There’s a certain magic to cooking outdoors. It’s the sizzle of burgers at a tailgate, the scent of grilled chicken at a campsite, or the simple joy of a steak on a small apartment patio. For years, I chased this experience, but I was always met with a frustrating compromise. My large, backyard grill was a powerhouse, but it was permanently anchored to my deck. On the other end of the spectrum were the flimsy, barely-functional charcoal “portables” that were more hassle than they were worth, offering uneven heat and a lengthy cleanup. I needed something that bridged the gap—a grill that delivered a genuine, powerful cooking experience but could be packed up and brought along on any adventure. The challenge was finding a grill that didn’t sacrifice performance for portability, a common pitfall in the world of outdoor gear.
- COOKING POWER: Up to 11,000 total BTUs
- 3 ADJUSTABLE BURNERS: For optimum temperature control
What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Propane Grill
A portable propane grill is more than just a cooking appliance; it’s a key solution for unlocking culinary freedom. It’s for the adventurer who believes a weekend in the woods doesn’t mean subsisting on cold sandwiches, and for the urban dweller who wants to enjoy a proper barbecue without a sprawling backyard. The main benefit is immediate, controllable heat in a compact form. Unlike charcoal, there’s no waiting for coals to heat up and no messy ash to dispose of. You get the convenience of your home gas grill in a package you can carry with one hand and store in a car trunk or a small closet.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values mobility and convenience. This includes campers, RV enthusiasts, tailgaters, and individuals living in condos or apartments with limited outdoor space. It’s for the person who wants to grill at the park, the beach, or a friend’s house. However, it might not be suitable for those who regularly host large parties and need to cook for more than 10-15 people at once. If your primary need is a high-capacity grill for your backyard, a larger, stationary model would be a more practical and powerful alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Pay close attention to two sets of dimensions: the setup size and the folded-down size. The setup size determines your cooking station’s footprint, while the folded size dictates how easily it will fit in your car or storage space. The Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill strikes a thoughtful balance, offering a stable cooking height without demanding excessive trunk real estate when collapsed.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and cooking surface area (square inches). More BTUs generally mean faster heating and higher searing temperatures. The 11,000 BTUs of this Coleman model are distributed across a 225 sq. in. surface, which is ample for a small family or group, capable of handling about 8-10 burgers at once. Independent burner controls are a non-negotiable feature for true cooking versatility.
- Materials & Durability: Look for cast-iron grates for the best heat retention and sear marks. The grill body should be made of durable steel, but pay attention to the smaller components like latches, handles, and legs. This is often where portable grills can fail, so robust construction is paramount for a product designed to be moved frequently.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like push-button ignition (Instastart) eliminate the need for matches or lighters. A removable grease tray is absolutely essential for cleanup, especially when you’re away from home. Consider how easy the grates are to remove and clean, as this will impact your long-term satisfaction with the grill.
While the Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill is an excellent choice for portability, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- High-Heat Propane Gas BBQ Grill – This 4-burner gas grill with an additional 8,500 BTU side burner delivers a total of 46,500 BTU. Enjoy rapid...
- ❤ STAINLESS STEEL BURNERS: This propane gas grill has 3 Stainless Steel burners, can put out 30,000 BTU-per-hour with integrated piezoelectric ignition...
- Heavy-Duty Griddle Plate – Built with a 4mm thick, reinforced hot-pressed steel griddle that ensures excellent heat retention and durability. Perfect for...
First Impressions: Unboxing the RoadTrip 225
Pulling the Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill from its box, the first thing we noticed was its substantial feel. At around 35 pounds, it’s not feather-light, but it has a reassuring heft that suggests it’s more than just a flimsy piece of sheet metal. Assembly was straightforward, a sentiment echoed by many users. A crucial tip we can confirm from experience: look for the hardware. It’s often taped securely inside one of the styrofoam packing pieces, a clever shipping method that has led some users to mistakenly think it’s missing. The iconic Coleman red lid is vibrant, and the quick-fold legs snap into place with a satisfying click. The initial impression is one of thoughtful design focused entirely on getting you from packed to grilling in minutes. The side table slides on easily, and the cast iron grates feel ready for business. It immediately looks and feels like a serious piece of cooking equipment, just in a smaller, more mobile package.
