Almost every serious griller would’ve attended a tailgating event where a group of BBQ enthusiasts come together and grill food at the back of their cars. It is a popular grilling event that takes place mostly at sports events. We would need the best grills for tailgating to enjoy the fascinating BBQ tradition.
Product | Features |
 | NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill For Tailgating
 |
 | Weber Q2200 Propane Grill
|
 | Coleman RoadTrip 285 With Stand Portable Grill
|
 | Onlyfire GS680 Wood Portable Pellet Grill
|
 | Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Table Top Gas Grill
|
You are more likely to be a griller or have a fair knowledge of grilling if you read this post. However, at tailgating events, we can’t use the regular type of grills. We will use the special grills made to fit at the car’s rear part.
While tailgating, grills are placed at the car’s rear end so we can open the hood and use the grill. This is why the event got its name tailgating. So, we should find some specially designed grills for this purpose.
In this post, we will see a few of the best portable grills for tailgating and a buying guide to help you find the right fit. Now, let us go to the buying guide section.
Best Grills For Tailgating – Buying Guide
Factors to consider while buying the best Grills For Tailgating
Size: Obviously, when it comes to grills for tailgating, size is the first crucial factor you should consider. There won’t be any use if your grill doesn’t fit in your car. Also, there should be some space left on the side of the grill to keep the necessary items required for cooking. So, choosing a grill with a cooking surface of 180 – 200 sq inches is wise. It will provide you with enough cooking surface and will fit right in your car.
Type of Grill: Another important factor that one should consider before buying a grill for tailgating events is the type of grill. There are many kinds of grills, including traditional (charcoal), gas-powered, and electric grills. Traditional grills will be the best option if you use them in an open space. However, since the grill will be placed inside the car, it will be much more difficult if you use a charcoal-based grill because it will emit large amounts of smoke. So, electric and gas-powered grills are suggested for tailgating events.
Additional Features: If you don’t have enough space in your car or want to cook outside the car, you can get grills that have foldable legs. These portable grills will allow you to cook near your car but outside of it. Some grills have collapsible legs that can be straightened out to get the grill to the desired height. Most of these grills will also have wheels, making it easier to move them from one place to another.
Best Grills For Tailgating Reviews
1. NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill For Tailgating
Description
- Brand: Nomadiq
- Color: Black
- Weight: 12.3 lbs
- Cooking Surface: 226 sq inch
Performance:
NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill For Tailgating is one of the best grills for tailgating because it is compact and can be easily carried around. The grill looks like it is designed especially for these tailgating events. The total grill can be folded and opened in case of need. It is an important factor that is needed for tailgating grills.
Comparison:
The grill is a propane-powered portable grill weighing only 12 lbs. It is hard to find a grill that weighs this less. You can connect the grill to your propane cycling and start grilling right away. It also has an auto-ignition switch which will fire up the grill with a push. It included many essential parts such as a gas regulator, drip trays, a manual, and a carrying strap for easy transport.
Usage:
The grill can produce heat up to 10,000 BTU with its powerful dual burners. It will help you grill your food much more quickly. The best part is that you can adjust the temperature individually on both sides of the grill. You can use one side for fast cooking and the other one for slow cooking. This will open countless grilling methods. After using the grill for cooking your favorite BBQ foods at tailgating, you can remove the grate without any trouble and use a dishwasher to clean it since it is dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Compact
- Portable
- Easy-to-use
Cons
- Expensive
What’s New?
The best thing about this tailgating grill is that it won’t take more than 45 seconds to set it up. All it takes is three simple moves to set it up. You have to unlock the lock, open it and connect it to the propane tank. Your grill will be ready to be used within a minute. There is no complex assembly needed to use this grill like other grills.
Why Should You Buy It?
The NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill For Tailgating is made of extremely durable steel and other materials. It will last longer compared to other grills in the same price range. It is compact and needs lesser space to accommodate. Also, you can easily carry it around with you without any trouble. Finally, it takes a minute barely to set it up, and no assembly is required.
