The Weber Traveler offers a generous 320 square inch cooking surface and powerful 13,000 BTU single burner that OutdoorGearLab found capable of reaching high searing temperatures quickly. T3 praised the elegant scissor-legged folding mechanism for one-handed setup, while Top Ten Reviews noted the space can feed a family of four or up to ten people with simple fare. However, Foodfirefriends and Smoked BBQ Source identified the single burner design as a major drawback because it prevents creating separate high-heat searing zones and low-heat indirect cooking areas simultaneously. The unit also features large all-weather wheels for easy transport despite its 47-pound weight, but CNET warned that this mass makes carrying inconvenient. This grill fits users seeking robust portability and strong searing performance for flat foods, while those needing two-zone versatility or the ability to cook tall items like whole chickens should look elsewhere.
Full review
One-handed folding mechanism and scissor legs
The Weber Traveler utilizes a scissor-legged cart design that collapses flat, allowing the grill to be set up or packed away with one hand. T3 found this mechanism elegant and satisfying in operation; unfolding requires undoing a safety latch, placing a foot on a grippy red section of the leg, and pulling until it clicks into position. Folding is equally intuitive but relies on gravity and a damping lever underneath the unit to lower it slowly to the ground without pinching fingers.
This folding architecture transforms storage requirements significantly. When collapsed, the Traveler measures 15 inches high by 44 inches wide by 26 inches deep according to Smoked BBQ Source, fitting easily into most car trunks or behind an RV seat. OutdoorGearLab noted that despite this compact folded footprint and durable all-weather wheels, the unit still weighs approximately 49 pounds when packed with its cast iron grates inside.
The structural integrity of the folding frame remains solid during use. Guidespot reported no flex or wobble in the aluminum frame while lifting the packaged unit out of the box, a trait that persists once assembled on level ground. However, Smoked BBQ Source pointed out that to connect the propane tank properly, you must angle it just right because your field of vision is obstructed by the folding legs and side shelf during assembly.
320 square inch cooking surface capacity
The rectangular porcelain-enameled cast iron grates provide 320 square inches of actual cooking real estate, a generous amount for any portable gas grill. Top Ten Reviews calculated that this area can comfortably cater to a family of four, and if the menu is limited to simple items like burgers, it could potentially feed up to ten people at once.
The cast iron material of the grates contributes heavily to heat retention and searing capability. OutdoorGearLab highlighted that this grate material makes grilling a variety of meats and vegetables for a small group effortless, while Smoked BBQ Source noted the solid areas on the grates disperse flame away from delicate foods when moved to cooler spots.
Despite the ample floor space, the vertical clearance presents a hard limit. Foodfirefriends explicitly warned that the low lid height restricts the ability to cook tall items entirely.
13000 BTU single burner heat distribution
A single U-shaped stainless steel burner generates 13,000 BTUs of output power per hour. Guidespot calculated a heat flux of 40.6 BTUs per square inch based on this output and the cooking surface area, placing it in the high-performance category that exceeds many full-size backyard grills. OutdoorGearLab measured maximum temperatures reaching 400 degrees Fahrenheit within just five to ten minutes using an infrared thermometer.
Guidespot extended this range further, noting that maximum sustained temperatures hit approximately 650 degrees Fahrenheit at full output, sufficient for professional-level searing.
The single burner configuration dictates how heat is distributed across the cooking surface. OutdoorGearLab found that the 13,000 BTUs are consistently distributed over the porcelain-enameled cast iron grilling surface with minimal variance. However, this uniformity comes at a cost: Foodfirefriends and Smoked BBQ Source both identified the single burner as a major limitation because it prevents users from creating separate high-heat searing zones and low-heat indirect cooking zones simultaneously.
Temperature control limitations
Managing heat relies on a single knob that adjusts the fuel output for the entire burner. CNET found that while lowering the knob did drop the temperature, it was difficult to precisely control the temp one way or another compared to multi-burner systems. This lack of granularity means that if you are looking for pinpoint low-and-slow cooking capabilities, the grill may not be suitable.
The inability to fine-tune temperatures across different zones is compounded by the single heat source layout. Smoked BBQ Source acknowledged that while one burner won't be a problem for grilling steaks and hot dogs, it limits versatility when trying to cook multiple types of food at once with different temperature requirements. OutdoorGearLab rated Temperature Control & Evenness an 8 out of 10, suggesting the single knob works well enough for general searing but lacks advanced modulation.
