We are not taking our Coleman Stove/Grill combo this trip. I am so disappointed in it.
Rusty. I have deoxidizer oil on it but it’s not helping a lot.
First of all, it doesn’t grill well. There is only one heating element in the middle and it is way too close to the grate. So one end of the food tends to burn before the other side cooks. You have to constantly shift the hamburgers, chicken or steaks around, and I am never satisfied with the way food turns out.
Second of all, it rusts! The pan under the grill hasn’t rusted, but that is probably because I always cover it with aluminum foil before using it to keep grease from getting burned on to it, so it’s shielded from the heat a little.
I have never boiled anything over on the burner. And as soon as I’m through using it, I always Windex it thoroughly and dry all the moisture off. But the whole burner area has rusted. I guess it just gets too hot for it? Or maybe condensation forms under there when the stove is closed up.
Anyway, we are taking our old Weber Baby Q 100 that stays 27/7 out on the deck winter and summer. It doesn’t look that great, but it still does a fantastic job of grilling meats and vegetables.
And we’ re taking our cheapo camp stove that doesn’t have a windscreen… because it doesn’t rust. We’ll create a windscreen of some type for it.
I am almost through packing. It has taken me a lot longer this time. I still need to mop the Casita’s floor and put down the rugs in the morning… and pack the toiletries that we will use for our showers in the morning. But we will finally break out of here tomorrow!
My sister Gail is van camping on a lake in Texas this weekend. She is so thrilled. She learned how to throw a cast net and catch her own shad for bait today! I would so love to join her!
Maybe someday. 🙂
Tinycamper's Blog 
Tim McDougall
/ April 6, 2013Hi Sharon.
Thanks for the info on the Coleman. I’m sure you have saved someone the trouble of getting stuck with one of those.
I have a stainless steel Brinkman two burner stove that cooks well and the only trouble I have with it is the grate needed extra securing to keep from tilting when a skillet is added or removed. I also have a single screw on to a canister type Coleman single burner stove and I’ve discovered I can’t get the flame low enough to just simmer without burning my cooking oil. It is good for pots with more liquid in them.
Good luck with your trip.
Tim
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tinycamper
/ April 6, 2013I saw a stainless steel two burner camp stove at Amazon that looked good. I should have bought it instead of the Coleman. But the thought of being able to just carry one unit instead of a separate grill and camp stove was irresistible.
I had done a positive review of it when I first got it, so thought I should update my opinion after using it for a while.
I do want a two burner so I can use my Coleman oven on it. I’ve also had a couple of one burner stoves I liked, but sometimes I really need that second burner!
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Tim McDougall
/ April 6, 2013Yes, and sometimes 3 or 4 come in handy. I like Coleman products and saw the cookstove/oven combo at Cabella’s for a price of about $249.00. It is pretty big and heavy though.
Everything will be more pricy now that the new healthcare tax is added on. I give Cabella’s much credit for printing the tax on their sales receipt instead of hiding it like others may do. I’ll forward you an email on it.
Tim
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013Tim, that blew me away, so I checked it out on Snopes. Apparently Cabela’s did mistakenly apply the new tax on January 1. But that’s ONE area where the tax doesn’t legally apply. At least yet! 🙂
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/medicaldevice.asp
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Tim McDougall
/ April 7, 2013Thanks for the link Sharon. That sure is a lot to digest. I’m sure glad my coffee isn’t counted as a medical device—yet.
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madcap328
/ April 6, 2013So excited y’all are hitting the road!! Happy, safe travels my friend!! XOXO
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013Thanks, Kristy. We are really looking forward to it. 🙂
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Sandy
/ April 7, 2013Thanks for the review on the Coleman grill combo was getting ready to buy one when we take off the end of April! Do you have a good alternative?
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013Sandy, I have bought 3 camp stoves in the last few years and haven’t been happy with any of them. When I do buy another one, I will probably go with an all-stainless steel model. I was looking at this one, but I am afraid the burners would be too hot for simmering. That’s a lot of BTU’s! I’ll just limp along with my old cheap stove until I find one I really like.
On edit… Amazon sticks this picture here when I post the link. Sorry. I do not have any financial association with them except that I spend a lot of money there!
http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Outfitter-Series-Output-Propane/dp/B001ABK3IC/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1365341023&sr=8-12&keywords=camp+stove+stainless+steel
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Jo
/ April 7, 2013Have a wonderful trip and be safe on the road.
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013Thanks, Jo! 🙂
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Linnith
/ April 7, 2013Have a great trip. We really enjoy your posts.
Linnith Arnold ~Sent from my iPad
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013What a nice compliment, Linnith! Thanks for the good wishes! 🙂
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cozybegone
/ April 7, 2013Thanks for the heads up. Still lacking on what we want to cook with…will muddle our way through it. We did just get a Weber Q…love it. Even cooking for sure. Going to miss the BIG kettle charcoal unit…and still eyeing that electric pressure cooker :O) Soak up for FL sun for me!
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013Everyone has things they love using. I got a small crockpot, thinking that I would love it. But I only used it a couple of times and never bring it along now. Some people swear by them.
My sister has a small electric skillet that she wouldn’t camp without.
You’ll find what works for you. But the Baby Q is a great start! 🙂
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lynne
/ April 7, 2013We have a Coleman 3 in one, grill, griddle and stove but only use the griddle….use the griddle to grill. Tried to perk coffee outside on the stove and it took forever. Our Casita’s propane stove is constantly used for boiling water, making rice, couscous and pasta. That’s the all the inside cooking that we do, except for the microwave when there’s electricity. I can turn the casita stove waaay down…almost off!
Hope you are having fun …..where ever you are.
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tinycamper
/ April 7, 2013The griddle is an interesting option. I had wondered how people liked using it.
I use my Casita stove much the same way you do, Lynne. Anything non-greasy and without a strong odor. All frying, sauteing, and fragrant foods are cooked outdoors.
We’re over half way home. The route rarely varies as we want to make a beeline going down there. After we visit with family, we’ll strike out for a bit of exploring.
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Elizabeth in NC
/ April 7, 2013Thanks for this info!!
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tinycamper
/ April 8, 2013Glad it was helpful to you, Elizabeth. 🙂
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