I wanted a small grill that I could use for trips, tailgates, and quick meals. I spent time with the Coleman RoadTrip 225 and found it easy to use in many common grill jobs. Its two burners give me more control than many small grills. If you want a compact gas grill for camping or outdoor meals, this one is worth a look.
Product Review
The Coleman RoadTrip 225 is a small propane grill made for outdoor use. It has two burners and up to 11,000 BTUs of heat. The cooking area is 225 square inches. That gives me enough room for a meal for a small group without taking up the space of a large grill.
I like the two-burner setup most when I cook more than one type of food. I can set one side higher and keep the other side lower. This gives me a simple way to manage food that needs different heat.
The push-button ignition is also handy. I do not need to use a match to start the grill. Coleman calls this the Instastart system. The grill uses a 1-pound propane cylinder, which I need to buy on its own.
The grill comes ready to use. I do not have to spend a long time putting it together. That is useful when I want to cook soon after getting to a campsite or outdoor spot.
The cooking area is not huge, but I think that is fair for a small grill. I can cook burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks, and some vegetables. For a big family meal, though, I would want more space.
Cleaning is helped by the removable water pan. It catches grease and food drops below the grill. I find this useful after a meal since it keeps some mess away from the main grill body.
One thing I would keep in mind is the weight. The tabletop model weighs 27.6 pounds. It is not the kind of grill I would want to carry far by hand.
The tabletop model also has no built-in thermometer, no side table, and no folding legs or wheels. So I need a safe table or other firm place to set it up.
For me, the best part is the mix of size and heat control. The grill is small enough for travel, yet it still gives me two heat zones. That makes it more useful than a very small one-burner grill.
What I Like
- Two heat zones: I like being able to use a high and low heat area at the same time. This helps when I cook foods with different needs.
- Easy start: The push-button start saves me from using a match. It makes the first step of grilling feel quick and simple.
- Good cooking space for its size: The 225-square-inch area works well for small meals. I do not need a large grill for a few burgers or hot dogs.
- Simple clean-up: The water pan catches grease and can be removed. That gives me less mess to deal with after cooking.
- Ready for outdoor trips: Its small design fits the needs of camping, tailgates, parks, and other outdoor meals.
What Could Be Better
- It is still fairly heavy: At 27.6 pounds, the tabletop model is not ideal for long walks from the car to a far campsite.
- No built-in thermometer: I have to judge the heat in other ways. A built-in gauge would make cooking easier for some meals.
- No stand or wheels: I need a strong table or other safe base. This adds one more thing to think about when I pack for a trip.
My Personal Experience with Coleman RoadTrip 225
When I use a small grill, I want less fuss. I do not want a long setup before I can cook. The RoadTrip 225 fits that need well because it comes fully assembled.
For a simple burger meal, I like the size. I can place several burgers on the grate without bringing a full-size backyard grill. The 225-square-inch area gives me enough room for a small meal.
I also like having two burners during longer meals. I can use one area for food that needs more heat and another for food that needs less. This gives me more control than a basic single-burner grill.
For hot dogs and burgers, I find the grill easy to manage. These foods do not need a complex cooking setup. I can focus on the food instead of changing many settings.
For steak, the heat control is more useful. I can keep one part of the grill ready for a hotter cook and move food when needed. That gives me more room to work with a small grill.
For chicken, I like having a lower heat area. Chicken can take more time than a burger. A second heat zone lets me move food away from the hottest part when I need to.
For vegetables, the smaller cooking area can be a plus. I do not need to heat a huge grill for a small tray of food. The two burners also let me keep one area at a different heat level.
For tailgating, the size can work well if I have a good place to set it. I would plan the grill spot before I leave home. The tabletop model does not have folding legs or wheels.
For camping, I like the propane setup. I do not need charcoal or wood to make a fire. The 1-pound propane bottle is also easy to understand and use. I would still pack extra fuel for a longer trip.
After cooking, the water pan helps with the mess. Grease and food drops can collect there. I like being able to remove the pan rather than trying to clean a hard-to-reach spot inside the grill.
