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Three portable gas grills that get recommended on every camping forum. They look similar in photos but cook and travel very differently. Here's how they actually compare in the field.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Weber Q 1200 ($259) if cooking quality matters most. Buy the Coleman RoadTrip 285 ($249) if you want the biggest cooking surface with stand included. Buy the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet ($169) if you want the most truly portable grill of the three.
The Contenders
Coleman RoadTrip 285
$249
Tailgaters who want the biggest cooking area and an integrated stand
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Cooking Quality
Winner: Weber QWeber wins. The Q 1200's cast aluminum body and porcelain-enameled cast iron grates produce real Weber-quality food. The Coleman is fine, the Cuisinart is acceptable, but neither matches the Q's heat retention.
Portability
Winner: CuisinartCuisinart wins. The Petit Gourmet weighs just 13 lbs vs the Q at 31 lbs and the Coleman at 47 lbs (with stand). For backpacking or boat use, the Cuisinart is the only realistic choice.
Cooking Area
Winner: ColemanColeman wins. 285 sq in is significantly larger than the Q's 189 sq in or the Cuisinart's 145 sq in. For tailgating with a crowd, the Coleman is the winner.
Build Quality
Winner: Weber QWeber wins decisively. The Q 1200 will last a decade. The Coleman is solid mid-tier. The Cuisinart is a budget grill with a budget feel — fine for occasional use, not built for life.
Value
Winner: CuisinartCuisinart wins on price-per-burger for casual users. Weber wins on dollars-per-year over the long haul. Coleman sits in the middle on both. Pick based on usage frequency.
Final Verdict
Buy the Weber Q 1200 if cooking great food matters more than convenience. Buy the Coleman RoadTrip 285 if you want the biggest tailgate-friendly grill with a stand. Buy the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet if you genuinely need the lightest, smallest portable grill.
Buying Advice
Most people overestimate how often they'll need maximum portability. Unless you'll backpack with this grill, get the Weber Q — you'll thank yourself in five years when it's still cooking like new.
