Most campers think all “portable” BBQs tuck neatly in the boot or on a caravan shelf. I thought so too – until I lugged a Weber Q2200 across a stony field in Cumbria.
Let’s get straight to it: is the Q2200 actually portable? Will it outperform a basic supermarket kettle grill when the British weather turns sideways? Here’s the brutal truth, with no marketing nonsense.
First Impressions — Solid, But Not Tiny
The Weber Q2200 looks the part. With its curved lid and wide, sturdy handles, it stands apart from cheap-looking tin barbecues. You’ve got a choice of Jet Black or Titanium (a pale cream, which looks smart after a muddy camp, trust me).
The body is cast aluminium. It’s tough – you can bash it around the boot, ram it through a hedge, or accidentally drop it off a picnic bench (my mate did once, and it shrugged it off). The frame’s reinforced nylon feels rock solid and doesn’t get hot to touch, even when cooking at full blast.
Let’s get real though: at 19.7kg, you’re not going to carry this, plus your tent and all your gear, in one go. This isn’t a grab-and-go BBQ like the baby Q1200. It’s more suited to “destination camping” — where your car parks close, or if you’re the sort who returns to the same static spot each trip.
Key Specs and Expectations
It’s worth eyeing the numbers before you commit. Here’s what matters for a UK camper or home barbecue fan:
- Cooking Area: 54x39cm (1806cm²) – fits 10-12 burgers or a small feast in one round
- Weight: 19.7kg — firm workout for your biceps
- Dimensions (lid down, side tables tucked): 104.1cm (H) x 130.6cm (W) x 62.2cm (D)
- Fuel: Calor Patio Gas (refillable, larger bottles)
- Grates: Porcelain-enamelled cast iron, split in two for easy cleaning – and for picky vegetarians
- Burner Output: 3.5kW
- Ignition: Electric piezo start (battery included)
- Warranty: 5 years on key parts
No disposable canisters here, so factor in the bulk of a proper gas bottle.
Cooking on the Q2200: Real World, Real Weather
Let’s cut the chatter — how does it cook? I’ve thrown everything at it: burgers in driving rain, chicken thighs in coastal wind, peppers when the midges swarmed so bad we needed a net.
You get the heat, every single time. The electronic ignition just works (once, even with damp fingers). The single Q-shaped burner does a cracking job of spreading heat edge to edge, so you’re not forever rescuing burnt sausages on one side and pale ones on the other.
It takes about 15 minutes to preheat to steak-searing levels around 275°C. Sure, you’ll burn more gas compared to the little Q1200, but you’ll get dinner done fast. The built-in thermometer is accurate – a godsend when you’re slow-cooking chicken and want it deeply cooked, not just charred on the outside.
With 1800cm² of grill space, I’ve cooked for myself, four mates, and two hungry kids — all at once. Steaks? Perfect sear. Sausages? Even browning, no cold spots, no rolling into the coals. Cheese-stuffed peppers? You actually get great char on the skin and juicy insides.
Downsides? The lowest temp is still over 170°C, so forget about slow-smoking a brisket or doing proper Heston experimentation. This is a grill for 0–60 minute meals: burgers, sausages, fish, veg.
Why It’s Brilliant — Pros of the Weber Q2200
There’s a lot to love if you want a reliable, rugged barbecue that doubles up as a home patio grill. Here are the wins:
- Incredible build. Throw it in the van, drag it out every weekend, it just won’t quit.
- Heats up reliably, even on grim days. No more huddling around a sorry supermarket bucket in a drizzle.
- Even cooking. No battles with hot and cold patches.
- Big enough for real group meals, but you can use half the grill for yourself on quiet nights.
- Fold-out side tables make prep in the wind sane — no chasing raw chicken packets across the field.
- Lid thermometer means no more guessing when the BBQ’s ready.
- 5-year warranty backs up the price – real peace of mind.
