Not long after Napoleon Grills published their list of Top Ten Grilling Cities in America, they introduced three new high-end grills: the Rogue 425, the Prestige PRO 665, and the compact, portable TravelQ. Each model offers a range of premium features, including interchangeable ceramic cooking grids (which can be swapped for cast iron skillets), a patented ignition system designed to light reliably every time, and a built-in temperature gauge to help you cook with precision.
I was fortunate to test the TravelQ, and below are my impressions after a long break from grilling and a rather traumatic past experience with grills.
To be candid, I hadn’t grilled in over 12 years. A single accident with a borrowed propane setup left me with significant burns and a lasting fear of grills. Given that history, I was understandably hesitant to try a travel grill. Still, after just one session with this compact unit, I can see myself grilling a lot this summer.
The TravelQ is remarkably lightweight at about 28 lbs and folds down to roughly the size of a golf bag. It includes instructions for using either a camping-style propane canister or a standard tank. That means when it’s cooled I can store it away to save patio space or easily take it to picnics, tailgates, or camping trips.
I appreciated the hood latch on the handle — a simple safety detail that helps prevent accidental openings and keeps curious hands away from hot surfaces.
The unit features dual burners with separate controls. The ignition is surprisingly quiet—so quiet that at first I doubted it had ignited until I checked more closely. Lighting each burner was straightforward and consistent, which helped rebuild my confidence after years away from grilling.
True to its design, the TravelQ heats up quickly. In the brief time it took me to grab my marinated chicken from the kitchen—only a couple of minutes—the built-in temperature gauge already showed we were ready to cook.
Any concerns about undercooking evaporated. The TravelQ provided stable, even heat so I had confidence my meal would be properly cooked and safe to eat. That relief is especially important after a long break from grilling when food safety and control feel like bigger worries.
The grill’s ceramic cooking plates use Napoleon’s patented wave technology, which helped retain juices and flavor in my marinated chicken instead of letting them drip away. The ability to swap those plates for cast iron griddles broadens the TravelQ’s versatility — I’m already planning outdoor breakfasts and campsite meals this season.
Given the TravelQ’s solid construction, reliable ignition, fast preheat, and flexible cooking surfaces, it’s clear Napoleon designed a compact grill with serious grilling capability. If the TravelQ performs this well in a portable package, the larger Rogue and Prestige models—with extra burners, greater cooking area, and options like wood chip smokers and infrared burners—promise even more power and features for serious backyard entertaining and family meals.