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Best RV Grill: Get the Most from Your Cook-Outs

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Editors Choice

Coleman RoadTrip LXE

Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill

The Coleman RoadTrip LXE wins our best RV grill award because it has it all: superb quality, a large cooking area, easy portability, and an outstanding warranty. What more can you ask for, the performance is exceptional – food grilled to perfection every time.

We love that the cast iron grill is coated with porcelain. This will help retain its fabulous color (you have multiple color choices), shine, and overall look for years. Even better than this is the size of the cooking space. You get over 200 square inches of it plus two small, sliding shelves to hold your cooking tools and more.

This model is heavy, but it does have wheels attached to the stand (which does not detach from the grill). When it is folded, you can roll it away so you aren’t having to deal with carrying it. Overall, this Coleman LXE is outstanding and suitable for a variety of different RV situations.

Cooking Out with the Best RV Grill in the Wild

Grilling (and the subsequent eating) could be one of the best experiences of RV camping. However, this can go south if you have inadequate or the wrong tools for the job. To help you out we have created this guide to help you find the perfect grill for your RV. Keep reading to find out more.

Looking for the Best Portable Grill for RV Travel?

  • Why you need a grill for your RV
  • What you should consider when buying an RV grill
  • Reviews of the best portable grills on the market
  • Our unbiased recommendation on the #top RV Grill

How to Choose a Great Grill for RVing

RV camping grills vary in type, size, features, and more. If you already know exactly what you’re looking for, great. If not, we’ve streamlined the process of shopping for an RV outdoor grill for you. Picking an excellent grill for RV life is straightforward if you follow the few simple steps we’ve outlined below, starting with choosing the type of fuel it will use.

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Pick a Grill Type

One of the most important choices, and probably the first decision you need to make is what fuel source you want to use. There are two main types of portable RV grills, and each one has its specific advantages and disadvantages. We’ve outlined them for you here so you can decide which is the best RV camping grill for you.

Gas Grills

These travel trailer grills use liquid propane (LP), or can be outfitted to use natural gas if you have a natural gas line available. They are either hooked up to a propane cylinder or alternatively to the self-contained LP gas system in your RV. Propane grills are the most popular out of the three types. They are great for people who like their food and want to be done with their cooking quickly.

PROs

  • Is ready to cook almost immediately
  • Very little preparation or clean up needed
  • You can take them anywhere

CONs

  • Can sometimes give food a gas-like taste
  • Parts may need to be replaced more often than other types

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills are your classic, old-school grills. They give food that rich, smoky, grilled taste that BBQ enthusiasts love. A charcoal grill will take longer and will be better for people with a bit more patience.

PROs

  • Great tasting food
  • You can use it anywhere
  • It gets extremely hot
  • These grills tend to be cheaper than the others

CONs

  • Requires extensive clean-up
  • Prep can take up to 45 minutes
  • Repeatedly buying charcoal can be more expensive than gas

Other Considerations

You should have formed some idea about which is the best RV grill type for your needs. Once you’ve figured it out, it’s time to consider some other aspects. These include size, warranty, and features.

Size

This will be dependent on several factors such as the number of people to feed, any constraints on cooking time, and also your storage space.

RV gas grills are usually large, and this is the best option for feeding a large group or if you are under pressure to get them fed quickly. If you want a more portable RV grill, there are now many compact-sized or tabletop gas grills for campers on the market now that may be a good option for you. 

If you are not running from the gas system in your RV then gas models may not be the best RV grills for space-saving. You’ll still have to store an RV propane tank, as well as the grill itself.

Charcoal grills come in a whole range of sizes. This RV barbecue grill type is a better option for a large group as you can cook a lot of food in a short amount of time, prep time aside. However, if you don’t clean them extremely thoroughly after use, storing them can be very messy.

Warranty

As with any significant purchase, you’ll want to have a good warranty, especially for a gas or electric grill. These all have mechanical/electronic parts that could need replacing, and you don’t want to have to pay for the replacement out-of-pocket because you don’t have a good warranty.

As a rule of thumb, anything with a warranty of less than a year is probably not a good purchase. It’s usually an indicator that the manufacturer thinks it will fail in less than a year, and they don’t want to be on the hook for that. You don’t want to be either, so choose a model that has a minimum of a one-year warranty.

Durability

Durability is a tough one to nail down. All grills claim to be the best and to be of high quality, but that doesn’t mean they are. If you want to know how durable a grill is, check out the materials it is made of, and the legs that it stands on.

Ideally, you want the grill itself to be made of stainless steel or cast aluminum. However, make sure it’s not made from thin, flimsy metal because lightweight material won’t hold up well. Cast iron is also a good material to look for in a grill. Any of these materials may be porcelain-coated which makes them scratch-resistant and helps to retain the color for longer. It’s also heat-resistant to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking from too much grilling. If a porcelain-coated grill is in your budget, we would recommend you get it.

Make sure the legs and frame are just as good as the grill itself. Sometimes manufacturers cut corners on the legs especially. They may be thin and flimsy, difficult to assemble, or made of painted steel that will rust rather than stainless steel. Even worse, they could be made of plastic. Grills are only as good as the length of time it remains standing. Unless you’re getting a tabletop grill, get one with great legs.

