One of the biggest pains of cooking on the go is finding a grill or BBQ that’s big enough to do everything you want it to do – while still being light enough to slot it into your car on a whim. Thankfully, the grilling gurus at Coleman are ready to propose a brilliant solution.
The RoadTrip 285 is a portable cooking companion for people to use on holidays and vacations, weekends away and more. Compact and powerful, it’s great for – well – the name of the product says it all – road trips. It’s also superb for use in your garden, back yard and even on your balcony.
This fold up griller unit is easy to build, transport and use – it’s earned great reviews from novice cooks and has even been praised by experienced chefs! That might be to do with its amazing power potential, or that you have three burners at your beck and call whenever you need them. The wheels for easy movement certainly won’t hurt, either.
Quite simply, if you are thinking of self-catering away from home, or need added flexibility to cook outdoors, this is a solidly made grill that’s well worth considering! Read on and perhaps we can help you decide if this is the one for you!
Specifications and Essential Facts
- Manufacturer: Coleman
- Fuel: Propane Gas (canisters sold separately)
- Build: Porcelain covered, cast iron grill grates
- Weight: 41.5lbs
- Power: Up to 20,000 BTU
- Grill Dimensions: 30.25 inches x 19.19 inches x 16.13 inches, 285 sq. inch grilling area
- Added Features: Push button ignition, internal thermometer, two wheels
- Burners: 3
What are the Best Features / Main Selling Points of the Coleman RoadTrip 285?
First of all, everything you need to get started is right here in the box – barring the propane cylinder, which you’ll need to come by separately. It is super easy to assemble and flexible to place conveniently in storage whenever you want it.
The fold-up legs are nice and smooth, allowing you to easily pop-up and start cooking on the go. It’s impressively lightweight, too, meaning you shouldn’t have much of a headache moving it from points A to B.
Checking temperatures is an absolute breeze thanks to the in-built thermometer. This is a great aid if you spend a lot of time waiting around for the juices to run clear. It also saves you having to buy an additional meat thermometer – the RoadTrip 285 simply lets you know when you’re good to go.
Three burners offer a lot of versatility – and that’s a great number of cooking surfaces for a grill this size and weight. That means cooking up meat, vegetables and sauces is nice and easy – grab a pan or grill up veggies as you desire. SwapTop technology from Coleman lets you switch out different cooking platforms to change up different parts of the same meal.
The sliding tables really do help to make serving easy – this seems to be a feature that’s appearing more and more in modern grills, and despite the relatively small size of this machine, there’s stacks of elbow room. I don’t know a single chef that wouldn’t be pleased with that.
The main selling point of the RoadTrip 285, then, is likely to be its ‘plug and play’ factor. You can pretty much pop up the grill, swap in the surface you prefer, and cook an entire dinner in one sitting. It’s like having your own outdoor kitchen at your command. However, we do recommend you arm yourself with a couple of propane bottles just in case.
What are the Benefits of Using the RoadTrip 285?
As explored above, the RoadTrip 285 all but ensures pop-up cooking providing you’ve got propane ready to go. It’s amazingly lightweight which means you can swiftly pack it up and take it with you to the beach, the campsite and elsewhere.
Fans of the RoadTrip 285 also make a point of saying how quick and easy the grill platforms and the unit itself are to wipe down. That means you won’t have to spend hours getting nasty burned-on bits out of various nooks and crannies.
Another huge benefit of using the 285 lies in its adaptability. You can scale it up and add extra features as you go. For example, you might want to invest in a scraper and brusher kit to make sure that your surfaces are always clean and clear. These tools tend to be very well rated by users and Coleman enthusiasts.
Speaking of adaptability, the RoadTrip 285 also benefits massively from its own cover, available in three different sizes. You can choose from waterproof and heavy duty covers to ensure that your equipment stays safe in the rain – and that it’s not going to take any damage along the way. It’s not crucial to invest in these covers, but it’s probably a good idea to help prolong the life of your grill.
You’ll also benefit from the Coleman branding and guarantee. This is a grill and BBQ manufacturer that offers an amazing array of different systems and standards, meaning if the RoadTrip 285 doesn’t quite fit your exact needs, you can be sure there are other options. That said, you’re probably going to invest in the 285 if you’re focused on flexible, portable grilling come what may.
Does the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Have Any Drawbacks?
Impressively, there appears to be very little to disappoint users and potential customers – the general feeling about the 285 is that it does all it promises to an amazing standard.
One issue that a minority of users raise about this grill is the durability of the kit. That is, a few customers note that handles may have fallen off their equipment. This may be as a result of poor fixings, however, it’s worth remembering that Coleman offers a generous warranty with the RoadTrip 285 just in case.
Ultimately, complaints regarding the RoadTrip 285 are thus far pretty rare. The customer service team at Coleman is friendly and responsive, too, meaning if you do ever have a problem with their portable cooking equipment, you can be sure they’ll help you as best they can.
Conclusion – Should I Buy the Coleman RoadTrip 285?
You should absolutely invest in the Coleman RoadTrip 285 if you’re likely to hit the road regularly, cooking as you go – there’s a ton of space in this mighty little machine, and when all is said and done, you shouldn’t have to do too much to clean up afterwards.
Coleman is also a brilliant brand that I really do recommend. There are a few concerns over build quality in some cases, but these – thankfully – appear to be uncommon. I have no qualms in recommending this grill with the warranty and customer service backing.
If you are looking for a portable cooking appliance offering versatility, sound construction and with generally great customer ratings to indicate it is valued by experienced users, this could be for you!
The three independently operated burners and good sized grill mean you can cook a variety of ingredients simultaneously, and with a reliable built-in ignition and thermometer to use once cooking is underway, you’re well on your way to a delicious, well-cooked meal.
