Having the best portable grills for tailgating will surely be the best thing ever in your kitchen. The reason is that deliciously grilled meat makes a tailgate party incredibly perfect. But how to get a machine that can tick all your boxes?
Don’t worry, we are here to help you make an informed decision with a comprehensive guide. Let’s get started!
What To Look For In The Best Portable Gas Grill For Tailgating?
Size And Portability
The first thing to look for in a tailgate grill is portability. Do you know why? We bet that you do not want to bring a heavy grill when going camping. A grill must be lightweight enough so that one person can move it with minimal effort.
Therefore, you might want to consider its weight as well as how much space it will occupy carefully. The ideal weight will be no more than 15 lbs.
On top of that, we highly recommend that you opt for gas grills that offer portable features, such as wheels, handles, sliding side tables with extra foldable legs.
Most notably, portable grills come in handy, regardless of your vehicle’s size, as they offer up more space for other supplies, like food and drinks.
Material
Another important aspect you will need to consider before purchasing is the material.
There are many criteria that you ought to determine when it comes to choosing construction materials. Let’s pay attention to a lightweight yet still durable drill to use it in the outdoor environment.
Also, you had better look for such materials as enameled steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and cast aluminum. Those things will enhance your grill’s durability and toughness.
Tailgate gas grills that are made too thinly will not be able to regulate and hold heat well. Moreover, due to its outdoor usage, you should consider looking for materials that are not likely to rust and damage all those latches and hinges of the grill.
Temperature Control
On top of that, what you need to consider is temperature control as it is such a hassle to get right if you are new to gas grills. Your meat will either get burnt or undercooked. No matter how it is, we bet that you do not want it to happen.
Hence, it is a must to choose the gas grills that are equipped with temperature control. Most of the portable grills only have one burner in consideration of compactness. However, there is still a wide range of temperature controls on the market for you to pick up.
Let’s consider some gas grills off as many temperature settings as possible. It will support you to regulate how hot you want the grills to be with ease. Additionally, do not forget to pay attention to the dial to see whether it turns smoothly or not.
Cooking Space
Portable gas grills don’t offer much in terms of cooking capacity. Therefore, you should determine how many people will attend your tailgate parties first.
For a family of four people, let’s pick up the grills with 285 inches minimum of cooking surfaces. If you have more, some grills which are designed to maximize the surface areas will be the best option here. You have to keep in mind that some grills will lack warming racks due to the extra cooking space.
Grates
Here is a quick rundown about grate’s material that you should consider.
- Stainless steel is the most enjoyable material to use for grate. It is quite durable, lightweight, and easy-to-clean but still holds the temperatures well.
- Chrome-plated is the most affordable material for grate. However, it has some drawbacks, including not being resistant to rust and not retaining heat well. It is also much lighter than other grates.
- Cast iron is another ideal grate material here. It is rust-resistant, easy-to-clean, and can distribute heat evenly. Unfortunately, it is much heavier than other materials, and it can be cracked if you are not careful enough.
Grilling Power
Most grills will be based on BTU standard (British Thermal Units) to measure how intense the gas grill is. Therefore, you’d better pay attention to this consideration. The higher the BTU score, the faster the grill will heat up.
Ignition
Most gas grills are equipped with automatic ignition, enabling you to push and twist to ignite the flame simply. Hence, it is not worth picking up the old-fashioned lighting method with lighter and matches as it is rather inconvenient.
Nevertheless, if your grill’s dial is broken, do not worry too much. There will be an ignition hole on the side of the grills for you to light it manually.
Our Best Picks
If you want to consult our recommendation on the best portable gas grill for tailgating, check out this list:
Final Words
You may find it overwhelming when looking for a suitable grill in the endless options on the current market. However, rest assured that you can make an informed decision thanks to our instructions.
And hopefully, you have gained enough information about choosing the best portable gas grill for tailgating.
Do not hesitate to opt for a product and enjoy the tailgate party you have planned!
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