I always say sharing a fun tailgating experience with friends and family is priceless. But a crappy grill can say to hell with that. If you’re here, you’re probably wondering whether the Coleman Sportster is a grill that can guarantee your happiness. Going through Coleman Sportster Propane Grill reviews is one way to do it, but the truth is sometimes hard to find.

Well, be glad you’re here because we have broken down everything you need to know in this Coleman Sportster Propane Grill review. Based on what we uncovered, you may want to read this review carefully.

About The Coleman Company:

Company Highlights

• Company Name: The Coleman Company, Inc.
• URL: Coleman.com
• Address: 1767 Denver West BLVD, Golden, CO 80401, US
• Owner: Newell Brands

The Coleman Company, Inc. is a manufacturer of indoor and outdoor recreational equipment and products, and new to their catalog is the Coleman Sportster Propane Grill. The company was founded by William Coffin Coleman in 1900, and is now a subsidiary of Newell Brands based in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Features:

Feature Highlights

• Fuel Source: Propane
• Cooking Capacity: 225 Square Inches
• No. of burners: One, U-shaped 11,000 BTUs
• Construction: Coated steel cookbox & lid, coated metal legs
• Elevation: Stand-up
• Size & Weight: 28”H x 12.9”L x 19.4”W; 24.9 pounds
• Assembly: Required

Finding a grill is easy. Finding a great grill that suits your tailgating needs is not that obvious. So, let’s unravel the Coleman Sportster and see what this baby is made of:

225 Square Inches Cooking Surface – The cooking area is good for 6-8 burgers, 20 hot dogs or two regular sized steaks. You may need to cook in rounds if you’re a party of five or more, but it’s great if you’re having an intimate tailgate outing with your “inner circle” of friends.

Porcelain Cooking Grates – Under the hinged lid is a removable 19 inch porcelain enameled cooking grate that promises easy cleaning and sustained heating.

11,000 BTUs Cooking Power – Under the hood you have enough power to roast a 4-pound steak in under 2 hours in medium heat. The heat control knob has three heat settings, low medium and high, lit by a push button igniter.

Collapsible wheeled legs – There’s a height adjustment mechanism to work the grill’s height. You can fold the legs down to roughly 10 inches high saving on storage for easier transport.

Other Notable Features:

• Match light wire in case of starter failure
• Removable drip tray
• Lid latch
• Plastic lid handle
• Uses 1lb canister, adjustable to 20lb tank

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Cleaning & Maintenance:

Clean you grill regularly and it will serve you diligently. Jerk around cleaning and you’ll be back in the market for a new one in no time. That said, here’s how you clean the Coleman Sportster:

Exterior Cleaning – Needless to say, coated steel is fairly easy to clean. Use a damp cloth laced in dishwasher soap and rinse thoroughly to restore the shine. Be sure to let it cool off though, and always dismantle the canister or propane hose first. Once you’re done, let it dry off in the open before storing it away. Use regular dishwasher soap and a scouring pad to clean the drip tray.

Interior Cleaning – The cooking grates are porcelain enameled, so they’re also fairly easy to clean. Use a grill brush to scrub off food residue. Then, use warm, soapy water to clean it. Be sure to protect the porcelain enamel by using a soft-bristled brush.

Alternatively, just throw it in the dishwasher if you’re at home. You can use a grill brush to give the cookbox a nice scrub, and grease splatter on the lid’s interior. Remember to occasionally unscrew the burner and wipe it with a damp cloth, while using a toothpick to clean the perforations.

Storage – Use a grill cover to protect the grill against the elements assuming you have one. If you don’t, they’re available on Amazon for around $20.

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Portability:

A tailgating grill should be portable, otherwise it’s as good as the stove oven in your kitchen. Anyway, the Coleman Sportster scores quite high with regard to portability. The legs are wheeled and foldable. You normally don’t get both features with most grills. It also weighs a little under 25 pounds and measures 19 inches wide and 12 inches long, so it should fit comfortably inside your trunk. Overall, this grill shouldn’t have any problem tagging along while tailgating.

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Warranty:

The warranty of your Coleman Sportster Propane Grill should be good for three years against workmanship and manufacturer defects. They’ll replace any part for free if you still have the proof of purchase and you haven’t repaired or replaced any part yourself.

In any case, following up on warranty issues with the manufacturer can be tedious and time consuming. But you can skip all that business and shop on Amazon.com where you’re guaranteed reliable customer service and easy returns.

