Latch: When folded, the lid automatically latches securely in place. This prevents the lid from bouncing around during transport, adding to the overall stability and ease of moving the grill.
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Quality Cast Iron Cooking Grates: True to Weber’s commitment to quality, the Travel Grill features cast iron cooking grates. Cast iron is renowned for its excellent heat retention and searing capabilities, ensuring even cooking and those desirable grill marks.
Weber Traveler Specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Propane |
| Weight | 47 lbs |
| Dimensions (Upright) | 37.2” H x 43.6” W x 23” D |
| Dimensions (Folded) | 15” H x 44” W x 26” D |
| Cooking Area | 320 sq inches |
| Warranty | 5-year limited |
| BTUs | 13,000 per hour |
| Price | Check Latest Price |
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Weber Travel Grill
Every product has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of the Weber Travel Grill based on my experience:
What I Liked:
- Exceptional Portability: The foldable design and robust wheels truly make this grill a breeze to transport. It lives up to its “Traveler” name, making it ideal for camping, tailgating, and picnics.
- Ample Cooking Space: For a portable grill, the 320 square inch cooking area is impressive. It’s large enough to cook for a family or a small gathering, easily handling burgers, steaks, chicken, and more.
- High-Quality Cooking Grates: The cast iron grates are a significant plus. They heat up evenly, retain heat well, and deliver excellent searing, contributing to delicious and professionally grilled food.
- Solid Weber Build Quality: As expected from Weber, the Travel Grill is well-constructed with durable materials. It feels sturdy and reliable, built to withstand the rigors of travel and frequent use.
weber traveler review
Alt text: Weber Travel Grill review showcasing its compact folded size and portability, emphasizing its design as a convenient weber travel grill.
What Could Be Improved:
- Single Burner Control: The Weber Travel Grill features a single burner, meaning you don’t have separate heat zones. While it performs well for general grilling, the lack of zonal control can be a limitation when cooking different types of food that require varying temperatures simultaneously.
- Propane Tank Connector Location: Connecting the propane tank can be a bit fiddly due to the connector’s location. It requires a slightly awkward angle to attach correctly, and visibility can be obstructed.
- Trunk Space Requirement: While portable, when folded, the Weber Travel Grill is still quite long. It may require folding down the seats in smaller cars to fit it into the trunk, which is something to consider for very compact vehicles.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the pros of the Weber Travel Grill significantly outweigh the cons, especially if portability and grilling performance are your top priorities.
Setting Up Your Weber Travel Grill: Ready to Grill in Minutes
Unboxing and setting up the Weber Travel Grill is remarkably straightforward. Weber has designed it for ease of assembly, understanding that users want to get grilling quickly, especially when on the go.
Inside the box, you’ll find everything securely packaged: the main grill body, cooking grates, wheels, and the grease pan. Notably, no tools are included because you won’t need them for the primary setup – a testament to the grill’s user-friendly design.
weber traveler gas grill unassembled on the floor
Alt text: Unboxing of the Weber Travel Grill, showing components like grill body, grates, and wheels, highlighting the minimal assembly required for this weber travel grill.
The main assembly step involves attaching the wheels to the pre-assembled frame. This is a simple process, and I found the entire setup to be intuitive, so much so that I didn’t even need to consult the instructions. From box to fully assembled and ready to grill took less than 15 minutes – perfect for those eager to start cooking.
Build Quality and Design: Weber Durability in a Portable Package
Weber’s reputation for build quality is well-deserved, and the Travel Grill is no exception. Despite being designed for portability, it doesn’t compromise on durability.
Weighing in at 47 lbs, the Weber Travel Grill strikes a good balance between being lightweight enough to transport and robust enough to withstand regular use. The frame, including the legs, side shelf, and tool hooks, is constructed from thick, durable plastic designed to handle the bumps and jolts of travel.
The grill hood and body are made of porcelain-enameled steel, providing excellent heat retention and weather resistance. Stainless steel accents add to the grill’s aesthetic appeal and durability, particularly around the lid and handle. The burner itself is also stainless steel, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.
weber traveler grill grates and burner
Alt text: Close-up of Weber Travel Grill grates and stainless steel burner, showcasing the quality materials used in this portable weber travel grill for durability and performance.
The heavy-duty cast iron cooking grates are a standout feature. Cast iron is known for its superior heat retention and searing capabilities compared to other materials like porcelain-coated or stainless steel grates. In my experience, cast iron grates contribute significantly to better searing and flavor development, making them a premium feature in a portable grill.
Cooking Experience: Weber Travel Grill in Action
To truly test the Weber Travel Grill, I used it in a variety of settings, from backyard BBQs to picnics in the park. Transporting the grill was as easy as advertised. Its foldable design and large wheels allowed me to effortlessly roll it across various terrains, from paved paths to grassy fields. Loading and unloading it from my car was also straightforward, thanks to the well-placed handles and manageable weight.
