It is common to cook food in the kitchen everyday. But it will be something different and interest if you cook food for your family and friends on the forest side or waterside.
So, for cooking food within nature, you will need a portable grill. And these portable grills are known as tailgate grills. Therefore, in this article, you will get to know about the 10 best tailgate grills with all the necessary information.
The right grill should be chosen very carefully as you will have to use it whenever you are on a trip to enjoy your favorite food. Yes, you heard it right. You can have your desired food even if you are not at home. All you will need a good quality grill that can be used without any issue.
To help you choose the tailgate grill according to your need, we have prepared a list so that you can go through it with no trouble.
List of 10 best tailgate grill 2023
According to the customers' reviews and extensive researches, here are the top 10 best tailgate grill. Read more to know about every small detail of these tailgate grill, and then you can easily choose the best one for you.
Our Top Picks
Image | Product Name | Editors Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman RoadTrip Stand-Up Propane Grill | ||
| Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill | ||
| Blackstone Tailgater Portable Grill | ||
| Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill | ||
| Broil King 911470 Keg 5000, Kamado Grill | ||
| Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill | ||
| Weber 51040001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill | ||
| Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill | ||
| Pit Boss Portable Grill | ||
| Char-Broil Grill2Go Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill |
Best Tailgate Grill Reviews
While choosing a tailgate grill, you must cherish the best products available in the market. It is not prudent to buy a product without having some research. However, to help you choose the best product, we have provided an honest review and selected the best tailgate grill.
So have some time and keep reading the following description.
1.Coleman RoadTrip Stand-up Propane Grill – Best Overall Tailgate Grill
Coleman RoadTrip Stand-up Propane Grill can be easily carried with its 2 wheels and quick-fold legs. Moreover, it can be set up without any hassle and breakdown.
Afterward, you can grill your food with a 1 pound propane cylinder set at a range of grilling heat from 3,250 to 20,000 BTUs on its 285 sq.in of porcelain-coated cast iron grill grates.
It comes with three separate burners and a combined thermometer, which helps you to adjust the heat and cook numerous tailgate recipes like meats, veggies, and seafood at a time. You can cook both grill and griddle food without any issue.
For keeping utensils and meals more conveniently, there are already two side tables with huge space. So you do not need to worry if you forget to bring a table with you.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want an overall best tailgate grill by spending maximum money, then you can go for this without any doubt.
2. Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Propane Tailgate Grill
This liquid propane weber grill can serve you delightful foods with its stainless burner of 8,500 BTU-per-hour, 189 sq.in. of cooking space, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, and cast aluminum lid and body.
You will just need to preheat the grill with the burner on high for 10 to 15 minutes to cook the meal quickly. Moreover, this unique feature will allow you to cook large foods at any temperature from low to high on disposable LP cylinders.
It is very much light weighted and also allows cooking both griddle and grill. So, you can go anywhere with your friends and family with this 23.5 inches height tailgate grill.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want the best propane grill, which will help cook any food faster, this one is an excellent choice.
3. Blackstone Tailgater Portable Grill – Best Grill-Griddle Tailgate Grill
Blackstone tailgate portable grill with 512 cooking surface can serve you both grill and griddle food. You will not face any problem to set it up as its adjustable legs are stable on even rough ground.
One can also enjoy different setup combinations like can utilize both grill and griddle grate at a time or only grill, or the only griddle can also be used. So it comes with so many cooking options.
Moreover, it is built with a heavy-duty grill box vent, cast iron grill grates, cold-rolled steel griddle plate, and a sturdy powder coat finish to make it durable. It has two control burners. One can produce up to 15,000 BTUs while the other one can produce up to 20,000 BTUs.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are a beginner and worried about its quality and durability, try it without a doubt.
4. Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill – Best Charcoal Tailgate Grill
This bowl-shaped grill has a 254 sq.in cooking surface, which can hold up to eight burgers at a time. The food can be cooked faster as it has a steel-plated cooking grate of 18-inch diameter.
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill has a porcelain enamel coating. As a result, rusting, peeling, or sticking of foods does not occur. Another plus point is that it requires charcoal to cook meals, no need to tension for electricity or gas.
Moreover, it is not required to place on the ground because of its Tuck-N-Carry lid lock, and food will be cooked with its controlling temperature feature. Afterward, the ashes will be collected with the aluminum ash catcher.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want the best charcoal grill within a very minimum price, then you can undoubtedly go for this.
5. Broil King 911470 Keg 5000, Kamado Grill – Best Durable Tailgate Grill
This tailgate grill is specially designed for extra durability. It has a double-walled steel grill body, cast iron top, and aluminum lower. As a result, it can retain more heat and moisture than ceramic grills.