- Easy switching from patio to portable — just pack it up (with some muscle).
For me, the Q2200’s biggest value is knowing dinner’s sorted, no matter what British weather throws at you. I’ve been let down by cheap grills in a squall — “dinner” that night was a cold pasty, and that memory’s still raw.
Where It Struggles — Cons of the Q2200
Don’t let anyone tell you it’s perfect. There are a few things to keep in mind, especially if weight and space are critical:
- It’s heavy. At 19.7kg, you’ll notice every step from car to pitch. Not for wild camping or trekking across muddy fields without wheels.
- Bulky to store. It’s not tucking under your average festival trolley or small boot with ease.
- Runs on Patio Gas. Great for all-day use, but an extra thing to carry, and those bottles aren’t petite.
- Gets pricey. It’s an investment, not a spur-of-the-moment buy.
- Low temp isn’t low. Can’t slow-cook or smoke like a charcoal barrel grill.
- Those plastic side tables are handy, but don’t overload them. A pack of condiments yes; your full toolkit, no.
Best suited for fixed-site campers, caravanners, or anyone who wants a sturdy patio BBQ with the option to move it.
Weber Q2200 vs Q1200: Which Should You Get?
If you’re still weighing up Weber Q2200 vs Q1200, here’s a hard truth: size, weight, and fuel make all the difference.
The Q1200 is a genuinely small, nimble grill. It’s lighter, fits in the boot with room to spare, and runs on disposable canisters. Perfect if you camp light or like to barbecue in hidden spots.
But if you routinely cook for four or more and want to speed up the job with proper heat — Q2200 is better. You get double the cooking space, a faster heat-up, and no waiting for round two when feeding a group.
The trade-off? Portability. I once tried packing both the Q2200 and a week’s camping kit into a Honda Jazz. Regret. Unless you’ve got a van, large estate, or caravan, be honest about your packing space.
Colours are duller with the Q2200 — just black or titanium. The Q1200 can be bright green, purple, or orange, if you care about campsite style!
Cleaning Up — Don’t Skip This!
I used to skip cleaning after every BBQ (rookie error, left a sticky mess for weeks). With the Q2200, cleaning is as easy as it gets for a “big” grill.
Burn off leftovers on high for 10 minutes with the lid down. Use a proper grill brush — not one of those bendy pound shop jobs. The grates are split, so you can clean half if only one side’s dirty.
The drip tray just slides out from below. Bin the fat after each use, or you’ll attract every midge within a mile (ask me about that soggy night on the Norfolk Broads).
If you buy a Weber bundle, it may come with tongs and a cleaning brush — both decent quality. Even if you’re knackered after a long day, a quick scrape and emptying the tray means the BBQ’s ready for the next trip, not a horror show of burnt-on gunk.
Verdict: Is the Q2200 Worth It for UK Campers?
Here’s the long and short: if you need the lightest, most portable BBQ for wild camping or festivals, this isn’t it. If you’re often parking up at campsites, love cooking for mates or the family, and want a BBQ that won’t give up mid trip, the Q2200 is worth every penny.
It acts as a permanent patio grill and a “sometimes portable” for weekends away. I’ve put it through serious abuse — sideways rain in Cornwall, blazing sun in the Lakes, and one windy night where it nearly took off (secure your BBQs, folks).
It’s pricey, but so is buying three cheap grills over five years because they rust or break. If your camp style means setting up somewhere for several nights, or you want one good BBQ for both home and away — this is your workhorse.
Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about its weight. Don’t forget a trolley or enlist a fit mate if you’ve got a long trek to camp. For those looking for quality, reliability, and brilliant food every time, the Weber Q2200 is the best “big portable” BBQ I’ve used.
Got questions about using the Q2200 or want more camp cooking tips? Drop a comment or check out more honest camping gear reviews on our Camping Gear Reviews page.
Ready for better meals at camp – and no more dreading British weather at tea-time? The Q2200 will see you through.
