SmokeZilla
Well-known member
- Messages
- 1,031
- Grill(s) owned
- Bull
I also once “packed heavy“ for my trips. Especially if I was going to Utah from SoCal for a week or more but I learned that most of my cooking needs were fulfilled with one dedicated portable 2 burner grill and a 24” Blackstone (BS). When I came across the Tailgater, that changed everything. Its versatility allows multiple configurations. If I want to do a whole chicken, kabobs or ribs, the grill side is perfect for a meal that serves up to 6 healthy eaters. When combined with the griddle (aproximately 16” square) I can do burgers, hotdogs, cheesesteaks, grilled veggies and other great stuff at the same time. When I use dual griddles, let the games begin. Everyone is familiar with all the breakfast ideas for BS but as I stated in an earlier post, I served 40 smashburgers in ~20 minutes during a cook with a bunch of folks and everyone had a chance to eat around the same time. I had a buddy working one of the griddles and I was on the other and it only took the single Tailgater for everything that was served hot. At one time, we had 24 burgers on at once. (When I was in college I worked at a Wendy’s a few semisters so I am a trained professional, haha.) If I want to do anything that needs a pot or skillet, the round center oriented left hand burner rules. It heats 3 gallons of water to a boil in about 5 minutes (with my regulator mod). I also have the Lodge large Wok that I use on it for fried rice and a number of other delicacies on board. I have been on about 6 trips each about a week long and some with as many as 50 people, and we are still amazed at how efficient the Tailgater can be. Obviously it takes planning and staging, but I have been camping for over 50 years and I haven’t come across anything as versatile as this little rig and it packs down to the size of an oversized bag that can be checked at the airport. I hear rumors that it will be phased out for the for the Adventure Ready 17” but I am over 6’ tall and I appreciate the stand alone capability of the TG because I’m not taking up table space when I cook. Not trying to hijack this thread but does anyone else on this thread use a TG to accompany their RecTeq cookers? If so, how do you use it as a tool?
[Edit]. I forgot to mention one of the biggest advantages of the BS. It runs off propane and I can carry a 5 or 10lb tank for short trips or the old trusty 20lb tanks for longer trips when I am dry camping, which is my preferred way to go. Of course that may not be an issue for you (or me for that matter) because my Toy Hauler has a 5500w Onan Gold Marquis genset and it can provide enough power for my rig and any rigs on my sides without a problem.
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