You will also not need many charcoals but can cook many foods in its 280 sq.in cooking area. Like the other charcoal grills, its ash catcher can also be removed. Additionally, it has a detachable resin side shelves, a secondary rack, mobility cart, and multi-tool.
They provide an excellent warranty policy, a 2-year warranty on the body's parts, and a 10-year warranty on the body. So cook your favorite meal without any tension.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want a durable grill with a great space that can be used both home and outside, then this grill is specially designed for you.
6. Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill – Best For Small Family Tailgate Grill
This Cuisinart grill has a cooking area of 150 sq.in where at least four to six burgers can be cooked at once, and the heat can also be spread eventually. It has a dual venting system, which will give you the ultimate control over the temperature.
You will not need to care about safety transport because of its three secure lid locks. Rather than that, you can also carry it wherever you like as it is only a 2-pound weight.
It will last long as its firebox is enamel coated and has a mess-free ash catcher for easy use. So after having the meal, you can quickly take down everything like before.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are looking for a tailgate grill to prepare food for your sweet little family members, this is the ultimate one for you without any questioning.
7. Weber 51040001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Portable tailgate grill
Its 26 pounds weight and folding side tables can easily be portable on a trip. It has a built-in lid thermometer and glass-reinforced nylon frame for its long durability.
This liquid propane weber grill model can assist you pleasant foodstuffs with its stainless burner of 8,500 BTU-per-hour, 189 sq.in. of cooking space, porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, and cast aluminum lid and body.
You can also cook the grill meal quickly with its control burner valve setting. Use a disposable LP cylinder for getting an evenly cooked meal. As it comes in six different colors, you can buy your favorite color one.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Best for those who want a lightweight, portable grill that can be used both home and trip on a high budget.
8. Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill – Best Budget Tailgate Grill
Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill has a porcelain enamel lid coating. So rusting, peeling, or sticking of foods does not occur at all. It also does not require electricity or gas to cook.
This bowl-shaped grill has a 206 sq.in cooking surface, which can hold up to five burgers at a time. The food can be cooked faster as it has a steel-plated cooking grate of 14-inch diameter.
Your hands will not get a burn while cooking because of its 1 glass-reinforced nylon handle. Moreover, it has three aluminum legs with an ash catcher. As a result, you will have to worry about the shattering of ashes here and there.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
It is the right choice for those who want to enjoy a smokey and juicy meal within a meager budget with their close friends and family.
9. Pit Boss Portable Grill – Best Stainless Tailgate Grill
Pit Boss Portable Grill is made from 430 and 304 stainless steel body and lid and stainless steel grid construction, respectively. It does not have one but two 10,000 BTU burners, which supplies the perfect amount of temperature for grilling and searing.
It is easily moveable because of its lightweight, folding legs, and latching hood. Additionally, it has a dome thermometer and pushes and turns ignition along with 276 sq.in cooking surface.
The gas grill lid that comes with it will protect the grill's body from dirt, rain, and ultra violated rays. As a result, your grill will go a long way without any issues.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are looking for a professional tailgate grill that will not get rust over time, then this one would be perfect for you.
10. Char-Broil Grill2Go Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill – Best Gas Tailgate Grill
Char-Boil Grill has a cooking surface of about 200 sq.in, and traveling with it is so easy. It is made of dual stainless latches, a temperature controller, and cast aluminum firebox and lid.
You can effortlessly place it anywhere because of its high frame legs and carry handles. But it does not have a cooking system with flare-up TRU-Infrared.
Other than that, it can cook up to 8 big size burgers at a time. You will not require any battery to ignite a 9,500 BTU burner. Instead, you can easily connect a 1 pound gas cylinder to the side of the grill to make your trip joyful.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want the best gas tailgate grill to cook your food in no time, this one is absolutely the perfect one.
How to Buy the Best Tailgate Grill for General Use for You?
After reading the above reviews, you might be suspicious about choosing the best tailgate grill among thousands of products. However, selecting the best one is not difficult.
According to your necessities, all you have to do is research the products and pick the best one for you. Here we have provided a complete guideline to make the procedure easy for you.
Before choosing the grill according to your want, let us look at some basic things about a tailgate grill.
What is a tailgate grill?
A tailgate grill is a special kind of grill that can be used both outsides and inside the home to cook delicious meals, including meat, fish, and vegetables. It has been actually designed for the BBQ party and outdoor use to be carried on a trip. So you can easily convey it on the back of your car.
One can cook almost all kinds of fast food, starting from the burger, hot dog, steaks, and many more on it. You do not need to worry about restaurants when you have a tailgate grill with you. It can serve you delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner if cooked properly following the manual. There are also different kinds of tailgate grill which changes the taste of your food.
