Photo: Blackstone
Tailgating is a popular social gathering in the US where food is served from the trunk of a parked car when camping or when about to watch a game or concert.
A crucial component that makes this event possible is a tailgate grill, which is basically a portable grill that can easily fit in your car’s trunk. This grill lets you serve hot and delicious meals such as steak, burgers, sausages, etc. straight from the fire.
However, there are many varieties of these products to choose from in the market but this article lists 10 of the best tailgate grills that you should consider buying.
In this post:
- 10 Best Tailgate Grills – Review
- 1. Char-Broil 465133010 – Affordable Tailgate Grill
- 2. Cuisinart CGG-180T – Best Portable Tailgate Grill
- 3. Blackstone 1650 – Easy-to-Clean Tailgate Grill
- 4. Weber 1211001 – Porcelain-Enameled Tailgate Grill
- 5. Lodge L410 – Hibachi-Style Tailgate Grill
- 6. Coleman 2000020945NP – Tailgate Grill with an Interchangeable Cooktop
- 7. Blackstone 1555 – 2-burner Tailgate Grill
- 8. Masterbuilt PT300B – Stainless Steel Tailgate Grill
- 9. Cuisinart CCG-100 – Tailgate Grill with a Dual Venting System
- 10. Coleman 2000017444 – Collapsible Tailgate Grill
- How to Buy the Best Tailgate Grill
- Conclusion
10 Best Tailgate Grills – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Char-Broil 465133010 (Affordable) |
| |
 | 2. Cuisinart CGG-180T (Best Portable) |
| |
 | 3. Blackstone 1650 (Easy-to-Clean) |
| |
 | 4. Weber 1211001 (Porcelain-Enameled) |
| |
 | 5. Lodge L410 (Hibachi-Style) |
| |
 | 6. Coleman 2000020945NP (Has Interchangeable Cooktop) |
| |
 | 7. Blackstone 1555 (2-Burner) |
| |
 | 8. Masterbuilt PT300B (Stainless Steel Grill) |
| |
 | 9. Cuisinart CCG-100 (Has Dual Venting System) |
| |
 | 10. Coleman 2000017444 (Collapsible) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Char-Broil 465133010 (Affordable)
|
2. Cuisinart CGG-180T (Best Portable)
|
3. Blackstone 1650 (Easy-to-Clean)
|
4. Weber 1211001 (Porcelain-Enameled)
|
5. Lodge L410 (Hibachi-Style)
|
6. Coleman 2000020945NP (Has Interchangeable Cooktop)
|
7. Blackstone 1555 (2-Burner)
|
8. Masterbuilt PT300B (Stainless Steel Grill)
|
9. Cuisinart CCG-100 (Has Dual Venting System)
|
10. Coleman 2000017444 (Collapsible)
|
1. Char-Broil 465133010 – Affordable Tailgate Grill
Photo: Char-Broil
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 187 square inches
- Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 15 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
If you are on a tight budget, Char-Broil’s 465133010 is an affordable tailgate grill that you should consider buying. That said, you get a 187 square-inch cooking surface that can fit up to 8 hamburgers and an easy-to-clean chrome-plated cooking grate that is dishwasher safe.
The grill is sturdily built using high-quality steel, which is coated by a high-temperature finish that helps to prevent rust for durability purposes.
More features include an 11,000 BTU burner, supportive legs that fold over the lid so as to lock it in place and heat-resistant handles for comfortable carrying even when hot.
However, the unit lacks a thermometer for monitoring the internal temperature and has no side tables for holding ingredients.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy-to-clean chrome-plated cooking grate
- Rust-resistant high-temperature finish
- Heat-resistant carrying handles
- Supportive legs and a locking lid
Cons:
- No built-in thermometer
- No side tables
2. Cuisinart CGG-180T – Best Portable Tailgate Grill
Photo: Cuisinart
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 145 square inches
- Dimensions: 16 x 16.5 x 13 inches
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
Though it has a relatively small 145 square-inch grilling area, Cuisinart’s CGG-180T is easily portable due to this small size and has a briefcase design with a handle on the size for comfortable one-hand carrying.