Unfolding the grill for cooking is a quick process. A red release lever and safety latch are simple to operate, and the grill smoothly unfolds and locks into its upright position. Connecting a standard camping propane tank is required, and while the connector location is a bit tight, it’s manageable with a little practice.
Preheating the grill is rapid; it reaches temperatures over 400°F in about 5 minutes, even on cooler days. During my first cook – burgers and hot dogs at a park picnic – the Weber Travel Grill performed admirably. The 320 square inch cooking surface easily accommodated a large batch of food, allowing me to cook for a group efficiently.
sausages grilling on a weber traveler portable gas grill
Alt text: Sausages grilling on the Weber Travel Grill, demonstrating its grilling capability and even heat distribution for delicious outdoor cooking with a weber travel grill.
The cast iron grates delivered excellent searing and even cooking. Burgers developed a beautiful crust, and hot dogs were perfectly charred. The only minor inconvenience was the single burner control. When cooking items with different cooking times, like burgers and turkey burgers, independent heat zones would have been beneficial to keep some food warm while others finished cooking. However, for most straightforward grilling tasks, the single burner performs effectively.
Back home, I grilled a variety of foods, including chicken thighs, salmon, and bratwurst. In every instance, the Weber Travel Grill delivered consistent heat and that signature Weber grilled flavor. It cooks remarkably similarly to a full-sized Weber gas grill, a testament to its well-engineered design.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Keeping Your Weber Travel Grill Ready for the Next Adventure
Cleaning the Weber Travel Grill is relatively simple. The porcelain-enameled grates are fairly non-stick, especially when properly seasoned. After each use, I recommend letting the grill cool slightly and then using a grill brush to remove any food residue.
The grease management system, with its removable drip pan and optional aluminum liners, makes grease cleanup easy. For a more thorough cleaning, the grates can be removed and washed with soap and water.
Given its portable nature, cleaning the grill after each use is especially important, particularly if you’re transporting it in your vehicle. Taking a few minutes to wipe down the grill and empty the grease pan will prevent messes and keep your Weber Travel Grill in top condition for your next BBQ adventure. Weber also offers a Cargo Protector cover, which is a worthwhile accessory for keeping your car clean during transport.
Performance Testing: Heat Zones and Temperature Control
To assess the Weber Travel Grill’s performance more scientifically, I conducted a heat zone test using bratwurst links to visualize heat distribution across the cooking surface. I also monitored the time it took for the grill to reach its maximum temperature.
The grill reached a maximum temperature of around 500°F in approximately 7 minutes. The heat zone test revealed that the hottest areas were just outside the solid ring on the grates designed to protect the burner from grease. The inner and outer edges of the cooking surface were slightly cooler, indicating a degree of heat zoning, even with a single burner.
grilling bratwurst links on a weber traveler gas grill
Alt text: Bratwurst links being used for a heat zone test on the Weber Travel Grill, demonstrating the heat distribution and grilling performance of this weber travel grill.
While not as precise as a multi-burner grill, the Weber Travel Grill offers surprisingly even heat distribution for a portable unit, making it suitable for a wide range of grilling tasks.
Alternatives to the Weber Travel Grill: Exploring Other Portable Options
While the Weber Travel Grill is an excellent portable option, there are alternatives worth considering depending on your specific needs and budget.
Weber’s own Q series grills, such as the Q1200 and Q2200, are also popular portable choices. These grills are more compact than the Travel Grill and offer foldable side shelves for added convenience. While they have smaller cooking areas, they are lighter and may be a better fit for individuals or couples who prioritize maximum portability and have less cooking space requirements. Weber also offers a foldable cart for the Q series grills, enhancing their portability.
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill Check Latest Price at Amazon Check latest price at Weber
The Weber Q2800N+ is a newer model in the Q series, offering upgrades and a slightly larger cooking area than the Q1200 and Q2200. It’s another solid portable option from Weber, bridging the gap between the smaller Q series grills and the larger Travel Grill.
Ultimately, the best portable grill for you will depend on your individual needs, cooking habits, and portability requirements.
Final Verdict: Is the Weber Travel Grill Your Ideal Travel BBQ?
If you’re seeking a truly portable gas grill that doesn’t compromise on grilling performance and offers a generous cooking area, the Weber Travel Grill is an outstanding choice. It perfectly blends convenience with the quality and grilling prowess Weber is renowned for.
Whether you’re an avid camper, a tailgating enthusiast, or simply want a portable grill for picnics and park outings, the Weber Travel Grill is designed to enhance your outdoor cooking experiences. Its foldable design, robust wheels, and ample cooking space make it a standout in the portable grill market. While the single burner control and propane connector location could be slightly improved, these are minor drawbacks compared to the grill’s overall performance and portability benefits.
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill, Black
Pros:
- Foldable with large wheels for easy transport
- Large cooking surface area
- Quality cast iron cooking grates
Cons:
- Single burner control
- May require folding car seats for trunk fit
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For anyone who values the ability to bring delicious BBQ flavor on their travels without sacrificing grilling quality, the Weber Travel Grill is a worthwhile investment and a top contender in the portable grill category.
