Weber Q1200 design?

[sjturbo]

First off, these are not complaints. Observations on first use. My regulator is the way of the handle so you cannot get a full grip to carry. Second, in order to attach a 1lb propane container the valve and regulator must be "flexed" outward because the container will not thread on straight without hitting the rear leg. Has anyone run into these design quirks, or is mine assembled different? Regarding the cooking, it worked great! Just worry about putting stress on the regulator assembly in order to connect gas canister. And wonder why the regulator is in the way of the handle. Am I doing something incorrectly? Are you supposed to carry with only the left handle? Is the valve/regulator supposed to be spring loaded?

[Sprig]

sjturbo wrote:
...My regulator is the way of the handle so you cannot get a full grip to carry.

Your hands must be much bigger then mine. I just went outside to observe the right handle, and how my hand fit it. I then grabbed the left handle, picked up the grill, and noticed that the handle fits the shape of my fingers just fine. I was just using my fingers to lift the grill, not trying to wrap my whole hand around and it felt natural to do.

The grill, even with stand, is not very heavy, and I expect the average person can carry them with their fingertips. And, in doing so, never even notice the regulator.

sjturbo wrote:
Second, in order to attach a 1lb propane container the valve and regulator must be "flexed" outward because the container will not thread on straight without hitting the rear leg...

First, use a hose.

Second however, I will state that I just put together a Q1200 for my sister, and she doesn't grill often, so I put a green bottle on her assembled grill. I don't recall having any issue whatsoever with installing the bottle. It screwed right on and the grill fired right up.

First, again, use a hose. The individual bottles are EXPENSIVE if you grill often. There are two good options to save money in the long run. I've done both.

1)Purchase a small 1 gallon (5#) LP bottle. These are expensive, but at $2.00 per GALLON instead of $2.50 for a POUND, it does not take long at all for the smaller bottle to pay for itself. Consider also how many fewer trips, and fuel saved, with the larger capacity tank. The larger tank, in my opinion, is also safer as it is less likely to leak.

5# Vertical LP Tank

I have a review on that page with this same user name.

2)Add an stay-a-while type device to your RV. This is my preferred method if I am going to be parked for an extended length of time. The 'stay' has a hose that can be used to tap into it with the other end just like is found on the small bottles.

Stay-a-While

Hope this gives you some ideas.

[SWMO]

I've always found the throw a ways too expensive. I also found hooking up the grill end exasperating and with the hose it's a one time deal. I've had a small bottle and hose for about 15 years now and both seem capable of another 15. I have a 10# bottle that I bought to replace a squat 11#. If I ever replace it I will go back to the squat because they fit in a milk crate perfectly and are very stable that way going down the road. Both tanks hold roughly 3 gallons and last a long time. I think over time they are worth the investment.

[sjturbo]

Fortunately I rummaged around my old gear and found a hose to use a remote tank. That would take care of the first Weber design issue. Second, and for long term use I will remove the regulator and install quick disconnect fittings to hook up to my remote disconnect on the 5er. That will take care of the second Weber design issue, and make the second handle functional. As I said initially I like the grill for grilling and believe that Weber generally makes a great product. I just wish the engineers had test driven one for a while before putting out on the market for the consumer to make it great.

[Super_Dave]

No reason why one can't use a hose to a canister.

[JT]

"JT, I can't believe that I missed any comments regarding these issues in all the posts I read before my purchase. With all the "views" of my post and only two responses I guess most people modify the Weber design to a quick disconnect and do away with the grill mounted regulator all together and never experience the design issues."
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I've dithered about getting a Weber Q for a while now, so the comments that I've read have been from several forums, Amazon, and other sellers' sites over a few months' time. The difficulty of getting a straight, unstressed connection with the *16 oz.* canister is mentioned quite a bit. The Q series apparently work best with the narrower *14 oz.* canister; the slender shape allows a proper fit with tweaking the connections. Unfortunately, while 16 oz. canisters are everywhere, *14 oz.* canisters are *very* difficult to find! (Yes, some will say that the 'slim' canisters are easily available; maybe where they live and travel, but not where I do.)

I agree that most people with Weber Qs seem to use a hose and connect it to a portable tank; almost all of the responses that I've received dismiss using the canister and suggest the hose-to-tank option. OK for some, but I barely can find space for the Weber (Q1000) itself; hauling a propane tank, even a small one, is just not feasible.

I'll watch this thread and see what comes up! :@

[sjturbo]

Super Dave, No to the first question. The valve and regulator are bracketed in place and can not move. Yes to the second question. One could use a hose with a remote tank, but if that is what is needed Weber should include the hose in the purchase. JT, I can't believe that I missed any comments regarding these issues in all the posts I read before my purchase. With all the "views" of my post and only two responses I guess most people modify the Weber design to a quick disconnect and do away with the grill mounted regulator all together and never experience the design issues. Maybe that's what Weber expects people to do, improve on the design. Thanks for taking the time to read, and respond!

[Super_Dave]

If the legs on the regulator side were at the edge of a table, could the propane bottle hang vertically? Or, how about a hose between the regulator and the bottle?

[JT]

I've read questions about the same issues that you report with both the Q1200 and the Q1000, but, so far, none of the responses has been particularly 'on point'; hope your post elicits some answers, particularly about the wonky fit connection of the propane canister to the regulator!