The grill is very lightweight, coming in at only 13.5 pounds, and has aluminum legs for raising the cooking surface to a more comfortable cooking height. These legs are easily foldable after use, making it very compact for easier transportation.
Other features include a spill-resistant drip tray, a 5,500 BTU stainless-steel burner, a porcelain-enameled grate for even heating, a lid latch for securing the lid in place and a piezoelectric igniter for quick starting. However, no thermometer is built-in for monitoring the temperature.
Pros:
- Easily portable briefcase design
- Very lightweight (13.5 pounds)
- Foldable aluminum legs
- Spill-resistant drip tray
- Even heating porcelain-enameled grate
Cons:
- Small grilling area
- No built-in thermometer
3. Blackstone 1650 – Easy-to-Clean Tailgate Grill
Photo: Blackstone
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 260 square inches
- Dimensions:17.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 21 pounds
By being a griddle, Blackstone’s 1650 is very easy-to-clean and maintain, with the tabletop requiring to be simply wiped off using a paper towel after cooking.
Additionally, the unit has a built-in grease catcher that collects all the excess fluids via a hole on the tabletop for mess-free cooking.
A convenient and lightweight 1-pound propane can is used to provide the fuel, powering up an H-shaped stainless-steel burner that distributes heat evenly under the cooktop and provides up to 12,000 BTUs of heat.
Other features include an easy-to-use electric igniter anda 260 square-inch cooking surface. However, the grill does not have a stand to raise it to a comfortable cooking height when standing and the cooktop is not pre-seasoned, which means food might stick.
Pros:
- Easy-to-clean griddle top
- Built-in grease catcher for mess-free cooking
- H-shaped burner for even heat distribution
- Powered by a lightweight 1-pound propane can
- Convenient and easy-to-use electric igniter
Cons:
- Lacks a stand
- Not pre-seasoned
4. Weber 1211001 – Porcelain-Enameled Tailgate Grill
Photo: Weber
- Fuel: Charcoal
- Cooking Surface: 240 square inches
- Dimensions: 19.7 x 19.7 x 20.5inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
Weber’s 1211001 is characterized by a porcelain-enameled surface on the lid and bowl, which helps to retain heat and won’t peel or rust, making the grill very durable.
The unit’s lid also has a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock that doubles up as a lid holder. This ensures you don’t have to place the lid on the ground as you turn your steak or burgers.
Since it is powered by charcoal, controlling the heat can be quite difficult, but the grill is fitted with aluminum dampers on the lid for adjusting the airflow, which regulates the temperature inside.
Other features include a 240 square-inch plated steel cooking surface that can hold up to 8 burgers, an aluminum ash catcher and an insulated nylon lid handle for comfortable use.
On the downside, the grill lacks side tables for holding sauces and other ingredients, and starting it up can be quite difficult because charcoal does not fire up as easily as gas.
Pros:
- Rust resistant porcelain-enameled surface
- Tuck-N-Carry lid lock that also functions as a lid holder
- Aluminum dampers for airflow control
- Aluminum ash catcher for maintaining cleanliness
- Comfortable heat-resistant lid handle
Cons:
- No side tables
- A bit difficult to fire up
5. Lodge L410 – Hibachi-Style Tailgate Grill
Photo: Lodge
- Fuel: Charcoal
- Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.25 x 19inches
- Weight: 27 pounds
This L410 is built to have a traditional Japanese hibachi-style design, with an oval-shaped grate that is seasoned using 100% vegetable oil, which adds some flavor to your food while also preventing sticking.
The grill has a rugged, heavy-duty cast-iron construction that is very sturdy and gives superior heat retention for quick cooking while also making the most out of the charcoal fuel.
Other features include a convenient metal carrying handle, 2 adjustable grill heights for setting the food close (high heat) or far (low heat) from the coal and a flip-down door for accessing the coal compartment.
However, this piece has no lid cover and lacks a side table for placing ingredients within close reach.