2. Weber Q2200 Propane Grill
Description
- Brand: Weber
- Color: Silver
- Weight: 43.3 lbs
- Cooking Surface: 280 sq inches
Performance:
Weber is one of the top-performing grill brands in the States that has never ceased to amaze its customers with innovative designs and excellent performance. The Weber Q2200 Propane Grill is the best weber grill for tailgating. It is made up of durable materials like cast iron and has a porcelain coating on top of it to reinforce it.
Comparison:
The grill has a cooking surface of 280 sq inches which is more than what is required for tailgating grills. You can cook large quantities of BBQ grills with ease using this grill. Also, one of the cool things about this grill is that it has two working tables on either side. You can keep your food ingredients or utensils needed to make the most delicious BBQ foods.
Usage:
The tailgating grills have powerful burners which can attain 12,000 BTU. It will help you to cook at a faster rate. The grill has porcelain-coated cast iron grill grates. Cast iron grill grates are extremely strong and durable. Porcelain coating enhances its strength and durability while providing non-sticking characteristics to it. You can cook without worrying about getting stains or debris on the grates. Also, your BBQ won’t stick on your grate.
Pros
- Electronic ignition
- In-built thermometer
- Porcelain-enameled grill grates
Cons
- Slightly heavy
What’s New?
The user can download an app named BILT, which has 3D instructions for assembly. It will help you to assemble the grill within minutes. Also, it has an inbuilt thermometer which can be used to observe the temperature inside the grill when you have closed this lid. This will be hugely helpful when you are doing slow cooking.
Why Should You Buy It?
The grill is compact, portable, and has innovative designs which will make you look cool at the tailgating event. Also, it has a large cooking surface of 280 sq inches and two working tables to provide support and space to keep your required food items and other necessary tools and utensils. This is one of the best grills for tailgating.
3. Coleman RoadTrip 285 With Stand Portable Grill
Description
- Brand: Coleman
- Color: Black and silver
- Weight: 46 lbs
- Cooking Surface: 285 sq inches
Performance:
Coleman RoadTrip 285 With Stand Portable Grill is the best portable grill for tailgating. It has many fascinating features, which make it the best tailgating grill. The first thing is that it runs on propane. Propane-powered grills don’t produce much smoke as traditional grills do. They are silent and covert but efficient. You can attain maximum heat of 20,000 BTU with this grill. This tells how powerful the grill is.
Comparison:
Given its features, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 With Stand Portable Grill has a much more reasonable price. Other grills with the same features and quality are priced a couple hundred dollars more than this grill. But Coleman has made it available for us at an affordable price. It has three burners that can be controlled individually and precisely. They have employed improved burner technology to provide users with precise temperature control.
Usage:
The best thing about this grill is that you don’t need to place it inside your car to cook it. It has foldable legs with wheels. You can place the grill below your tailgate for shade and start grilling. Also, it has wheels on two legs, which can be used for easy transportation. It also has an integrated design thermometer to help us accurately find the grill’s temperature.
Pros
- Easy transport
- 20,000 BTU burners
- Precise control over temperature
Cons
- None
What’s New?
Have you ever suffered to find a matchbox or lighter to start the grill after setting everything? With the Coleman RoadTrip 285 With Stand Portable Grill, you don’t have to worry about the ignition. It has an inbuilt ignition switch that ignites the grill with a single press. These innovative designs make the RoadTrip 285 model a huge success.
Why Should You Buy It?
There is no better reason to buy the Coleman RoadTrip 285 With Stand Portable Grill apart from its three years warranty which will repair any kind of malfunction free of cost. It is also stable but can be easily transported. You can cook for many people at the same time using this grill.
4. Onlyfire GS680 Wood Portable Pellet Grill
Description
- Brand: Onlyfire
- Color: Black
- Weight: 47 lbs
- Cooking Surface: 252 sq inches
Performance:
Onlyfire GS680 Wood Portable Pellet Grill is the best pellet grill for tailgating. The grill is made for portability. It weighs 47 lbs, but its compact design makes it much easier to move them from one place to another. It is especially useful for tailgating as it provides 252 sq inches of cooking surface. The grill is a wood pellet-style grill for tailgating. It will be beneficial for people who like the natural smokey flavor.