What We Like
- Excellent portability with an easy-to-use folding leg and wheel system.
- Heats up quickly and provides reasonably even heat for its size.
- Two independently controlled burners offer great temperature versatility.
- Instastart push-button ignition works reliably.
- Sufficient cooking space (225 sq. in.) for small groups and families.
Potential Drawbacks
- Widespread reports of questionable build quality and durability issues.
- Design flaw prevents rolling the grill while it is standing upright.
- Lacks a built-in thermometer for precise temperature monitoring.
Performance Deep Dive: Putting the RoadTrip 225 to the Test
A grill’s true worth is revealed not on the showroom floor, but over a bed of hot grates with food on the line. We put the Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill through its paces over several weeks, taking it from the backyard patio to a local park to see if its performance lived up to its portable promise. We cooked everything from classic burgers and hot dogs to thick-cut steaks and delicate chicken breasts to understand its strengths and expose its weaknesses.
Portability and Design: The “RoadTrip” Promise
This is where the Coleman RoadTrip 225 truly shines and, simultaneously, reveals its most peculiar quirk. The core design is brilliant. To set it up, you lay the grill on its back, unfold the legs until they lock, and then lift it into its standing position. The entire process takes less than a minute. Collapsing it is just as simple, and once folded, it pulls like a small piece of luggage on its two sturdy wheels. We found it easy to lift in and out of a car trunk, and it stores vertically to save precious garage or closet space. This ease of transport is a game-changer for spontaneous trips.
However, we quickly confirmed a baffling design choice noted by other users. You cannot move the grill using the handle and wheels while it is in the upright, standing position. Attempting to do so causes the leg-locking mechanism to disengage, and the entire grill will start to collapse. The wheels are exclusively for transporting it when it’s fully folded down. This is a significant inconvenience if you just need to shift its position a few feet on your patio or campsite. Furthermore, we encountered some stiffness in the folding mechanism, and we can see how, as one user reported, forcing it could potentially bend the leg braces. While the concept is A+, the execution has some frustrating limitations that you must learn to work around.
Cooking Performance: Power and Precision
With 11,000 BTUs spread across two independent burners, the Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill offers a surprising amount of cooking power for its class. The Instastart ignition fired up on the first push every single time. The grill heats up remarkably fast; we were ready to cook in under five minutes. For direct-heat grilling of items like burgers, sausages, and thinner cuts of meat, it performs admirably. We were able to achieve a decent sear and nice grill marks, thanks to the cast-iron grates which do an excellent job of retaining heat.
The dual-burner control is fantastic, allowing you to create two distinct heat zones. We could sear steaks on high on one side while gently warming buns on low on the other. However, we did notice some unevenness in the heat, with the back of the grill running hotter than the front. This is common in portable grills and is easily managed by rotating your food. The most significant omission is a built-in lid thermometer. This makes precision temperature control for anything beyond basic grilling a guessing game. You can purchase an aftermarket grill thermometer, but it’s a feature we feel should be standard. We also confirmed what some users felt: while it gets hot, it struggles to reach the scorching temperatures of a full-size grill, making a deep, crusty sear on a thick ribeye a bit more challenging. The removable water pan is a genius feature, catching grease to prevent flare-ups and making cleanup significantly easier. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in the field.
Assembly and Durability: A Mixed Bag of Quality Control
Our assembly experience was smooth, taking about 20 minutes from unboxing to first ignition. As mentioned, the hardware was present, just cleverly hidden in the packaging. The main components feel solid—the grill body, the legs, and the grates seem built to last. However, the user reviews point to a troubling pattern of quality control issues, and it’s a critical aspect to discuss. Numerous reports cite problems straight out of the box, including broken side table arms, chipped paint, and even rusted or broken connections between the grill and the stand. One user noted the lid rivets came loose after just two trips.
While our test unit was structurally sound, we did notice that the main closing latch felt a bit flimsy, made of thin metal that could easily be bent. Some users have reported their grill won’t close or lock properly with the grates inside, a major flaw for a portable unit. It seems there is a significant variance in manufacturing quality, creating a “luck of the draw” scenario for customers. This is deeply disappointing for a product from a trusted brand like Coleman. The grill comes with a 3-year limited warranty, but this is only valuable if the customer service is responsive, which at least one user found to be a challenge. Our advice is to purchase from a retailer with a straightforward return policy and inspect every component meticulously upon arrival.
