Tailgating means a few things, friends, beers, and barbeque. The beers and friends, we leave for you to choose, but for the best tailgate grill to make a delicious meal for the party, we’ve got you covered. Whether you are a frequent or occasional tailgater, with a tailgate grill, you can enjoy delicious grilled food while tailgating with friends. Generally, buying grills can be quite difficult because they all look very similar. But we have used our expertise to compile a list of our favorite 10 tailgate grills we can recommend with a complete spec breakdown.
Review Summary
Editor Choice: Blackstone 1555 Tailgater Grill and Griddle Combo
This Blackstone tailgater grill is a perfect grill/griddle combo you can use to enjoy several different setup combinations. The 2 H-tube burners also contribute to ensuring even distribution of heat over the grilling surface for even cooking.
Best Value: Coleman 2000017461 RoadTrip X-Cursion Grill
Another Coleman grill to consider buying is this X-Cursion designed with foldable legs and two durable wheels. Other features of this grill include the matchless lighting, drip tray that catches grease, and null flare technology that reduces flare-ups.
Best Overall: Coleman Coleman RoadTrip 225 Portable Propane Grill
For those on a very limited budget, you can consider checking this Coleman tailgate grill designed with a foldable leg and two durable wheels. This is a 2-burner gas grill, featuring a 225 square inches cooking surface.
Tailgate Portable Gas Grill: Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Grill
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet grill is a compact grill you can take anywhere as it measures only 19 x 11.5 x 10 and weighs only 17 pounds. Setting up this grill takes only a few seconds, and with the integrated lid lock, you can easily transport this grill like a briefcase.
Tailgare Outdoor Grills: George Foreman GGR50B Electric Grill
George Foreman is are known for its distinctive flavor and texture they give food, and this 15-servings grill is perfect for grilling indoors and outdoors. It comes with a pedestal that brings the grill to an ergonomic height for easy grilling. Also, the adjustable temperature control allows you to set the temperature from five heat settings to get the best result.
Best Tailgate Grill Under $100: Coleman Gas Camping Stove
This Coleman grill is a perfect 4-in-1 grill that comes with a burner than can produce up to 7000 BTUs of heat. The push-button ignition is a nice feature that comes with this grill. And after every grilling session, cleaning this grill is also a breeze.
Wood Pellet Tailgate Grill: Green Mountain Davy Crockett Prime
If you are a fan of pellet grill, you can as well consider this Green Mountain pellet grill deigned with the Sense-mate, a thermal sensor that helps you easily monitor the grilling temperature. Also, this grill weighs only 68 pounds, and since its legs are foldable, you can easily fit it in nearly any trunk for easy transport to the tailgate location.
TableTop Tailgate Grill: CUISINART CGG-180T CGG180T
This Cuisinart CGG-240 is the ideal portable gas grill built in such a way to make it easy to take anywhere. With this Cuisinart grill, you have the capacity of a large grill but in a portable size.
Top Rated Tailgate Grill: Griddle Blackstone Adventure
This Blackstone 22-inch griddle built tough with cold-rolled steel surface has a unique rear grease management system that makes it easy to clean. As a two-burner griddle, it gives you the versatility to prepare all you need for a complete meal in one grill.
Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill: Coleman RoadTrip 285
Coleman designed this RoadTrip gas grill with a foldable leg and two durable wheels that make it easy to transport. The aluminum body construction does well in keeping heat locked in the grill, plus with the 3 all improved burners you will get all the heat you need to grill with confidence.
Top 10 Best Tailgate Grill Reviews
Below is a list of grills for tailgating alongside the pros and cons of each of them.
#1. Blackstone 1555 Tailgater Grill and Griddle Combo – Editor Choice
- Height: 20 inches
- Width: 18 inches
- Length: 37 inches
- Weight: 78 pounds
- Cooking area: 477 square inches
- Heating power: 35,000 BTUs
- Versatile gas grill combo that offers a dual cooking surface: a grill and a griddle
- Propane fueled grill
- Independently adjustable patented legs you can fold flat to transport anywhere, or balance on an uneven floor
- Cast iron cooking grate and cold rolled steel griddle plate
- Cooks at over 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- One cast iron burner
- One H stainless steel tube burner
- Two adjustable heat control with a built it battery-powered electric igniter
- Extra-large dual grease tray
- Lockable lids
- Lid mounted thermometer
Blackstone Tailgater Review:
Durable
The Blackstone 1555 tailgater is a durable grill built tough to stand the test of time and weather. The steel body with a strong powder coat finishing protects it from rust and corrosion. Moreover, the cast iron used in the grate and cold rolled steel griddle plate are high heat resistant materials that will not degrade easily.
