Weber Traveler and Coleman Roadtrip 285 both look great if you are planning for a new outdoor grill.
Between the comparison of Coleman Roadtrip 285 and Weber Traveler, what attracts me is its high-quality body structure and ease of use. After inspecting both closely, I bought a Weber Traveller.
There is no doubt that Coleman RoadTrip was the market leader until the arrival of Weber Traveler. But both can’t be winners? It’s true that Weber is the world’s top portable gas grill manufacturer.
Although the Coleman Roadtrip is quite popular in this category after Weber launched Traveler Grill in the market “dominance is down”. And we all know that Weber’s innovations are consumer-friendly and Coleman’s is no less.
Let us know what the difference between the two, the pros and cons, features, and much more.
Weber Traveler vs Coleman Roadtrip – Head To Head
Here you have to get an answer on “Which is better Weber or Coleman?” based on my experience. It is important to read a complete comparison guide.
Portability Fight
The Weber Traveler weighs just 49 pounds and offers good portability thanks to its sturdy but easy-to-roll wheels. It is designed keeping in mind grilling tasks on the go.
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 is no slouch when it comes to portability. Its durable and non-stick legs make it very easy to move around. It weighs only 46 pounds which allows portability and greater stability on camping trips and tailgating.
BTU and Uurner Fire Point
The Weber Traveler is excellent for cooking steak thanks to the stainless steel burners. Although it only has one burner that produces 13,000 BTUs per hour, its design ensures that it quickly reaches high temperatures that preserve the flavor and juiciness of the steak.
On the other hand, the RoadTrip 285 comes with three adjustable burners, all of which provide 20,000 BTUs. This gives you more control over different temperature zones in the cooking area, allowing you to cook different dishes at once.
Cooking Area
Only great food can satisfy hunger pangs, whether it’s at family gatherings or tailgate parties. The larger cooking area allows you to cook more food. The Traveler 320 and RoadTrip come with 285 square inches of cooking area, although cheaper is not better when it comes to cooking larger meals.
Material Matters
Weber doesn’t compromise on quality. The Traveler is constructed with high-grade stainless steel, ensuring durability and longevity. Stainless steel resists rust and corrosion, making it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
The Roadtrip 285 comes with cast iron grates, renowned for their excellent heat retention and distribution. They’re perfect for achieving those coveted grill marks and imparting that signature smoky flavor to your dishes. While cast iron requires a bit more care to prevent rust, many grill aficionados swear by the flavor it adds to their creations.
Performance and Convenience
The Weber Traveler wins in terms of fast start-up. You’ll be grilling in no time with its quick ignition system. Additionally, it’s relatively easy to clean, thanks to its grease management system that funnels drippings away from the burners.
The Roadtrip 285’s multiple burners offer precise temperature control, perfect for cooking a variety of dishes simultaneously. Its spacious design provides ample cooking space for larger gatherings. However, it may take a bit longer to reach peak temperature compared to the Traveler. Cleaning is straightforward, but be prepared to maintain those cast iron grates regularly.
Coleman Roadtrip 285
Coleman Roadtrip is the market leader in this category so we’ll start with that.
The Coleman Roadtrip 285 is a portable grill and is made of high-quality steel. Sturdy cooking grates made of porcelain-coated cast iron are excellent for distributing heat in the luggage compartment. But there is a concern here about the plastic handle and side table which I find a bit weak.
It comes with a cooking area of 285 square inches which is great for up to 3 persons. In case of a quick start, there is an ignition system. But if this cooking area is small for you, cast iron cooking grates are an easy replacement for those sold separately.
The Coleman Roadtrip portable gas grill has 3 stainless steel burners that come with improved burner technology that gives 20% better control at 20,000 BTU. Precise temperature control on all three burner zones is independently adjustable.
It has an integrated lid thermometer to monitor the internal temperature, with a lid-locking system that allows heat to be sealed inside.
It has an excellent collapsible feature that assembles in no time. Cooking equipment, as well as food items, are on both side tables. A removable water pan that collects grease provides easy cleanup.
The Coleman Roadtrip 285 portable grill comes with a 3-year limited warranty and over 80% of verified users give 5 stars.
Pros
- Interchangeable cooktops
- 3 Adjustable independent zone
- Hassle-free starts
Cons
- The side tables and handle use low-quality materials
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Weber 9010001 Traveler Portable Gas Grill is made of high-quality heavy-duty steel which is quite strong. Cooking grates made it easy to distribute heat in and even the cooking area. Single-handed setup of this collapsible portable grill.
The Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill is great for a 320-square-inch medium-sized family. On the starting front, there’s a push-button starting system that grills lightly in a single spark. If you’re going to have an outdoor grill for a long time, add a 20-pound gas tank to it with adapter hoses that are sold separately.
The Weber Traveler Gas Grill has a single burner that provides 13,000 BTU of power. It’s excellent at temperature control, grilling everything from low-to-high-range pancakes to seared steak. It’s deliberately designed to be there no matter where the adventure takes you.
The Weber Traveler Grill also features a lid-mounted thermometer to check the internal temperature of the cooking box, as well as an automatic lock lid design to seal the heat inside.
The Weber 9010001 Traveler Grill is featured by collapsible and easy to assemble. It has a side table for food preparation items. The removable pan is available under the grill to collect grease, simply remove, and is easy to clean.
