Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill Review


Coleman RoadTrip 285

If you are looking for the best tailgating grill, we recommend the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill. This griller has a 20,000 BTU range, with three special temperature zones, allowing the user to properly adjust the three burners implanted inside. We are also impressed with its portability feature, as you can just transport it easily because of the trolley cart folded structure.

Among its downsides are its burner’s heating power, which is lower than that of other grillers, and its weight. These are the major disadvantages we have assessed.

As we go on with this review, we will be talking more about the features and things to remember if you plan to purchase this griller.

 

Cooking while you’re camping is definitely a challenge. One of the best ways to make this task easier is by using a portable camping grill. Check out our top grill recommendations in our “Best Portable Camping Grills” article. 

 

Performance

The Roadtrip 285 by Coleman is a griller with a wide range of capabilities. Thanks to its heat power and settings, you can guarantee a great cooking experience. What are this griller’s features which made it one of our top picks?

The BTU output of this griller ranges from 3,250 to 20,000. If you wonder if this is a good scale, yes, it’s just fair for a portable griller. In this area, we can say that it has similarities with the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Gas Grill with VersaStand, as the size affects the heating process.

According to our campers, the heat of the Roadtrip 285 is somehow low compared to that of other grillers. However, it can still cook your food properly if you are outdoors. We can consider this as an alternative equipment to carry around for cooking aspects, but it is not suitable for a daily use.

We also recommend Coleman’s special feature, the three temperature zones, that allows the user to control and adjust the heat temperature using three valves. Not all of the grillers we encountered have this kind of regulators.

 

See the latest price on Amazon.comOpens in a new tab..

 

Design

The body of the RoadTrip 285 is similar to that of other portable grillers. The cooking area looks small, and has a stand, but the carrying method is unique. This can be folded, and forms like a trolley cart.

Even though this is a portable grill, the cooking area is fair, and measures 285 square inches, hence the grill’s name. The cooking grates are made of porcelain enamel cast iron. We really recommend cooking grates that are made of this material, as it allows to maintain and balance the heat.

Coleman also designed the lid with a thermometer, which can help you monitor the heat that is enclosed inside. This is an advantage if you want to leave your food to cook, as you have an idea of the temperature it holds inside, thus preventing you from totally burning your food.

We don’t have anything to say about the design, aside from the tables located on the sides. Our campers indeed said that they look feeble, as they can be damaged easily.

 

Portability

The main feature of the RoadTrip 285 is its portability. This is easy to transport due to its trolley cart design when folded. Thus, you can transfer it effortlessly from one place to another as you can just push it.

Although the body can be transported easily, we found that the weight is definitely heavy, as the grill weighs 46.67 lbs. This might be the reason why Coleman designed it with wheels, so that you won’t be lifting it. We find it clever and convenient for the users.

Plus, the wheels and handle transform it into a stand if you unfold them. The form when folded also makes it easier to store. That’s another advantage, as it does not only highlight the easy-to-carry feature.

So far, our campers expressed both negative and positive feedbacks in this area. Since the feature has a downside, it is still overturned by the folding aspect.

 

Charcoal grills are one of the most common camping grills that you’ll be able to find in the market today. If you’re interested in bringing a charcoal grill to your next camping trip, we have a few tips and tricks on how to effectively use charcoals

 

Ease of set-up

The setup system of this griller is indeed easy. Since this is assembled compact that can be transported like a cart, it is not difficult to use it after you unfold it. But if you just unboxed it, then the construction may consume a lot of your time.

From our campers’ perspectives, the setup of the RoadTrip 285 is not complicated, as you just need to unfold the stand. Then, you can already proceed to cook. We recommend this equipment for tailgating; it is just a perfect structure for outdoor activities that involve a group of people.

 

Ease of cleaning

We find it hard to maintain the internal parts. Unlike other grillers that have holes to allow you to drain and remove the waste and grease, the RoadTrip 285 requires you to detach the screws in order for you to fully clean it.

If you open the cooking area of this griller, you can see the grater. You got to remove it to access the burner. In this area, you can only clean the cover surface. Meaning that there are still parts under the said zone that are isolated.

We recommend you to properly clean and maintain the internal parts of this griller, as it may affect its future performance. However, in order for you to remove the upper layer, we suggest you contact the manufacturer to know how to properly do it. Note that it is not advisable to conduct internal maintenance if you lack knowledge about the parts.

As for the cooking grater, you can just wash it with dishwashing soap to remove the stains. As far as we can assess, there are no other cleaning methods to keep in mind for this part.

 

Just like any other camping equipment, you need to maintain and clean your camping grill properly to make it last longer. If you don’t know how to properly clean your grill, follow our grill cleaning techniques to effectively clean your equipment after each use. 

 

Value for money

Honestly, this is an expensive type of portable grill. Judging from its performance and drawbacks, we can say that there are several grillers that offer a better quality. But, we are not saying that this is not also good.

This griller is available on Amazon . There are other types of portable grillers if you are looking for a more powerful heating performance. Click hereOpens in a new tab. to see the current price on Amazon.

We can’t say that this is the perfect griller, but there are components and elements that made us decide to choose it as our lead griller in this review.

 

Conclusion

Getting the correct equipment for the activity that you want to do is important if you don’t want to run into problems. For your tailgating needs, we picked the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill as the best tailgating grill. With the folded structure that allows you to transport it easily, this is a prime option for your tailgating activities.

The three temperature zones are a key feature that caught our attention. There are gas grillers that don’t possess this attribute, and with this one, you have the authority to adjust the heat properly. With a unique trolley set-up, this grill is very portable and easy to set up. Although it is a bit pricey and challenging to deep clean, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is still great for your tailgating activities. 

View the price of the Roadtrip 285 on Amazon.comOpens in a new tab.

Recent Posts