Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart Grill Stove Review

Posted in Oven, Grill, and Stove Combos

The Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart Grill Stove is a versatile and useful cooking companion. Combining a stove and grill in one compact unit is a huge benefit over hauling around two separate units.

You get a grill and a single burner each performing at 10,000 BTUs, meaning you can boil or simmer a pot on the burner while grilling some food. The Coleman InstaStart is called so because it has a convenient push button ignition and is ready to use in an instant.

Grills do not come much more portable that this, it’s compact and light while having a decent size cooking area.

If you are looking for a two-burner stove with more power you may want to check out our review of the Stansport Outfitter 2 Burner Stove. I understand having a large grilling area isn’t for everyone, but for those who like to grill and want a portable well built stove – the Coleman PerfectFlow Grill and Stove might just be the one. So lets take a closer look.

Setup and Design Features

In regards to setting up the stove, it’s easy and quick as you would expect from a stove in this class. It has a lid and windscreens to open, the lid pulls down to cover food while cooking, although it doesn’t pull down flush. The windscreens double up as side trays which is a nice touch, and there is a carry handle built in.

If red is your color you are in luck, if red is not your color – you will learn to get used to it. That’s a light hearted comment, the stove looks great if you ask me. The build quality and finish of the metal is high quality, as you would expect from Coleman.

Click here for Deals, Reviews & Pricing

The Coleman PerfectFlow does not boil water as fast the the Camp Chef Everest as it offers half the BTU output, but its not slow by any means. The 10,000 BTU burner is more than capable of boiling, simmering, and cooking small to medium sized pots and pans of fluids or food quickly.

The Coleman InstaStart comes ready to attach a 16 oz propane canister, for longer camping trips you will probably want to attach a larger 5 gallon propane tank. To do this however you’ll need to buy a propane hose, if you are not familiar with connecting a larger tank and hose its very straightforward and safe. Prices range between $85 and $105.

Dimensions – The Coleman InstaStart Grill and Stove is 5.6” H x 13.5” W x 21” L. Making it a compact, portable unit.

The Pros

Easy and quick to clean, has an easy to remove grease tray
Lightweight at 13lbs
Windshield side panels fold down to double up as side trays
With the grill and single burner, this stove is a versatile unit with a lot of cooking options
High quality nickel-chrome stove grate and die-cast aluminium grill grate

The Cons

The windscreens are small and don’t give great protection in windy conditions
The lid doesn’t close flush to the base when cooking

Insider Tips

Line the bottom of the grill with aluminum foil to help with cleaning up. This is a good tip to do for any of the table top stove models. It does come with a removable grease collecting tray, but the grease will run down the sides first. Cleaning up is always the least enjoyable part of cooking outdoors, so make it easier on yourself.

If you are planning on using a table top stove like this model you will need a table to set it on. I have used the Coleman Deluxe Camp Kitchen on past trips and have appreciated the additional storage and organization.

You can avoid the table all together if you look into stand alone stoves. These models “stand alone” and are great for large group camping trips.

It is also worth pointing out that with the grill taking up most of the space, the single burner is best used on small to medium pots. Leave the large pots at home, this Coleman is geared towards grilling food with a small side pot combo. For more useful camping tips make sure to drop by our camping tips section.

Coleman Instastart Grill Stove Summary

This is a great all round grill/stove combo. With the grill and burner combination Coleman has tried to market this product to a wider market, but in reality it will suit people with specific cooking needs.

It is a fun stove to cook with, it’s easy to set up, quick to use, and easy to clean. Follow the link below to check the latest price, but for this quality the InstaStart is one of the more affordable stoves on the market. You’ll only get to really experience it by trying it out, so if you are on the fence I recommend you take the jump and pick one up.

Conclusion

If you are used to using a 2-burner stand alone stove, the Coleman Grill and Stove is a different experience. But it is just as useful and depending how you look at it – even more versatile. This stove is well respected within the outdoors community, and you will see them being used at campsites.

The Coleman PerfectFlow Instastart Grill Stove will help to lighten your load and consolidate gear. You won’t have to bring a barbecue and stove since they are in one compact unit. I’ve used it on river trips with small groups to help save space and you might want to check it out as well. Click on the twitter link below if you found this article useful so others can find us. Thanks!