Weber Q 3200 Gas Grill Review
This compact grill grew from the popularity of Weber’s small portable Q 100/120 and 200/220 models. Many owners found they liked these little grills both on the go or at home. So Weber made them bigger with hose and regulator for a 20lb. LP tank standard and put them on a small cart. In 2014 Weber began offering natural gas models as well. They have some nice features for an apartment/patio style grill for small spaces. The 393 square inch primary cooking surface is big for a space saver. Although Weber’s quality and service usually justify their higher prices, once you get into this price range there are an awful lot of choices that provide more for the money. That said if the Q 3200 fits your size requirements, it’s fun and functional with an appealing, modern look.
3200 has a coated, cast aluminum housing with the obligatory heat indicator in the lid. Like the large cooking area, the lid has a bit more height than many compacts, enabling owners to BBQ roasts and chickens. There are 2 stainless steel burners. One burner wraps around the perimeter of the firebox and a second burner runs through the middle from side to side. Set both burners on high for direct heat cooking and shut off the middle burner to create a small indirect section. Grates are porcelain-enameled cast iron. The cart is nylon and has two removable, fold-down side shelves with tool hooks. Two large wheels on the right side with a bottom shelf for the LP tank which is concealed by a thin nylon sheet. A slide out catch pan at the bottom of the firebox holds a disposable grease pan and may be accessed from under the left side shelf.
It includes battery powered ignition, a 69 square inch warming rack and a Weber Grill Out LED light on the handle that illuminate the grill surface.
Product Information:
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Model:Q 3200 Gas Grill
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Item Price :499.00
*Price Subject To Change -
Where to buy (buying from this supplier supports this website):
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Made in USA:yes
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Review Method:Looked Closely At It
We have seen this product up close and we have also gathered info from the manufacturer, owners, and other reliable sources. -
Primary Function:Grill
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Fuel:Propane Gas, Natural Gas Capable
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BTU:21,700
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Heat Flux:55.22
Heat Flux is the BTU per square inch and is a more useful measure of how much heat a grill delivers than BTU alone. -
Main Burners:2
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Primary Capacity:Mid-Size (about 19 burgers) : 393 square inches
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Secondary Capacity:69 square inches
Manufacturer:
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Weber-Stephen
Weber-Stephen is one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers of BBQ equipment and related accessories in the world. Weber grills and smokers cook beautifully and have great features that are clever, effective and easy to use. As popularity and demand for BBQ gear grows worldwide, Weber continues to earn their long standing reputation for quality, durability and outstanding customer service and support, (7 days a week from 7am to 8pm CST), in an increasingly competitive environment. Even in this crowded marketplace, many consumers are still willing to pay more for the Weber name and they are rarely disappointed. They make a variety of cookers and smokers. Their iconic black charcoal kettles are known throughout the world. Indeed Weber is expanding globally.
Weber-Stephen was family owned since it was founded in 1952 by George Stephen. At the end of 2010 the Stephen family sold a majority stake to Chicago investment group BDT Capital Partners. In 2012, Weber settled a class action suit out of court regarding their use of the phrase, “Made in USA”. Weber previously qualified the “Made in USA” statement by specifying their products are assembled in the USA with some components that are sourced globally. Here is an excerpt from Weber’s statement “Weber believes that because all Weber grills and the disputed accessories are designed and engineered in the USA, and all grills save for one line [Spirit]* are manufactured and assembled in the USA using component parts primarily made in the USA, it did nothing wrong and therefore has valid defenses to plaintiff’s claims. The court has not held a trial or ruled in favor of either party on any disputed issues. Weber and the plaintiff have agreed to settle the matter to avoid the costs of continued litigation.” As a result of this suit, Weber can no longer claim to be made in America.
Since then Weber, like many others, has outsourced manufacturing of more product lines. Things change, but we believe Weber’s commitment to quality and innovation has not.
The biggest barrier for many folks is price. Webers are not cheap, but when you consider that they last decades, the price is easy to justify. Many some cheap grills fall apart after three years or so.
Our main complaint: All Webers have the obligatory bi-metal dial thermometer in the hood that gives you a ballpark reading of what the temperature is high above the meat. Since we cook on the grates, though, it’s always better to bring your own digital thermometer and place a probe there. It appears this is beginning to change as Weber enters a new era of digital technology and software based products.
Published On: 11/10/2012
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