Product review - a tale of two Webers
Here we profile two of the very hottest models from the exceptional Weber range.
The products
Poles apart in terms of size, the Weber Baby Q and the Weber Genesis Platinum C are continually among the top sellers for the most renowned company in the barbecue kingdom.
The Genesis Platinum packs a mighty range of features, including three burners, flavorizer bars, built in work surfaces and tool holders, and retails in the region of £1,000. Smaller, cheaper and most importantly, portable, the Baby Q offers all the excellence we come to expect from Weber in an altogether more flexible package.
Retailing at around £120, the Baby Q features easy-carry handles and a capable cast iron cooking surface. What's more, its sleek design and silver finish make it a contender for the "Best-Looking Barbecue" award - when people say "good things come in small packages", they are probably thinking of the Weber Baby Q!
The features
The mantra behind most modern pieces of kit tends to be "the more features the better", but some manufacturers are guilty of overloading their grilling machines with technology. Weber manages to strike the right balance.
 The Baby Q is built for barbecuing on the move. True, there is a trolley attachment available which turns it into a garden barbecue, but it's portability and simplicity are key. In fact, the real beauty of the Weber Baby Q is that it's not overcomplicated - you can have it fully operational within 5 minutes of opening the box. As a barbecue to take camping or take on holiday, it cannot be beaten.
The Genesis Platinum C on the other hand, is a family barbecue designed for the back garden - and while the same sleek silver exterior is there for all to see, there is a wealth of difference between the models.
The three burners give the Genesis a distinct advantage over many other barbecues, and represent a total cooking surface of nearly 4000cm2. There is more than enough space on which to cook a real family feast, and the built in work surfaces mean you can do your food preparation outdoors too. You'll never have to set foot in the kitchen.
 In addition, the Platinum C packs a hob side-burner, so if you're serving up noodles, pasta or potatoes with your grilled goods, you can keep an eye on them as you cook.
The wheeled cart is closed with stainless steel doors and handles, and the exceptional design is there for all to see. Lifting the nicely weighted barbecue hood for the first time gives you an immediate feel for the quality of the machine - as well as revealing that incredible cooking arena.
In fact, both models benefit from the high-class build quality for which Weber has become famed.
The verdict
The number of features on the Genesis Platinum C is considerable, and far greater than the Weber Baby Q could ever offer. However, try taking a Genesis down to the beach for a cook-out!
In summary, both of these barbecues do a fantastic job, and in an ideal world it would be great to have one of each!
If you like the idea of being able to barbecue pretty much wherever you go, then without doubt the Baby Q is for you. If it's home barbecuing you prefer, then the Genesis Platinum C is a great choice - it really does do everything you could hope to expect from a barbecue.
The Weber Baby Q is available in the Calor BBQ Shop.
Buy the Weber Genesis Platinum C from the Calor BBQ Shop for £989.
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