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Review: Coleman RoadTrip Grill LX

Coleman Roadtrip LX Propane Grill
Coleman Roadtrip LX
Reviewed By: Josh Klassen
Our Rating:
4/5 stars

The Coleman RoadTrip LX has so much going for it. This is one of the earlier versions, but like all RoadTrip grills, it was designed to be very portable while cooking like a dream.

Not only is it compact and easy to store, but it is also very easy to set up.

This grill is ideal for camping and tailgating. It also works well in colder climates and in high altitudes.

It can also cook a wide variety of meals. If you want to cook typical bbq fare such as steaks and burgers, the LX can handle it.

But why limit yourself to just that when you can create lovely meals any time of day? Can this grill really handle it all?

 

About The RoadTrip LX

Features

My favorite feature is the interchangeable cooking plates that you can mix and match. This means that no matter where you intend on using it, you have plenty of meal options. The unit itself comes with a half-size grill grate and a half-size griddle plate, but full sizes of each are available separately. Stove plates for pots and frying pans are also available.

Another feature that I like is the size of the cooking surface. At 285 square inches, it’s very large for a portable grill – even comparable with some standard sized grills.

But a grill of that size wouldn’t mean anything if it didn’t cook well. This grill features two large and independently controlled burners with enough heat (10,000 BTU’s each!) to sear your steaks in record time on one side while your tin foil covered potatoes slowly roast on the other. It’s also designed to distribute heat evenly, which means that everything will cook properly.

Other Noteworthy Features

  • Removable lid allows for cooking with big stock pots
  • Setting up and tearing down takes seconds
  • Includes a water pan to collect drippings to help keep your grill clean
  • Stand includes telescopic legs that retract and fold in

 

What’s Included?

The Coleman LX 9941-768 includes:

  • Grill
  • Stand with telescopic legs and height adjustable feet
  • Two side shelves that connect to the stand
  • Propane regulator that fits 16.4 oz LP bottles
  • One half-size grill grate
  • One half-size griddle grate

 

Initial Assembly

There is a little bit of assembly, but it isn’t at all difficult.

The stove is already assembled and ready to go, but stand does need to be put together. Fortunately, the instructions are very clear and anyone could have it together in five minutes or less.

The Regulator is a separate piece. You need to attach it to the propane bottle before placing in its correct spot on the grill.

 

Dimensions and Weight

Fully assembled and ready-for-use dimensions are 36”H x 50”L x 19”W.

The stand and grill together weigh 41 lbs, but the grill itself weighs 24 lbs.

 

Fuel Sources

The Coleman RoadTrip LX Grill is designed to use 16.4oz disposable liquid propane bottles.

Don’t like the though of wasting money on expensive disposable bottles? Plan on using this grill regularly?

Consider picking up the regulator and hose adaptor for refillable tanks. It will cost a little now, but you will make it back by the time you empty your first 20lb cylinder.

 

Warranty

A limited 5 year warranty is included with the purchase of this grill. This warranty covers defective materials and workmanship. Keep your receipt, and if you run into any problems, get in touch with Coleman directly.

You should also know that Coleman sells a variety of replacement parts as well. If your grill needs a part that isn’t covered by the warranty, there is a good chance that you will be able to replace the part.

 

Available Accessories

There are several accessories available for this model that can help you cook better, save on fuel expenses and to protect your grill. Read more about Coleman RoadTrip Grill Accessories to see what you can do with this and other RoadTrip grills.

 

Specifications Overview

Coleman RoadTrip Grill LX Specifications Overview
You can also take a look at the Product Manual: Click to View (opens in new window)

 

In-Depth Review:

How Portable Is It?

Though it may be quite large as far as portable grills go, the stand does fold up very neatly underneath the body. The grill has built in handles on the side as well as a lock on the lid to make it a little easier to carry it around. These design features make it very convenient to store.

Though the entire unit is very compact when it is collapsed, it still may be a little heavy for some. Both the stand and the grill together weigh in at 41 lbs, which wouldn’t work well for hiking. To help you move it from one point to another, a wheeled carrying case is available separately.

A way to make it a little lighter is to leave the stand at home or carry it separately. The grill on its own is only 24 lbs, which wouldn’t be too difficult for most people to carry around.

Overall, I would consider this grill to be quite portable, though the weight does take away from it.

A condensed view of how to set up the RoadTrip LX

 

Cooking Capabilities

As I previously noted, what you can do with the Coleman RoadTrip LX is really what makes it stand out from any comparable grill available.

