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This is the first in a new series of articles designed to let other tailgaters know what we know. We will review products on the market and tell you whether they live up to the true tailgating standards.
by Brent Laskowski
The "Roadtrip Grill"Accessories | Pros v. Cons | Where to Buy | Summary
Our first review comes from the Coleman company and if you are living on this planet, the name should sound very familiar. Coleman was founded in 1900 by W.C. Coleman, who after struggling to see, because his vision was so poor, noticed a gasoline powered lantern in an Alabama store window. He realized how powerful the light was and he started selling them to store owners in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. That original lantern was the start of a company that now sells products worldwide and and is a pioneer in both camping and tailgating gear.
We first started using the RoadTrip
Grill last season and there is rarely a tailgate or camping trip that is taken that we don't use it.
The Grill is designed specifically for travel and versatility. It takes the best of your gas grill at home and adds the function of being able to head to your favorite tailgate spot with everything you need to cook a meal in one portable carry bag.
The grill provides authentic drip through grilling by using an ingenious drip pan underneath the "swappable grill grates." This nonstick drip pan is filled with water and then any grease drippings fall through and are removed after cooking. This allows everything to be packed up and put back in your car for the next trip.
While the flame grilled taste of marinated flank steak, Gazebo K-Bobs, or a nice juicy cheeseburger are what sold me on the grill there are a great number of other features that only this grill offers.
First the removable, nonstick, dishwasher safe cooking grates. Each grill comes with a grill and griddle grate. However, you have your choice of buying extra grill grate, griddle, or stove grates and I can tell you they all work "grate!"
GRIDDLE GRATE:
The griddle by far gets the most use at our tailgate, especially in the morning when we cook up bacon for those early risers. Although we have not purchased a spare griddle, we have thought of it a lot recently, just so we can pile the food on and cook it up quick.
GRILL GRATE:
The grill grate works well for anything you would cook on your grill at home. I have even slow cooked ribs, by putting a small pocket of aluminum foil filled with soaked wood chips under the grate, to give it an all day smoked flavor.
STOVE GRATE:
The stove grate was our most recent addition, we don't use it as much, because we have a Coleman stove to use with pots. But if you are looking for one piece of equipment that will cover all your bases it makes sense to get it, for only $9.99.
CARRYING CASE
Lastly, the carrying case. While, some might think that this would be nice, I will tell you that it is essential. Not only is the grill heavy, but if you are going to spend $140.00-$180.00 on a grill, you don't want it getting dented and scratched up in the back of your trunk. The wheels make it very easy to move around and the bottom is reinforced so keeps everything protected. The material is very thick so you won't need to worry about whether it is sturdy or not.
PROS:
* One stop shopping for for a tailgate addition. Everything is here for you to build on.
* At a price of $130-$170, you will not find a better made tailgating grill with a name like Coleman to back it up.
CONS:
* It is sometimes difficult to find the accessories in a local store. You may have to buy them online or at a Camp Coleman in your area.
We purchased ours at our local Wal-Mart when it first came out at a price of $169.99.
You can buy these at Dick's Sporting Goods, Sam's Club and many other sporting goods stores. You can also check out your local Camp Coleman and sometimes get a good deal or buy it online from Coleman.com.
Recently, several of us have it seen it cheapest at Sam's Club for $139.99. A great bargain and you can use the extra money saved to buy some of those needed accessories.
Our team gives this product a "A+"
This grill truly lives up to its name and if you are going to do any serious tailgating camping or cooking while you travel this purchase is a must.
For versatility, ease of use and bang for your buck you can't go wrong with the RoadTrip Grill.
There is now a new LX model, which has built in wheels. We have not tested this product yet, but I like the idea of a protective carrying case, even with the extra expense.
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