The one thing I would plan around is the weight. I would keep this grill close to my car or on a stable outdoor table. I would not choose it for a trip where I need to carry gear over a long distance.
Overall, my main takeaway is simple: the RoadTrip 225 works best when I want real grill control in a smaller outdoor setup.
Comparing With Other Brands
I have also looked at small propane grills from brands such as Weber. The Weber Q1200 is another well-known portable gas grill. It is often seen as a strong option for people who want a small grill with good cooking results.
Coleman RoadTrip 225 vs Weber Q1200
For heat control, I prefer the Coleman when I want two separate burner zones. That setup gives me more room to cook foods at different heat levels. The Coleman has two adjustable burners and up to 11,000 BTUs.
For cooking space, the Coleman gives me 225 square inches. That is a useful size for a small family meal. It is still much smaller than a large home grill, so I would not pick it for a big cookout.
For travel, both types make sense for people who want propane instead of charcoal. My choice would depend on how I plan to carry the grill and where I will use it.
For easy clean-up, the Coleman has a removable water pan. That feature stands out to me because it gives grease and food drops a place to collect.
For simple outdoor use, I think the Coleman makes the most sense for someone who wants two burners in a compact grill. If I cared more about a different size or carry style, I would compare more models before buying.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Coleman RoadTrip 225 to someone who wants a small propane grill for camping, tailgating, park meals, or a compact outdoor cooking setup. The two burners are the main reason I would choose it over a very basic portable grill.
I think it fits best for one or two people, couples, and small families. The 225-square-inch cooking area gives enough room for normal meals without making the grill as large as a full backyard unit.
I would do more research if I needed a grill that was very light to carry. I would also look at other models if I wanted wheels, a stand, or a built-in thermometer.
For a USA buyer, the propane setup is simple. The grill is made for a 1-pound propane cylinder, and that fuel is sold separately. I would make sure I have the right fuel before a camping or tailgate trip.
My pick would be the RoadTrip 225 for someone who values easy heat control more than ultra-light travel. It is a good fit when the grill will stay close to the car, table, campsite, or outdoor cooking spot.
FAQs for Coleman RoadTrip 225 Portable Propane Grill
Is the Coleman RoadTrip 225 good for camping?
Yes, I think it can be a good camping grill when you have a safe, firm place to set it. It has two burners, 225 square inches of cooking space, and up to 11,000 BTUs.
How many burners does the Coleman RoadTrip 225 have?
The Coleman RoadTrip 225 has two adjustable burners. I like this setup because it lets me use different heat levels on each side of the grill.
How much heat does the Coleman RoadTrip 225 produce?
The grill has up to 11,000 BTUs of grilling power. That gives it enough heat for common foods such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and steaks.
What propane tank does the Coleman RoadTrip 225 use?
The tabletop model uses a 1-pound propane cylinder, also listed as a 16.4-ounce cylinder. The cylinder is sold separately.
Is the Coleman RoadTrip 225 easy to clean?
I find the cleaning setup simple for a portable grill. The water pan catches grease and can be removed. This helps reduce the mess left under the cooking area.
Does the Coleman RoadTrip 225 have a thermometer?
No. The tabletop model does not have a built-in thermometer. I would keep that in mind if you like to check the grill temperature with a built-in gauge.
Is the Coleman RoadTrip 225 easy to carry?
It is portable, but I would not call it light. The tabletop model weighs 27.6 pounds and has no folding legs or wheels. I think it works best when I only need to move it a short distance.
Conclusion
The Coleman RoadTrip 225 is a compact propane grill with two burners and 225 square inches of cooking space. I like its simple start, useful heat control, and removable water pan.
I think it is best for small outdoor meals, camping trips, tailgates, and people who want a grill that takes less space than a full-size model. The weight and lack of wheels are the main things I would consider before buying.
For my needs, the two-burner design is the biggest plus. If you want a small propane grill with more control than a basic one-burner model, the Coleman RoadTrip 225 is a solid option to consider.