Portable
Amongst many features of this Blackstone tailgater, portability is its standout feature. It features a foldable leg that makes it compact and easy to transport. Also, the legs can be adjusted independently, allowing you to balance this grill on uneven ground while tailgating. This unit weighs only 75 pounds, and can easily fit into the trunk of your car.
Dual Cooking Surface
This Blackstone 1555 comes with two cooking surfaces, with two independently controlled burners. On the grill side, you get an H shaped stainless steel burner, while on the griddle side, you get a cast iron burner. The cast iron burner can produce 20,000 BTUs of heat, and H-shaped stainless steel burner can produce 15,000 BTUs of heat. This unit also provides you with a total cooking surface of 477 square inches which can fit 9 burgers, 4 steaks, or 20 hot dogs each on both sides. As such, this grill can feed 2 to 6 people conveniently.
Additional Feature
You can enjoy different setup combinations with this tailgater, like removing either side and using the burners for pots or pans. With this option coupled with a grill and griddle, you can barbeque and cook a variety of food on this grill. Additionally, you get a lid-mounted thermometer on the grill that allows you to grill meat and vegetables with precision.
Satisfactory Guarantee
When it comes to satisfaction, Blackstone backed this tailgater with a 1-year warranty if you are not completely satisfied at any point.
- Versatile setup combination
- Stable on uneven grounds
- Durable construction
- The clip that holds the grill box is small
#2. Coleman 2000017461 RoadTrip X-Cursion Grill – Best Value
- Height: 3 inches
- Width: 18.9 inches
- Length: 32.7 inches
- Weight: 43.2 pounds
- Cooking area: 285 square inches
- Heating power: 20,000 BTUs
- Propane fueled gas grill
- Durable porcelain-coated cast-iron grates which are very easy to clean
- Spacious cooking surface
- Two EvenTemp burners radiating gets equally across the grill
- Push-button Instastart ignition lighting
- Swaptop interchangeable cooktops give you the flexibility of different cooking options
- NullaFlare technology reduces flare-ups
- DripTrap water pan grease catcher
- Steel legs that folds for compact storage with oversized wheels for easy transport
- Large side table to store tools and ingredients
- PerfectFlow technology provides consistent performance even in extreme conditions
- 3 years limited warranty
Coleman Roadtrip Review:
Durable Construction
The Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion is a mini tailgate grill with a low profile design and collapsible steel scissor legs. The aluminum body coated with premium paint can’t stand the test of time. Importantly, you get a solid cast iron grate coated with porcelain-enamel for easy cleaning.
Portable and Compact Design
The scissors legs, when collapsed, give you a highly compact grill that can easily fit into the trunk of your car. When you get to the campsite, the oversized durable wheels make it easy to pull this grill to a perfect spot. Under a few minutes, you can get this grill ready and set for grilling.
Cooking Performance
Since this grill uses a cast iron grate, you can get a perfect sear mark on your meat because of the high heat retention properties of cast iron. Moreover, the spacious 285 square inches cooking area over the two independently adjustable burners gives you precise control for two temperature zones.
Interchangeable Cooktop
The cooking grate of this grill is removable, and you can swap it for a stove grate or griddle (both sold separately). As such, with this grill, you get the flexibility of different cooking options.
NullaFlare Technology
This grill also comes with a water pan grease catcher, which makes clean up easier. Moreover, the NullaFlare technology of the grill reduces flare-ups to the minimal.
Warranty
The Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
- Interchangeable cooktop for more meal option
- Durable cast iron grate with porcelain-enameled coating and grease tray makes clean up easier
- Compact design with wheels for easy transport
- Large side table to store food, ingredients, and tools
- No lid thermometer
#3. Coleman Coleman RoadTrip 225 Portable Propane Grill – Best Overall
- Height: 15 inches
- Width: 18.5 inches
- Length: 5 inches
- Weight: 35.12 pounds
- Cooking area: 225 square inches
- Heating power: 11,000 BTUs
- Comes fully assembled
- Propane fueled gas grill
- Steel scissor foldable legs
- Two oversized durable wheels
- Porcelain-enamel coated cast iron cooking grates
- Two independently adjustable burners for precise temperature control
- Large side table for storing food, ingredients, and tools
- SwapTop interchangeable cooktop
- Push-button Instastart electric ignition
- Water-pan catches cooking grease for easy cleaning
- 3-year limited warranty
Coleman Coleman RoadTrip 225 Review:
Durable and Easy to Set Up
Coleman built this RoadTrip 225 grill to last with a durable aluminum cook-box. The sturdy quick-fold steel scissor leg and wheels make setup easy. You also get a ring-shaped burner in this grill made with stainless steel. Additionally, the porcelain-enamel coated cast iron cooking grates on this grill have an excellent heat-retaining property suitable for making the perfect bold sear mark on your food.
