Coleman 2 burner stove vs. 1 burner+1grill model?

[stioc]

Looking to purchase a stove. Between these two which one do you guys find more useful?

After getting spoiled by a 4 burner stove in the travel trailer I'm not sure what I need for tent camping. However, tent camping will mostly be for me and occaionally my 6yo and friends. I know the Coleman stoves have been around longer than I have and the 2 burners are quite popular. However, the grill option seems interesting too- not that I'm a big steak person or anything (not even a good cook) but it could be useful for hamburgers, hotdogs and even pancakes and eggs with the griddle option?

What do you guys suggest?

 

[the dude]

we have the grill and burner. We really like that you can replace the grill with a griddle and do eggs or pancakes or bacon ect.

Highly reccomended for only 2 people. It gets a little crammed when cooking for more then that. or you have to take shifts.

 

[Errant]

I think you'll find the grill portion two small to really be usefull. Go with a regular two burner and pick up a cast iron grill/griddle that you can place on top when needed.

 

[4x4mike]

I've been looking at the burner/grill combo as well. I've got several 2 burners and used them with great results over the years. It does make it hard to do hot dogs and burgers though. We have a little portable BBQ that we bring for that stuff and things like steak. I was hoping the burner/grill combos were good enough to replace my 2 piece setup.

Is the grill portion suitable for a grilling a steak?

 

[justfred]

I have the propane grill/griddle and single burner. It works great, the grill and griddle heat up well, I've used the grill for burgers, brats, carne asada, or even as a spare burner for a large pot; the griddle works well for breakfast eggs, meats, or pancakes and cleans easily.

The problem is there's no space to store the griddle anywhere, and the box it came in is old and ripped. Wish there were a standard place to store the griddle inside the stove, and/or a great bag for stove, griddle, gas connector, and a bottle of fuel or two.

Also, the stove rattles a lot when I'm driving; sometimes I put in a towel to quiet it down. It's also somewhat annoying to have to clean the whole thing when it's encrusted with camping dust.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I have the grill/stove combo. I really like it, but it is a compromise. The stove side is kinda small, but it's ok if you're just using small backpacking type pots. The grill size is fine for my wife and I and the two kids. You must know that the heat is quite uneven, so you need to work the meat a little bit more than normal. I also have the griddle, and use it for pancakes or eggs. Biggest downside is the whole thing is a pain to clean after grilling. But, after all the compromises, I like it more than the other options.

With our trailer, since we'll have the room, I intend to use a seperate stove, and a real portable gas grill.

 

[evldave]

x2 on all the comments so far. I've got both (grill/burner and burner/burner) and almost always use the grill/burner combo (going on probably 10+ years now)

• Grill/Burner combo is great for smaller meals (2 adults, 2 kids).
• Grill is great for burgers, steaks, hot dogs.
• Burner is a little small for full-size pots (going back to small meals)
• Griddle makes it easy to cook pancakes, but is a pain to store.
• Clean-up is horrible - especially w/burgers...lots of grease and hard to get the whole stove clean.

Sometimes we'll also bring along a cast-iron grill/griddle and use that on the fire. When we do that, I think 'gosh maybe we should do this w/a dual-burner stove' but that goes away when I try and pack the 2-burner stove, the griddle (it's heavy!), and clean everything up, etc.

If I camped & cooked w/more than my family, I'd probably go the burner/burner route, but I think you'll love having a grill along camping

 

[RVR2RSQ]

I really like my stove/grill combo. I have the griddle option as well. Other than storage problems I really like it. I'm sure a nice kitchen box would resolve my storage complaints.

Its usually myself and my 2 boys and it works out well. To be honest I dont use the stove side much at all. I usually use my jetboil if I need hot water.

 

[stioc]

Thanks guys. So the more I think about it the more I want to get the burner/grill combo. But I was also thinking if I went with a 2 burner stove + griddle and bought a small $30 portable charcoal grill I could have the best of both (three) worlds. The charcoal grill could also be used as a firepit/place if there isn't one available. But then I'll have to mess with the charcoal

 

[chasespeed]

Thats actually what I do. But having a fullsize truck, I have more options for space. And I designed my kitchen box with that in mind. The box actually fits on the boat as well....

I will admit, the charcoal can be a PITA sometimes. BUT, it tastes so much better than grilling with gas. And, if need be, there is ALWAYS wood....

Just my thoughts....

 

[I Leak Oil]

I have both types of coleman stoves. I use the combo unit much more. You can always throw a skillet on the grill section and cook, works well for vegitables and the like. Wrapping food in aluminum foil and cooking it on the grill section works well also. I have a small truck so keeping the various cooking utensiles to a minimum is important.

 

[oldboyscout]

I'm a noob here but FWIW I've used every possible combination of grill and stove over the last 25 years. I tried the grill/stove combo this year cuz I thought it would be perfect.
problems for me are:
-It's a ROYAL pain to clean if you grill anything but hot dogs.
-no lid for the grill means if it's the least bit windy your food will take a long time and a lot of gas to get cooked.
-the stove burner area is too small for a 9" pan.

The combo works GREAT with the griddle, and if I was very limited in space I'd still plan on using it, but I'm going back to a simple 2 burner stove and separate propane grill. That way I don't have to worry so much about cleaning up after grilling(which I usually do a lot of)

 

[evldave]

I'm a noob here but FWIW I've used every possible combination of grill and stove over the last 25 years. I tried the grill/stove combo this year cuz I thought it would be perfect.
problems for me are:
-It's a ROYAL pain to clean if you grill anything but hot dogs.
-no lid for the grill means if it's the least bit windy your food will take a long time and a lot of gas to get cooked.
-the stove burner area is too small for a 9" pan.

The combo works GREAT with the griddle, and if I was very limited in space I'd still plan on using it, but I'm going back to a simple 2 burner stove and separate propane grill. That way I don't have to worry so much about cleaning up after grilling(which I usually do a lot of)

I have 2 dogs, cleanup isn't a problem for me

 

[87FoRunner]

I didn't take pics of when I cooked a few burgers on the grill part, but so far I am VERY pleased with my combo unit.

 

[hoser]

I was not happy with my Coleman 1 burner/ 1 grill and so I gave it away. The grill heated unevenly. I would suggest getting a two burner stove and a separate (and better) grill. I realize people buy this for a convenient and fast grill but one of those grated, cast iron pans might do a better job.