The 10 Best Tailgate Grills

It’s that time of the year for tailgating parties. And whether you’re planning to get yourself a brand new tailgate grill or replace your new one, it’s always important to opt for the best. After all, what fun would you have if the grill you’d get is of low quality?

So, we’ve gathered the ten best tailgate grills on the market today. Feel free to weigh in the pros and cons so you can find the perfect grill for you.

First on our list is the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill, a full-sized, collapsible grill that you can take anywhere with you, especially on tailgating.

Coleman has always been known for its excellent quality, and you can see that from the coating of this grill. The PVC coating makes the product is resistant to cold, heat, sun, and moisture.

This griller provides you with 285 square inches of cooking area, which is enough for you to cook for several people. This whole grilling area is then heated up by three double burners that release 20,000 BTUs of power.

With the powerful burner technology, you’ll be able to cook meat fast. You’ll also be happy to know that the grate is porcelain coated for faster heat distribution. On top of them, cleaning after should be a breeze.

The InstaStart ignition gives you a push-start for reliable lighting all the time that doesn’t need any matches. You also get to have great control over the temperature as there are three control knobs and an integrated thermometer right on top of the lid.

If you want more cooking versatility, you can buy some griddles or some stove grates, too, that you can interchange with the grates. The two side tables that come with the grill give you enough space to keep your sauces, seasonings, and other utensils within reach.

Other features you’ll enjoy are the wheels for easy transfers to places, a locking lid to keep it secured, and a water pan to catch grease and oil from the meat.

Next on our list is the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill. Again, another high-quality grill made by a known grill manufacturer. You can tell from the first-look that it comes with a high-quality and durable cast-aluminum construction.

The grill comes out of the box fully-assembled with only a few minor steps left to do. This gets rid of all the inconvenience of having to set up a grill.

The cooking area is 280 square inches, making it large enough for you to prepare meals for five people. A single stainless steel burner lights it up with 12,000 BTU power. This allows the grill to heat up quickly and can even reach up to 550 degrees.

Now, since there’s only one burner, expect some cold and hot spots, especially in areas that can’t be reached directly by the burner. But it still does make a perfectly great sear on steaks.

You’ll be happy to know that the porcelain-enameled grate is split in half. This gives you great versatility as you can change it on a griddle for frying. On top of that, it makes cleaning the grill a lot easier.

The grill comes with an electric starter for a quick and easy start. The lid also comes with a built-in thermometer for easy temperature monitoring. And you’ll love the foldable side tables that provide extra space for your condiments and other cooking needs.

As for tailgate purposes, the size is just right to offer portability, but it might be on the heavier size. It might need two people to carry the grill, but if you wish to make it lighter, you can detach the grates for a while.

Another excellent tailgate grill on this list is the Blackstone Tailgater Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo. This is the perfect choice to have if you’re looking for a grill that will offer you great cooking versatility.

With a griddle, a grill, and an open burner system that you can double as a stove, you got yourself a 3-in-1 versatile cooking grill. This way, you won’t have to bring three different cooking appliances to prepare various meals.

Of course, you can’t use them all together. You can either have the grill box and the griddle plate, the griddle plate and the stove, the grill box and the stove, or just use the open burner all the way. Nevertheless, it’s an all-purpose unit.

This grill comes with an overall high-quality stainless steel construction that will surely last for years. On top of that, it’s powder-coated, so rusting will be the least of your worries.

This grill’s total cooking area is 512 square inches, which is a lot larger than most tailgate grills. This is then heated by two independently controlled burners that deliver over 35,000 BTUs of power. And since it’s made of cast-iron, the grill heats up fast and also holds really well.

Now, you might wonder, considering the size, is it still great for tailgating? Well, from the name itself, yes, it is. The grill requires no assembly, and set-up requires only seconds of your time. And since the legs are adjustable, it’s made to use on any terrain type.

Next on our list is the Cuisinart CGG180T Petit Tabletop Gas Grill. If you’re only looking for a tailgate grill for small gatherings, this is the grill to check out.

It only comes with a 145 square inches cooking area and one stainless steel burner that delivers 5,500 BTU heat. This size and power are enough to prepare meals for up to four people. This may be a big deal if you’re planning a big tailgate party, but for a couple of friends, this is enough.

After all, the important thing is the quality of the cook. Expect to have even cooking all throughout as if you’re also cooking on a full-sized grill.

The porcelain-enameled grates cater to even heat distribution, faster heating, and easy clean-up after use. The grill also comes with a drip tray that collects all grease and food drippings.

With its compact, lightweight briefcase design, it’s easy to carry anywhere you go. The legs are also made foldable for that purpose. At the same time, it gives you a solid grill that stands on any flat surfaces.

Other features you’ll see are the gas regulator, twist to start electronic ignition, and the precise temperature gauge.

Next on our list is the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. If you’re looking for that authentic taste of charcoal on your meat, this will be the perfect company for tailgating. It’s a tabletop charcoal grill that may look simple but high-quality.

This grill’s whole body is made from high-quality stainless steel and coated with a durable porcelain-enamel layer. This ensures that the grill won’t rust and peel for the years to come.