Users attempting to manage flare-ups or slow-cook thicker cuts must rely entirely on moving food around the single grate rather than adjusting individual burner dials. The lid thermometer provides a reading of the internal ambient temperature, which OutdoorGearLab praised as accurate and useful for not losing heat by lifting the lid frequently.
Cold weather propane canister freezing
The grill is designed to run on disposable 1-pound or 20-pound liquid propane cylinders. Foodfirefriends issued a specific warning regarding cold weather performance, noting that Weber's own brand gas bottles froze up and stopped providing gas when temperatures dropped close to freezing. This physical limitation of pressurized liquid propane in low ambient temperatures can halt cooking entirely if the wrong fuel source is selected.
To mitigate this issue, Foodfirefriends suggested that using different types of gas canisters designed for cold weather might prevent the regulator from icing up and shutting down the flow. Smoked BBQ Source confirmed that an adapter hose is included to connect standard 20-pound propane tanks, which generally have a larger volume and thermal mass than small disposable cylinders.
This freezing phenomenon highlights a vulnerability of portable gas grills in winter or high-altitude camping scenarios. While OutdoorGearLab praised the grill's wind resistance with a score of 9 out of 10 for keeping flames steady against drafts, it did not address the thermodynamic limitations of the fuel source itself when ambient temperatures approach zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Heavy weight and wheel transport
The Traveler weighs 47 pounds without a propane tank attached, which CNET noted is rather heavy for a product marketed as portable. David Watsky from CNET explicitly stated he would not want to drag or carry this grill on a hike or even a long walk due to the substantial weight combined with the cast iron grates inside.
Despite the mass, the large all-weather wheels allow it to traverse obstacles like rock, mud, and grass with little effort according to Smoked BBQ Source. The design allows you to wheel it out of the garage or across a campsite as a semi-portable unit rather than expecting someone to carry it on their back.
OutdoorGearLab described the Traveler as one of the heavier grills tested but emphasized that its compact, folding design and durable wheels make easy transport possible. The trade-off is clear: you gain a full-sized cooking surface and robust build quality at the expense of carrying convenience. It is meant to be wheeled from a vehicle to a campsite or patio, not carried over rough terrain.
Assembly time and included accessories
Setting up the Weber Traveler requires minimal effort because the main body, frame, and hood arrive largely pre-assembled. CNET reported that assembly took no more than eight minutes from cutting open the packaging to literal ignition.
The primary tasks involve attaching the wheels to the legs, installing the handle, and placing the cast iron grill plates and disposable drip tray on top. Smoked BBQ Source noted that no tools were actually required for their initial assembly because everything was intuitive enough to figure out without instructions, though Guidespot advised verifying wheel orientation before tightening bolts to ensure larger wheels are placed in the rear.
The package includes several thoughtful accessories that competitors often charge separately for. Guidespot highlighted that Weber includes disposable aluminum grease cups and an adapter hose for 20-pound propane tanks right out of the box. Smoked BBQ Source added that a removable metal pan with replaceable aluminum liners catches the grease, making cleanup straightforward.
Strengths
- +Generous 320 square inch cooking surface capable of feeding a family of four or up to ten people.
- +Ingenious scissor-legged folding mechanism allows for one-handed setup and collapse into a compact, trunk-friendly footprint.
- +Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates provide excellent heat retention and high-quality searing performance.
- +Large all-weather wheels enable seamless transport of the heavy unit across varied terrain like grass or gravel.
Watch-outs
- −Single burner design prevents two-zone cooking, limiting versatility for different food types simultaneously.
- −Low lid height restricts the ability to cook tall items like whole chickens or vegetable trays.
How it compares
The Weber Traveler offers a generous 320 sq in cooking surface, significantly larger than the Cuisinart Grillster's 146 sq in grate. However, its single burner design prevents two-zone cooking, limiting versatility compared to the multi-burner capabilities of the Coleman RoadTrip 285.
Rating sources
Counts as 4.56/5 in our score — this publisher's 149 scores on the site average 3.69, so its scores are adjusted up to compare fairly with other publishers.
Counts as 4.64/5 in our score — this publisher's 11 scores on the site average 3.96, so its scores are adjusted up to compare fairly with other publishers.
Counts as 4.84/5 in our score — this publisher's 13 scores on the site average 4.38, so its scores are adjusted down to compare fairly with other publishers.
Our 4.7 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above, each adjusted for how strictly its publisher scores; 5 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. More about methodology.