Types of tailgate grill
There are three types of tailgate grill. These are:
An electric grill runs on power, and it can be charged by electricity and wood pellets. With the help of this grill, food can be cooked easily and quickly. So no chance of smoke as the fire is not required. It is a bit costly because of its unique features like presetting temperature and evenly cooked food in no time.
A gas grill runs on bottles of propane, and it can go a long way. A 20-pound propane tank can give 25 hours service. As a result, the meal can be cooked conveniently and have a smoke flavor. It is a bit less costly than an electric grill.
A charcoal grill gives the real flavor of smokey food. But it is more time-consuming to cook a meal in this grill as you need to make fuels, get it fire, and give air frequently. Afterward, you will also have to clean the ashes. It can be pricier than the other two as the cost of charcoal is high. But it also depends on the grill, as some grills need less charcoal.
Why do you need a tailgate grill?
A tailgate grill is a must for all the people who love to go on a trip more often. Suppose you are on a journey in a remote area. Indeed, you will not get any restaurants around you. What will you do then?
Will you stay hungry or prepare your food and have fun on the trip? Of course, you will choose the second option. So for that, you will need to have your tailgate grill.
Some other reasons why you would need a tailgate grill are described below:
Why does a cook keep it with them?
Cook lovers keep a tailgate grill with them, whether in their kitchen or car, whenever they travel. Here are some specific and genuine reasons for loving a tailgate grill:
Types of food you can cook It
One can enjoy almost all kinds of food in a tailgate grill. But if you are looking for some unique meal ideas to cook for your family and friends on a trip, then have a look.
Like these, there are many other foods you can cook. You can also prepare your recipe in the grill without any issue. You will just need to carry all the spices and raw meals to cook there.
How to cook food in different grills?
As there are three types of tailgate grill, so their cooking style is also different depending on the kinds. If you are confused about any of the cooking forms, then read below to know more.
Electric grill:
First, set the electric grill temperature according to your requirement to preheat it. While at that moment, prepare your food to throw on the grill like applying spices and salt. Now it is time to put the meat on the grill for cooking. Use a stainless spatula to twist the food evenly and to avoid any stain on the grill. Within 7 to 8 minutes, your meal will be ready to serve and eat.
Gas grill:
Get a gas cylinder first and connect it to the grill. It is the same process we apply during cooking on a stove. Initially, preheat the grill by covering the lid. After that, open the lid and serve the raw meal on it to cook. It will take more time to cook rather than the electric grill.
In between, you will need to twist and turn the food to cook it perfectly and to avoid burning. Once it is cooked thoroughly, it is ready to have.
Charcoal grill:
You will need charcoal, kerosene, and matches to start the grill. After the fire is started, spread the charcoal eventually. It is important so that the food does not remain raw after cooking.
Remember that you cannot control the temperature over here. Throw the food on the grill and give some air when necessary. Flip the meat in between to avoid the sticking of food. You will get a smokey flavor because of the ashes. When the food becomes brown, you will understand that it is now ready to eat.
Best long term tailgate grill
All the above tailgate grills can last long with proper care. You will need to follow some tips to make it long-lasting. Those are-
Try to follow the given tips and tricks so that you can use your favorite tailgate grill for a fair amount of time.
Things to look on while buying the best tailgate grill [Buying Guide]
It is very much essential to choose a well and high-quality tailgate grill for use. It would be best if you do not compromise with quality while buying it.
So, here are some things you should look at while selecting a tailgate grill for you and your professional use. Those are as follows and read it carefully because the selection is the key.
Material
If the tailgate grill is made of cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and porcelain enamel, it will surely last for a long time. Avoid buying the grills with plastic parts on them as this will result in melting due to excessive heat.
Grilling area
It is very much essential to know the grilling area or cooking surface before buying a grill. It will be a total mess if you order a small grill for your large family. There are grills for both small and large families. So according to your requirement, choose the right size.
Type
You don't need to buy any grill to enjoy your food on a trip. There are total three types of tailgate grills. If you are looking for a grill that will give you a smokey flavor, go for a charcoal grill, and if you want a stove like taste, choose the electric or gas grill.
Fuel
As there are three types of grill, like that fuel type is also three; electricity, propane, and charcoal. Foods that are made from electricity will not be able to give you much BBQ flavor.
On the other hand, propane and charcoal will provide you with more juicy and smokey flavor in your food. So choose it according to the taste of flavor you like.
BTUs
The quantity of temperature that a grill sets out is known as BTUs. The grill with higher BTUs will heat the grates faster, and as a result, the food will also start grilling quickly. But remember, the higher the BTUs, the more fuel will be required.
