Best Tailgate Grill in 2025 According To The Chefs
Without a barbecue, no tailgate is amazing. “If I pull up to a tailgate and see a grill, I know they are serious about their food,” says Pitmaster Nate Figaro. However, grilling on a grassy quad or stadium lot demands a portable alternative that can handle the food. The best tailgate grill allows you to choose the best BBQ meals for your family to ensure a variety and appealing camping menu.
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Contents
- 1 Overviews
- 2 Out Top Picks
- 3 Best Tailgate Grill Review
- 3.1 1-Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
- 3.2 2-Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch Black
- 3.3 3-Broil King 911470 Keg 5000 Kamado Grill
- 3.4 4-Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Anywhere Portable Infrared Warming Rack Gas Grill
- 3.5 5- Cobb Premier Grill
- 3.6 6- Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, Titanium
- 3.7 7-Orion Cooker Outdoor Convection Steam Cooker Barbecue Smoker
- 3.8 8-Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Grill, 19.38 inches
- 4 The Verdict
- 5 best tailgate grill. Queries and Answers
Overviews
Southern fall showcases long-standing sporting rivalry. Great teams compete in enormous stadiums, and tailgates are pep rallies, class reunions, friends and family time, and especially food competitions. “Having the best tailgate grill lets us enjoy hot food,” explains Chef Roscoe Hall. “A portable grill crushes everything. From breakfast to supper, it’s your stovetop.”
A tailgate barbecue is vital for introducing aromas and scents to unify fans and feed friends, much like camping. The best tailgate grill can cook burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, and ribs on the go, making it ideal for entertaining hungry foodies who go from tent to tent to obtain new recipes and ideas.
Check out these top best tailgate grill suggestions for Southern Smoke BBQ enthusiasts. Thousands of supporters organize major parties in parking lots and parks before games every fall to support their favorite team. These barbecues can cook for serious tailgating in any season or sport. This list includes huge and little, costly and cheap. You may also get charcoal and propane grit here. Find your ideal BBQ by reading the whole list.
Out Top Picks
- Best Overall: Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
- Runner-up: Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch Black
- Best High-end: Broil King 911470 Keg 5000 Kamado Grill
- High Quality: Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Anywhere Portable Infrared Warming Rack Gas Grill
- Best Feature: Cobb Premier Grill
- Best Value: Weber Q-2200 Portable Grill
- Best Function: Orion Cooker Outdoor Convection Steam Cooker Barbecue Smoker
- Great Choice: Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Grill, 19.38 inches
Best Tailgate Grill Review
1-Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
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Enjoy authentic charcoal cooking on the go without the mess. The compact CUBE redefines charcoal barbecues for outdoor cooking. Its integrated food grade storage tray, preparation board, and porcelain enamel firebox make it easy to store, set up, cook, and clean responsibly. The chrome handles reduce external heat, making it easy to move while cooking.
Use this BBQ grill as a camping stove. This BBQ uses lump charcoal or briquettes. The CUBE portable little charcoal grill is perfect for the park, beach, camping, or tailgate and offers a great cooking experience. Heston Blumenthal, a famed British chef, created the CUBE tiny BBQ grill. Blumenthal has revolutionized outdoor cooking with innovative products that endure and function well. The safe, portable, tiny CUBE Portable Charcoal barbecue lets you barbecue excellent cuisine anywhere.
Feature
- Manufacturer Everdure CUBE (Everdure) Model Name
- Charcoal as a Power Source
- Matte black exterior and steel construction.
- Product Weight: 15.43 oz.
- This item has inside dimensions of 13.67 x 16.73 x 9.05 inches and is made of stainless steel.
- Coal-based charcoal is the fuel of choice.
Pros
- Lightweight and simple to transport
- Maintains a cool cooking surface, is easily cleaned, and has enough of room for pots and pans.
Cons
- Modifications should be made to the grilling grate.
- Unfortunately, it’s probably not big enough to properly feed a large group.