Cooking Power
This grill comes with two independently adjustable burner controls: one for the inner burner and one for the outer ring burner. The burners can produce up to 11,000 BTUs of heat, ideal for grilling any recipe. Push the Instastart ignition button for matchless lighting. And with the ample cooking space, you can fit up to 8 hamburgers, or cook for 2 to 5 people.
SwapTop Interchangeable Cooktop
The SwapTop interchangeable cooktop feature of this Coleman RoadTrip grill lets you switch the grill grate with a stove grate or a griddle (both sold separately). With this feature, you can prepare more meal options.
Easy to Clean Grease Management System
Cleaning this Coleman grill is easy as it’s cooking grate is coated with porcelain-enamel. Moreover, this grill comes with a water pan grease catcher and NullaFlare technology that works together to reduce flare-ups.
Warranty
You get a 3-year limited warranty on this Coleman RoadTrip 225 gas grill.
- Compact, portable, and easy to transport
- Easy to set up and use
- Interchangeable cooktop for more cooking option
- Durable construction
- No lid thermometer
#4. Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Grill – Best Tailgate Portable Gas Grill
- Height: 5 inches
- Width: 17.5 inches
- Length: 28 inches
- Weight: 18.8 pounds
- Cooking area: 145 square inches
- Heating power: 5,500 BTUs
- One powerful stainless steel burner
- Verstand integrated telescoping base
- Porcelain-enamel coated steel grate
- Lid latches and spill resistant drip tray
Cuisinart CGG180 Review:
Durable and Easy to Setup
This Cuisinart Petite Gourmet portable grill is a well-built grill suitable for everyday grilling anywhere. Compact yet built tough with a steel painted cook box. The cooking grate as well is steel and coated with porcelain enamel. This grill features the VersaStand telescoping legs that let you grill at a convenient height anywhere.
Compact Enough to Take Anywhere
Not only is the VersaStand legs collapsible to make this grill compact, but the unit as a whole is small and weighs fairly 17 pounds. However, even though this high-performance grill is compact it still offers you a decent cooking space enough to cook for 4 to 6 people.
Cooking Performance
Since it is a single burner grill, don’t expect so much heating power from this unit. The 5,500 BTUs of heat coupled with the 145 square inches of cooking space is a perfect match to make 6-10 chicken breasts, 8 hamburgers, and 8 steaks at a go.
Additional Features
Additional features like the spill resistant drip tray are efficient and make cleaning up a breeze after every grilling session. The grill lid also features latches to lock the lid in place for easy transport.
- Durable construction
- Fast and easy to setup
- Compact design
- 3-year limited warranty
- No lid-mounted thermometer
#5. George Foreman GGR50B Electric Grill – Best Tailgare Outdoor Grills
- Height: 19.7 inches
- Width: 10.8 inches
- Length: 18.5 inches
- Weight: 20.94 pounds
- Cooking area: 240 square inches
- Heating power: 1600 watt
- Nonstick cooking surface
- Dome-shaped grill lid
- Removable grill grate for easy cleaning
- Ideal for preparing enough for 15+ serving
- Excellent grease management system with no flare-ups issues
- The grill stand features a pedestal tube and base
- Easy to convert from stand to tabletop grill
- Adjustable temperature control lets you choose between five settings for precise grilling
- Apartment approved
George Foreman 15-Serving Review:
Durable Apartment Approved Electric Grill
The George Foreman GGR50B is an electric grill built for indoor use and outdoor use as well. It is constructed with durable steel dome-shaped grill lid, and grate. So, don’t let the weather keep you from enjoying the tasty savory of grilled food.
Space Saver
The GGR50B is a compact small tailgate grill that takes little to no time to setup. The pedestal and stand raise this grill to about 6 inches, giving you a comfortable height to grill. And if you like, you can remove the stand, converting this grill to a perfect countertop grill. Despite the compact nature of this grill, its circular cooking area lets you cook up to 15 servings.
