Have you ever gone on a camping road trip with the family where you didn’t grill burgers and hotdogs? I bet you didn’t! Who goes camping these days without a grill, right?
But buying a grill for your dream camping road trip should not be taken lightly. Along with a lot of factors such as portability and durability, you also need to choose one from a trusted brand such as Coleman.
Check out my Coleman RoadTrip Grill Reviews to see what suits you best. Trust me when I say these 3 are the best of the best this 2022.
Coleman has been the trusted brand of campers and outdoors enthusiasts for years now. Their Coleman RoadTrip Grill line is one of the more popular choices because of its functionality and convenient features. No wonder, even the older dads and moms who just love to barbecue in the yard love it!
1. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill – Lightweight and easy-to-set up beauty
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is a the most popular among the ones listed in this Coleman RoadTrip Grill roundup. It has become a favorite because of its quickly folding legs and wheels that make set-up, takedown, and transport a breeze. If it’s mostly just you or with a partner going on a camping or a tailgate party, then this is for you. You wouldn’t need a pair of extra hands to get your barbecue started.
Another exceptional feature to note is the Swaptopä interchangeable cooktops that will let you cook on griddles or stove grates. These are upgrades that are sold separately, though. Moreover, you can save a lot of time and effort in grilling by having your utensils and sauces placed on any of its 2 sliding tables.
As with other Coleman RoadTrip Grill models, the 285 Portable Stand-up Propane Grill has a removable water pan that catches oils and grease. But as it appears, the pan is too shallow. Therefore, you better be on your toes to see if it’s almost full to avoid spills that can cause damage to the unit.
Pros:
- Light and convenient to bring to any camping or tailgating trip
- Easy to set-up and clean after
- Very sophisticated design
- Provides extra space for utensils and sauce trays
- Convenient to store when not in use
- 3-burner grill
- Push-button ignition
- Screw-type propane connector’
- Available in Black, Blue, Green, Orange, and Red
Cons:
- Too shallow water and grease pan
- Griddle is sold separately
2. Coleman RoadTrip LX Propane Grill – Versatile and has everything you’ll ever need
Don’t let the Coleman RoadTrip LX Propane Grill’s look deceive you. It might look difficult to bring compared to other Coleman RoadTrip grill models because of the lack of wheels. But you know, it has something even better than that. In fact, it has everything you’ll ever need whether for a barbecue with friends at your yard or for a picnic with the family this summer.
It all boils down to versatility. Picture these…
…You grilling burgers in the yard with a beer on one hand and steel tongs on the other. Your friends gather around the grill and you have a good time chatting about the old days.
-OR-
… You wife and kids all assembled at a wooden picnic table in the park under the trees. Their eyes glued with excitement as they watch the sausages and corn you’re cooking on the grill on top of the table.
Yep, use it either way you want. It’s all up to you. All I’m sure about is that you’re getting the best of both worlds with this one!
Pros:
- Has a retractable legs for easy height adjustment
- Can be used as a tabletop grill
- Already includes griddle
- Has left and right side tables for sauce trays and serving plates
- Has hooks for grilling utensils
- Push-button ignition
- Easy to use and clean up
Cons:
- Included grates and griddles in the package is made of aluminum and not steel
- The stand has to be assembled first before use
3. Coleman RoadTrip X-cursion Propane Grill – No-frills and best for the rugged camper
The Coleman RoadTrip X-cursion Propane Grill appears to be the most low-key among the Coleman RoadTrip propane grills in this roundup. Probably because it’s designed for the no nonsense camper who wants a grill that’s convenient to bring along and does its job perfectly. Not to mention that it’s the least expensive among the three.
Its scissor legs stands and collapses easily. It’s also good to note how large its wheels are that are also designed to manage even rocky paths and terrains. Pretty much suits the outback, if you ask me.
One setback of this model though is that it only has one side table compared to other Coleman RoadTrip propane grills. Still, as simple as it looks, this baby definitely delivers.
Pros:
- Small and doesn’t take too much space
- Oversized rugged wheels
- Easy to use and clean after
- Screw-type propane connector
Cons:
- Just one side table
- Griddle sold separately
- No cover available
Coleman RoadTrip Grill Buyer’s Guide For First-Timers
Coleman has been the go-to brand of people who love the outdoors. It’s not surprising at all considering that it started in 1900 with the first gas-powered lantern designed by W. C. Coleman itself. From then on, the company revolutionized the camping equipment industry with its wide range of camping tools and accessories. The portable Coleman RoadTrip Grill line is its latest addition being first sold in 2003. The company has come a long way and is, in fact, celebrating its 120th year of celebrating outdoor memories this 2020.
Why should I buy a propane grill and how do I hook it up?
Propane gas is the popular choice when it comes to camping grill fuel because its more practical and burns well even in sites with colder weather and high altitudes. Of course, charcoal would be the cheapest choice but would you even bring a charcoal grill to a camping trip? I bet not! That’s precisely why you’re looking for a propane-powered camping grill, right? So yeah, you made the right choice.
