As usual, the Lot 13 staff put hours of research into the many portable grill options on the market today. Our ideal grill would be compact yet large enough to cook for an entire tailgate. We’ve had experience with too many grills that just don’t pack the punch that we crave.

Tailgaters want something that can not only grill burgers and dogs, but it should handle chicken, pork, ribs, steak, even heat a large pot of soup. While it isn’t the perfect grill, we found the best option in the Coleman RoadTrip Grill. In reality, is anything ever perfect though?!

The RoadTrip Grill LXE is fairly easy to take on the road with you. It allows the flexibility to mix and match the 285 sq. in. surface with optional grill grates, griddles, or stoves and cook everything you need for any meal – all in the same place. Check out the related blog posts at the end of the article for additional ideas.

Why Should I Put This Product in My Starting Lineup?

We start this grill because of it’s versatility. The RoadTrip comes with two 20,000 BTU burners that can be fully adjusted to lightly simmer sauces, vigorously boil water or cook meat even in cold temperatures. If you remember the 2008 game against Michigan State in State College, the temperature hovered around 14 degrees. While cooking burgers on our RoadTrip Grill, the beer sitting on the top of our cans began to freeze. The grill fired up on the first try and did a great job of cooking!

Two side tables with tool holders keep everything handy and slide under the grill for compact transport. Speaking of transport, the RoadTrip Grill is equipped with wheels and a handle. This is great if you’re at a Penn State game and need to meet at a friend’s tailgate. Simply lock the grill lid and wheel it behind you!

A benefit, as well as a drawback, to this grill is the cleanliness. The drawback is that it does have a tendency to be messy. The grates and griddles are dishwasher safe, but we have found it beneficial to wipe them down shortly after cooking.

How long does it cook? Well, according to the Coleman website, it “operates for just over an hour on high or 4.5 hours on low with a 16.4-oz. propane cylinder”.

What Will Reduce This Product’s Playing Time?

The RoadTrip Grill doesn’t come without some weaknesses. In fact, there are some annoying features that you just have to live with.

First on the list is cleanliness. This IS a grill, so don’t get us wrong, it is expected to be dirty. However, there is a lot of upkeep if you plan to transport this in your car. Several times we started our return trip and realized that the grill stunk up our car! Take these few steps and you won’t have the same problem.

We don’t recommend using a traditional brass grill brush to clean the griddle/grate. This is done best shortly after you cook by wiping it down with a rag or paper towels. The same goes for the underside of the lid. Since the grill will be slightly warm, everything should wipe off without a problem.

Two other areas that need care are the metal base underneath the grates (as seen in the photo above) and the drip tray, located underneath the backside, behind the propane connection. A great idea is to line the base with aluminum foil and then after a few games, simply replace it. This prevents the need to scrub and wipe the base, while making it an easy clean up. Because the grates/griddles can be easily removed, your clean up time is reduced to mere seconds!

One other annoyance is the transport handle. While it can be removed (this allows for more compact storage), the handle isn’t long enough for an easy haul. Even if the person dragging the grill is short, they will still have to hunch down to carry it behind. See the picture below

Other Information

• Two, 20,000 BTU burners
• 285 sq. in. surface
• Two side tables with tool holders
• Can be adapted to work with a 20-lb. propane tank
• Includes two grill grates
• Prices typically are $170-$200

Starting Lineup or Riding the Pine?

It doesn’t project as a first round draft pick, but you wouldn’t go wrong in the second round! Because of it’s versatility and overall high quality, we recommend the Coleman RoadTrip Grill as your best bet. Buy yourself a RoadTrip Grill today by clicking here!

The Lot 13 Blog Staff