Im wondering if any folks are familiar with the coleman roadtrip grill. We are in the market for a new travel/camping grill and are considering the roadtrip. we really like the portability and the looks (the red one) of this grill. Most of the reviews are good with a few exceptions. I've read where some of the lid handles and slide out shelves have melted, and also where a couple have described the entire thing erupting in flames.
Besides camping we annually rent a cottage right on the beach where most days there is a stiff breeze, so it can be prohibitave to grill with the lid up. the grill we use now is the top of a regular residential gas grill with some mods to make it portable. However it is the old lava rock style and having to rearange the rocks all the time is getting old, not to mention the uneven hot spots. Its time for a new one but we want the RIGHT one, I only want to buy it once. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
I have the roadtrip, the blue LXE model.. It made a great stove but crappy grill. We grilled with it once, did not like it, but we are used to and prefer either campfire cooking or charcoal on the weber.
You may want to explore the Weber Qs.
Or if you're in MI I'll sell you my RT lol
Based on Marcy's review (except I heard it a few years ago) I went with a Weber Baby Q. (not sure what they are calling it these days). It's a great little propane grill and worth every penny.
Just purchased the red one.
I am not sure if it was the right grill or not as I have only used it a few times.
Major thing I don't care for is that food sticks to the grille rather quickly even if I spray the grille. Have to burn it hot for a while to scrap off the food. Might be my cooking.
Other point I don't care for is that there is not a lot of clearance from the grille to the cover. I like to cook vegetables in a metal cooker but the lid is not tall enough to use it with the lid closed.
Paid $169 at Ganders. Camping World had it on sale for $199 (Reg $222) but it came with the griddle. Care to guess what the griddle cost? (hint $30)
We had one that came with our Viking camper. I liked it but wished I had the option to use it as a stove. I sold it with the camper thinking I'd get another. I got an RVQ for a product test but don't care for it and might get another Road Trip.
I have 2 of the original blue Road Trip grills. I love them! They have never let me down, as a grill or stove. These 2 grills have logged many, many miles on camping trips and youth group mission trips. They have been used to cook for up to 60 people per meal. Never a problem. No melted handles or shelves. I would recommend the Road Trip to anyone in the market for a great portable grill.
Peace and Grace,
Don
Quote from: PopUPTimesWe had one that came with our Viking camper. I liked it but wished I had the option to use it as a stove. I sold it with the camper thinking I'd get another. I got an RVQ for a product test but don't care for it and might get another Road Trip.
Just want to say I agree completely with this assessment of the RVQ. One came with our pup, and we never could get the darned thing to work right. It was total junk and we left it behind with the trash at a cg.
Quote from: cycloneJust want to say I agree completely with this assessment of the RVQ. One came with our pup, and we never could get the darned thing to work right. It was total junk and we left it behind with the trash at a cg.
My RVQ fell of off the side of my camper while I was cooking breakfast on it, hot grease and propane fueled flames falling at my feet had me dancing and running for the propane bottle shut off valve.
I'd use it again if it had a nice stand like the Road Trip.
Hello Friends. I have field tested several propane grills and I honestly awarded the Coleman Road Trip the best. Many positives include ease of use, quick set up, roomy cooking surface for family-sized meals, and sturdy enough to handle vigorous loading and unloading in camper or vehicle. The only negative I have is the size and weight is a bit big on both ends, but well worth it for the many advantages the grill provides. The test grill I used, and eventually bought for myself, is still working well and the porcelain coated grill grates are easy to clean. If the grill is used correctly (set up with shelves pulled out to postion, support legs clipped in place, etc) it is as safe as any. It's tough to beat Dutch oven/cast iron cooking flavor, but the Road Trip is a welcomed addition to my campsite. But, that's just one outdoor/travel writer's opinion.
Safe travels, and remember, if given the chance, guide a kid outside.
Robert Loewendick
Oky, it looks like I am in the minority on this grill.
