Let me preface this review by saying that I did a LOT of research for a grill before I decided on this one. I read every review (good and bad) that I could possibly get my hands on and I had list of "must-haves" that I wouldn't waiver on. My needs were as follows: 1. Must travel well (easy set up and pack-up) 2. Can't be too big or too heavy (I'm fairly strong girl, but still a girl ') 3. Easy to clean 4. Have enough space to cook meat for 6-8 people at a time. 5. MUST be able to be versatile enough to accommodate my gourmet cooking style and the tools/accessories that I use for my cooking (various sized pans, woks, double boiler, cedar planks, etc). Well...this grill met all of my must-haves and even some "nice-to-haves" that I didn't realize I wanted until I had them. I ordered the RoadTrip from Amazon on a Monday and it was at my door Wednesday morning. The price was better than I saw anywhere else and it was eligible for free shipping. I also ordered the wheeled carry case and 2 extra burner grates (see my other reviews) and they were both money well spent!
I used the RoadTrip Grill for the first time when I went on a 3 day camping trip last week. I have to admit that I followed all of the suggestions from the other reviews and also tried to learn from their mistakes. For example, I lined the grill will aluminum foil, always pulled the side trays out, covered the drip pan with foil, checked the burner connection before using it the first time, removed the grill grates while transporting, never cooked on heat higher than medium, and didn't cook with the cover down. I also read the manufacturer's instructions to a "T". Maybe this put me at an advantage, but it made for a GREAT experience. For my first time using the grill (and camping, BTW), I didn't go too gourmet, however, I did cook steaks, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, burgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, and toast. I found that some of the things that I love the most about this grill is the ability to mix and match the grates. I can grill steaks on one side while using the burner grate with a pan of water on the other side to boil corn. I used both grates together with my beloved $165.00 Pampered Chef double burner griddle for making breakfast (I just covered the handles with aluminum foil, just in case). I also loved the size of the cooking area. I was able to turn my double griddle slightly sideways on one side of the grill while using a 10" sauté pan on the other side. That was GREAT!
I also have NO complaints about cleanup and this was the part that scared me to death. I knew that if cleanup was going to be a hassle, that I would be less inclined to use the grill again. Well...I am thrilled to say that cleanup was a breeze. Even the grill grates with cooked-on steak particles came clean with little effort. I sprayed both sides of the grates with Pam Grilling Spray before cooking and when I was done cooking (and the grates were still warm) I just poured a few tablespoons of water on the grates to loosen the food particles while I ate. Once I went back to clean, it wiped right off. For the tough stuff (i.e. cooked on burger grease and melted cheese), I used a copper brush and hot soapy water, as other reviewers suggested. Worked like a charm. As far as cleaning the inside, I simply removed the aluminum foil and wiped it Oxy cleaner...no streaks and no greasy residue. I can honestly say that the grill and the grates came home as clean as they were when they first came out of the box.
OK...since nothing is perfect, I do have a few slight nags. These items don't weigh heavily enough for me to lower the rating, but they are still worth mentioning. The ignition/starter button worked great, most of the time. There were a couple of times that I had to light the burner to get it going. I also have a slight complaint about how the tray tables slide out when wheeling the grill around. There really should be a latch to keep them in place, but the latch would need to be better than the latch for the grill cover...as that latch comes undone too easily.
In closing...I am absolutely thrilled about this grill. Great price, reliable Coleman name, cleans like a breeze, travels well, and the cooking area (and BTU's) far exceed all comparable grills. I can't wait to take it on my next adventure!
| Brand | Coleman |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 19.13"D x 33.75"W x 13.5"H |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Color | Red |
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Material | Porcelain, Cast Iron |
| Item Weight | 48.5 Pounds |
| Model Name | 9949-750 |
| Frame Material | Cast Iron |
| Installation Type | Free Standing |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 33.27 x 19.49 x 13.98 inches |
| Package Weight | 22.2 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | Coleman |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | The Coleman Company, Inc. |
| Part Number | 2000020937 |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Style | Grill |
| Sport Type | Camping & Hiking |
