If you plan to do much tailgating in the upcoming baseball season or next football season, getting the right tailgate grill is an important second step (after shelling out for tickets). There are a few simple guidelines to consider while searching for the right grill.
Portability - absolutely key to choosing the right grill. You don't want to deal with messing around with transportation, setting it up, taking it down, or storage. There are plenty of great grills that take all of the pain out of that. Go with a grill that folds up neatly and can be secured in your trunk or back of your truck. You will even find tailgate grills such as the Margaritaville Tailgating Grill that are designed to attach to a tailgate hitch.
Propane, Charcoal, or Electric - you've got a few different heat source options. Most of the better portable grills you'll find run on propane. Many of the better grills give you the option of the smaller propane cylinder or 20-pound tank, depending on how often you use it. Probably a good idea here to start out with the cylinder and test it out from there.
Pure Size - ok, had to shoehorn this one in there. Size does matter. Consider how many fellow tailgaters you expect to be grilling for and look for a portable grill that can accommodate your needs. You don't want to be hunched over a tiny grill trying to feed 20 of your favorite fans. Do the math.
Plate Heat Consistency - some lower-end grills don't offer good heat consistency and may burn hotter on the outside than they do on the inside. You aren't looking to get out to the parking lot and feed your buddies with an unnecessarily high degree of difficulty. Do the smart thing and invest in a grill that offers good heat distribution. For this one, you will want to check grill ratings and user reviews to better understand what other customers have experienced.
Everyone will have their personal preferences on what the best tailgate grill can offer, but follow these simple guidelines and you'll find the right grill for you.