Now, you can see from Coleman RoadTrip Grill reviews, not all RoadTrip grills have the same propane tank connection location. For example, both the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-up Propane Grill and the Coleman RoadTrip X-cursion Propane Grill have screw-type propane tank connections under the grill. This means, you’ll have to screw the tank in the slot and you’re good to go.
Now, the Coleman RoadTrip LX Propane Grill’s propane tank connector is located at the back part of the grill. This is understandable since it can be propped up on a picnic table. Still, it’s pretty easy hook up and you need not to worry if this is your first time.
Here’s how:
- IMPORTANT: Make sure that the burners are switched off before you connect the propane tank to the grill.
- Take off the cap from the propane tank and screw it on the regulator. Make sure that it’s tight and stable.
- Go the back of the grill where you will see the tank holder that looks like a steel ring. That’s where the tank will rest once you connected the regulator to the back. You will have to press it down to release it.
- Place the tank on the steel holder and attach the regulator assembly to the grill. Screw the regulator tightly.
- Open the lid and place the grills. Switch on both the burners (or just one if you’re using only one side and push the ignition button.
You’re now ready to grill!
How long will a 16 oz Coleman Propane Fuel tank last?
One 16 oz Coleman Propane Fuel tank can last for 1.5 to 2 hours. So basically, you can allot one tank per cooking. If you’re staying longer at camp, you ought to buy more than one. Just a reminder, though. Never ever store your spare propane fuel tanks in a place near your grill or near a fire to avoid possible tank explosion. Same goes with smoking beside propane fuel tanks. Also take note of your propane fuel tank’s expiration date. Old tanks have a higher risk of exploding.
How do I clean my Coleman RoadTrip grill?
The Coleman RoadTrip Grill line is designed to make every grilling experience convenient whether it be on a camping trip or in the yard. This includes the task of cleaning the unit. If you’ll notice, the easy of cleaning up the unit is a plus point for me.
Cleaning up your Coleman RoadTrip Grill is easy especially if you do it right after using it as with any other kitchen tool. So once you have taken the food off the grill. Spray the grates with cooking spray to help loosen up any charred pieces stuck on it. Close the lid and let the oil sit for about five minutes. Meanwhile, mix soap with warm water in a bowl.
By this time, the grates are ready to be cleaned. Remove them from the grill and scrub with a sponge dipped in the warm soapy mixture. The best scrubbing technique would be an up and down motion. Also, make sure you get to cover all areas, especially the parts with charred food. Rinse the grates after. Remove the water and grease pan and throw the grease it collected. Wash it with soapy water, then rinse and dry. Lastly, wipe the rest of the grill with the sponge and a little soapy water. Rinse with a wet cloth and let dry.
Now, what if you were out all day hiking and are already too tired to clean up? Can you just clean it up in the morning? Hmmm…. Yes IF you were able to do any of these before firing up the grill:
- Spray cooking oil on the grates to prevent food from sticking on it.
- Line the water and grease pan with foil so you can easily throw out the grease in the morning even if it solidifies in the cold.
- Soak the grates in a basin of soapy water and scrub and rinse it later.
Problem solved!
CONCLUSION
In choosing the perfect Coleman RoadTrip Grill, you have to take into consideration a lot of factors such as value for money, portability, ease of use, unique features, and added accessories. Basing on these criteria, I would say that the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-up Propane Grill would be the runaway winner.
All the three Coleman RoadTrip grills in this list have a grilling power of 20,000 BTUs, the same size of grilling area, and a 3-year limited warranty. However, only the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up propane grill has three burners than can be adjusted independently. This give you more flexibility when it comes to grilling different kinds of food at the same time.
In terms of value for money, it should be noted that there is only a small difference between our winner and the 2-burner Coleman RoadTrip LX Propane Grill that already includes a griddle in the package. But I the fact that it doesn’t have wheels makes it hard to bring to a camping trip. Sure, it can be used as a table top grill but can you imagine yourself carrying it to your campsite instead of just pulling it just as you would a luggage? Nope, not me.
As for convenience and ease of use, I prefer screw-type propane connection and don’t mind that the tank can be seen from the front. Connecting the propane tank should be as easy as 1-2-3. Both the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-up Propane Grill and the Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion Propane Grill has this feature. The latter is a whole lot cheaper but it lacks a lot of features compared to my top choice.
Lastly, and this is just a minimal concern, the availability of colors. Trust me, when you’re holed up in a camping site with other campers, you’ll want your grill to be in a different color as possible. What if there’s another camper with the same Coleman RoadTrip Grill model as yours? Nope, I don’t want mine to get switched with another camper’s grill! I hope that this list can help you pick the best Coleman RoadTrip Grill for you. You might have a different choice than mine and it’s perfectly fine. What’s important is that you get to find one that suits your budget and style.
Contents
- 1. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill – Lightweight and easy-to-set up beauty
- 2. Coleman RoadTrip LX Propane Grill – Versatile and has everything you’ll ever need
- 3. Coleman RoadTrip X-cursion Propane Grill – No-frills and best for the rugged camper
- Coleman RoadTrip Grill Buyer’s Guide For First-Timers
- CONCLUSION