New Grill for Florida Boomer

Brigadoon · 06-03-2007, 08:45 AM

I've retired my previous Coleman Grill with a new model Coleman grill.

The old grill lead a tough life. It was the Coleman Road Trip LXE.

The LXE, the first picture below, had plastic side trays that pulled out from under the grill, and it had some other plastic parts such as the legs of the grill.

The first "incident" with this grill occurred the very first time I attempted to use it in 2005. To raise the grill you step on a portion of the legs and pull on the handle. I stepped on the leg and pulled up, it didn't budge. So, just like any red blooded American, I applied more force and gave it a pretty good pull- and immediately snapped off one of the plastic legs. I was stepping on the wrong portion of the grill legs. I made temporary repairs with some wood and duct tape that I had on board. I called Coleman and was shipped the replacement parts.

The next incident with this grill happened at a Boomer event in May of 2006. We were cooking steaks for the Boomers when it was discovered that the plastic trays that are stored under the grill had not been pulled out to the sides. The directions for the grill warn that a fire could occure if you do not pull the side trays out from under the grill when grilling. Coleman was right, the plastic melted, ignited, and dropped in flames into the grass starting another fire. I distinctly remember the firefighters present at the event laughing... I called Coleman and was shipped the replacement parts.

The third incident with this grill occured after the wife and I were sipping a cocktail after grilling steaks. I suddenly remembered that I had left the grill running to burn off the grease on the grilling surface. I went to the grill and lifted up on the plastic handle which then broke off from the grill lid. It had got so hot the plastic gave way. Now I was stuck using my grilling tongs to open and close the hot grill lid when using the grill. I was afraid to call Coleman...

I decided it was time to replace the grill but I did not want to get the same model grill since it would probably suffer the same fate as the first grill.

Then I found the Coleman Road Trip Pro grill. It seems to be a better concept and is constructed better than the LXE.

The side trays are stored over the grilling surface and are flipped out to the side for grilling. I should have no problem remembering to get them out of the way since I always open the grill lid for igniting the grill. The side trays are also made of much thicker and stronger plastic. So is the handle which is bolted to the lid. Additionally, the legs of the grill are all metal, which should keep me from snapping them off.

The hood of the grill is taller than the previous grill which will allow me to grill much taller items. The lid on the LXE was only high enough to grill flat items like burgers and steaks.

Lastly, the grill has inverted V shaped covers over the burners which keep grease from dripping straight into the flames. This greatly reduces flare ups.

One drawback to this grill is the weight. It is significantly heavier than the previous grill.

I've only used it once so far and was pleased with the results.

Plus I did not damage it on the first outing!

Brigadoon · 06-03-2007, 08:45 AM

I've retired my previous Coleman Grill with a new model Coleman grill.

The old grill lead a tough life. It was the Coleman Road Trip LXE.

The LXE, the first picture below, had plastic side trays that pulled out from under the grill, and it had some other plastic parts such as the legs of the grill.

The first "incident" with this grill occurred the very first time I attempted to use it in 2005. To raise the grill you step on a portion of the legs and pull on the handle. I stepped on the leg and pulled up, it didn't budge. So, just like any red blooded American, I applied more force and gave it a pretty good pull- and immediately snapped off one of the plastic legs. I was stepping on the wrong portion of the grill legs. I made temporary repairs with some wood and duct tape that I had on board. I called Coleman and was shipped the replacement parts.

The next incident with this grill happened at a Boomer event in May of 2006. We were cooking steaks for the Boomers when it was discovered that the plastic trays that are stored under the grill had not been pulled out to the sides. The directions for the grill warn that a fire could occure if you do not pull the side trays out from under the grill when grilling. Coleman was right, the plastic melted, ignited, and dropped in flames into the grass starting another fire. I distinctly remember the firefighters present at the event laughing... I called Coleman and was shipped the replacement parts.

The third incident with this grill occured after the wife and I were sipping a cocktail after grilling steaks. I suddenly remembered that I had left the grill running to burn off the grease on the grilling surface. I went to the grill and lifted up on the plastic handle which then broke off from the grill lid. It had got so hot the plastic gave way. Now I was stuck using my grilling tongs to open and close the hot grill lid when using the grill. I was afraid to call Coleman...

I decided it was time to replace the grill but I did not want to get the same model grill since it would probably suffer the same fate as the first grill.

Then I found the Coleman Road Trip Pro grill. It seems to be a better concept and is constructed better than the LXE.

The side trays are stored over the grilling surface and are flipped out to the side for grilling. I should have no problem remembering to get them out of the way since I always open the grill lid for igniting the grill. The side trays are also made of much thicker and stronger plastic. So is the handle which is bolted to the lid. Additionally, the legs of the grill are all metal, which should keep me from snapping them off.

The hood of the grill is taller than the previous grill which will allow me to grill much taller items. The lid on the LXE was only high enough to grill flat items like burgers and steaks.

Lastly, the grill has inverted V shaped covers over the burners which keep grease from dripping straight into the flames. This greatly reduces flare ups.

One drawback to this grill is the weight. It is significantly heavier than the previous grill.

I've only used it once so far and was pleased with the results.

Plus I did not damage it on the first outing!

Half Dimes · 06-03-2007, 11:23 AM

Terry,
I'm surprised Coleman didn't send you a coupon for a free Weber grille just to get rid of you

Kissimmee Kids · 06-03-2007, 12:34 PM

Having known your previous grill and the great food produced on it our hearts are filled with sadness at your loss. However on the other side are stomachs are ready to experience the new grill. Looking forward to our next rally.