Coleman RoadTrip Portable Grill

[rp2813]

I just got one of these for free off the NextDoor classifieds.  I wasn't looking for one, but when I saw the picture and after I did some research I arranged to get it, and I have to say I'm really impressed with this nifty little rig!  

 

I tried it out tonight and did a couple of chicken breasts.  The grill was searing hot within five minutes!  It has two separately controlled 10K BTU burners.  I've had little portable camping grills that I would use when just grilling for me and Dave instead of uncovering and firing up the big patio grill, which is overkill.   Those portable gas grills just can't sear anything.  Even the little gas Weber I currently have is still wimpy, but I do like that it has a piezo spark igniter and a stand that doubles as a lid clamp for transport.  I'm giving that away to a friend.  I'm sold (well, not exactly, I guess) on this Coleman!

 

Does anybody else have one of these?  I'd love to read some testimonials.

 

An image I lifted:

 

 

 

[justjunque]

It certainly has cute going for it!
Does it run off of a full-size tank, or those little cans?
Actually...is it propane?

Barry

 

[rp2813]

Barry,

 

Yes, yes and yes!

 

It seems fairly efficient per the specs, and for portability's sake the pint size propane containers make more sense, but there's an optional hose attachment to hook it up to a large propane tank, and that hose was included with my grill. 

 

There are also optional grates to convert it to a full or half stove top or griddle.  It definitely has versatility going for it, and it will fit in most car trunks when collapsed.  I like that it can be dragged around like a suitcase.  I have a feeling friends may want to borrow it for camping or picnics once they get a look at it.

 

I'm wanting to throw something like steaks on it tonight.  My buddy Mike will be spending the night again so another real dinner will be on the agenda.  This thing is fun and easy to use!

 

I can take detailed pictures of my grill if anyone would like to see more images than what's on line.  There are videos as well, but some involve models that are different from mine.

 

[justjunque]

Nice!

I don't have any experience with them, but I was looking at some reviews.
First off, I think you lucked out finding a free one!
One thing I noticed more than one reviewer say, is that the lid latch isn't very strong. When you're wheeling it like a suitcase, the lid likes to pop open, and parts can fall out and get damaged.
I don't want that to happen to your new toy!
A couple of people said they put a strap around it to secure the lid.

Barry

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Barry, good to know about the lid latch!  Maybe a bungee cord would work to keep it closed.

 

The one problem spot I found was the regulator assembly for the gas supply.  There was no gas flowing and I finally figured out that the portion of the assembly that connects to the grill wasn't engaging enough to depress the plug inside of it.  I had to give the tubing between the regulator and the grill connector a push into the connector in order to depress the plug, while simultaneously tightening it onto the connection point.  Kind of finicky, but now at least I know.

 

I saw a complaint or two about regulators failing, but I think it's more about how you have to connect them.

 

[sudsmaster]

That looks like a great find, Ralph.

 

I picked up the charcoal version of this "Go Anywhere" Weber years ago. It works well enough for small quantities. A notable feature is that it buttons up pretty well, and will stash in a trunk, van, or truck bed (once cool) without taking up much room. Mine has wood handles. I remember I used it a lot at the rental house - fit nicely on a table in the postage stamp back yard there.

 

After a while I got a propane version as well, although frankly I don't recall ever having used it yet. It also takes those small lpg bottles, but i got a hose extension for it so it could also be used with a five lb tank.

 

The grill I use the most now is the big Virco stainless gas grill, with a rotisserie feature. It really works well.

 

I also have a Kingsford egg-shaped charcoal grill, which does exceptionally well on poultry. But since I got the Virco, haven't used the Kingsford that much.

