Coleman Tailgate Grill Advice

[Scoutnmayo]

HI Everyone,
I received a Coleman XL tailgate grill for Christmas but haven't had a chance to use it yet. We've been doing the cold foods/beverages for the adults and kids for the two games we've attended this year. Going this weekend to the game and asking for advice.
Easy to use?
Does it cool off fast? Where do you store it when you go to the game?
Do you clean the grates or wipe them down before putting away?
How long does a propane canister last?
Any other advice to give?
I think once I use it, it will be fine. Just jumping into the unknown.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[S_Janowski]

Great grill. Two tips;

1) Put a layer of tinfoil down. Makes cleanup much easier.

2) Be careful about closing the lid for long periods of time it gets hot very quickly.

 

[MulletCork]

Good tailgate grill. Also good tip on the tinfoil. Somehow I never thought of that!

The grill is very easy to use and cools down very quickly after use. I just scrape off the grates with a standard grill scraper. To clean up any mess in the grill (if you didn't put tinfoil there), I usually just throw on a pair of disposable latex gloves, wet a couple of heavy duty paper towels and wipe it clean. Cleans up very easily.

Since the grill folds down easily and cools off, I just store it in the car during the game. I leave the small propane canister disconnected when the grill is in the car too. It's very easy to connect. Those small propane tanks last a decent amount of time in my opinion. For me, one has been more than enough to grill burgers and hotdogs for 5 people for a couple of games. I just always bring an extra just in case.

Good call above too about not leaving the lid closed for too long. The grill gets very hot. I preheat it with the lid closed for about 5 minutes prior to use.

 

[mesa4234]

Our grill cools off to a point where we can store it in the car relatively quickly.

For propane, we usually use one a game and have some left over. The grills are pretty efficient. We bought the adapter to use the full size tank, but I think we have only used it once, for either the Penn State game or Michigan game when we were tailgating all day.

 

[knightfan7]

I had a Coleman Road Trip grill that was lost along with all my tailgate stuff during Sandy. The only issue I ever had was one game where the wind kept blowing the flame out.

I now have a Weber. I always bring two gas canisters just to be safe. I don't know exactly how long but I give the grill 30 minutes to cool down just because it seems like more than enough time.

To keep the smell out of the car I replace the grease catcher and put the grill in a large plastic bag before putting it away. Not perfect but it helps.

 

[ATIOH]

I recommend grilling dinner at home this week. Just to get a feel for the grill, make sure it works, etc.

I'm sure it'll be fine, but the last thing I'd want is to get down there and have an issue. Guess that's the Boy Scout training... Be Prepared.

 

[Jabanero]

I had a Coleman Road Trip grill that was lost along with all my tailgate stuff during Sandy. The only issue I ever had was one game where the wind kept blowing the flame out.

I now have a Weber. I always bring two gas canisters just to be safe. I don't know exactly how long but I give the grill 30 minutes to cool down just because it seems like more than enough time.

To keep the smell out of the car I replace the grease catcher and put the grill in a large plastic bag before putting it away. Not perfect but it helps.

Good tip on the two canisters, I also bring a long lighter (MetLife Stadium winds) just in case there is trouble lighting the grill. Also remember the flames are VERY close to the food, so watch out for scorching. I usually use low settings for all meat. And always pack it in your car when you go in the game or it wll be gone when you return.

 

[Moto102]

You can get a coleman hose adapter on eBay that will let you use 20lbs propane cylinders. Also read the directions. In my Coleman it says to add water to the drip tray under the burners. It stops grease fires that can occur with cooking burgers and such and makes clean up a bit easier.

 

[RUnTeX]

I recommend grilling dinner at home this week. Just to get a feel for the grill, make sure it works, etc.

I'm sure it'll be fine, but the last thing I'd want is to get down there and have an issue. Guess that's the Boy Scout training... Be Prepared.

That's the best advice right there....give it a trial run sometime this week (assuming you have the time/occasion) and some of your questions will be answered!

 

[anon_xekqhstck0ygt]

do not cook on high. pre heat on high, throw the meat on and turn to low. this grill is super hot because the flame is so close to the grills. you can really get a good sear with that grill.

would not use foil under the grates, it affects heat distribution.

I use this grill full time I love it so much.

Finally, look on Amazon, the top review gives you everything you need to know. www.amazon.com/Coleman-Road-Propane-Portable-Grill/dp/B00GPEKBPE

 

[Scoutnmayo]

I recommend grilling dinner at home this week. Just to get a feel for the grill, make sure it works, etc.

I'm sure it'll be fine, but the last thing I'd want is to get down there and have an issue. Guess that's the Boy Scout training... Be Prepared.

Great advice. I think I will try it out this week, just to get a handle on things.

 

[Scoutnmayo]

do not cook on high. pre heat on high, throw the meat on and turn to low. this grill is super hot because the flame is so close to the grills. you can really get a good sear with that grill.

would not use foil under the grates, it affects heat distribution.

I use this grill full time I love it so much.

Finally, look on Amazon, the top review gives you everything you need to know. www.amazon.com/Coleman-Road-Propane-Portable-Grill/dp/B00GPEKBPE

Thanks everyone. Will give it a trial run this week. Also plan on bringing water and towels to clean up what I can. Great advice on the garbage bag. Plan on doing it. I will check back in after just to let you know how it went.

 

[jason21psu]

HI Everyone,
I received a Coleman XL tailgate grill for Christmas but haven't had a chance to use it yet. We've been doing the cold foods/beverages for the adults and kids for the two games we've attended this year. Going this weekend to the game and asking for advice.
Easy to use?
Does it cool off fast? Where do you store it when you go to the game?
Do you clean the grates or wipe them down before putting away?
How long does a propane canister last?
Any other advice to give?
I think once I use it, it will be fine. Just jumping into the unknown.
Thanks again for your help.

I had the Coleman Road trip, I think the XL is the new version of this, for about 6 years before I upgraded to the GoGalley for tailgating. Advice so far has been spot on. The thing I'd add is I bought the bag for the grill and it was 100% worth it. Kept the car clean every time. Now sometimes the grease tray would spill in the bag and that was a mess to clean but still better than going in the car. Also helped if the grill was still a little warm when I wanted to put it away.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/coleman-roadtrip-duffel-bag/31184

 

[sherrane]

I recommend grilling dinner at home this week. Just to get a feel for the grill, make sure it works, etc.

I'm sure it'll be fine, but the last thing I'd want is to get down there and have an issue. Guess that's the Boy Scout training... Be Prepared.

That's great advice. I always have to screw up a meal or two on a new grill to get a feel for it.

 

[LSRF]

I have had a Coleman folding grill for several years and love it. My only recommendation is to consider grill grates, they help more evenly distribute the heat and limit flare ups which are an issue due to how shallow the grill is. https://www.grillgrate.com/rectangle-grills/standard-size-grillgrates/

 

[knightfan7]

I had the Coleman Road trip, I think the XL is the new version of this, for about 6 years before I upgraded to the GoGalley for tailgating. Advice so far has been spot on. The thing I'd add is I bought the bag for the grill and it was 100% worth it. Kept the car clean every time. Now sometimes the grease tray would spill in the bag and that was a mess to clean but still better than going in the car. Also helped if the grill was still a little warm when I wanted to put it away.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/coleman-roadtrip-duffel-bag/31184

With my Weber I buy foil trays at the grocery store. Fit perfectly. I then replace with a new one just in case and throw the used one out with the rest of the garbage before heading into the stadium. No muss no fuss.

 

[wheezer]

I would add you pull out the two side plastic shelves before heating