If you are a football fan, then you have probably been to a tailgating party before. A grill is one thing that never misses in such events.
Do you have one of the best portable gas grills for a tailgating party yet?
It allows you to prepare meals quickly and ensure that you don’t miss out on the game or any other activity that you are attending.
When picking one for tailgating, the first thing that you should look out for is the unit’s portability.
This article will make sure that you get the easiest-to-carry around the grill in the market. Here you have the top 5 of them in the table.
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill, Stainless Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | ROADTRIP 285 SU GRILL RED | Check Latest Price |
 | Char-Broil Portable 240 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | Check Latest Price |
Another thing that you have to look out for is how fast it can cook food. I am presenting you with cooking devices that can produce enough heat that will cook food quickly.
To make sure that you get the top grill for your outdoor adventures, I have searched the market and settled on 3 appliances as the best portable grills for tailgating, and here they are.
What is the best portable grill for tailgating?
Have you ever been to a tailgate party before? If don’t, now you have the chance to organize your own tailgate party on which you will cook tasty food that your guests will love.
For such an event you need a portable model that will start cooking quickly to satisfy your guests. Let’s take a look at the portable gas grills that are perfect cooking equipment for tailgating parties.
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Gas Grill
- 145-SQUARE-INCH PORCELAIN ENAMELED COOKING GRATE: 145-square-inches of porcelain enameled grates give you a spacious cooking surface is able accommodate lots of food at one time while still distributing heat evenly and efficiently.
- 5,500 BTU BURNER: Features a 5,500 BTU burner, a twist to start electric ignition and precision temperature gauge to give you the ultimate temperature control.
- COMPACT ENOUGH TO TAKE ANYWHERE: The grill measures 18.5 x 16 x 11.5 inches and with stand. The grill weighs only 17 lbs., making it easy for transport and ideal for decks, patios and balconies, camping, tailgating and more.
- DURABLE FOLDING LEGS: The grill features folding legs that provide a stable and durable base for the grill while in use and can be easily folded away during transport. Grill legs do not extend.
- FAST AND EASY SETUP AND BREAKDOWN: Stand sets up and packs away in seconds, and features an integrated lid lock and pronounced briefcase-style carrying handle for easy and secure transport.
The Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet tabletop gas grill is one of the best units that you can get if you like tailgating.
It has a lightweight build and durable design that makes it ideal for the rigors of outdoor cooking. It measures 18.5 x 16 x 11.5 inches and weighs 17 pounds.
Cooking space
The cooking space provided by this grill is 145 square inches and this is enough to prepare burgers, steaks, chicken breasts, and any other dishes for your friends and family.
This space is large enough for the average tailgate party. You will be able to cook several dishes at once.
Heating power
This grill may look small but it is a monster when it comes to heat generation. It can generate more than 5,500 BTU of heat in an hour which will ensure that your meals are cooked properly and in a short period of time.
Other features
The burner is made of stainless steel and this adds to its durability.
You will, therefore, be able to use this tailgater for a long period of time as you enjoy tasty meals with your friends and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The grates are tough as well as they have been coated with porcelain enamel which makes it resistant to heat.
Its aluminum legs and stabilizing feet fold up quickly so transportation and storage are easy. This compact device has a pronounced briefcase-style carrying handle and a spill-resistant drip tray.
It’s a great small device that starts to cook quickly due to the electric ignition and heating power and cooks evenly like any other larger grill.
Check Reviews On AmazonColeman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE
- Up to 20,000 BTUs of grilling power and 285 sq. in. of cooking area
- Now with 3 independently adjustable burners for enhanced temperature control
- Assembled Dimensions: 45.6” D x 19.5” W x 35” H | Weight: 52.58 lb
- 2 durable side tables for resting utensils and sauces; integrated thermometer for accurate temperature monitoring
- InstaStart ignition for push-button, matchless lighting
- Water pan catches cooking grease and is removable for easy cleaning
This is another grilling monster that will enhance your tailgating experience thanks to its lightweight nature.
It weighs 52, 58 pounds which is light enough for you to carry around when having a party. It measures 45.6” x 19.5” x 35”.
Cooking area
This grill, however, doesn’t sacrifice its cooking area in its quest to become portable and this is something that you will appreciate as a tailgater.
The 285 sq. in. of the cooking area provided at the top is large enough for you to prepare all the grilled dishes that you love.
Heating power
It comes with 3 independently adjustable burners for enhanced temperature control that can generate up to 20,000 BTU of heat for your cooking needs. The device has 2 durable side tables for putting utensils on and an integrated thermometer for accurate temperature monitoring.
Other features
It has an InstaStart button that makes getting this grill up and running very simple. You shouldn’t worry about the grease as it will store in a water pan that can be easily removed and cleaned.
With quick-fold legs and 2 rugged wheels, you will able to move it wherever you want with ease.
If you wish you can get griddles or stove grates separately for even more cooking options. It uses a 1-pound propane cylinder.