Dimensions
Ensure that the grill you choose should have a proper dimension as you have to carry it in the back of your vehicle. Of course, you can select a large dimension grill if you have a big car. Otherwise, it is better to choose a small dimension portable grill.
Weight
As you are looking for a tailgate grill whose main motive is to carry while traveling, so it is better to choose a lightweight or medium weight grill. If the grill's weight is too much, it will be hard to travel within the forest or remote areas.
Burners
The number of burners will decide how much food you can cook at a time. If there is more than one burner, it is obvious that you can cook more than one dish, and it will also take less time. As a result, you can enjoy your food with your family without any delay.
Additional features
The additional feature may include side tables, ash collection tray, and strong legs. Suppose you forgot to bring a table with you. Now, where will you put your dishes and plates? In that case, if you have the grill that has side tables, then your food and utensils will get a place to set. On the other hand, the ash collection tray will help you not to get the area messy.
Quality
Quality should not be compromised because of the price. Just to save a little amount of money, do not buy a low-quality product. That will result in purchasing a new grill after a few days of breaking the handles or rusting the low quality steel. So buy the box where the tools are made of good quality steel, aluminum, and zinc.
Warranty and guarantee
Many companies give a 1 to 2 years warranty on their product. At the same time, some companies do not provide any warranty. And numerous companies offer both guarantee and warranty.
So it is always best to buy the one that comes with a good guarantee and warranty policy. You can change the product within the given time if you find any default.
Price
The price depends on the quality, size, and facilities of the product that the company provides. The more facilities and tools they will give, the more will be the price. But it is not always true. A medium or low-cost tailgate grill can also be worth buying, and a high-cost might not be.
Final Thoughts
The grills mentioned on the list above are the best tailgate grill for everyday use by everyone. They are all best because of its unique features, qualities, and benefits.
After reading the whole article, I hope you have understood why we have chosen these specific 10 products for you. All these are easy to use, can be taken to the remote areas, and comes with a temperature control valve.
So if you are a trip lover, there is no reason not to buy any of the grills. You never know when you will require foods to eat. Therefore we have made it easy for you to choose a tailgate grill without any confusion according to your need.
FAQ: Best Tailgate Grill
We have received many questions regarding the tailgate grill. Here you will get your most of the answers. Let us have a look at them.
Are tailgate grills safe?
Yes, tailgate grills are safe to use. It is designed especially thinking about professional and unprofessional cooks to make their favorite food where ever they go. Both of them can use it according to the instruction manual that comes with it or by searching on Google.
How can I stop foods from getting stuck into the grates?
Most of the time, food gets stuck on the grate because of the less oil application. But many do not understand it and make the grill defaulter. To avoid this, all you have to apply some oil on the grates before cooking with a brush's help. Other than that, you can also use the oil on the food.
What is the best way to clean a grill?
Whatever the type of grill, you should clean the grates after every use. First, detach the excess food with the help of a good wire brush. Then wash it carefully with soap, stainless steel foam, and water. At last, dry it under the sun or air before packing it up.
What kind of grill is perfect for beginners?
The charcoal grill is the best choice for beginners. In the electric and gas grill, there are temperature control valves. If the beginner does not know the temperature level, they can end up with a burning food.
Can perfect BBQ food be enjoyed in the electric grill?
To be honest, it is not possible to enjoy the perfect BBQ food in the electric tailgate grill. BBQ means to have a juicy and smokey flavor, and there is no necessity of fire in an electric grill. So a perfect BBQ is possible in the charcoal grill only.
How much charcoal is necessary to use in a charcoal grill?
The amount of charcoal depends on the size of the cooking area and the amount of food. If the cooking area is big and the amount of food is more, it is evident that you will need more charcoal. But approximately you will need 1 kilogram of charcoal for 1 kilogram of meat.
How much does a tailgate grill cost?
The price depends upon the type of grill. The electric and gas grill will, of course, cost more than a charcoal grill. But an average tailgate grill can cost between $30 to $400.
What is the fastest way to make BBQ?
The fastest way to make BBQ is with an electric grill. But the best way to prepare BBQ is with a charcoal grill. As the electric grill runs on electricity, and you can set the temperature level according to your need, you can cook every food faster.
Can I light up the charcoal grill myself?
Yes, of course, you can light up the charcoal grill by yourself. All you will need charcoal, kerosene, and lighter, or a matchbox. Place the charcoal on the charcoal holder and pour some kerosene. Then with the help of a matchbox, light up the fire.
Can I place charcoal in my gas grill?
No, you cannot. And if you do so, you might require to replace some parts if not change the whole grill. The gas grill does not have any space, so that you can cook your meal with the help of charcoal. You will indeed have to run the gas grill on gas.