Whether you’re big on sports or not, most of us look forward to the pre and post game parties that are usually held in the parking lot. Tailgate parties are a time for avid sports fans to share their excitement and be proud of their team all while sharing their favorite grilled meals. It’s a place where community spirit is high, win or lose, right?
Most of us love this culture and it’s a good way to unwind and celebrate camaraderie. There’s almost no other way to do it than to consume the best grilled food together with your favorite alcohol! The thing is, in order to maximize fun and enjoyment, you need a best tailgate grill to create the best tasting meal.
Here’s where we come in. Today, we’re going to share to you our Top 6 best tailgate grills that you can buy this 2022. We’ll go over each of them so you can pick one just in time for that next event. We know you’re as excited as we are so read on!
Top 6 Best Tailgate Grills
1. Martin GR-14 Portable Propane BBQ Gas Grill – Most Durable Grill
While waiting for the big game to start, most of us would rather just spend more time socializing and grilling than preparing! This is why you should get a grill that can light up the first time.
Well, our first grill in the list has a piezo-ignition system which means you get started in just a press of a button! With 14,000 BTU per hour of power, a 354 sq. in. cooking area, and a u-shape tubular burner, you can grill much quickly compared to others. Plus, the burner helps you get that even cooking too!
Another thing that makes this grill great is that it has folding legs which means the height of your car doesn’t matter. With an adjustable height, you’re sure able to work on this grill comfortably!
Given its large working space, you can grill enough burgers for you to pause – and a usual concern is the absence of a warming rack! With Martin GR-14, you won’t be sharing the same sentiments. It has a retractable warming rack so you can maximize grilling space and just install the rack when you’re about to store food.
While our first grill is proving to be ‘the one,’ take note that it has its downsides too. One of which is that most users have had difficulties in putting the grill together. It’s not a total deal breaker but you just have to come in a bit earlier so you can set this up in time.
Another issue is about the warming rack. It sits closely on top of the grilling area so if you’re using most of the grilling space, you can’t put the rack in yet because it shortens vertical clearance.
Pros | Cons |
+ Adjustable temperature + Large working space + Retractable warming rack + Folding legs + Grease Pan + Piezo Ignition System + With thermometer + U-shape tubular burner |
– Little difficult to assemble – Space feels cramped with warming rack |
2. Coleman NXT Lite Standup Propane Grill – Most Convenient Grill
During tailgate parties, it’s all fun until it’s time to go. Veteran grillers know that it’s much faster to prepare than to pack up. If you share the same struggles, we can finally put that in the past with Coleman NXT Lite Standup Propane Grill!
You can use this Coleman RoadTrip Grill as a tabletop grill or as a standup grill. So however way your location allows you to grill, you can still grill comfortably with this! What makes it even great is that when it’s time to go home – you can just fold the stand and it automatically converts into a pull-on grill! It can never be more convenient than that!
Some other factors that make this grill a top choice for some is that it has a No-spill grease cup that swivels to its every movement. Plus, it has an InstaStart Push-Button Ignition so it keeps lighting up the first time. This grill not only makes transporting easier but it also makes cleaning a lot easier too!
Before you set your eyes on this grill, we’d like to inform you of its shortcomings too. First, most users have reported having a hard time assembling the grill. On the brighter side, setting up is just a one-time thing for this grill. Lastly, this grill has 8,500 BTU per hour with 168 sq. in. of grill space. While that can be a good thing, it also means that you should pay close attention to what you’re cooking because it can easily burn. On a positive note, it heats up a lot faster!
Pros | Cons |
+ InstaStart Push-Button Ignition + Heat Core Technology + Easy Storage + Portable + No-spill grease cup + Even-Temp burners + PerfectFlow System |
– Griddle and stove sold separately – Vague manual – Not much differential between high and low temperature |
3. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Grill – Most Efficient Grill
When you’re grilling in crowded and tight places, sometimes you just don’t want to add up anymore. As much as possible, you’d like to have a compact-sized grill that you can fit even with limited space. However, when you come across small grills, chances are they come with a few compromises.
Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Grill will surely surprise you. Despite its size, it maximized the space you can use for grilling giving you 145 sq. in. of cooking space. You’d be surprised that it can fit 8 burgers, 6-10 chicken breasts, or 4 pounds of fish! That’s usually enough to feed a small crew.
Next concern is usually the heat capacity. However, this grill doesn’t disappoint! It gives you 5,500 BTU per hour of power which is more than enough for its size. It quickly reaches the right amount of heat to get you grilling asap. Plus, it cooks quickly too! As a result, you’ll be utilizing fewer gas which makes it highly efficient.
This grill is surely a great choice for those who are always on the go. It requires no assembly too so you just open it up and start grilling! However, it doesn’t have a built-in thermometer so you need to pay enough attention while cooking so you don’t end up with burnt and uneven meat! Lastly, due to its size, the drip tray is small too so you’ll need to empty it more often than you would with other grills.
Pros | Cons |
+ Portable + Compact + Twist-to-Start Ignition + Heats up fast + Fuel-efficient + No assembly |
– No built-in thermometer – Drip tray needs emptying often |
4. Coleman Party Propane Grill – Most Lightweight Grill
If you’re in for adventures and grilling parties, especially tailgating, you’d rather have a grill that’s compact and lightweight! Coleman delivers that to you exceptionally with their Party Propane Grill.
It weighs only 5 lbs. which can be a shocking factor for most of us! Despite its weight, it has most of the functions you’d look for in a grill and it doesn’t compromise! With 8,000 BTU per hour of power and 122 sq. in. of cooking space, it can reach high temperatures quickly to get you grilling in no time!
