Multi function stove suitable for solo or couple campers

I was looking for a portable stove to use both for cooking outdoors on my deck and camp cooking. Periodically, I like to pack up a picnic and go to a state park. I much prefer charcoal grilling but found that the half hour it took to fire up the coals, just to do something simple like grill a piece of salmon, was silly. So I headed out to look for a stove. I saw this model first at Dicks Sporting Goods but it seemed pricey - I ended up returning home to Froogle it and then bought a floor model for a 10% discount at Sports Authority. There was a slight scuff on the blue metal exterior, which netted me the discount.

I knew I simply couldn't go wrong with Coleman so I didn't look at any others. What I liked about this model was that it had a dual surface - half of it designed to hold a pot and half of it for grilling. I debated whether I'd miss the larger surface but I think a small griddle could fit over both halves and do the same thing if need be. Most of the time I'm cooking either for myself or one other person, so the grilling surface size was fine for me - but it is a bit small for a family to grill on. Usually, I just cook a pot of something - and grill one or two pieces of meat or fish and there's dinner.

It's very easy to clean, if you use foil. I put a piece of foil under the grill and poke a hole in it to drain to the little grease catcher underneath. Then when I'm done, throw the grill in the sink or dishwasher (its DW safe) and the foil in the trash.

The stove is actually pretty heavy, when you close it all up for storage or transport. One thing that I noticed was that it was a bit difficult to carry - the handle is just a cut out in the base, nothing particularly comfortable or ergonomic. This might be typical with portable stoves - I wouldn't know. I wouldn't carry it for much of a distance, though, as a result.

The first time I used it with the little standard Coleman propane tanks, I had one heck of a time making it work. Trying to thread the propane neck into the tubular thing (I'm sorry but I don't know the official name of that!) was ridiculous at that angle. Now I understand how much pressure I need to give to make the connection and it's second nature. Still easier than gathering wood and tinder, and faster than waiting for charcoal to turn white!

The other little learning experience for me was not understanding what "lit" looked like. Being outside in the bright sunshine, when I turned on the gas, heard the hiss and lit the burner, nothing happened. I tried it again. And again. Until I finally realized it WAS lit -- it was just invisible. Yeah, the heat finally clued me in. Duh. Well, this is why I have renters insurance.

It has wind shields which fold up to hook into the main lid. All of the pieces can fit inside for storage - by "all" I mean the grill, the piece that screws into the propane tank, and the grease catcher.

All in all, it does what I needed and suits my lifestyle just fine. Since it's a Coleman, I expect to have it as part of my camping paraphernalia for some time.