The Weber 9010001 Traveler Portable Gas Grill Cook box Comes for 5 years, the Lid assembly is 5 years, the Porcelain-Enameled Cast-Iron cooking grates have 3 years, and all remaining parts have a 2-year warranty and over 85% of verified users give 5 stars.
Pros
- Upgraded its 20-pound gas cylinder
- The compact fold takes up minimal space
- Great on portability
- The temperature drops really fast
- Excellent temperature control
- A good heat output
Cons
- The grill is a bit heavy
Features
Compare the features of Weber Traveler and Coleman Roadtrip 285
| Features | Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill | Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Temperature Controller | Infinite Control Burner Valve | Twisting burner for heat control |
| Temperature Gauge | Built-In Lid Thermometer | Built-In Thermometer |
| Side Table | Heavy duty side table | Plastic side table on both side |
| Lid Lock | Automatic lid lock system | Manually latch lock |
| Assembling require | Sets up and folds by single hand | Easy set up |
| Cleaning | Removable grease catch pan | Removable grease catch pan |
| Price | Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Amazon |
Quick Specification
You should compare the specifications that you get before making a decision. Here is the Weber Traveler vs. Coleman Roadtrip 285 specification!
| Weber Traveler Grill | Coleman Roadtrip 285 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cooking Area | 320 square inches | 285 square inches |
| Grill Dimensions | 42.72 x 22.05 x 14.65 inches | 30.25 x 19.19 x 16.13 inches |
| Burner | 1 Stainless steel burner | 3 Stainless steel burners |
| Grill Weight | 49 pounds | 46 pounds |
| Construction Materials | High-quality steel | Heavy duty steel |
| Ignite System | Push button | Push Bbutton |
| Portable Wheels | Design for all-weather wheels | Rugged wheels |
| BTUs Power | 13,000 BTUs/hour | 20,000 BTUs per/hour |
| Fuel Type | Liquid Propane (disposable cylinder sold separately) | Liquid Propane (disposable cylinder sold separately) |
| Tools Hooks | 3 | No |
| Warranty | 5-years limited warranty | 3-years limited warranty |
| Price | Buy Now From Amazon | Buy Now From Amazon |
Why I Choose Weber Traveler Grill
Let me make it clear that I am not a fan of any brand as many BBQ grill manufacturers are making great units. I’m a chef and occasional blog writer so I should be more careful in this matter.
Let’s first try to understand the core products of both companies!
Coleman; Coleman is an outdoor manufacturing company that manufactures tents, coolers, canopies, survival gear, portable toilets, sleeping bags, camp lighting, hiking gear, stoves, and grills.
Weber; Weber specializes in the manufacture of BBQ Grills hence this gas grill manufacturer is on top in the field.
But I didn’t buy the Weber Traveler because it is made by a great company, they can make mistakes too. I chose the Weber Traveler because it is better than the Coleman Roadtrip. Be it features performance or design, Weber Traveler is ahead in all.
Compare by Image – Coleman Roadtrip vs Weber Traveler
After comparing the features and specifications of both portable gas grills, you should compare them in the pictures, which will make your vision clear.
Weber Traveler
Coleman RoadTrip 285
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Weber Traveler worth it?
Since the launch of Weber Traveler, it has been competing with the hegemony of Coleman Roadtrip and today you have great design, easy-to-use features, really worth it, and are made from high-quality materials.
Weber has always worked at high quality and Weber Traveler didn’t let me down at all
What gas does a Weber Traveler use?
The Weber Traveler and Roadtrip 285 is a propane barbecue designed with the outdoor enthusiast in mind.
Both have portable grills, so made to run on those small, disposable 1 lb gas canisters, but you can upgrade with a 20-pound tank that will require an adapter.
Where is the Weber Traveler made?
Weber Traveler Made in China. There are many well-known models and top brands that are manufactured in China, almost all BBQ grill manufacturers in the country are made in China, which reduces labor costs and allows units to be delivered at an affordable cost to consumers.
Does the Weber traveler have a hot plate?
Unfortunately, Weber Traveler Barbecue has a large chargrill plate but no hotplate.
Final Verdict
After reading the article till now, you must have got clarity in your mind, I am glad that till now all your questions must have been answered. Weber Traveler vs Coleman Roadtrip 285 has some similarities and some differences that will affect different people.
After conducting experience with both I found Coleman Roadtrip 285 has 3 stainless steel burners that are divided into three different cooking zones which are good while the Weber Traveler Grill has 1 stainless steel burner which gives 13,000 BTU outputs. But more burners and more BTUs are not the measure of a good grill.
In my experience, both are excellent, while I have already said that Coleman RoadTrip 285 was the leader in this segment, Coleman’s leadership was destroyed by Weber Traveller, the biggest reason being Weber built a quality and Grease management system which is much better than Coleman 285.
The Weber Traveler Grill is a better option in all other areas like temperature control, automatically locking the heat, performance, durability, and warranty (View on Amazon).
The Weber Traveler Portable Grill is the perfect idea for your next outdoor party or road trip grilling. Everything else depends on your discretion.
Despite Weber’s arrival in the market, the Coleman Roadtrip is not losing its reputation as the best-selling collapsible portable grill right now (View on Amazon).
Weber Traveler Grill Manual
Download this Weber Traveler grill manual if you’re having trouble setting up your Weber Traveler portable grill.
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Grill Manual
If you’re having a problem setting up your Coleman Roadtrip 285 grill. Then Download the Coleman Roadtrip grill manual