Easily Adjustable Temperature Control
Unlike other electric grills in its class, the GGR50B comes with adjustable temperature control that lets you choose between five temperature settings.
No Hassle Cleanup
This George Foreman grill comes with a nonstick cooking grate that requires little to no oil or fat to grill. Below the cooking grate is the drip tray that catches melted fat. The grate is also removable for simple and fast cleanup.
- Nonstick cooking grate
- Electric grill with no fuss about flare-ups
- Adjustable temperature control
- Easily convertible from stand to countertop
- No temperature gauge
#6. Coleman Gas Camping Stove – Best Tailgate Grill Under $100
- Height: 96 inches
- Width: 11.02 inches
- Length: 14.41 inches
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Cooking area: 100 square inches
- Heating power: 7,000 BTUs
- Portable and compact gas grill
- Three inserts (a griddle or grill, wok, and stove)
- Sturdy aluminum tripod pole stand
- Latches for locking the lid when transiting
- Removable legs and inserts fit inside the inverted wok
- Water tray included for catching grease
- Instastart push-button ignition
- Uses a 16.4 ounces propane gas cylinder
- 3-year limited warranty
Coleman Gas Camping Stove Review:
Multiple Cooking System
This Coleman grill comes with multiple cooking systems that gives you the flexibility of different cooking options with one unit. This grill is a 4-in-1 gas grill featuring a grill, griddle, wok, and stove. You can easily interchange between any of the cooktop inserts to effortlessly cook on one portable space-saving outdoor cooking system.
Portable and Compact
Weighing only 12 pounds, this Coleman grill is lightweight and easy to transport to campsites. And the 16.4 ounces propane cylinder it uses further makes this grill compact and suitable for tailgating. It features latches that lock the lid in place when transporting. Despite the compact and portable nature of this grill, you still get a cooking area to cook enough for four people.
Easy to Clean
The nonstick plate on this grill makes cleaning a breeze. The water tray also helps to catch cooking grease.
Warranty
The 3-year limited warranty attached to this grill gives you the confidence to get the most out of this grill.
- Push-button ignition for matchless lighting
- Easy to store and transport
- Setup within minutes
- Easy to clean
- Temperature is not adjustable
- No temperature gauge
#7. Green Mountain Davy Crockett Prime – Best Wood Pellet Tailgate Grill
- Height: 31.75 inches
- Width: 34 inches
- Length: 23 inches
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Cooking area: 219 square inches
- Heating power: 150-550 degrees Fahrenheit
- 9-pound hopper capacity pellet grill
- 12V direct power grill for more efficient power consumption and greater fuel economy
- Digital controller with LED screen
- The sense-Mate thermal sensor constantly monitors the grill temperature
- Micro-adjusted variable speed fan and motor with increased RPM of 4,100
- Venturi-style design firebox
- Wi-Fi smart control
- Grease drip bucket
- Foldable legs for easy storage
- Stainless steel cooking grate
- Side table with tool hooks
Green Mountain Davy Review:
Durable
The Green Mountain DCWF pellet grill is a small family size tailgater, campers grill ideal for cooking 4-6 steaks of burgers, or two racks of ribs. And the durable 13 gauge stainless steel used in constructing the grease tray, and grates can stand the test of time.
Digital Controller
For an optimal grilling experience, this Green Mountain grill features a digital controller. With this controller, you can grill at a precise temperature ranging from 150-550 degrees Fahrenheit. You can adjust the temperature with a 5 degrees increment with the control.
Wi-Fi Smart Control
The included Wi-Fi smart control, USB charging port, and dual meat probe gives you a complete digital grilling experience. With the Wi-Fi smart control, you can control and monitor this grill from the GMG app on your smartphone devices.
Easy to Clean
The open flame technology of the grease tray makes cleaning up a breeze after every use. Grease flows into the grease bucket at the side of the grill for easy disposal. And the airflow in the grill ensures complete combustion of the pellet for minimal waste.
- Has Wi-Fi that sync with smartphones
- Nice hopper size
- Comes with a nice cookbook
- The digital controller makes temperature control easy
- Handle gets very hot
- Not so suitable for outdoors as it requires a battery or power outlet to function
#8. CUISINART CGG-180T CGG180T – Best TableTop Tailgate Grill
- Height: 13 inches
- Width: 16.5 inches
- Length: 16 inches
- Weight: 13.5 pound
- Cooking area: 145 square inches
- Heating power: 5,000 BTUs
- Convenient roll-away folding scissors legs
- Porcelain enamel grate
- Twist start electronic ignition system
- Precise temperature gauge
- Stay cool to touch handle
- Durable solid stainless steel construction
CUISINART CGG-180T Review:
Ideal Grill for Outdoors
This durable solid steel grill is a perfect grill for patio, camping, balconies, tailgating, and more. It features an ample grilling space with well-engineered burners to generate evenly distributed heat. As such, with this grill, you get the best result in vegetables, seafood, chicken, or beef.
