A color-coded red-and-black prep and serve tray set for grilling, built to keep raw prep and cooked serving surfaces separate at camp, tailgates, and backyard cookouts.
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Cuisinart grilling trays: 7 practical pros and 3 drawbacks
Cuisinart grilling trays are a simple two-tray system for the moment every backyard cook and camper knows too well: raw food needs to go out to the grill, but cooked food needs a clean place to land.
The set uses a red tray for raw prep and a black tray for finished food. That color split is not just tidy; it supports the same separation habit recommended by the FDA food safety guidance and the CDC clean, separate, cook, chill framework.
For car camping, tailgating, RV meals, and patio grilling, this is a useful upgrade over carrying one plate out and hoping everyone remembers which side touched raw meat. It is not ultralight backpacking gear, and it is not a cutting board replacement, but it solves a real camp-kitchen problem with almost no learning curve.
Key features of the Cuisinart grilling trays
The official Cuisinart listing describes two interchangeable prep-and-serve trays that nest together for storage. The red tray is meant for raw meat transport, while the black tray gives cooked food a clean serving surface.
Cuisinart lists the set as shatter-resistant melamine, dishwasher safe, and large enough for grilling use. The tray class is about 17 x 10.5 inches, with Cuisinart showing listed dimensions of 17.70 x 1.85 x 10.90 inches and a unit weight of 3.68 pounds on its Canadian product page.
The Amazon listing for ASIN B081JVXDJJ also calls out BPA-free construction, a 20-pound support claim, and a nesting design. The current sheet data I used for this run lists a 4.8 rating, 8,325 reviews, and a price of $28.48, though Amazon pricing and review counts can change quickly.
- Best use: car camping, patio grilling, RV cooking, and tailgating.
- Material: melamine-style serving trays, not a hot pan or cutting surface.
- Cleaning: dishwasher-safe according to Cuisinart and the Amazon listing.
- Storage: nesting trays reduce cabinet and chuck-box bulk.
How they work in a real camp kitchen
The best case for Cuisinart grilling trays is a camp kitchen where people are moving fast. You season burgers, chicken, vegetables, or skewers on the red tray, take them to the grill, then use the black tray when the food is fully cooked.
That sounds basic, but basic is exactly the point. A color-coded system reduces the chance that a tired cook grabs the wrong platter after dark, especially at a busy campsite where kids, lanterns, coolers, and side dishes are all competing for attention.
The trays also make more sense than disposable plates if you grill often. They are sturdier, easier to carry with both hands, and more useful for a full batch of food than a small dinner plate.
There are limits. Melamine is for serving and transport, not direct heat. Do not set these trays on a hot grill, burner, or fire grate, and do not use them as cutting boards for heavy knife work.
If your kit already includes a large color-coded cutting board set and a dedicated serving platter, Cuisinart grilling trays may feel redundant. If your current system is one plate, a roll of foil, and crossed fingers, the upgrade is immediately noticeable.
Pros and drawbacks
The strongest reason to buy Cuisinart grilling trays is workflow clarity. Red means raw prep; black means cooked food. That is the whole feature, and it is the kind of simple cue that actually helps when a campsite meal gets busy.
The second win is cleanup. Both trays can go in the dishwasher, and the nesting shape makes them easier to store than two random platters. For campers who keep a chuck box, that matters.
The drawbacks are mostly about expectations. These are not compact backpacking pieces, they are not heatproof cookware, and melamine can scuff over time if you treat it like a cutting board.
- Pros: color-coded food safety workflow, generous grilling size, dishwasher-safe cleanup, nesting storage, sturdy serving feel, useful for tailgates, and better than disposable plates.
- Cons: too bulky for backpacking, not for direct heat, and not meant for knife-heavy prep.
How it compares to other camp cooking gear
Compared with a cast iron setup like a Lodge skillet or a Lodge Dutch oven, this Cuisinart set is not cookware. It belongs beside the grill, not on the heat.
Compared with portable cooking systems such as the Royal Gourmet PD1301R, Cuisinart grilling trays are the supporting gear that keeps food movement organized. They will not improve burner performance, but they do improve the handoff from prep to serving.
Paper plates are cheaper in the moment, but they bend, soak through, and create waste. A regular platter is nicer for serving, but it does not give the same red-versus-black safety cue.
Who should buy them?
Buy Cuisinart grilling trays if you cook meat or seafood outdoors and want an obvious way to keep raw and cooked food separate. They are especially useful for car campers, tailgaters, cabin cooks, and grill owners who host groups.
Skip them if you mostly boil water, eat freeze-dried meals, or pack everything into a small backpacking kit. In that world, a collapsible bowl and a light cutting surface will earn their space more often.
Frequently asked questions
Are the trays dishwasher safe?
Yes. Cuisinart describes the trays as dishwasher safe, and that is one of the main reasons Cuisinart grilling trays make sense for repeat grilling instead of one-time disposable platters.
Can these trays touch a hot grill?
No. Treat them as prep and serving trays, not cookware. Keep them off burners, grill grates, fire rings, and hot cast iron.
Are they safe for raw and cooked meat?
The system is designed to help separate raw and cooked food, but safe use still depends on the cook. Use the red tray for raw food, the black tray for cooked food, wash hands and utensils, and follow food-temperature guidance from sources such as the FDA or CDC.
Do they fit in a camping kitchen bin?
Usually, yes, if your bin accepts 17-inch gear. The trays nest together, but they are still wide enough that very compact camp boxes may not fit them.
Final verdict
Cuisinart grilling trays are not glamorous gear, but they are practical. They make the raw-to-cooked workflow visible, clean, and repeatable, which is exactly what a campsite grill station needs.
If you grill often and want fewer disposable plates, fewer food-safety mixups, and an easier serving routine, this two-piece set is a smart buy. For backpacking, leave it home. For car camping and patio grilling, it earns its space.