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Accessories:

If you’re a grillaholic, then you know how important accessories are. Sadly, the Coleman Sportster doesn’t have as many accessories as you would want in a tailgating grill. But here are a couple of commercially available additions you can get online:

• 19” Griddle
• Grilling tool set
• Propane hose
• Cutting board

For the best price on these accessories and more, check them out on Amazon.com where you’re guaranteed FREE 1-3 Day Shipping if you’re a Prime member, alongside deals, discounts and easy returns.

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Replacement Parts:

Perhaps the most overlooked factor while shopping for a grill is whether the parts are replaceable and available. You can replace the following Coleman Sportster parts:

• Grates
• Drip tray
• Lid assembly
• Igniter
• Lid latch
• Legs and Wheels
• Burner assembly

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Cost:

While shopping online, getting the best deal is not just about finding the cheapest price. You have to consider other factors like shipping, customer service and returns. Well, the Coleman Sportster Propane Grill costs around $130 give or take. If you compare prices, Amazon.com would take the day as there are always deals available to you. You can also save on shipping with the 1-3 Day Amazon Delivery if you’re a Prime member.

What Do We Like?​

There are a couple of positives we can take from the Coleman Sportster Grill. That said, here’s why I would buy this grill.

It’s truly portable – The grill is about the weight of a Thanksgiving turkey and can collapse to the size of a suitcase with wheels to drag along with. To me, that’s an A+ score on portability, considering you also get a little over 200 square inches of cooking space.

Great cooking power – The Sportster’s 11,000 BTUs will give you over 2 hours grilling time while cooking on high heat. Compared to the Coleman Roadtrip LXE or Roadrip 285 (which both have nearly the same cooking area but lesser grilling time owing to more BTU), the Sportster gives you nearly the same cooking space for half the price.

Coleman Sportster Propane Grill Complaints:

One way to avoid buying a crappy grill is by knowing what past and present users have to say about it. Well, we compiled these complaints to help you determine whether the Sportster grill is the right fit for you.

Several weak parts – It seems this grill’s parts are weak, if what customers are saying is anything to go by. The igniter, lid handle and temperature control knob are usually the first to go. To make things worse, some parts are more expensive than the grill, and you can only buy them from the manufacturer or you risk voiding the warranty. So a zilch score for durability!

Uneven heating – Another common complaint is that if you’re cooking burgers or hot dogs, you may want to move them around, otherwise you’ll end up with uncooked pieces in the end. The burner doesn’t heat up the cooking area evenly, which may call for babysitting your grill. You really don’t want that while tailgating, believe me!

Assembly is a nightmare – First off, the grill comes disassembled, with no tools to put it together. All you have is a manual to get you through the process. Customers say getting around assembling is not for lazy souls, with so many parts, screws and bolts to put together.

No accessories – There are no accessories available at the moment that are specific to this model. A griddle for pancakes and eggs would have been great, or even side shelves. This isn’t a huge deal as you can get off-brand accessories on Amazon, but it’s always good to know you have options.

Other Tailgating Grills You May Like:

If for any reason you don’t like anything you’ve just read, here are a couple of Coleman Sportster Propane Grill alternatives we’ve reviewed before that you can check out:

• Cuisinart CGG-888 Cooking Center – Stand-up grill with more grilling power (30,000 BTUs).
• Char-broil Classic 280 Gas Grill – Similar size, Stand-up, easier to clean and more durable.
• Weber Q 2200 Grill – Same size, tabletop alternative, durable and equally super portable.
• Coleman Roadtrip LXE – Sister grill with accessories, side shelves, better grilling experience and power.

Should You Buy The Coleman Sportster Propane Grill?

The Coleman Sportster Propane Grill is a nifty little achievement from Coleman. It remains portable without trying too much with the attitude of a large grill and the convenience of a small grill. Porcelain grates mean easy cleaning and 11,000 BTUs means you can bring your meat to sear effortlessly. If you can overlook the small size and stubborn cooking experience, you get a portable grill you can cook with anywhere while on the go.

If you’re sold, you can get the best price for it on Amazon.com including Free 1-3 Day Shipping if you’re a Prime member.

What’s Hot

• Truly portable
• Great cooking power

What’s Not

• Weak parts
• Uneven heating
• Pain in the butt assembly
• No accessories

Well, that’s all from me today. So, would you buy the Coleman Sportster? Feel free to share your thoughts about this or any other grill in the comments section below. For further questions you can visit the Q&A area on this grill’s Amazon page.

Chris