Cooking Performance
This grill features a burner that can produce up to 5,000 BTUs of heat. The twist-to-start ignition system eliminates the need for matches to start up the grill.
Easy to Clean
The cast iron grate on this grill is coated with porcelain enamel which makes it nonstick and easy to clean. The excellent grease management system also contributes to the ease of cleaning this grill.
Warranty
This Cuisinart grill comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
- Easy to clean
- Durable construction
- Temperature regulation is excellent
- Ample space for grilling and storing ingredients and tools
- Easy to store and transport
- Cannot create multiple heating zones with this grill
- Problems with flare-ups
#9. Griddle Blackstone Adventure – Top Rated Tailgate Grill
- Height: 39.7 inches
- Width: 22.5 inches
- Length: 43.6 inches
- Weight: 64.5 pounds
- Cooking area: 330 square inches
- Heating power: 24,000 BTUs
- Convertible from stand to countertop grill
- Excellent rear grease management system
- Two burner gas grill with independent controllers
- Dual H burners producing evenly distributed heat
- Cold-rolled cooking surface
- Side table
Griddle Blackstone Adventure Review:
Propane Gas Griddle
This Blackstone griddle is a propane-fueled grill. It includes a bulk adapter hole that lets you easily hook this grill to a 1 pound tank or a 20 pound tank.
Cooking Performance
In terms of cooking performance, this griddle features a cold-rolled cooking surface with two H burners that spread heat evenly across the cooking surface. You can create different heating zones with this grill for optimal results. And the best part is that this griddle features a lid that lets you savory all the flavor back into your food.
Easy to Clean
After every grill session, the nonstick griddle surface cleans easily. Moreover, the unique rear grease management system is easy to clean while cooking.
- Excellent grease management system
- Evenly distributes heat
- Easy to control the temperature
- Compact and easy to transport
- No temperature gauge
#10. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
- Height: 16.30 inches
- Width: 19.19 inches
- Length: 30.25 inches
- Weight: 46.67 pounds
- Cooking area: 285 square inches
- Heating power: 20,000 BTUs
- Propane fueled tailgate grill
- Collapsible legs which make this grill compact and easy to store or transport
- Two durable wheels for easy mobility
- Push Instastart ignition button
- Three independently adjustable burners
- Steel grease catcher
- Cast iron grate
- Lid mounted thermometer
- Lockable lid
- 3-year limited warranty
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Review:
Durable
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 grill is a complete durable grill constructed with premium quality steel. To make the steel resistant to corrosion, Coleman coated the body of this grill with paints. The interior of this grill is made with a heavy-duty cast iron cooking grate, which retains heat better.
Portable and Compact
Another interesting feature of this Coleman grill is the complete compact nature. The foldable legs make this grill compact, and easy to store or transport to tailgate sites. And to transport this grill, the two durable wheels make it quite easy. If you choose to, you can easily remove the grill from the stand and use it on a table or anywhere you want.
Cooking Performance
When it comes to cooking performance, this portable tailgate grill from Coleman features three independently controlled burners. The burners are unlike the conventional straight burners but a ring-like burner, in which you can control the outer right, outer left, and inner rings. As such, this gas grill produces up to 20,000 BTUs of heat ranging from 350 degrees Fahrenheit to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. And with the 285 square inches of cooking space, you can quickly grill enough for everyone in one session.
Additional Features
The lid of this grill is lockable making transportation easier. You also get two small side tables on this grill you can use to store tools. Apart from that, the lid-mounted temperature gauge lets you grill with more precision. Additionally, the grease management system is also fairly decent.
Warranty
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 gas grill comes with a 3-year limited warranty, which gives you confidence that this grill is quality.
- Durable construction
- Cast iron grate
- Foldable legs for easy transportation
- Lid mounted thermometer
- Paint chips easily
Conclusion
Tailgate BBQ grills, be it a tailgate gas grill or a tailgate charcoal grill, as long as you have one, it makes every tailgate experience different. Let’s be clear, the best tailgate grill is a no-frills grill. As such, you can always expect the best-grilled food from this grill.