The 5 Best Portable Grills for RVs – Get the Right One for You!

There is nothing more rewarding than having a delicious meal surrounded by untouched nature.  However, preparing food isn’t always easy while you are on the road, as you may not always have access to power or enough car battery in your to cook food. That’s why buying a portable RV grill can prove to be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

Finding a grill that is both portable and powerful enough to enable you to prepare food quickly may require some research. The BTU rating, the size of the cooking area or the materials from which a grill is made should all be considered before choosing a new portable grill for your RV.

We are going to take you through all you need to know about gas-fueled grills and help you select the best portable grill for RV.

How to pick the best portable grill for your RV?

The RV accessories like mattresses, sewer hoses, tankless water heaters or backup cameras are just a few among countless items, you may need while camping. A portable gas grill is undoubtedly one of the most commonly used RV kitchen accessories because they are easy to maintain and make preparing food outdoors easier.

Hence, buying a studier portable grill is a smart investment if you travel often in your RV. For instance, opting for stainless steel grates instead of chrome and nickel-plated grates can make a huge difference if you’re planning on using a portable grill frequently. Let’s take a look at some of the aspects you’ll need to consider before buying a portable grill for an RV.

Do you need a large cooking area?

The vast majority of portable grill models offer enough room to cook a meal for a group of two to four people. Three-burner gas grills typically offer between 450 and 500 square inches of cooking space, which means that you can use them to prepare a meal for an entire family.

Portable gas grills with a cooking area that is large enough to prepare a meal for six people are also available, but they are also more expensive than the one-burner or 2-burner models. A 200 square inch grate can hold up to twelve burger patties, which means that you’ll have enough room to bake potatoes or barbecue steaks.

In general, you won’t need more than 100 square inches of cooking space to prepare a meal for one person. So, a grill with a 500 square inch cooking area should offer sufficient space to cook for larger groups of people.

Check the BTU rating

All portable grills are fueled by propane gas. Most of the models on the market rely on spark ignition systems to ignite a spark either via a dial or the push button. The BTU or the (British Thermal Units) indicate the maximum heat output per burner or of the main grill area. They also indicate the maximum amount of heat a grill can generate, and higher BTU ratings indicate that a grill can produce high temperatures.

Keep in mind that BTU doesn’t include warming trays, rotisserie burners or side burners. Moreover, BTU ratings are often used as a selling point by grill manufacturers, even though low-quality grills can also have high BTU rates.

Fuel consumption can be an issue, since grills with a 12,000 BTU need more gas to generate high temperatures, than those with 5,500 BTU. Moreover, portable grills are powered by small propane cylinders that contain enough gas for a few meals. RV owners who plan to spend weeks on the road should consider purchasing a conversion kit for a 20-pound propane tank because it is more economical in the long run.

A grill’s heat output isn’t the only factor you should consider when buying a new grill for your RV, because other features also determine how much heat a grill can hold.

Choose sturdier grills

Some RV owners prefer lightweight grills simply because they are easier to pack and require minimum storage space. The only downside is that grills made from flimsy materials brake easily. That’s why opting for a portable grill made from cast aluminum, cast iron or stainless steel can be an excellent long-term investment.

Even though the cast aluminum and cast iron grills lose its original look over time, they are still durable enough to withstand regular weekly usage over the course of a few years. Checking a grill’s stability can help you determine if it can tip over easily or if it adjusts well to uneven terrain.

Grill’s plastic or moving parts are often prone to breaking, which is why it is better to choose a grill that is made entirely of materials that can endure high temperatures. Stainless steel RV grills are by far your safest bet, as they stay in pristine condition longer than cast aluminum or cast iron grills.

Which type of grates and burners should you pick?

Portable grills for RVs are equipped with a metal deflector that is located between the burners and the grate, and it shields the burners from grease. The metal deflector distributes the heat more evenly across the grate and prevents hot spots.

Even if they are protected from the dripping grease, burners made of aluminum or cast iron will either rust or burn out over time. Opting for a grill that has burners that are either made of brass or stainless steel is a better option for all RV owners who don’t want to replace their grills very often. Look for a burner that has 18-8 rating or 304 grade because they are more resistant to corrosion than those made of cast iron or aluminum.

