Road Trip Grille Update

[GeneF]

This is in response to the other Roadtrip Grille thread.

I emailed Coleman about the care and feeding and this is the response I got:

 Thank you for the inquiry concerning Coleman Road Trip Grills.  This product is not a true grill. It is a large campstove modified to quick grill foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs, and with the proper cooking accessories can be used as a camptstove. The left ignitor could have a crack in the ceramic case, thus causing the erratic spark, or there may be grease on the probe causing issues. Either way contact the service line at 1-800-835-3278, for further assistance with that issue. Listed below are some tips on preventing further damage to the Road Trip Grill/Stove.
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> You do not preheat any of the Road Trip Grill/Stoves, nor do you cook with the lids closed. You do not put foil and/or any type of pan, skillet, or pot on the grill grate or griddle plate. If you want to use a skillet, pot, or pan on any of the Road Trip Grills you need to purchase a stove grate. The stove grates can be obtained from our web site //www.coleman.com, or contact our service line, 1-800-835-3278, reference the model you have and our service people can assist you.
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> Please note: any of these improper uses will cut off the airflow needed to properly ventilate the grill/stove. This blockage can cause permanent damage to the unit and void your warranty.  
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> Concerning the food sticking to the cooking  grates, by cooking at lower temperature will help the food will not stick, and seasoning the grates will help as well.
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> Porcelain Cast Iron Cooking Grate Maintenance:
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> New cooking grates they will be gunmetal grey in color, but after repeated barbecuing sessions, they will begin to darken until they are very black. This is normal and should be expected.
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> Besides being an ideal heat conductor, porcelain coated cast iron heats evenly and consistently, and will last a lifetime with proper care. Here are some tips on maintaining your new porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates:
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> 1. To avoid damage due to chipping and scratching, ensure that you are using a porcelain cleaning brush with plastic bristles. Do NOT use a brass wire brush to clean the porcelain coated cooking grates.
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> 2. Do NOT use a metal scraper, or any other tools or accessories that could be damaging to the porcelain finish.
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> 3. After repeated use of the barbecue follow the steps below to season and restore porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates:
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> a) Remove cooking grates and brush off loose porcelain coating using your Porcelain Grill brush.
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> b) Wash with soap and water. Note: Never soak or let soapy water sit on the grates for any length of time. Rinse thoroughly, and dry with paper towels.
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> c) Heat grates in your conventional oven for a few minutes to ensure that the grates are completely dry.
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> d) Lightly oil your cooking grates entirely with a vegetable based cooking oil or solid vegetable shortening. DO NOT use salted fat such as margarine, butter or any non-stick cooking spray.
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> e) Once coated completely place cooking grates conventional oven for 15 minutes to complete the seasoning process.
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> f) Once completed, the cooking grates must be allowed to cool down.
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> You have now completed the seasoning process. Repeating this process several times during a season is recommended, as it will help create a stronger seasoning bond. By continually seasoning your cooking grates the pores are permeated with oil, which will prevent water from permeating the grates. Not doing so can lead to rust, which can impart harmless, but undesirable flavors in your grilled foods. If after this process food sticks to your cast-iron cooking grates, they have not been correctly seasoned. Please repeat the seasoning process.
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> Cooking Grate Storage
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> Avoid leaving your Porcelain Cast Iron cooking grates in any humid, moist or damp conditions over a period of time. This will help avoid rust and corrosion. Be sure to either wrap your cooking grates in towels when not in use, storing in a dry area, or cover with paper towels to absorb any moisture.


I wish these instructions had been on the outside of the box before I purchased it or at least inside the box.
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[ForestCreature]

Gene, You haven't had yours that long right?
If I were you I'd take it back for a refund. go armed with that response printed...they say it isn't a "grill" but sell it as one... Take the refund and buy the weber Q, that IS a grill.

Like I said in the post, the RT makes a fantastic stove but not so great as a grill.

[CajunCamper]

I gotta tell ya, I bought a little gas grill from Lowe's about a year and a half ago for about $50.00. The brand name is "Perfect Flame" and it uses the little propane bottles. The grills cooking surface is 13.5 inches deep and 20.5 inches wide, plenty big enough for what we need it for. It takes about 5 minutes to put it together right out of the box and it's easy to store and transport. Not only do I use it when camping, but I use it at home for grilling all the time so it gets a lot of use and has held up well.

When camping, I also take a small bag of charcoal along with me for when my campsite has the standard BBQ pit at the site or I also enjoy cooking over the campfire when I'm in the mood.

That's my two cents.

CajunCamper

[E3-n-Austin]

Thanks for posting that! I was trying to decide between a few different grills and that just narrowed it down for me.

[mrsoreo57]

HOLY MOLLY...care and feeding is about right !!  Do they offer a course on the in's and out's of that thing ??  What a pain !!!  We are supposed to be trying to relax for crying out loud....
Take it back....

[GeneF]

Gene, You haven't had yours that long right?
If I were you I'd take it back for a refund. go armed with that response printed...they say it isn't a "grill" but sell it as one... Take the refund and buy the weber Q, that IS a grill.

Like I said in the post, the RT makes a fantastic stove but not so great as a grill.

I doubt that I could take it back.  I have voided the warrantee by:

Using the brass scraper
Using pam
cooking with the lid down
Grilling veggies in one of the pans with holes in it

and I am sure in countless other ways.

I have replied to the email I got, I will have to see if I get another reply.

The thing that ticked me off was NOWHERE in the directions did it mention much other to season the grille (but not how to do it) and don't use pam.

[ForestCreature]

I doubt that I could take it back.  I have voided the warrantee by:
 
 Using the brass scraper
 Using pam
 cooking with the lid down
 Grilling veggies in one of the pans with holes in it
 
 and I am sure in countless other ways.
 

I won't tell if you don't.      All I'd say is I'm not happy with the product and leave it at that.

[bonscott]

HOLY MOLLY...care and feeding is about right !!  Do they offer a course on the in's and out's of that thing ??  What a pain !!!  We are supposed to be trying to relax for crying out loud....
Take it back....

LOL.  I've never done any of those things other then not use brass on the grill plates as I don't do that with my home grill.  And my road trip is working just fine.