So help a guy out. I preheat the grille, and spray with Pam but I still get a lot of sticking on the grille. Then I let the grille run on high for a bit after I am done to make the sticky stuff harden and turn into powder and then I scrape the grille.
So what am I doing wrong?
Than ks
I have the model with the 4 legs that screw in individually and snap on the bottom for storage. They are aggravating to stay snapped in the holders. Other than that , I like the grill.
Quote from: GeneFOky, it looks like I am in the minority on this grill.
So help a guy out. I preheat the grille, and spray with Pam but I still get a lot of sticking on the grille. Then I let the grille run on high for a bit after I am done to make the sticky stuff harden and turn into powder and then I scrape the grille.
So what am I doing wrong?
Than ks
Gene, You need to skin that possum before you grill it
:D
Quote from: GeneFOky, it looks like I am in the minority on this grill.
So help a guy out. I preheat the grille, and spray with Pam but I still get a lot of sticking on the grille. Then I let the grille run on high for a bit after I am done to make the sticky stuff harden and turn into powder and then I scrape the grille.
So what am I doing wrong?
Than ks
I have the blue Road Trip and love it- I use it as both a stove and a BBQ- The only issue is the weight and it is not small and compact- and the grills can be kind of hard to clean-I have not tried Pam- but I think I will- I usally wait until I get home from camping and then clean them. :U
Quote from: PopUPTimesGene, You need to skin that possum before you grill it
:D
Nope, I think the problem is the road kill I am using. Might not be that fresh. :)
Thanks for all the perspective and keep it comin'. My mind is just about made up to buy the roadtrip. The only thing that might change my mind is if some new 2009 model is on display at Cabelas next time I go. Im waiting for the spring/summer merchanise to be in full swing. I have about $200.00 worth of gift cards from Christmas earmarked. Thanks again, there is always a wealth of knowledge here @ P.U.T
Quote from: GeneFOky, it looks like I am in the minority on this grill.
So help a guy out. I preheat the grille, and spray with Pam but I still get a lot of sticking on the grille. Then I let the grille run on high for a bit after I am done to make the sticky stuff harden and turn into powder and then I scrape the grille.
So what am I doing wrong?
Thanks
You should be letting Terry do the cooking maybe that will help :p
Are the new grill grates enameled cast iron? maybe they need to be seasoned with a few layers of oil?
The grill grate (I think we only have 1 = half the grill)
we have is teflon and has only been used one time. That's how much I did not like grilling on the RT. But the griddles (have 2) made some great breakfast
I kicked the RT out of the camp gear and its now living in the attic.
I keep meaning to put it up for sale on Craigs list.
Using it as just a glorified underpowered stove got old. We now have a CampChef stove @ 30,000btu per burner. (that thing rocks!) and still use the tripod over the fire for grilling.
Hey Gene,
How's Florida? Not QUITE as cold as up these here parts, I hope!
I've had a Road Trip for a number of years. It came with the lighter aluminum teflon coated grates & griddles. I complained about them and when Coleman offered the enameld cast iron, I went with them, but food still sticks much of the time!
I went back to a small propane grill and a small camp stove, except when there's a lot of famil with us! Even then I use my cast iron fry pans and griddles rather than the RT griddle!
XC Skiing has been GREAT!
Quote from: garym053Hey Gene,
How's Florida? Not QUITE as cold as up these here parts, I hope!
I've had a Road Trip for a number of years. It came with the lighter aluminum teflon coated grates & griddles. I complained about them and when Coleman offered the enameld cast iron, I went with them, but food still sticks much of the time!
I went back to a small propane grill and a small camp stove, except when there's a lot of famil with us! Even then I use my cast iron fry pans and griddles rather than the RT griddle!
XC Skiing has been GREAT!
Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one with the sticky problem.
Been almost as cold down here as back home, had a couple of mornings around 25 which can be a pleasant winter day back home. Supposed to get up in the high 60's the next few days.