When was the last time you saw a portable grill that could cook pancakes and sausages at the same time? How about steaks with grilled mushrooms and onions? Or that pot of chili that you love to make from scratch?

You can see where I’m going here – there isn’t anything else like it. It’s easily the most versatile grill available when it comes to what you can cook.

View of the griddle on one side and grill plate on the other

Another nice feature is that each of the two burners has its own control knob. This means you can have a different cooking temperatures on each side.

The only downside is that the lid is really shallow. With a very high heat output of 10,000 BTU’s per burner, grilling with the lid down must be done with strict supervision.

Close-up of burner controls and ignition

 

Cleanup and Storage

How to cleanThere are very few issues with cleaning a RoadTrip LX.

The grill and griddle grates are dishwasher safe, which I really like – though when out camping, you don’t exactly have a dishwasher to rely on. In that case, washing the grates in warm, soapy water with a soft cloth is recommended. Some have stated that to get all of the food debris off of the grates, placing a paper towel soaked in water on the grate while it’s still warm will help get them clean.

If that doesn’t work, pick up a sponge with an abrasive side to help remove residue. Make sure it’s safe to use with non-stick surfaces!

The body of the unit is easily cleaned with a soft cloth and some soapy water as well. Make sure to be careful not to clog the burner holes with any sort of debris as that will cause problems. If you do find any clogged burner holes, brush them out immediately.

But cleaning the water pan / grease tray is a bit of a disgusting job for some. Others appreciate why Coleman included it in the design and have no problems with it as they find it keeps food a little more moist.

Warning:
It is important to empty and clean the water pan after every use. Failing to do so will cause grease to build up that could catch on fire.

 

Quality

I know when I spend a few bucks on a portable grill, I want to know that it has a sturdy feel to it and will last me. The Coleman RoadTrip LX does have some points for and against it, but overall, I would consider it to be of moderately high quality. Just make sure that you clean it properly and don’t store it in a place where it will be in contact with water or high humidity, and it will last for years to come.

Also, note that the base and lid aren’t made out of a heavy cast material, though it is a pretty heavy gauge steel. This means that it is a little lighter than you might expect, but I feel that anything heavier would take away from its ability to pack up and go.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It’s very large while remaining portable
  • You can cook practically anything with mix-and-match cooking grates
  • Very hot and even cooking

Cons

  • Can be difficult to get level
  • Some people don’t enjoy cleaning out the water pan
  • Not much room under the lid, making it useless for cooking
  • Can be awkward to carry around without buying a carrying case

 

Ratings and Recommendations

Consumer Ratings

The Coleman RoadTrip Grill LX has enjoyed a very high customer rating, leaving the majority of customers completely satisfied with it. This alone makes it a pretty safe choice.

Coleman LX customer reviews from several sources

But, as with anything else, there were a very small amount of customers that were not completely satisfied. Most of the complaints were from people who didn’t know how to operate it properly, or didn’t like the water pan that oddly enough others rave about.

Still others didn’t realize how hot this grill could get and left it unattended with the lid down, causing the handle and/or lid to melt.

Click here to see all customer reviews on Amazon
 

Just Portable Grills Rating

Portability 3/5 stars
Cooking Ability 4/5 stars
Cleaning 4/5 stars
Quality 4/5 stars
Customer Rating 4.5/5 stars

Overall Rating 4/5 stars

 

Our Recommendation

I think that this is a fantastic grill, though I do realize that it’s not for everyone. The price is a little high, but I think that the way this grill is designed and what it allows you to do is well worth the cost.

For those that want to cook a variety of foods, this could be your grill.

If you’re looking for a grill to take to the park, in the RV, or to the tailgate party, this is an excellent option.

 

Alternatives

While I don’t want to take away from the LX, a slightly more portable option from Coleman would be the LXE, which has a better price tag too. You can read all about it in this review.

 

Prices and Where To Buy

I usually see this grill listed between $200 and $250, but I have seen it go for a higher price.

One thing I’d like to note is that this grill isn’t readily available in-store, and few places sell it online.

This recommended retailer had it in stock for a really good price last time I checked. (Always updated when I find a better deal)

Available Now At:

Click the logo to see current price and availability

Commissions may be earned from this link.

 

More Research
You can also take a look at my RoadTrip Grill Comparsion Chart, or read my review on the newer model: the RoadTrip LXE.

1 thought on “Review: Coleman RoadTrip Grill LX”

  1. Thanks for your review of the Roadtrip LX. I have had mine for 12 years, and it has been wonderful!
    I want to buy a new one (burners are rusted out). This cooks fabulously!

    Reply

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