 

 

 

[circlew]

I've got the Weber "Go Anywhere" charcoal grill. I remember my mom buying it in the early Summer of 1979. A few days later I took it over to a friend's house, as they wanted to cook out. They'd just moved in, and didn't have a grill yet. We put it on the deck, got it going, and it was almost ready to cook on when my friend Fred tripped over it, and it went flying to the ground. His wife Donna came out the door with the hamburgers, and wanted to know where the grill had gone. We told her it was laying in the yard, and we went to see about it. Smoldering charcoal was scattered across the grass, so the hose had to be used to put it out. After the grill had cooled off, the racks were put back in, new charcoal added, and started. The hamburgers were brought back out and cooked, and were delicious. No more accidents occurred, and other than a few chips in the enamel, the grill was OK.

 

[rp2813]

The gas version of the Weber that Rich posted is what I've been using for a few years, although the plastic handles on mine are shaped a little differently.  I like that it doesn't require lava rock or anything like that.  The "flavor bar" or "tent" over the burner has held up well.  Before the Weber I had a Char-Broil, and that had a flat plate with holes in it over the burner.  The plate rusted and warped, but it other than that, the grill worked fine. 

 

The Weber wins the contest between the two with its build quality and piezo lighter.

 

I did a couple of NY steaks on the Coleman night before last.   I did keep an eye on things as there was some flaring, but they seared nicely and were perfectly rare after giving them five minutes on each side with flame turned down to medium.  This is where the Weber, and any other portable tabletop grill I've owned can't compete.

 

[sudsmaster]

I usually pan fry my rib-eye steak. Indoors. I sear both sides at high heat and then turn it way down low for about four minutes or so per side, depending on thickness. Then I move it to a pre-warmed plate, cover it with another plate, and let it rest for 10 minutes. It  comes out just the way I like them: medium rare.

 

But perhaps at some point I'll try the little gas Weber just for grins. I think I still have a rib eye steak still in the freezer. Haven't seen any good pricing on rib eye steak at Safeway or Lucky for months.

 

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Coleman RoadTrip Portable Grill

 I got a Coleman RoadTrip Portable Grill as a birthday present about 10 years ago.  The front lid handle broke, and it took a while to get a new one while they put an improved handle into production. 

 

I bought an accessory to fit my cast iron pan (see link below), and we use on the back porch to blacken chicken, tuna, and catfish without having to fill the house with smoke.  I love blackened Cajun catfish!

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1363560/coleman-roadtrip-accessory-stove-grate.jsp?skuid=93908761&ci_mcc=ci&utm_campaign=OUTDOOR%20RECREATION&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=93908761&CID=shopping15&utm_campaignid=9733267189&pid=googleadword

 

[rp2813]

Hey Ken, thanks for that link!  I've been mulling over the stove grate accessory. 

 

Rich, I do prefer pan-seared steaks over grilled, but just wanted to see what the Coleman could do.   Also, I grilled those steaks on a night when it wasn't cooling off soon enough so the central AC was still running and the house was still closed up.  Since the stove hood doesn't exhaust to the outside, I didn't want to smoke up the house.  One of these cool, breezy nights I'll pan sear a couple of ribeyes for me and my buddy, or I'll buy a stove grate for the Coleman and eliminate weather conditions from the scenario.

 

Here are a couple of pix of my grill.  I've been having the same problem as others with pictures taken by my phone posting sideways when added here.  I'm batting .500 for this attempt to correct it.

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

 

Yup, the little "Go-Anywhere" Webers are certainly not big enough for a crowd, but they have other attributes that I think make them do quite well for traveling. I recall using the charcoal version when camping out doing turn work at national and international bike races at Laguna Seca. Was able to accommodate the odd turnworker or two that needed to cook up something. There is something about grilling over charcoal that gas cannot equal, IMHO, but gas sure is a lot more convenient.

 

I haven't grilled much that I can recall on the little gas Weber, though. I think I bought it just in case. One of these days I'm going to go van camping and then one of them might come in handy. However I also picked up a portable gas oven/cooktop combo so I might take that - it would be good for longer trips when you want to roast or bake something, I suppose. It's also virgin. It's supposed to come with a non-stick griddle that fits over the two burners. In fact I'm not sure I've ever unboxed it or tried it out. LOL.