Best Tailgate Grills in 2021 – List of Good Choices on the Market

Tailgate grills are light and portable grills that are good for cooking on the road. Most models have robust two or three-burner systems that do an excellent job always. They also take up little space and are easy to use, especially gas models. Therefore, if you venture on tailgating trips often, do waste your time building a campfire every day to cook. A tailgating grill will make your outdoor experience fun.

Which the best tailgating grill to use during long outdoor trips? No single tailgating grill is perfect. However, most have decent systems that do a good job always in all areas. We have reviewed some of the best models herein with powerful all-in-one designs that satisfy the needs of all people. They are portable and made from heavy-duty materials that last for a long time. They also have powerful systems that are suitable for grilling most kinds of food.

Benefits of Tailgate Grills

You will not regret buying a tailgate grill for your upcoming trip because of the range of benefits they offer. Here are some of the commonest ones to expect from such products.

Portable: Tailgating grills are relatively smaller and lighter than conventional ones, making them ideal for traveling. They also have vital parts that can withstand abuse on the road. You can fit one in a trunk and transport it easily.

Versatile: The best tailgating grills come in multiple designs that use different fuels. Portable charcoal-fired models, for instance, are popular for their cost-efficiency. You can also find gas and electricity-powered models, all designed to offer professional results on the road. While these come at different price ranges, they are worthwhile as they cook all foods.

Easy to Use: Do you want to be able to grill delicious meats or whip up a couple of burgers quickly on the road? The best tailgating grills offer the best results. Most have modest grills that can fit meats, a few vegetables, and or burgers. You can also regulate temperature to get the best results.

Durable: Just because you are buying a smaller grill does not mean that you sacrifice quality. Although small, premium brands have top-notch designs made from the best materials. Their frames, for instance, are stainless steel or cast aluminum. Grates, on the other hand, are cast iron.

About the Best Tailgate Grills – What to Look For

Fuel: Like other contemporary grills, you will need a source of energy to cook on a tailgating grill. The type that you choose depicts the speed with which you will be able to cook. It also illustrates the ease with which you can travel and the quality of the cooking results to expect. Charcoal, for instance, is cheap but bulky. It also takes a bit of effort to fire up as most charcoal grills lack automatic fire starters. Gas is also a good option. Electric grills need power to operate.

Cooking Area: Small tailgating grills are easy to carry. However, before ordering one, ensure that it will satisfy your cooking needs by checking its cooking capacity. If you intend to cook large meals, a spacious grill will serve you the best and vice versa.

Materials: Tailgating grills endure a lot of heat and elements such as rain. While selecting one, opt for a brand made from materials that can withstand such a level of abuse. What is the structure of its frame? Steel is ideal as it not only supports a lot of weight but is also weather resistant. Rustproof materials such as cast aluminum are also ideal.

List of the Top 5 Best Tailgating Grills

You probably know and appreciate the benefits of having a tailgating grill at home by now. If you are struggling to find a suitable model for your home by now, we also have a solution for you. We have reviewed the five best brands this year.

1. Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill

This 18-inch tailgating grill from Weber is an excellent travel companion for people who enjoy camping. It is portable and has a feature-rich design that does an excellent job on patios, balconies, and camp sites, to name a few. You will love the large grilling area of this one-of-a-kind charcoal grill. It fits and cooks up to eight burgers at full capacity, making it ideal for people with small families. The grates are durable and non-stick, while the lockable lid on top has efficient dampers for regulating its internal temperature. Open them to release heat and close to increase temperature.

You get interactive assembly instructions that will help you to set up this tailgate grill in a few minutes. You also get a cool-to-touch handle and secure leg with storage space on the bottom for your ingredients. As such, for just a few dollars, you get an all-in-one grill that will make your trips more fun.

2. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill

With most tailgating grills, you have to spend additional cash on a stand or table for it to work. This is not the case with the Coleman RoadTrip 285 model. Its stand-up design features a 20,000 BTU grill with three adjustable burners that offer precise temperature control. The burners are durable and wide enough to fit most pots. Also, they cover a 285 square inch cooking area, which is enough for most people. You get enough space for grilling vegetables and meats. You can also boil water for pasta or bake beans/tubers when needed.

While Coleman RoadTrip 285 looks complex, it takes little effort to set up. You can quickly unfold its wheeled legs to create a sturdy platform for your grill. In addition, being a propane-powered tailgating grill, you have the benefit of matchless lighting. All you do is flick a switch to fire it up, unlike a charcoal grill that requires significantly more effort. You get a limited three-year warranty for an original one. However, you have to buy the propane cylinder separately.

3. Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Without Hood-Propane Fuelled Outdoor Grill

Blackstone 1666 is a 22-inch tabletop grill made from cold-rolled steel. The material’s heavy-duty design is resilient to dents or scratches and does not rust when exposed to the elements. It also has a cool look and a steel griddle that provides 330 square inches of cooking space. Unlike some models, you do not need a pan to cook on this grill. Use the griddle instead as it is 100% food grade. Moreover, because it has raised edges, the risk of food spilling over is very low.

You will have to carry bags of charcoal to and from your camping site to use this product. However, if you want to cook tasty food without starting camping fires every time, it is worth the extra legwork. The enclosed grill design of this product is super-efficient. A bag of charcoal can take you a long way while tailgating. It also burns hot (24,000 BTU), spread heat evenly for even cooking, and has a rear-mounted grease pan. Thus, clean up after use is quick and easy.

4. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill

Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is a portable tailgating grill optimized for traveling. It has a cool-looking design with an array of features. The grill is made of stainless steel; its high-impact frame has a sturdy design that lasts for long. It does not rust over time and has secure carry handles that you can use to carry it in and out of cars while packing for your camping trip(s).

Even though compact, the functionality of this propane grill is on another level. You get approximately 200 square feet of cooking space with steel grilling grates that withstand abuse for years. They do not rust over time and can support a lot of weight without issues. You also get a firebox for smoking meats and a temperature gauge for monitoring heat as you cook. Open the lid to cool the grill and vice versa. You can also latch it down for safe storage when not in use.

5. Weber 54060001 Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill

This 15.5 x 51.4 x 19.5-inch portable grill works seamlessly outdoors as it is portable and weatherproof. If you need a spacious and powerful grill, it is also one of the best in the market. You get 280 square inches of non-stick cooking space, which is beneficial in many ways. First, you can cook large batches of food per session. The grates are durable and have a porcelain enameled coat that stops food from burning while in use. You will cook tasty meals during trips.

The burners of this tailgating grill will never let you down. Made from stainless steel that burners are durable. They also have a robust system that churns out 12,000BTU per hour at full capacity. You will cook meals quickly without burning. Also, you can expose the grates to food juices and water without them rusting over time. The two folding side tables add valuable space to this tailgate grill. It is also easy to fire up via electronic ignition and has a lid with a thermometer for tracking its internal temperature on demand.

Final Thoughts:

If you spend a lot of time outdoors with friends, it is a good idea to add a tailgate grill to the mix. Even though compact, they offer vast cooking space with non-stick grates. They are also portable and made from food-grade material that lasts.

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