Tabletop trend
A few weeks back, Robyn sent me a link and said, “check this out.” Honestly, I don’t know how Robyn does it. She ALWAYS has her finger on the pulse of the grilling world, always finding the coolest stuff. I think she is a grilling ninja or something.
Anyway, she asked me if I would look at some tabletop grills as we step into the tailgate season. My answer was “YES!” Tabletop grills are great for tailgating and a whole lot more. Fall brings lots of amazing outdoor activities with it, football and much more. Sportspersons take to the field. Hayrides and hot cider are close behind. Before you know it we get deep into the gift-giving season.
Let’s face it; tabletop grills are a great gift for anyone on your list. You can find one for every budget. They are easy to store, take up little space, and are always at the ready to head off on your next outdoor adventure. Even in the dead of winter, it’s easy to grab your tabletop grill and get cooking right in the driveway. It’s a great gift that someone can use year-round.
Sorry about the detour. Let me get back on task here. So what was in the link from Robyn that day?
The Fortress 2 Burner Cast Aluminum Table Top Grill from Nexgrill!
Fortress comes from the old French word “foreresse,” meaning “strong place” and based on the Latin word “fortis,” which means “strong.”
At first glimpse, my head went to the “meh” side of things. Not to judge the book by its cover by any means, but I was just indifferent to it. And then…it arrived.
As soon as I opened the box, I thought, “Wow, this is a nice grill!” Fortress is certainly an appropriate name for this grill.
Overview
The Fortress has a heavy cast aluminum body and two burners made from 304-grade stainless steel. Yep, that’s the good stuff. These burners deliver 6,500 BTUs each for a total of 13,000 BTUs. The ignition system is a push-and-turn piezo type.
There is one igniter for each burner, 255 square inches of porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates, and a built-in thermometer in the lid. The Fortress is set up to run off a 20 lb propane tank. Adaptors for 1 lb tanks are available from Nexgrill for around 15 bucks. The grill checks in with a shipping weight of 27.8 lbs and a price point is $139.00 at the time of this writing.
Assembly
Less than 10 minutes! No kidding. All you need is a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the four screws that secure the side handles. The lid handle is held by two wing nuts, which are tightened by hand. Slide the two gas control knobs in place, drop on the cooking grates, pop in the drip pan, and you’re done.
Fire it up
The Fortress lights up with a twist of the burner control. It heats up extremely fast and the heat is distributed across the cooking grate fairly evenly. I attribute this to the cast iron grates and heavy aluminum body. A quick check of the built-in thermometer and found it accurate. Keep in mind the thermometer is located higher than the cooking grate, so it will not give you an accurate reading down there. I found it to be 30-50°f higher than the grate. This is to be expected on any grill.
Bottom Line
This is one nice tabletop grill; well-built, great warranty, heavy-duty. As the name implies, it’s strong! No more “meh” from me on this one. Hey, I have no issue with saying I was wrong. If you’re looking for a great tabletop grill at a ridiculously good price, be sure to check out the Fortress 2 Burner Cast Aluminum Table Top Grill from Nexgrill!
Until next time,
Jon
**Affiliate links have been used in this post, which means I could make a small commission if any products are purchased. I only recommend products that I personally use and endorse. (Robyn)
GrillGirl Contributor, Jon Solberg.
Jon Solberg, Expert Outdoor Cook who Makes His Own Charcoal!
Enjoys long walks on the beach and good comedy….. Just kidding! A student of all things outdoor cooking, both low and slow or hot and fast. Charcoal, wood or gas it doesn’t matter. Not a big believer in the dogma of outdoor cooking. Continually looking for different ways. Loves to restore grills and smokers of all kinds. Born and raised in Mid-Michigan and understands there’s no offseason in live fire cooking.