The provided cooking space is only 160 square inches. This may sound small, but it’s actually enough to serve up to five people. Since the cooking grates are made of plated steel, heat is retained, which also means faster cooking times.

As this is a rectangular-shaped charcoal grill, you can always set up the grill with two heat zones. This way, you have better versatility in the cook of your meat.

Now, for tailgating, fast clean up after grilling is an essential factor. Since this is not like portable gas grills where you just need to turn the ignition off, charcoals take some time to burnout.

Yes, we can close the lid to suffocate the fire, but this is not an airtight grill. On top of that, you can’t risk driving home without knowing if you’ve put out the fire.

The best thing to do is to scoop out the ash and other charcoal still burning and slowly pour the water in the grill to ensure the fire is out.

Next, we have another grill from Weber, the Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill. Now, this one is a bigger option to get for a tailgate charcoal grill.

With 240 square inches of cooking space, you get to prepare 13 burgers for your friends and family. This is already a large enough size for tailgating. It’s also not very tall, which makes it just enough to fit the trunk of your car.

You’ll notice that this charcoal grill is very compact. This is an excellent advantage as it’s easier for you to light it up. But as it’s a charcoal grill, you’d need to wait between 20-30 minutes for it to warm up.

Since the cooking grate is made of plated steel, it’s easy to heat up and provides even heat distribution. But if you wish to maintain a consistent temperature inside, just simply put down the lid.

Because this is mainly built for portability, it doesn’t come with a lot of features. It does have an aluminum ash catcher for easy cleaning after use.

Next, we have the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200. From the first look, this grill surely is something that will last with you for years. With its die-cast aluminum construction, the durability of this product is undeniable.

As the name implies, this product is designed for grilling on the go. That’s why it comes with a high-impact frame, stainless steel latches, and carrying handles, so it remains secure.

Providing only 200 square inches of cooking area, this grill is only best used in small-sized gatherings. It also comes with a 9,500 BTU stainless steel tubular burner that ensures even heat distribution across the stainless steel cooking grate.

Because this grill uses a TRU-infrared cooking system, expect no flare-ups. This also ensures no heat and cold spots and faster cooking time. So, even if it has a small cooking space, you get to fill up your stomachs as you’ll be sending food out continuously.

Just below the grill, you’ll see a removable drip pan for easy cleaning after use. Other than that, the product features a lid-mounted temperature gauge and a push-button ignition.

Next on our list is the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill. Almost similar to the Weber Q2200 but is smaller, with only 189 square inches of cooking space.

The griller comes with only one burner that delivers 8,500 BTU of heat across the grill grates. The cast-iron material makes the great heat up fast and maintains that heat. On top of that, it provides even heat distribution for that great cook on your meat.

Like the Weber Q2200, the grill grates are split in half, giving you enough versatility on what to cook. You can replace one area with a griddle plate if you need to fry some meat. This also makes it very easy to clean after use.

Other features you’ll enjoy are the electronic ignition for an easy start, two folding side tables for extra preparation space, a built-in thermometer for easy temperature monitoring, and a removable catch pan to catch drippings and grease.

You should note that the cart with wheels is bought separately. So, you’d need to carry the whole grill, which is quite heavy. You might need the help of a friend to do this.

Next on our list is the Green Mountain Davy Crockett Sense Mate Wood Pellet Grill. If you’re looking for that great flavor brought out by wood, this is the grill to get. On top of that, it’s dubbed as the ultimate tailgate grill.

Setting up the grill can be a bit tricky, but you can easily start it once set. Using 12V direct power, you can ensure safe and efficient consumption of energy. Using the digital control, you can select the temperature from 150-550 degrees, depending on your need.

With a cooking area of 219 square inches only, the grill is best used for small gatherings. However, you can still expect fast and efficient cooking because of the mechanism it uses.

The venturi-style firebox allows excellent heat distribution by using very minimal fuel. And since the pellet hopper capacity is at 9 pounds, you can grill continuously for hours.

Overall, this is an excellent grill that offers quality and versatility. But what we love the most about the product is the WiFi control, offering convenience even when you’re away from the grill. The grill also includes other accessories such as the meat probe and a convenience tray.

Lastly, we have another charcoal grill on our list, the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill. This one is uniquely designed as the grill is made of cast-iron materials, making it very durable.

The whole aesthetics of this grill gives a classic feel. It’s also made compact, so it’s easy to carry anywhere, whether for camping, hiking, or tailgating.

With only 142 square inches of cooking area, this grill is best used to prepare grilled meats and vegetables for about four people. But considering that the grill grates heat up pretty fast, cooking times are faster for each meat. The superior heat retention of the grill also helps you save money due to the efficient fuel usage.

Another great thing about the grill grate is that it’s height adjustable. So you have the option to move your food further or close to the heat source. The flip-down door allows you to add more charcoal while you cook without having to remove the grate.

Although it’s quite heavy, the size and weight are just enough to make it portable. This means that it isn’t a hassle to carry along.

If you get this grill, remember to keep your dogs and children away from it. This can get very hot and will take time to cool down.
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