Comparison:
Mostly, these types of grills aren’t suitable for tailgating events. It has a unique design employed in it, which allows the smoke to circulate inside it, reducing the emission of smoke and adding a smokey flavor to it. It might be a wood-based grill, but it has many advanced features, including a smart digital temperature control system that will help you keep track of the internal temperature. Also, it has auto adjustable feeding system with which we can determine the specific temperature at a specific time. It will use the fasting fan to increase or decrease the air intake, which will alter the temperature.
Usage:
The grill has a temperature range between 180 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which lets you perform both slow and fast cooking. You must set the grill on your car’s rear end and start grilling. No assembly or anything is needed for you to use it. Also, the grill has a temperature probe that should be stuck into the meat. You can monitor the meat’s internal temperature through the meat probe on your mobile phone. It will be greatly useful when you are trying to get the proper texture of the meat.
Pros
- Auto temperature adjustment
- Temperature probe
- Compatible for versatile cooking
Cons
- Wood-based grill
What’s New?
The grill is suitable for all kinds of grilling techniques. Using this grill, you can sear, smoke, broil, braise, chargrill, and roast. There are multiple features available in this grill that elevates the grill to the next level. The auto temperature adjustment feature will maintain the input temperature at all times by accelerating the air-intake fan in different directions.
Why Should You Buy It?
While tailgating, you might always find an electric socket or propane tank to make your grill operable. Having a simple and traditional wood-based grill might solve your problems. It is cheap and easy to operate except for the smoker it emits that can accumulate inside your car. But grilling using the Onlyfire GS680 Wood Portable Pellet Grill is the most authentic way to enjoy the tailgating event.
5. Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Table Top Gas Grill
Description
- Brand: Royal Gourmet
- Color: White
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Cooking surface: 316 sq inches
Performance:
The last grill on our list is Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Table Top Gas Grill, but it doesn’t deserve to be on the last because of its premium performance. Most of all, the grill is available at a reasonable price. It is an incredibly stable grill that has firm and sturdy bases. While grilling, there won’t be any accidents because of its safety features. Also, the grill only weighs 20 lbs. It can be easily carried around and can be accommodated within a smaller space while providing a spacious cooking surface.
Comparison:
The grill is a gas-powered advanced BBQ grill with many advanced features, including three powerful burners that can attain a maximum BTU of 25,000. All you have to do to lighten up the stove is to press the pre-built igniter button on the grill. It will start the grill as soon as you hit the igniter. It is much easier to use than other grills because no complex assemblies are involved. All you have to do is connect the gas tank to the grill and press the ignition button.
Usage:
The higher BTU makes this grill the best suitable for fast cooking methods. After cooking, it is incredibly easier to clean the cooked surface because it has a non-stick coating on it. You can wipe the fat and oil with a rugged cloth to clean it completely. Since it is a portable grill, it is necessary for the grill to be clean. Or else it will be a headache to carry them around. For these reasons, Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Table Top Gas Grill is one of the best grills for tailgating.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Convenient
Cons
- Basic
What’s New?
The grill has a dripping tray collecting oil, water, and melted fat. This is a huge advantage for a griller because sometimes it will get into the burner and cause them to work inefficiently. It will also cause rust in various places on the grill. Having a dripping tray system eliminates this problem.
Why Should You Buy It?
Suppose you are looking for the best grills with superior performance available at an affordable price. Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Table Top Gas Grill might be the right fit for you. It is lightweight, portable, and easy to carry around, so it is the right fit for tailgating.
Hey there! I’m Gwendolyn Caulder, and I’m thrilled to have you on my website, TheGrowingFoodie.com. Let’s embark on a mouthwatering journey filled with recipes, restaurant reviews, and culinary adventures.