What Other Users Are Saying
Sifting through dozens of user experiences reveals a very clear and consistent story. On the positive side, owners universally praise the core concept of the Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill. People love its portability, with one user stating it’s “Easy to fold and go or simply put away in the garage!” Another found it “Perfect for me and my small patio.” The quick heating and general cooking ability for everyday meals are also frequently mentioned as strong points.
However, the praise is often tempered by significant criticism of build quality. The negative feedback forms a distinct pattern. Multiple users reported receiving units that were damaged in the box, with broken feet, shelves, or rusted parts. “Bought it new, the connection between the grill and the stand was completely rusted and broken,” one frustrated customer wrote. Another pointed out a critical issue where the “rivets that attached the red top of the grill we’re lose on our second camping trip.” These issues go beyond minor cosmetic flaws and point to potential systemic problems in manufacturing or quality assurance that can render the grill unusable.
How Does the Coleman RoadTrip 225 Compare to the Alternatives?
The portable grill market is competitive. While the Coleman RoadTrip 225 has a strong legacy, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against other options that might better suit your specific needs.
1. Captiva Designs 22 in 3-Burner Propane Grill
- 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐧: Experience nonstick goodion, ensuring your meals...
- 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧: Cooking made simple, cleanup made easier. Thle slideout gerease cup making used cooking oil and food...
The Captiva Designs grill is a direct competitor in the portable space but takes a different approach with its flat-top griddle design. With a whopping 24,000 BTUs across three burners, it offers significantly more power and heat control than the Coleman. This makes it a superior choice for cooking things like bacon, eggs, pancakes, and smash burgers. If your ideal outdoor cooking involves more breakfast duty and less traditional grilling, this griddle is a fantastic alternative. However, you will lose the classic grill grates for getting those signature sear marks on a steak.
2. Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Grill
- Up to 11,000 BTUs of grilling power and 225 sq. In. cooking area
- 2 adjustable burners for precise temperature control
This is, essentially, the exact same grill head as the model we reviewed, but without the integrated folding stand. This tabletop version is an excellent alternative for someone who wants to save a bit of money and space and already has a reliable surface to cook on, like a campsite picnic table or a sturdy folding table. It offers the identical cooking performance—11,000 BTUs, 225 sq. in. surface, and dual burners—in a more compact, lighter package. If you don’t need the all-in-one convenience of the stand, this is a more practical and economical choice.
3. EUHOME 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner
- High-Heat Propane Gas BBQ Grill – This 4-burner gas grill with an additional 8,500 BTU side burner delivers a total of 46,500 BTU. Enjoy rapid...
- Spacious Cooking Area for Gatherings – With 458 sq. in. of total space, including 332.28 sq. in. main grilling area and 125.28 sq. in. warming rack, this...
The EUHOME grill represents the other end of the spectrum. This is not a portable grill; it is a full-size backyard powerhouse. With 46,500 BTUs, four main burners, and an additional side burner, it’s designed for feeding a crowd and staying put on your patio. We include it here as a reality check: if your primary grilling location is your home and portability is only a rare “nice-to-have,” you would be far better served by a larger, more powerful, and more durable stationary grill like this one. It’s a completely different class of product for a different type of user.
The Final Verdict: Is the Coleman RoadTrip 225 Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Propane Grill is one of qualified recommendation. The design concept is exceptional. It offers a fantastic blend of portability, quick setup, and respectable cooking power that perfectly serves the needs of campers, tailgaters, and small-space dwellers. When you get a good one, it’s a joy to use and truly enables you to have a great grilling experience anywhere.
However, the significant and widely-reported issues with build quality and manufacturing consistency cannot be ignored. The flimsy latch, the collapsing-stand issue, and the alarming number of users receiving damaged products are serious red flags. We recommend this grill to those who prioritize portability above all else and are willing to risk the potential hassle of a return or warranty claim. If you decide to buy, we strongly urge you to inspect it thoroughly upon arrival. For the adventurer who wants to grill on the go and is prepared for that possibility, the RoadTrip 225 delivers on its promise of freedom. If that sounds like you, you can check its current price and get one for your next adventure today.
Last update on 2025-11-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API