Weber Q1200 upgrade

[432bartman]

My little Weber Q1200 grill was fairly new and on my last trip it would not heat up like it should. Weber says their grills should hit 500-550 in about 15 minutes. I knew something was wrong with mine. I cleaned it really well, but it still would not get past 400, and that was after 20 minutes. I did a Google search and found this is a common problem with this grill and other variations of it. One link I found https://alexmeub.com/weber-q-grill-upgrades/ found a cure for this problem. The key was to drill out the burner holes to 1/16th size, which is just slightly noticeable over the factory size and to swap out the restrictive regulator with a high pressure 0-20 psi regulator. The grill now performs like it should. On the low setting of the new regulator it hit 550 degrees in 8 minutes. Take a look at his post, it gave my Weber new life.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

My little Weber Q1200 grill was fairly new and on my last trip it would not heat up like it should. Weber says their grills should hit 500-550 in about 15 minutes. I knew something was wrong with mine. I cleaned it really well, but it still would not get past 400, and that was after 20 minutes. I did a Google search and found this is a common problem with this grill and other variations of it. One link I found https://alexmeub.com/weber-q-grill-upgrades/ found a cure for this problem. The key was to drill out the burner holes to 1/16th size, which is just slightly noticeable over the factory size and to swap out the restrictive regulator with a high pressure 0-20 psi regulator. The grill now performs like it should. On the low setting of the new regulator it hit 550 degrees in 8 minutes. Take a look at his post, it gave my Weber new life.

I got rid of my 1200 for that reason. Bought a 2200 and got rid of it as well. From memory I believe the 1200 only has about 8000btu - difficult. The 2200, from memory again, was about 12k. The 2200 was better but so unwieldy - and the cart was built like an afterthought. It now sits at the back of my barn yearning for "better days". Sounds like you found a good remedy for the 1200.

[Montana Man]

The regulator is the trick. My buddy changed his and now it runs like a rocket engine.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

The regulator is the trick. My buddy changed his and now it runs like a rocket engine.

You know, I did not think about it in my prior post but bought a chili roaster for my son. Of course we had to buy the LP tank, regulator and hose. Bought a reg for a Weber grill and put it on - you couldn't roast a chili for nothing; the roaster is supposed to ROAR flames. Went back to the store and bought another less restrictive (sorry but do not remember what either were) reg and we were flaming those chilis - 2 bushels in no time so that regulator was critical.

[Creeker]

I have an older Q220 that we keep in our Wildcat at our river lot. It is on its 3rd pressure regulator and has never hit above 350. I ordered the hose and adapter the same day you posted the link here. It arrived this morning and I installed today.

For the first time in the old Q220's life it hit 400 then right up to 500 with ease. I cleaned the burner tube but did not drill it out. Ran a small wire through every hole. It was rare for the entire burner to light with the oem regulators but now every single hole is blue flame.

I had read about the high pressure hose before on one of the grilling forums but had forgotten about it. Thanks for posting the link bartman and reminding me. My old Q220 is better than new!

[Last2Die]

I went with the camp chef 3 burner stove, with the grill box and the double and single griddles. Gets super hot !! But it is heavy.

Tony

[432bartman]

The drilling out the holes and new regulator made all the difference. I think I drilled 177 holes.......lol

[psomers]

I have already reamed out the burner holes which made a big difference. My other concern is my flame seems to not change with turning of knob. In other words low to high doesn't change flame. Those that have replaced regulator do you notice the knob making any flame difference?

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by psomers

I have already reamed out the burner holes which made a big difference. My other concern is my flame seems to not change with turning of knob. In other words low to high doesn't change flame. Those that have replaced regulator do you notice the knob making any flame difference?

Yes, the new adjustable high pressure regulator made all the difference.

[Creeker]

Originally Posted by psomers

I have already reamed out the burner holes which made a big difference. My other concern is my flame seems to not change with turning of knob. In other words low to high doesn't change flame. Those that have replaced regulator do you notice the knob making any flame difference?

Sounds like you may have reamed the holes out too large. Your regulator is probably bad in addition. With the high pressure hose/regulator that bart posted you can actually get too much flame. You have to be careful and adjust it correctly.

I had no need to drill out the holes as the new regulator/hose is all I need to get the old Q220 quickly to 500/600. Its like a completely different grill now. The old boy gets hot and in a hurry!

[beeje]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

I went with the camp chef 3 burner stove, with the grill box and the double and single griddles. Gets super hot !! But it is heavy.

Tony

I have had the same grill (expedition x3) for 8 years now. On the second grill box. Same griddle. Grill frame is starting to rust through now.

[psomers]

I guess I used the wrong word reamed. I didn’t make the holes any bigger. What I did was cut a wire out of a wire brush and inserted it into each hole. Seemed to help a lot.

[LERD]

Has anyone changed their Q to use the RV's quick connect? I would love to stop carrying those little bottles. I am currently looking at the Torjik system from Propane Gear. Thinking the double quick connect 12 foot hose should do it. Has anyone had good luck with this set-up?

[Lenny K]

I removed my regulator on my baby Q and use a 3 ft hose most of the time. I do have a 10 ft that I use if I have to go on the other side of the trailer. I can connect the two of them together if required.
The only drawback is that the Q doesn't get as hot, but it is plenty hot enough if set to high or 3/4 to do all of my cooking. I have been using it this way for the past 5 years and I use the Q a lot.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by LERD

Has anyone changed their Q to use the RV's quick connect? I would love to stop carrying those little bottles. I am currently looking at the Torjik system from Propane Gear. Thinking the double quick connect 12 foot hose should do it. Has anyone had good luck with this set-up?

when I bought mine, I opted to use a 20lb bottle instead of the little ones. No worries of running out during a grilling session.

[katdon]

We have 2 of these and my DH has replaced the regulator on both of them. He kept the OE regulator and added another to the setup. We use the OE one for lighting and on off temperature control. The other one stays on.

[whutfles]

My Weber Q heats up fairly quickly to 350 to 375 on low. I cook all of my steaks and burgers at that temp. Any temp higher and they would be Char. The only time I run mine to 500 is if I'm cleaning it after I've used it.

[DmaxDually]

Got rid of my BBQ grill last year and switched to a Blackstone 22" griddle and never looked back. It's cooks everything I need it to and then some. Plus I don't have to swap out the BBQ grates for cast iron griddles when cooking breakfast. Grease doesn't drip and go every where like on my BBq. The Blackstone is more versatile, a lot faster and easier to clean and put away..