2-Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch Black
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In some parts of the world, Weber Grill means Kleenex means fabric. The Weber Kettle is the most well-known charcoal grill and now comes the 18 1/2 inch Weber Grill in a portable size. With the same grill as the full-size charcoal grill, the Jumbo Joe is big enough for a large BBQ area in a portable container. With a weight of 22 pounds and a handle with just a handle, this could be the perfect portable grill for more than two people.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 19.8 x 20.5 x 19.8 inches
- Item Weight 18 pounds
- Shipping Weight 18 pounds
- Department Outdoor Living
- Manufacturer Weber
Pros
- Miniature, lightweight, and convenient to carry
- The tunable dampers allow for excellent temperature regulation.
- Solid construction using long-lasting materials
Cons
- Lack of a temperature sensor for the dome
3-Broil King 911470 Keg 5000 Kamado Grill
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The Broil King is so closely matched to the size and shape of the Big Green Egg that grates and accessories are interchangeable. Nevertheless, this metal version has some really impressive innovative features and designs. This grill can reach very high temperatures while remaining cool outside and providing good temperature control. You can even mount it on your trailer hitch and tailail it, something you could have done with similar ceramic kamado stoves. While a large barbecue grill, there are some minor design issues that could give you problems.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 41 x 27.5 x 47 inches
- Item Weight 126 pounds
- Shipping Weight 128 pounds
- Manufacturer Broil King
Pros
- Guaranteed for 10 years.
- Body made of double-walled steel to prevent cracking
- Consists of a stable cart and two storage shelves
- The purchasing price also includes a multitool.
Cons
- To take its sweet time to cool down
- Chrome-plated warming racks may be obstructive.
- Not nearly as effective at maintaining heat as a ceramic kamado.
4-Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Anywhere Portable Infrared Warming Rack Gas Grill
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Imagine the power of an infrared grill in a portable. This 14,000 BTU infrared grill provides more heat than any other portable grill, it can be taken almost anywhere. For all stainless steel constructions, you can also get this marine-grade grill with a boating railing mount. 155 square centimeter grilling surface. Uses either disposable propane bottles or can be converted into a full 20-pound tank or even natural gas.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 13 x 21 x 12 inches
- Item Weight 23 pounds
- Shipping Weight 27.5 pounds
- Manufacturer Solaire
Pros
- The infrared heat is the best there is, producing a very high temperature.
- Convenient for use on the go or at home
- A rack for warming up on
- Possesses a complementing set of extras
- Conveniently wipes clean
Cons
- Unable to provide mild grilling temperatures
- Has just a one-year guarantee.
- Without a base or wheeled transport
5- Cobb Premier Grill
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The Cobb Grill has repeatedly been praised as one of the most unique and versatile portable grills on the market. This unit will run on eight charcoal briquettes for up to three hours, never flare up, and cook an entire chicken as easily as burgers. Lightweight, easy to light, and to operate, this grill is perfect for virtually any trip.
It does not even get hot on the outside, so you can take it up while cooking to move it. The only real drawback is the relatively small size. The cooking area is just under 12 inches and does not give you much space. Otherwise, this is a great little grill.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 12.5″ x 12.5″ x 13 inches
- Item Weight 20 lbs
- Shipping Weight 10.54 pounds
- Manufacturer Cobb
Pros
- Superior adaptability
- Very frugal
- Small enough to fit in the trunk of a vehicle
Cons
- Direct grilling options are limited.
- There isn’t nearly as much smokiness as there would be at a regular BBQ.
6- Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, Titanium
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This portable grill is a master of design. It’s so compact that it’s less than 32 inches long, but its seven-inch lid means this grill is big enough to cook a whole chicken. It uses standard 14-ounce propane tanks (not included) and has 280-square inch porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grid that’s almost big enough to be called a full-size grill. At under $ 200, this grill has Weber’s durability and a unique design that has won prizes. Not only a great grill for cooking, but it also looks cool.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 25.1 x 51.4 x 26 inches
- Item Weight 42.5 pounds
- Shipping Weight 42.8 pounds
- Manufacturer Weber
Pros
- Very simple to install and use
- Kitchen with plenty of space
- The grates are made of cast iron and porcelain enamel, so they’re strong and durable.
- Massive, collapsible, side tables
Cons
- Rather bulky for a grill of this kind.