Mid 60's here today. I looked at the roadtrip but stuck with my table top grill.
Quote from: cycloneJust want to say I agree completely with this assessment of the RVQ. One came with our pup, and we never could get the darned thing to work right. It was total junk and we left it behind with the trash at a cg.
I wish I had been there...we use ours a lot as a grill and as an oven, even baking cakes in it. However, from use the paint/ceramic is beginning to peel from the bottom and the steel drip burners are rusting quite a bit. I would like a spare! (Mine is the older black steel RVQue made by ARC, which no longer manufactures them.)
Has anyone tried the new RVQ's in stainless steel and made by a different manufacturer?
My wife got me the Coleman Road Trip Pro for Christmas last year. Overall I like the size and design but haven't got a chance to really use it because it broke on the first trip out. I've had these problems:
1)First big trip out it broke. When you stand the grill up, the top of the leg/stand settles into a bracket. The bracket was poorly spot welded and fell off after a day of standing at the camp site. I now have to have it welded back on before I can use it again.
2)Had a tough time controlling flare ups while cooking chicken. I had a lot of chicken legs on but even with the fire down low, it was tough to keep the flames down.
3)This one's not Colemans fault but it would have been nice to know - On Amazon, I ordered the bag with wheels for it. Amazon said this particular bag was for the new Pro grill. Got it in the mail and it didn't fit. Had to return it. Turns out the bag for the Road Trip Pro is not yet available.
Here's the one I have:
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Road-Trip-Pro-Grill/dp/B000W4O9QU
I will soon have a friend weld the bracket on and I'll give it another try. I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with it in the long run, just off to a rough start. I can probably live with the flare ups since I typically burn everything anyway. This wall I'll have a better excuse. ;)
Wayne in Oregon
Love my Coleman Roadtrip.
I should specify that we have the Blue one with the removable base. Not the red one with the base that won't remove and the wheels. I hate the red one. Being removable allows the blue one to be placed on a table or picnic table if needed.
Main reason we love it is the mix and match grates you can get (grill, griddle, stove grate). Each half can be something different. So we have 2 of each. It's fantastic for making breakfast on. Wife doing pancakes on one half while I grill up sausages on the other. Another fav is using one stove grate to make hash browns in and use the griddle on the other half for eggs.
And then for dinner using a grill for chicken and grill or griddle for corn.
And of course using the small propane bottles is great because you can get then literally anywhere. I even see them in gas stations and truck stops when you are in camping country. In other words you can't run out. :)
See if you can find a Coleman Outlet store at your nearest outlets. We got it for $120 (list is $199 or higher). And the grill/griddle plates are usually $15 or so.
FYI we also have the Coleman stand alone side burner which can be had for under $30 at the outlet. This is a cheap and fantastic addition to outdoor cooking because you can put large pots and pan on it and it can get very hot quickly (good for heating up water to do the dishes).
If you are OK with just turning the back of the stove to the wind, we use this one, and just love it. I have had it for nearly 10 yrs now and it's still going strong. Everyone one we camp with tends to ask to use it, HA.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=9922-A00&categoryid=2010
We have that one as well. We used it when we tent camped. It is a great little grill with a stove on the side. We don't use it now with our PUP but we still have it and use it often for picnics.
Quote from: spicetraderIf you are OK with just turning the back of the stove to the wind, we use this one, and just love it. I have had it for nearly 10 yrs now and it's still going strong. Everyone one we camp with tends to ask to use it, HA.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=9922-A00&categoryid=2010
http://www.campchef.com/catalog/item/1/12/0/GB90D/88/Pro+90++-++3+Burner+Propane+Stove.html This is what we use and LOVE IT! We also have most of the modular parts with it..Griddle,Grill Box, Keg Roaster etc... I started with the Road Trip and HATED IT! That thing was Very Hard to clean and if someone bumped it with the greasy water in the grill .. YUCK!! Sold mine for $75 bucks and bought the Camp Chef..