More Detailed: Click here
Pros:
- Non-stick seasoned grate
- Sturdy heavy-duty cast-iron construction
- Carrying handle for easy transportation
- 2 adjustable grill heights
Cons:
- Lacks a side table
- No lid
6. Coleman 2000020945NP – Tailgate Grill with an Interchangeable Cooktop
Photo: Coleman
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 285 square inches
- Dimensions: 47 x 19 x 34 inches
- Weight: 49.8 pounds
This tailgate grill from Coleman is quite unique because it has an interchangeable cooktop that allows you to switch the included grill grate for a griddle or stove grate, depending on what or how you want to cook.
That said, the unit gives you a 285 square-inch cooking surface that can fit about 8 burgers, as well as 2 sliding tables on the sides for keeping sauces and ingredients within close reach.
You also get a collapsible stand with wheels for easy movement, 3 utensil hooks on the sides and an instastart button for hassle-free ignition of the 20,000 BTU burner underneath the cast-iron grates.
However, these grates are not pre-seasoned, which means they might be a bit sticky on first use.
Pros:
- Interchangeable cooktop from a grill grate to a griddle or stove grate
- 2 sliding tables for holding sauces and ingredients
- Collapsible stand with wheels for easy transportation
- 3 utensil hooks
- Instastart ignition
Cons:
- Non-seasoned grates
7. Blackstone 1555 – 2-burner Tailgate Grill
Photo: Blackstone
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 512 square inches
- Dimensions: 52 x 24 x 38.5 inches
- Weight: 75 pounds
Though quite costly, Blackstone’s 1555 is equipped with 2 burners that are independently controlled, with a 15,000 BTU H-tube burner heating up a 256 square-inch multi-purpose grill and grill box.
The other one is a cast-iron 20,000 BTU burner, which heats up a similar-sized 16 x 16-inch griddle on the other end. Combined, these give a 512 square-inch cooking surface, which is quite large.
This entire setup is held on 4 adjustable legs that can be raised or lowered to your comfortable cooking height, or adjusted independently so as to level the grill when placed over uneven ground.
On the downside, the grill is very heavy (75 pounds), which makes it a bit difficult to transport.
Pros:
- 2 independently controlled burners with a total output of 35,000 BTUs
- Large 512 square-inch cooking surface
- Grill and griddle in 1
- 4 independently adjustable legs for stabilizing the grill over uneven surfaces
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- Heavy
8. Masterbuilt PT300B – Stainless Steel Tailgate Grill
Photo: Masterbuilt
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 205 square inches
- Dimensions: 27 x 17 x 12 inches
- Weight: 21.1 pounds
The first noticeable thing about this Masterbuilt grill is its silver finish all round, and this is due to a full stainless-steel-built outer shell, which is rust-resistant for durability purposes. Also included are strong stainless-steel legs that are foldable for compact storage and transportation.
On the inside is a 10,000 BTU stainless-steel U-shaped burner that heats up a 205 square-inch cooking surface on which a non-stick chrome-plated warming rack is used to grill your food.
Other features include a stainless-steel drip tray for collecting grease and other fluids, a built-in thermometer for temperature monitoring and a handle for raising or lowering the lid with ease.
However, there are no side handles for easy carrying and no side tables for holding ingredients within close reach.
Pros:
- Strong and rust-resistant stainless-steel construction
- Foldable legs for compact storage and transportation
- Non-stick chrome-plated warming rack
- Built-in thermometer for internal temperature monitoring
Cons:
- No side tables
- Lacks carrying handles
9. Cuisinart CCG-100 – Tailgate Grill with a Dual Venting System
Photo: Cuisinart
- Fuel: Charcoal
- Cooking Surface: 240 square inches
- Dimensions: 26 x 19 x 18 inches
- Weight: 28 pounds
Cuisinart’s CCG-100 is a charcoal tailgate grill that features a dual venting system for temperature management and control. A thermometer mounted on the lid helps to monitor the heat level inside so that you can adjust the ventilation accordingly.
The grill gives a 240 square-inch cooking surface with a large collection tray below the coal compartment for collecting ash cleanly while a sturdy 1-piece welded base stabilizes the piece when in use.
Other features include a heat-resistant stainless-steel lid handle, a durable enameled steel lid, side handles for easy carrying and a porcelain-coated cooking grate that is easy to clean. On the downside, you get no side tables and the base is not foldable for compact storage.