If you’ll inspect the grill, you’ll notice that it has a convex top which makes food less greasy. If you’re conscious about that, you’d want to add this grill to your shortlist! You might also notice that this doesn’t have lids. While that may be an issue for some, this grill has PerfectFlow Technology which protects the flames from being blown out by the wind.
One of the issues with this griller is that it has a semi non-stick coating which means that it wears off after using it for a while. If you don’t mind a little struggle when removing food from the pan, you’ll have no issues with this. Some users work around it by placing an oil-soaked paper towel on top of it before they start grilling.
Pros | Cons |
+ InstaStart Push Button Ignition + PerfectFlow Technology + Detachable legs + Easy to clean + Lightweight + Compact |
– Semi non-stick grill coating – No lid |
5. Coleman Sportster Propane Grill – Most Powerful Grill
One of the features that most people look for in grills is its cooking power. Among the grills on our list, the Sportster Propane Grill from Coleman heats up a little quicker than others. The faster you get done with grilling, the sooner you can enjoy the meal with the rest!
It gives 11,000 BTU per hour of power with just around 225 sq. in. of grilling area. It may seem ordinary at first glance but the secret to its fast cooking lies on its grate which is thinner compared to the usual.
It’s not really a construction concern but the only issue is that your food is prone to burning. Especially if you don’t pay much attention when grilling. However, if you often find yourself rushing, this is definitely to your advantage.
Similar to the second grill on our list, this is one of the grills that you can easily pack up and roll away. However, the main difference is that this grill is much more taller and that it has a drip tray instead of a cup which makes an unemptied grease leak. Plus, when you don’t feel like using the stand, you need to make sure you have enough space to fit horizontal clearance.
Pros | Cons |
+ InstaStart Push Button Ignition + Large working area + Lift and Lock System + Portable + Collapsible design + Easy to Clean |
– Non-adjustable handle length – Not much differential between high and low temperature – Unsecured Drip Tray |
6. Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill – Most Versatile Grill
Sometimes you could just wish to have a portable full-sized grill. While that doesn’t make enough sense, our last grill is definitely not the least especially on features! It’s almost like a dream come true for some grillers who can relate to the compromises that come with portable grills!
One of the features of this grill that has certainly gained the praises from its users is that it has 2 burners and both of them have their own individual temperature controls.
Even more impressive is the fact that it has a split grate design. This means that you can conveniently interchange one side for a griddle or a stove grate! When you’re tailgating, it doesn’t always mean that you can only serve barbecue, burgers, and chicken! With such versatility, you can cook other meals just as perfectly too!
Another thing that makes this grill grate is the fact that it has 2 side tables and utensil hooks! That makes it even more convenient considering the fact that this can easily be towed away. Not to mention, setting this up is easy too!
While it’s hard to find any deal breaking issues with this grill, it still has its own downsides which is the fact that the griddle and stove grate are sold separately. It’s not an all-in-one package but, at the same time, you get the basic version of a high quality grill without the expensive upfront costs.
Another thing is that this grill cooks fast because of its 20,000 BTU per hour power and 285 sq. in. grilling surface. That means you need to keep an eye on what you’re grilling to avoid burning them. On the plus side, you spend less time grilling and more time chatting!
Pros | Cons |
+ InstaStart Push Button Ignition + Large working area + Collapsible design + Portable + Has side tables + Has utensil hooks + Split grate design |
– Not much differential between high and low temperature – Griddle and stove grate sold separately |
Things to Consider
Assembly
When you’re tailgating, you’re there to enjoy the game with a crowd. Given that, you’d rather just start grilling than spend time assembling it. As much as possible, you should get a grill that requires no assembly. If inevitable, prioritize a grill that wouldn’t require tools!
Portability
During tailgates, the place can get a little cramped. Before choosing a fully featured, you need to make sure that you’re able to easily and conveniently transport them to and from the location. This is as important as its assembly requirements. Most people make the mistake of prioritizing surface area over portability. Then, during the day of the event, they have a hard time fitting the grill on the tight spaces.
Grates
While tailgating is equivalent to burger and alcohol. You should spice things up a bit by cooking something different. Don’t limit yourself to barbecues and common grilled foods. It’s best to go for a grill that has a split grate or an easily interchangeable grate. Try griddling and having stove grates too so you can offer something different like eggs and pancakes!
Final Verdict
Choosing the best grill to bring on your next tailgate event can be a headache. To make things a lot easier for you, we’ve indicated the best benefit that each grill can give you. However, if it were up to us; the winner on this list will definitely be the Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill! It has features that you normally would miss out from standard backyard grills. Plus, it’s very convenient to use and move around! Whichever grill you go for, whether it be on this list or not, make sure to factor in the features we’ve listed on the Things to Consider section of this article so you’re sure to be getting the best deal. After all, we just want you to maximize enjoyment while tailgating. Be ready to grill the best food on your next tailgate party!
Contents
- Top 6 Best Tailgate Grills
- 1. Martin GR-14 Portable Propane BBQ Gas Grill – Most Durable Grill
- 2. Coleman NXT Lite Standup Propane Grill – Most Convenient Grill
- 3. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Grill – Most Efficient Grill
- 4. Coleman Party Propane Grill – Most Lightweight Grill
- 5. Coleman Sportster Propane Grill – Most Powerful Grill
- 6. Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill – Most Versatile Grill
- Things to Consider
- Final Verdict