I called 24 Ace Hardware stores. I found out that even the ones that had the Q3200 in stock, didn't mean they had it "on display".
I found one that had it on display.
I went to that store.
Mobility:
No issues about mobility. This is much easier to move than the old grill. (Or maybe I was always doing the old grill incorrectly.) I do think the larger tires (8" vs 6" on the old grill) helps.
Side Tables:
The design for the side tables is also better than the old grill. There's a front hinge that keeps the table in place. I was able to put weight on it, and saw how it behaved. I got less of a "tipping" feeling than I did with the old grill.
I also saw how to fold the side tables.
Matt from Ace was also able to show me a few other things. He showed me the weight of the lid on the Q 3200, Spirit, and Genesis. The Genesis had a substantial heavier lid, than even the Spirit.
I also asked why there were 2 burner knobs on the Q 3200. One is for the outer burner, one for the inner burner. That design seems a little funny. I can't think of an instance where one would want the outer but not the inner. It feels like one would turn on both burners most of the time.
He also showed me how the grates have one side with raised upward grills for grill marks, and one side with flat grills if you don't want that. I didn't know that before.
I also finally understood how the fuel gauge worked. I couldn't figure out from online pictures and videos, why the fuel indicator marks were the way they were. I thought the empty mark should have been the highest, and the full mark the lowest, because if it's heavier, it's lower, so that should indicate fuller. But from online searching, it was the other way around. The empty was the lowest, and the full was the highest. I couldn't figure out why it was like that.
When I saw it in person, then I saw there was a red indicator mark. That finally explained how to read the gauge. So the red indicator marks indicates the fuel level.
That was something I wouldn't have been able to figure out, without a visit.
Matt also said that the spring in the fuel gauge might not work as well after a few years. It might lose some accuracy. But it should be covered by the warranty.
I was also able to see how the motion handle light worked in person, on the Q 3200. It works well.
The Q3200 looks better after seeing it in person. Since I could see the ease of the mobility, and the parts up close.
But I think I want a Genesis II 310 for it's even sturdier build, heavier lid, fuel gauge, and stronger side tables.
I suppose I could get the 2 burner edition, but I think I might as well get the 3 burner one.
I also saw how the Genesis II models had steel plates underneath the burners, to retain heat I guess. I asked about that. Raphael from Ace said that the Q 3200 didn't need them because it was a smaller unit.
Should I get the normal one with cast iron grates, or the special edition with the strainless steel grates?
Greg M. from the forums prefers stainless steel.
Grates are kind of a loaded question. Some people prefer stainless and some prefer the coated cast iron. Both are very good. I prefer the stainless myself because I find them easier to clean.
Matt from Ace preferred cast iron, because it retains heat better, he says.
Raphael from Ace (whom I talked to after Matt left, and I had more follow up questions, and Matt had already left for the day) prefers stainless steel. He says the heat retention is the same, but likes how stainless steel is easier to clean.
What does everyone else think?
Also, during my time at Ace, two different customers saw me talking to the employees about grills. They both came up to me and said "Get a Weber". Lol.
I think one of them came when I was with Matt, and another a while later either when I was still with Matt, or with Raphael.
!