- An improperly fitting catch pan
7-Orion Cooker Outdoor Convection Steam Cooker Barbecue Smoker
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Describing what the Orion Cooker is may be the hardest thing. Basically, this is a charcoal stove. The completely closed cooking chamber completely separates the flame from the food. This does not mean that you can not add a smoke flavor and it does not mean that this is no better than your oven when cooking ribs (8 at a time) to whole turkeys. This is a great “cooker” for big meals, tailgating, and cooking food fast (a 20-pound turkey in 2 1/2 hours). Although it is not a grill or smoker, it is definitely a good cooker.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 21 x 20 x 21 inches
- Item Weight 2 pounds
- Shipping Weight 31.8 pounds
- Manufacturer Orion Cooker
Pros
- An original method of using low heat to cook
- A probe thermometer-compatible sealable hole
- Incorporates a chicken stand
- Comes with three sets of barbecue grates and rib hangers
- Extensive ash catcher
- Extra-sized dish for collecting liquids and drippings
- Featuring a durable nylon exterior
Cons
- Must have weather protection
- The gratings are quite sticky.
8-Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Grill, 19.38 inches
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Of the heavy cast iron hibachi grills on the market, this is probably the best. Agile, but heavy and capable of really good grilling. As a hibachi, you get no cover, indirect grilling, rotisserie or the like. What you get is a high, intense heat that burns and grills fantastically. This is a perfect condo barbeque, especially for the college students who grab it and head everywhere with this unit.
Feature
- Product Dimensions 19 x 8.2 x 10.2 inches
- Item Weight 27 pounds
- Shipping Weight 30.6 pounds
- Manufacturer Lodge
Pros
- Strong and long-lasting
- Not too large, not too tiny; just right
- Forceful and insulating
- Simple maintenance; no food stays put
Cons
- Size-appropriately heavy
- Minimal and fragile as a handle
- Rapidly increases in temperature
Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Verdict
Our finest tailgate grills, including the best tailgate grill, cook well and are easy to put up, so you won’t miss the game. Grilling for a crowd is simple with the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill. One-hand set-up and a foldable prep table make many grilling luxuries portable.
The Weber Go Anywhere Gas Grill is ideal for smaller groups or longer trips. The Traeger Tailgater Portable Pellet Grill can serve a crowd if you have electricity and like smoked food. Grilling is easy—unfold the legs and set the temperature.
Our Testing Method
To evaluate each grill outside of controlled conditions, we tried it. We tested how much effort and how many people were needed to build and operate the grills from the box. Using trucks, SUVs, and cars, we tested how well they fit and how hard they were to load and unload. At park picnics, friend’s backyard parties, game-day tailgates, and camp-outs, we tested the best tailgate grill’s maneuverability on concrete, grass, gravel, and dirt.
We considered cooking and shipping considerations while designing each grill, including the best tailgate grill options. We took into account lid design and movement, materials, drip pan size, grill grate width, prep tables, and hooks during cooking. For travel, we noticed how simple it was to fold each grill, how easy it was to roll or hand-carry it to the vehicle, and how well the closed grill kept food particles and ash out.
To test each grill’s capacity and convenience of use, we grilled and smoked a range of foods for four to 10 people using the best tailgate grill options available. We checked grill temperature gauges against our infrared thermometer to see whether they maintained heat and had hot areas, cold spots, or uneven cooking. After each test, we cleaned the grills per manufacturer directions and stored them at home until next usage. We saw how hard they were to clean inside and out and store compactly. We’re long-term testing all of our grills and will update this review with new findings.
best tailgate grill. Queries and Answers
Are tailgate grills as durable as full-size ones?
Tailgate grills are made to open and shut often, travel in all vehicles, and be outdoors. Durability of any grill depends on the materials, construction, and owner maintenance. Your grill will last longer if you clean, store, and move it properly.
Can a plastic table hold a tailgate grill?
No matter your table, read the grill’s tabletop material restrictions. A grill with a strong base and legs that clear the table should work with a plastic table. To ensure the most fireproof setup on any surface, buy a grill mat to protect the table beneath the grill.
Cost of tailgate grills?
Tailgate grills typically cost $100–$500, although high-end and specialized models may cost up to $800. Features and materials impact cost, so examine your demands before shopping to keep inside budget.