Features

Some RV camper grills are basic, while others have a whole host of features to give you a dynamic grilling experience. Extra features are usually more for show than necessity as all you really need is a heat source and a cooking area. However, it can be helpful to have a side burner, a griddle top, a timer, or any other features that enhance your grilling experience. Just keep in mind that these features will probably raise the price, so don’t go overboard in features unless you need them (or don’t mind parting with your money).

Price

You can get a $5 disposable grill from your local department store, or you can get the most expensive product in the world for a little over $20,000. One thing is for sure – you get what you pay for. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a good RV grill, but if you want something that is going to last for a long time, you’ll need to put some investment into it.

If you need to save some money, opt for a charcoal grill over a gas model. These are usually a lot less expensive than comparable gas grills for RVs.

The Best RV BBQ Grills: Reviewed & Rated

Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill

Best Portable Gas Grill for RV Limited Space

Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill, Titanium

The Weber Q1000 is a compact, tabletop gas grill that delivers full-size results. It measures 14.5 x 27 x 16.5 inches and weighs only 28.5 pounds. It has a cooking space of 189 square inches and produces 8,500 BTUs of heat output from its single stainless steel burner. This is one of the best grills for RVs because it’s so lightweight and portable, you can take it anywhere since it runs on 14- or 16-ounce LP cylinders, which are also small and portable.

This grill features an infinite control burner valve which allows you to have complete temperature control to suit whatever it is you are cooking, and the drip tray is easy to remove and clean. It’s made from a decent grade of cast aluminum and has porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates. It has a five-year warranty on the major parts, and the minor parts have a two-year warranty. Quality is not a concern with the Q1000 liquid propane grill. 

If you want to have the full setup, Weber makes an optional wheeled cart that goes with this model. The unit snaps right into place on the cart. We appreciate the versatility of being able to use the product on a table or a stand.

  • PROs

    • Comes fully assembled
    • Grill plates are easy to clean due to the porcelain coating
    • Gas hookup is tucked in
  • CONs

    • The regulator blocks 16-ounce cylinders (needs to be bent)
    • The regulator blocks the handle on the right side

Bottom-Line: Aside from a few minor design flaws, this product is excellent for anyone who needs a high-quality, compact LP model.

Camco Olympian 5500

Best RV Propane Grill for Versatility

Camco 57305 Olympian 5500 Stainless Steel Portable Grill ;PO#44T-KH/435 H25W3377278

This is an impressive looking model with a highly polished 304-grade stainless steel body and a strong cast iron smoker plate that helps to infuse a tremendous amount of flavor into your food. It weighs only 26 pounds and measures 17.5 x 25.5 x 14.25 inches. It produces 12,500 BTUs per hour and has a 175 square inch cooking surface.

This is a versatile model in its setup and can be used as an RV mountable grill, or has folding legs for use as a tabletop option. It is fueled from your RV’s propane supply (if you have one) and comes with a quick-connect hose and valve. If you want to use propane cylinders, you’ll, unfortunately, have to buy a separate hose and valve.

The warranty however could be better. It comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, but only a 30-day labor warranty. While this is better than nothing, it doesn’t compare well with the other models in this list. The good news is that this model is manufactured well, is durable, and most likely won’t break down on you any time soon if you take care of it.

  • PROs

    • Has a built-in safety shut-off valve
    • Temperature is easily regulated with a small screwdriver
    • It gets very hot very quickly
  • CONs

    • The “low” temperature setting is still very hot
    • Metal edges are sharp

Bottom-Line: Like the Weber Q1000, this product has some design flaws, but It heats up fast, works well, and should last a long time.

Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Propane Grill

Editors Choice

Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill

If you’re looking for a generous amount of cooking space, the Coleman RoadTrip LXE has 285 square inches of it, as well as two side tables to hold your cooking utensils, seasonings, and anything else you need. It has two independent burners so you can have two different temperature zones. It also produces up to 20,000 BTUs so you can fire up anything you want.

The quality of the RoadTrip LXE is superb. It’s made from porcelain-enameled cast iron, so it is scratch resistant and will maintain shine and its color for a long time. It’s manufactured with precision and has a three-year warranty, so quality is not a concern with this model.

Despite having such a large cooking area, this propane gas grill is still portable. The whole unit folds away easily without removing the legs. The side tables slide in, and the legs fold down, making it a bit like a wheeled cart with a handle for easy mobility. When you’re ready to set it up, you pop it up, and it’s ready to use in mere seconds. When unfolded, it measures 33.8 x 13.5 x 19.1 and weighs about 48 pounds.

  • PROs

    • Great for storing
    • Comes in multiple colors
    • Has a great, three-year warranty
  • CONs

    • It’s a heavy product
    • If rolling while folded, the handle can get damaged

Bottom-Line: This is a stylish, affordable product that is high-quality, easy to use, and our best grill for RV camping.

Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere

Best Budget

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill, Black

If you need a product without all the fancy features, this Weber Go-Anywhere is a great choice. It’s small, easy to handle, and very affordable. It does one thing – cook food – but it does that one thing very well.