Check Reviews On AmazonChar-Broil Portable Propane Gas Grill
- 240 Square inch cooking area and built to travel
- Sturdy legs for stability on a Table or the ground, carrying handles for easy transport
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge, painted porcelain body
- For use with 1Lb propane tanks, (Sold Separately)
This portable stainless steel gas grill is made by the well-known Char-Broil company. It features 240 square inches of cooking area that can fit 6-8 burgers at the same time.
It has a nice design, sturdy legs for stability, and carrying handles for easy transport. The device has a single 9,500-BTU burner.
Features and usability
Its body is porcelain painted. It measures 24.8 x 16.2 x 13.3 inches and weighs 28.2 lbs.
You will be able to control the temperature easily since it has a temperature gauge installed on the lid.
With a Piezo ignition, your unit will start to cook immediately. It uses a 1lb propane tank to operate.
Check Reviews On AmazonWhat should grill for tailgating be like?
When preparing your meals from the trunk of your car, the grill that you get should be small enough to fit in your car to make moving it very easy.
Tailgaters are always on the move and if you get a bulky device, you may find it difficult to take it with you on the road.
Heating power
The ability to generate a lot of heat is another factor that you have to consider when buying a tailgating grill as anything contrary will mean that you spend a lot of time cooking your meals for a bunch of people.
I am sure you don’t want people to be inpatient and leave the party so have this in mind when buying a model for this kind of purpose.
When searching for the best portable gas grill for tailgating, the price wasn’t my main consideration. These small devices aren’t so expensive than full-size ones so you are able to afford it no matter the budget.
The pricey models should not scare you from buying them as they may be the ones you are looking for to ease your grilling experience.
What do you do at a tailgate party?
This is a social event and it is all about having fun and play exciting games that will make you move and have lots of fun.
Alcoholic beverages are a part of the party so you can think of drinking games. You can play beer pong, flip cup, corn hole, or some NFL trivia.
Hanging out with others is the whole meaning of it. With good food and cold drinks, you will be socializing in no time. What about dressing in clothes that represent your favorite football team? This is a great way to spice things up.
How do you have a good tailgate party?
Well, I already mentioned how to prepare for it and what activities can make your party a fun event but still here are some more useful ideas.
If you want to have a good tailgate party you have to plan things out so you don’t miss anything.
Think of a portable outdoor grill where you will be preparing food, drinks, which dishes will you cook or make-ahead, your location at a parking lot, and props. The most important thing comes at the end – don’t forget to have fun!
What to bring for tailgating?
When thinking of a tailgate party you should consider the comfort of your guests who you will be cooking for. So what things do you need to prepare?
A portable small grill, of course, foldable tables and chairs, a canopy is nice no matter of the weather, coolers for food and drinks, mesh food nets to protect food from the insects, a bottle opener, water, paper towels, napkins, utensils, cups, sun cream, rain jacket and so on. Think about the things that you will need to make it comfy.
What time should I start tailgating?
Tailgating should start at least an hour before the game starts. This way you will be able to prepare your grill and serve food until the game starts.
So, gather with your friends at a parking lot at least one hour and a half so you will be close together with your cars and have a wonderful time before the game even starts.
What should you grill for tailgating?
Small and portable grills are stars when it gets to tailgating. Due to their small cooking capacity you should know what type of foods and meat will you prepare for your guests.
I advise you to skip large pieces of meat as you won’t be able to feed your crowd fast.
Also, forget preparing whole birds like chicken or turkey, as these are perfect for smoking in a smoker (I am sure you get the point).
However, you can opt for chicken breasts, shrimps, kabobs, steaks, ribs, hot dogs, lamb chops, sausages, burgers, pork chops, and other finger food that will cook fast.
If you want a fresh idea of what to cook at a party here are the tailgating recipes to try.
What is the most popular tailgate food?
I mentioned what you can prepare at tailgating but what is the most popular tailgate food that people love to prepare? The next dishes are easy to prepare, are delicious and grillers love to prepare them.
These are the ideas that you can consider for your next tailgating if you want your party to be a success.
- Tacos
- Grilled bacon jalapeno poppers
- Layer dip cups
- Buffalo chicken dip
- Make-ahead tailgate chili
- Slow cooker little smokies
- Bacon jalapeno cheese ball
- Honey BBQ chicken wings
- Ham & cheese party sliders
- Italian pasta salad
- Cheater cinnamon rolls
- Totchos
How do you keep food warm while tailgating?
If you want to keep your grilled dishes warm then you should consider getting foil trays, a foil for wrapping them for insulation, and food warmers that won’t disappoint.
Conclusion
If you are a football fan who loves tailgating with your friends then you need a light and portable cooking device for the outdoors and this article on the best portable gas grills for a tailgating party will help you pick great appliance for such fun events.
If you want the convenient, fast cooking and portable unit consider one of my picks to have a successful tailgate party that your friends will talk about after.
