The 4 Best Grills For Tailgating in 2022
The Best Grills for Tailgating, That Are Light and Powerful
Spoiler Alert: The BBQube BBQ-KGO-1 is my winner!
There is always something nice about the fall. The crisp, cool air. The long sleeves, jeans, boots, Pumpkin Spice Late's (PSL), and of course...FOOTBALL! Half the fun of attending ANY major sporting event is hanging out in the parking lot beforehand, socializing with friends and cooking up good food, and that's why a tailgating grill is a must-have for any sports fan.
It doesn't matter if you are partial to propane, pellets, or charcoal, there's many options when it comes to portable, powerful grills to bring to the games. These grills give you the advantage of having great barbecue like tailgate steaks, dogs and burgers, and other tailgating recipes. It can also be done with minimal space in the back of your truck! "But Mark, I don't have a truck," is something you might say to me; BUT DON'T WORRY, I GOT YOU! These have stands as well!
So, without further ado, here are the four best grills for tailgating this season:
Best Overall: BBQube BBQ-KGO-1
First off, this grill comes with everything that you would need when it comes to a tailgating grill. It is portable, heavy duty, and keeps VERY even temps.
Specs of the Grill
Weight: 30lbs
Grillestate: 275 sq in.
Fuel Type: Charcoal
Dimensions: 24.5 x 18 x 15 inches
Price: $459.99
What I Like About It:
- Premium design and build with all stainless steel.
- Has the efficiency of a Kamado with it's double-walled insulation.
- Portable
- Comes with side shelves, leg extensions, and a temperature control system.
- Tilted heat deflector that also acts as a drip pan.
- Clean out ash drawer.
- Four dampers for ultimate temperature control.
What I Don't Like About It:
- Poor quality latches.
- Heat deflector has sharp edges.
- A cut out in the heat deflector for grease seems unnecessary.
There will always be a few pros and cons when it comes to different things, as there is not one perfect thing for everyone. What I do love about this grill is the quality of the construction, the ease of use, and the ability to bring it anywhere. I own this grill personally and know the durability of it. I have cooked burgers, dogs, and even wings (see tailgating recipe link above). They all cooked well and I had even burn and smoke on each cook. This is why this grill gets the "Best Overall" in my opinion. Below is a video review I did on the grill.
Best Propane Grill: Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill
If you are on the hunt for a propane grill that will be the envy of the tailgate, look no further than the Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill.
Specs of the Grill
Weight: 43.5lbs
Grillestate: 280 sq in
Fuel Type: Propane
Dimensions: 51.4 x 19.5 x 15.5 inches
Price: $335.00
What I Like About It:
- Easy to set up, almost too easy.
- For the size of the grill, it has a very spacious amount of grillestate (cooking surface).
- Porcelain enameled cast iron grates.
- Heavy duty side tables with a spacious amount of room.
What I don't Like About it:
- The grill is on the heavier side of the portable grills, and can be cumbersome when carrying around.
- The catch pan does not seem to fit properly on my grill, but this seems to be a common theme amongst reviewers.
This grill runs on disposable liquid propane that do not come with the grill. What I loved, when cooking on mine for this test, is that is has a solid amount of features that are usually reserved for full-sized grills. It has a push ignition, a dome thermometer, and a light weight cast aluminum body. This grill can pump out a max of 12,000 BTUs per hour, and that is something to celebrate.
Best Budget Grill: Weber Go-Anywhere
If you only make it to a few games a year, and you want to still tailgate during those times, a budget grill is the way to go.
Specs of the Grill
Weight: 13.45lbs
Grillestate: 160 sq in.
Fuel Type: Charcoal or Propane (for upgraded price)
Dimensions: 11.5"D x 19.5"W x 15"H
Price: $71.00
What I Like About It:
- Budget friendly.
- Legs lock in place during transport.
- Light-weight and very portable.
What I Don't Like About It:
- Limited size.
- Lacks true power
- Steel grates are hard to clean.
This affordable grill really is ready to go-anywhere. Coming from one of the most trusted names in the grilling industry, this grill has most of the features you need for a tailgating experience.
In my testing, I was able to fit six half pound burgers on the grates. The charcoals spread out evenly and I was able to control the temp from the dampers in the top of the lid. Overall, this grill is a great budget-friendly addition to the tailgating experience.
My buddy, John Setzler of Man Cave Meals, has a GREAT video on this product. check it out below!
Best Design: Nomad Grill and Smoker
To be fair, this is one grill I have not been able to test. However, just from what I have seen online, I can tell there is quality in this grill and it's simplistic design. It also comes in two modes: grill mode or smoke mode.
Specs of the Grill
Grill Mode
Weight: 31lbs (with second optional grate)
Grillestate: 425 sq in.
Fuel Type: Charcoal
Dimensions: 20.5"x27.5"x9.5" (open)
Smoke Mode
Weight: 28lbs (with one grate)
Grillestate: 212 sq in.
Fuel Type: Charcoal
Dimensions: 20.5"x15"x9.5" (closed - includes handle)
Price: $649.00
What I Like About It:
- Built with aircraft alloy for durability.
- Stainless steel magnetic grates.
- Easy to read temperature gauge.
- Separate inside and outer layers to keep the outer shell temperature low.
What I Don't Like About It:
- Price. That's all that needs to be said.
I have only seen these in person on display, I have never seen one cook. From the feel of it, it is a VERY high quality grill (and the price reflects that). It is cool how it has two different styles of cooking with the smoke mode and grill mode. It is essentially a transformer. The design is beautiful and simple. You look at it and think a barbecue briefcase sounds stupid...but is actually what every barbecue enthusiast wants. the ability to cook steak anywhere. Below is a review on the grill.
What to Look For in a Tailgating Grill
Portability
Tailgating takes place, typically, in a parking lot or near by camp ground. Lugging around a heavy grill is never easy and makes the grilling/ tailgating experience not as fun. Since you are brining a grill to the big game, it should be light-weight and easy to set up. This is one of the biggest key factors when looking for a tailgating grill.
Fuel Type
This one is really on personal preference. I prefer charcoal to gas, I just believe it imparts a better flavor. Gas is easier to use and easier to set up or take down. If you are cramming a bunch of people into the car, charcoal might not be the way to go, as you will have limited space. At the end of the day, this one is totally up to the tailgating party.
Ease of Cleaning
Once you're finished tailgating, the last thing you're going to want to do is a 10-step cleaning routine on your grill. Instead, look for a grill that offers fast and easy clean-up, which will allow you to get into the stadium ASAP.
I hope this article was helpful. This is all my own opinion, and wanted to share some details about some grills that I like. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and buy some merch! 10% of ALL sales go towards ASD research in honor of both my sons, who are on the spectrum.
Make sure you eat well and do good! See you next time.
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