Since it’s a charcoal RV BBQ grill, it will infuse your food with that authentic, chargrilled taste. It has four rust-resistant aluminum dampers so you can control the temperature. There are three glass-plated handles (ones on the lid) for easy carrying and the lid locks onto the side of this top grill at an angle to protect your fire from the wind.

As RV barbeque grills go this model is very compact and portable. It measures 11.5 x 19.5 x 15 inches and weighs just under 14 pounds. The foldable legs act as locks – when you put the lid on, they fold over the lid on each side and keep it secured for easy transport.

  • PROs

    • Very affordable
    • Coated with porcelain despite the price
    • Easy to carry
  • CONs

    • Handles get really hot
    • Assembly instructions are not the best

Bottom-Line: With the Weber Go-Anywhere portable charcoal grill, you can save money without sacrificing on quality.

Flame King YSNHT500

Best RV Gas Grill for Value

Flame King - YSNHT500 RV Or Trailer Mounted BBQ - Motorhome Gas Grill - 214 Sq Inch Cooking Surface - Adjustable Flame Controller, Black

The Flame King is another budget option. It can be used as an RV mounted grill, or the mount can be used as legs to make it into a tabletop unit. It’s compact and lightweight, but still offers an impressive cooking space of 214 square inches. It measures 22 x 17 x 11 inches and weighs 23 pounds. While 23 pounds is a bit light for an RV mounted gas grill, and may not be a great choice in windy areas, the mount comes with locking pins to keep it steady and in place.

For an inexpensive product, it has a lot of desirable features. An example is the two racks. One is for grilling, while the other is for warming. The second one could even be used to gently cook vegetables. Not even the premium products on this list have two racks making this a lovely, stand-out feature of the Flame King RV grill. Another desirable feature is the adjustable flame controller. It’s great to have this so you can use the perfect amount of heat for your food.

We would prefer it had a stainless steel construction, and although it won’t last as long as other models, it’s suitable for the price you pay for it.

  • PROs

    • It has locking pins to make sure it’s securely mounted
    • Comes with a zippered storage bag
    • Straightforward assembly
  • CONs

    • It only has a 90-day warranty
    • Can only be used with an RV’s LP hook up

Bottom-Line: While this motorhome gas grill isn’t as versatile as the others and only suitable for an RV gas hookup, it still cooks your food like a pro.

Megamaster 820-0033M RV Portable Gas Grill

Best Basic

Megamaster Premium Outdoor Cooking 2-Burner Grill, While Camping, Outdoor Kitchen, Patio Garden, Barbecue with Two Foldable legs, Silver in Stainless Steel

This Megamaster propane tabletop gas grill is a real beauty. It has a professional look and comes with a professional performance. The body of this model, as well as the parts, are made from high-quality 430-grade stainless steel. It has two 8,000-BTU burners, each with its own individual push-to-ignite switch. This allows you to control each one independently so you can have two different temperature zones.

With 199 square inch of cooking area, you’ll be able to make plenty of your favorite foods. The unit measures 20.3 x 19.1 x 15.9 inches and weighs a mere 18.8 pounds. Despite it being lightweight, it’s a sturdy model with high-quality, stainless steel, folding legs, and a one-year warranty. It’s effortless to transport because the lid locks and you could even use the lid handle as a carrying handle.

  • PROs

    • Has an easy push-and-turn ignition
    • Has two flame tamers for an even heat
    • Assembly is straightforward
    • Large easy to use control knobs
  • CONs

    • It’s a very basic product

Bottom-Line: This is a basic product, but the quality and ruggedness of it elevate it to another level.

Blackstone Tailgater

Best Portable Grill for Cook Space

Blackstone Tailgater Stainless Steel 2 Burner Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo Total 35,000 BTUs for Indoor or Backyard, Outdoor, Patio, Picnic, Garden Cooking

If you like options, you’ll love this Blackstone Tailgater. You have two burners, a griddle area, a grill box, and a sturdy stand to hold it all up. One thing is for sure – you’ll turn heads when you set this up at a campsite or tailgating event.

The system is made with a combination of stainless steel, cold-rolled steel, and cast iron. It has a total of 477 square inches of cooking surface and has a BTU rating of up to 35,000. It’s a little bigger than your average model, measuring 52 x 38.5 x 24 inches. It is also cumbersome, weighing in at 75 pounds.

This is a gas-powered unit, with an electronic ignition switch and you’ll need two AA batteries to make it work. This can go really well if you’re prepared with batteries, or really badly if you end up in the middle of a camping trip and realize you don’t have any.

However, we aren’t in love with the warranty. While the company offers a one-year warranty on what they call “large” items and a 90-day warranty on small details, they don’t specify what they consider large or small.

  • PROs

    • Legs can be adjusted independently
    • Removing the grill box, griddle or both means the open burners can be used with pots or pans
    • It’s great for cooking for large groups
  • CONs

    • The whole system is big and tedious to setup
    • High winds cause the burners to lose heat

Bottom-Line: It is a heavy system, but if you can deal with the weight, you’ll have a great, versatile cooking solution when you’re on the go.

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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