Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill Review
July 6, 2010 by admin
The Coleman Road Trip grill is unlike other portable propane grills, which are relatively petite and designed for tabletop use - it is a full-sized grill accompanied by collapsible scissor legs that make it perfect for both travel and tabletop grilling.
When folded up, the grill measures 36 x 22 x 13 inches (width x height x depth), and is equipped with two burners, which are independently controlled for even heating and precise temperature management and lit with an Instastart electronic ignition, to provide a heat output of 10,000 BTU. Its 285 square inch cooking area makes it the ideal size for a small cookout party.
The cast iron cooking grates of the grill are designed for the best temperature conduction and are resistant to warping, while the porcelain coating makes them easy to clean. The twin burners easily heat the manageably sized cooking area, promising fast, even grilling.
Making prep work easy and convenient for the cook on the go, Coleman has included two side tables for extra storage/preparation space. These slide under the grill when everything is packed up, so there's no worry of hinges breaking off during travel.
Outsized Heat Output for Fast Grilling
Although rather powerful for a portable grill, an output rating of 10,000 BTU still seems modest on paper. However, more than one review discovered that it was more than sufficient when it came to grilling a well-seared steak. The open-flame cooking concept of the grill meant that heating it on "medium" heat for 10 minutes with the lid down provided more than enough heat (500 degrees Fahrenheit) for those all-important sear marks and enough residual heat for even, thorough cooking. One observation, in addition to the fact that the grill was quick to light, was that this portable grill cooked faster than a larger gas grill.
The Coleman is also ideal for small backyard barbecues, as cooks have found that they could fit up to twelve hot dogs fit perfectly in between the slats of the cooking grate. Moderation is the name of the game where the Coleman is concerned, as cooks found that leaving the food to cook on medium with the lid down is the key to tasty food that is caramelized and crisp on the outside, and remains tender and juicy on the inside.
A Great Camping Companion
The design of the grill was praised in more than one review. The Coleman Road Trip's compact size made it easy to pack, store and transport quickly. Additionally, it also cools quickly, allowing travellers to pack it up after a meal is finished. Not a single review mentioned the issue of flare-ups that can crop up with open flame grilling - the cooking grate was such that it prevented grease and dripping from falling directly onto the burners, thus preventing flare-ups or clogging while still being close enough to the burners to conduct sufficient heat for quick, even cooking.
Can Be Too Hot To Handle
There is a danger of melting the handles and burning food when cooking on the "high" heat setting. One review suggested that the "high" heat setting should be used only with the optional burner or griddle attachments, which would necessitate open lid cooking anyway.
For other cooks, the grill may conduct heat too well, or the plastic used for the side tables isn't sufficiently heat-resistant. The side tables can become warped or melted if they remain under the grill while cooking is conducted. Thus, the tables need to be extended in order to prevent this.
Other gas grills to consider:
