Coleman 9940-A55 Roadtrip Party Grill Reviews

• A good value if used for what it's intended

  
  By A3H1CE8T6GDVWV on 2005-08-10
  This is a great little portable grill - if you don't expect too much! (Too many people write reviews here expecting inexpensive items to be gold plated and nuclear powered). It's not meant to replace a regular full-size grill and shouldn't be compared to one. Use it for car camping or a tailgate party for cooking for two or three people (maybe four but that's pushing it) and just realize it has limitations, though they are easy to work around.
  
  I got it on sale for only $25 so consider it an excellent value. It was simple to put together, no directions required and takes about a minute. My legs stay in well once inserted and come back out with a good tug. There is an included nylon carry-bag which works fine for keeping the parts together (the grille, two legs, gas bottle, pan support and plastic grille cover). It also functions well as a regular single-burner stove when you take the grill off. It feels stable and solid if set on a good surface.
  
  The burner adjusts well from off to low to high and is quick and easy to start by pushing the burner control knob in. The drippings collect well in the pan below the burner. There is a small griddle on one side of the grill that will hold one egg or pancake (or two small ones). The biggest drawback is the heat distribution. Since it uses a small burner in the middle and has no heat distribution baffle; it is much hotter in the center than towards the edge. You get around this by actively moving your burgers around to keep them cooking evenly (this can be an advantage if you want something to cook slower by pushing to the outside). Coleman says you must put water in the catch basin, which seems to distribute the heat a little better but I think that is also to reduce the possibility of a grease fire. I tried it a couple of times without the water and it worked OK.
  
  Overall, it is a good value when used for what it is intended for. I think Coleman could have designed the grill with better heat distribution without significantly adding to the cost, so I give it four stars.
  
  

• Don't bother

  
  By A3KZG16THVI537 on 2000-12-05
  I got this and immediately chose to return it. Yes, it is light - but it has a flimsy feel to it. The included instructions did not match up with the grill that was in the package. The one on the package was much simpler but there were things mentioned that were not in the box. The size of the grill is also way too small - at most you can cook a couple burgers or 4 hot dogs. I would be leery of trying anything substantial. Go for the portable gas Weber if you want a take-along grill.
  
  

• Terrible Grill

  
  By A2VYFSV3CSSV8V on 2001-01-10
  The thing that attracted me to this one was the dishwasher safe rating. Yes it will go in the dishwasher, but it cooks unevenly, burns the outside of food while the inside is still uncooked. Worst of all I end up fighting with it just to get it turned on. It usually take me 2 minutes of fiddling with it to get it turned on. The knob is terrible. DON'T BUY IT!!
  
  

• Nice Grill

  
  By AACPSO19GS5ZP on 2000-12-03
  This is a nice grill to use for parties or for your family! The price is just right and it is just the right size. Not too heavy, not too light! The only thing not good about this is you have to buy the propane canister yourself. That isnt expensive though. Its a nice grill overall!
  
  

• Hot ticket!!

  
  By A1ZH9LWMX5UCFJ on 2005-08-29
  I camped down at MIS and bought this grill on sale the day before. Not only was it easy to set up once I was down there - it was perfect for me since I was cooking only for one. It was awesome to take the grill top off and be able to perk coffee in the morning and then grill burgers on it later. Definitely fill the basin when grilling, it makes cleanup a snap. The bag makes it super portable and the propane attachment is a breeze to replace. All in all a great deal and super useful.
  
  
• Your only "road trip" will be the trip back to the store to return it!
  By A2IXO1AD829UFK on 2007-07-02
  This grill was purchased for a tailgate party. We were quite disappointed with its sad performance. I am not kidding when I say that just using a cigarette lighter to directly cook the meat might yield better results. Not only did it char the outside of every food item, but the "non-stick" surface acts as fly paper for meats - you will think that someone snuck over and Crazy Glued your food to the grill. Also, the grill wobbles around so much while cooking that you will think that IT has been drinking off the keg, too.
  
  As far as storing the grill, don't even bother. Once the legs are snapped in, they are never coming out again...ever. I tried yanking them out with all of my might to no avail - then again, if I had a team of oxen on hand, maybe I would have been in luck.
  
  Hey, Coleman - great idea, great name ("road trip party grill"), and great packaging (I love the "before" pictures of the smiling guy on the box who supposedly just bought this grill. How about showing us the "after" pictures of the guy hucking it skyward into a dumpster). Next time, can you please just make a grill that actually grills?
  
  
• not bad as a portable stove
  By A30VPDPW87LOJT on 2005-02-14
  I found the grill top to be a waste of time, too hot in the middle and too cold on the edges. As a stove top with a pot or a pan this can't be beat. It heats up easy and quick. Overall, not bad for camping or fishing, but it has limited uses.
  
  
• Worth every penny
  By AY6WN7CHFJDW4 on 2005-06-13
  This is the perfect grill if you are looky for an affordable grill that is dependable and will last for years. I have had my Coleman party grill for 5 years now and it is the perfect grilling companion whether I am tailgating a ball game or camping in the great outdoors. The legs fit inside the grill for storage, and it is extremely easy to clean. I recommend this item to everyone!
  
  
• not portable
  By A2M5QJ7IX0YGH4 on 2006-07-09
  I never did get to take my grill camping because, once we finally got the legs inserted into the (plastic) holes in the base, we could not remove them to be stored inside...The grill with legs inserted will not go into the bag. With legs permanently attached, it cannot be considered portable...might as well get a bigger grill.
  
  
• Don't buy this grill!
  By AFUSW22ENCQOO on 2007-02-06
  This grill is no good. Sure it burns a nice flame, but it localizes it right in the center and worst of all, there is no lid so all of the heat remains in the middle and then escapes with the wind! You end up burning steaks because it doesn't retain the heat. What a waste of money. I tries it twice and then I trashed it and will locate one with a cover on it.
  
  It's probably good for hot dogs and thin hamburgers, or heating items in a pot.
  
  
• Do NOT Buy This Grill
  By A2BHLU41RZ0EQ4 on 2007-07-02
  I purchased this grill to take tailgating and spent $41.50 for it. We set it up first at home to test it and could not remove the legs to pack it back up. Thinking the grill was defective, we immediately returned it for another one of the same.
  
  This grill will be a downer on any tailgate or party. You will find yourself in a fit of rage as you try to gingerly press the legs in (but not too far), carefully balance the metal pot rack, and then hope the top grilling tray does not fly across the parking lot every time you try to flip a burger.
  
  The burgers burned, the chicken charred on the outside and was pink inside, and one of the veggie skewers almost burst into flames. I would never purchase this product again.
  
  
• Use it as a Korean style Bar-B-Que
  By AWUGZ7U1AQOOB on 2006-11-06
  This is a great little item when cooking for two people. I have had mine for a year and usually flop a steak on the grill and open a can of beans or corn on the griddle.This last trip I think I found the best way is to use it as a Korean "Hibachi type" Bar-B-Que. Fire it up on the camp table. Pour out your favorite "dipping" sauces. Precut your raw meats (beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, etc.)into bitesize or bigger morsels. The same goes for the veggies. Oil them up a bit if you like or wrap them in foil, add a little water and steam them. Cook several pieces at a time and keep cooking them as you eat them. I found that this technique overcomes the uneven cooking characteristics reported in other reviews and it's fun too! Each piece comes hot off the grill. The way you like it! By the time I eat a whole steak cooked my old method as a single piece, it's cold. Try it.
  
  
• Coleman 9940-801P Party Grill
  By A2Z128F2O4AOB5 on 2001-08-30
  It did a great job. I use this for when I fly some where,
  pick up a can of gas and start cooking on the beach or at my condo. Fast to cook and cleans up fast. Put it back in
  the bag that comes with it and take it home all cleaned no
  mess and it fit in a suit case. Its great for cooking for
  2-3 people.
  
  
• not bad--not realy good --worth it though
  By A1W1SS4Z0W5F4N on 2002-05-05
  had some great steaks cooked on it but now the teflon coating comes off the rost. Used it for roughly 50 times and never maintained it well though.
  
  
• Grill or Griddle??
  By A3VI9WYVUGFU2F on 2002-08-26
  According to the folder you can use it either as an open grill or with the upper griddle. You don't really need the griddle most of the time and you're better off with just the open grill (It's also easier to clean up afterwards.) However, you should definitely use the water pan for a better heat distribution and again-easier to clean. The griddle is nice if want to do eggs, bacon, fish, etc. but it should be considered as an accessory and not part of the main deal. So if you're travelling-leave the griddle at home-it's much lighter and easier. But it's still there if you need it and could come in handy (some of the time).
  
  
• Handy Dandy
  By on 2003-01-06
  I bought this grill for my brother who travels about alot and camps usually out of the back of his truck.. He likes unusual things and this fit the bill. He did loose his brats once, they rolled off. Fortunately, he was at home in his drive way at the time!! He really likes this grill for it's packability and ease of use and clean up.
  
  
• Stop! Don't buy it!
  By A2EPYNPZ7IQE2C on 2008-06-30
  Don't buy this grill! My husband and I bought it for camping and it is one of the worst Coleman products I have ever bought! Simply, it doesn't grill evenly! Unless you plan to warm a pot on top of it or grill using a frying pan, I'd pass. Grilling meat is a nightmare and a waste of money. Keep shopping and buy something more expensive that will work better. I'm sorry I went cheap!
  
  
  
• A good thing to have
  By A276CXJZJODEV on 2007-08-23
  This is a small grill but it's perfect for hot dogs and such. Does not take up much room in transporting. Cooks quickly, sets up and breaks down easily.
  
  
• Great Little Grill
  By AWTYXG6T0B980 on 2007-09-14
  I liked this little grill because it was easy to use, light and portable, and allowed us to grill or just use as a burner for pots and pans as well.
  
  
• mostly great
  By AF54KN0GUF3WM on 2008-06-19
  We used the grill yesterday; the piezoelectric lighter worked the first two times; the third time it 'gave up the ghost'. luckily, we had some matches. It cooks great, cleans up easily. Just that one little bugaboo.
  
  
  
  

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