Pros:
- Dual venting system for temperature control
- Lid mounted thermometer for temperature monitoring
- Large ash collection tray
- Heat-resistant stainless-steel lid handle
Cons:
- The base is not foldable
- No side tables
10. Coleman 2000017444 – Collapsible Tailgate Grill
Photo: Coleman
- Fuel: Gas
- Cooking Surface: 285 square inches
- Dimensions: 32 x 35 x 19 inches
- Weight: 44 pounds
Rounding up the list is this piece from Coleman, which is characterized by a collapsible wheeled stand for easy transportation and easy setup before use.
The grill is also equipped with interchangeable grill grates that can be replaced with a griddle or stove grates depending on how you want to cook.
With either of these cooktops, you get a 285 square-inch cooking surface and a 20,000 BTU burner underneath, which is very hot. Other features include 2 side tables and instastart button ignition.
However, this piece is very expensive and has no built-in thermometer for temperature monitoring.
There is a new version of this model though, which is the Coleman 2000033052RoadTrip 285. It has similar features to this one but adds on 3 adjustable burners with accurate temperature control and a lid-mounted thermometer. However, this is even more expensive.
Pros:
- Collapsible wheeled stand for easy movement
- Interchangeable cooktop to a grill grate, griddle or stove grate
- 2 side tables for holding ingredients within close reach
- Instastart quick button ignition
Cons:
- Lacks a built-in thermometer
- Very expensive
How to Buy the Best Tailgate Grill
Photo: Cuisinart
1. Gas or Charcoal
Gas tailgate grills are quite common because they are easier to transport, easy to ignite, easy to regulate (temperature) and burn cleanly.
On the other hand, charcoal grills are recommended for one particular reason; they impart a distinct smoky flavor, especially to meat.
Therefore, if you want that smoky flavor, go for the charcoal type. Otherwise, the cleaner, easy-to-use gas type is better.
2. Cooking Surface
It is very important to consider the size of a grill’s cooking surface because it should prepare enough for the people in attendance. Most 180 – 250 square-inch grills can cook about 8 burgers at once, which can feed 3-5 people.
If you have a big party to feed, consider buying Blackstone’s 1555, which has 2 cooking surfaces with a total area of 512 square inches. These can prepare lots of different foods at once.
3. Side Tables
When cooking, it is very convenient to have ingredients and sauces within close reach. This is where side tables come in.
Extending from the sides of the grill, these surfaces provide a platform to place all that you need close by so as to simplify the cooking process. Otherwise, you will need to look for an additional table, which would complicate your setup.
You should also check for utensil hooks on the side for convenient hanging of your cooking tools as you cook.
4. Lid
Some tailgate grills come with covers while others do not. These covers are important because they help to trap heat inside so that food can cook much faster. They also protect the internal components from corrosion due to harsh weather conditions.
Therefore, a covered grill is definitely better to buy. However, ensure that this lid has a heat-resistant handle to prevent you from burning your hands when hot.
5. Ash Collection Tray
This feature is only found in a charcoal grill and it is important for cleanliness purposes. Without it, ash from the burnt-out charcoal will fall to the floor below, creating a mess.
As for gas grills, ensure the one you buy has a grease collection tray for trapping all the excess fats and fluids that are produced as your food cooks.
6. Ventilation
Vents or dampers are very vital in charcoal grills because of temperature regulation and control. For the best results, the grill should have at least 2 vents for improved airflow. As for gas-powered grills, temperature control is done by simply using the adjustable knobs.
7. Portability
Small, lightweight and compact tailgate grills are easily portable but their small size means they have limited features, such as a small cooking surface.
If you want a large tailgate grill, you must factor in its ease-of-movement. With that in mind, collapsible designs with wheels are recommended. A good example is Coleman’s 2000020945NP.
Conclusion
To summarize, tailgating cannot be complete without a proper tailgate grill to serve up some hot, fresh meals. These grills must be easily portable for hassle-free movement into and out of your car’s trunk.
All in all, the buying guide above lists all you need to check so as to pick the best tailgate grill that suits your needs.