A high-quality grate should be able to distribute heat evenly to all parts of the cooking area, allowing you to cook food at steady temperatures. Grates are usually made from the following materials:

  • The greatest advantage of chrome and nickel-plated grates is that they are light and easily portable. However, these grates aren’t designed to hold a lot of heat and as a result, they corrode easily.
  • Conducting and maintaining heat with cast iron grates won’t be a problem, but these grates are going to rust over time if you don’t clean them properly. Simply apply cooking spray on both sides of the grate after cleaning to keep it in the pristine condition.
  • The grates made of stainless steel are both lightweight and easy to clean, which makes them a common choice for RV grills. They are by far the most popular choice for an RV grill, despite the fact that stainless steel grates are not as efficient at holding heat as the iron cast grates.

Don’t forget to go through the transportation features

Being able to quickly and easily move or pack a grill in your RV is essential when you’re spending time on the road. So, before you choose your next portable RV grill you should ask the following questions:

  • Do you have enough storage space in your RV for a portable grill?
  • Does the grill have a travel case?
  • Is it necessary to disassemble the grill in order to move it?
  • How easy it is to secure the grill’s lid?
  • Do the wheels provide extra mobility?

The answers to each of these questions are going to help you decide which portable grill is the right choice for your RV.

Should you get a one or two burner grill?

Portable grills usually have only one burner, which means that they have only one temperature control knob. Because of their size, 2-burner models aren’t always the best option for RV owners even though they can be quite useful if you want to cook food at different temperatures.

Some lower-quality 2-burner grills don’t have two temperature control knobs. So, if you are considering getting a 2-burner grill, you should just make sure that you can control the temperature on each burner separately. 2-burner grills can also be more difficult to transport, but their price isn’t significantly higher than the price of a one burner grill.

The Six Best Portable Grills for RVs

Now that we’ve covered all the essential features an RV grill should have, you can feel more confident while choosing a portable grill. We’ve compiled the list of six best portable grills for RVs on the market, that should help you find a portable grill that is a perfect fit for your RV.

Camco Olympian 55000 Portable Gas Grill

Camco Olympian 55000 seems to be a perfect portable grill for an RV because it is durable, small and easy-to-clean. This stainless steel grill is easily portable, which makes it a perfect choice for both short and long road trips. The grill also has a propane outlet that enables you to connect it to the RV’s propane supply. Optionally, you can use with 1lb, 5lb or 20 lb propane cylinders, but you must also purchase the adapters for these cylinders. The grill’s 12000 BTU burner indicates that the 1lb or 5 lb cylinders may not be enough to fuel the grill.

This portable grill offers 180 square inches of cooking space and it is equipped with a mounting bracket for hanging on an RV mounting rail. It also has folding legs that enable you to place the grill on the tabletop. Furthermore, the Camco Olympian 55000 has a safety shut-off valve that prevents non-ignition fuel discharge and protects you from accidents.

Features

  • 12,000 BTU stainless steel burner
  • The grill’s size is 14.2 x 25.5 x 17.5 inches
  • Multipurpose mounting bracket
  • Quick connection to an RV’s propane supply
  • Stainless steel grate
  • 180-square inches of cooking space
  • Drip/Grease tray
  • Piezo electric spark ignition

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Offers excellent grilling experience at an affordable price

The Pizezo electric spark ignition can only have 20,000 starts

Made from a sturdy material

Controlling the grill’s temperature can be difficult

Doesn’t occupy too much space on an RV

Easy maintenance

Customer opinions of Camco Olympian 55000 Portable Gas Grill

  • The good size an easy setup
  • The grill has sharp edges
  • Nicely designed and well packaged
  • Worth every penny
  • Great camping grill
  • There are not many low-pressure RV grills to choose from and this brand seems to be the best one out there

The Camco Olympian 55000 is an affordable option for all RV owners in need of a 12BTU stainless still grill that can be easily used outdoors. In addition, you can connect the grill to the RV’s propane supply or place it on a tabletop if you want to prepare a meal inside an RV.

Weber 5060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill

The grill’s body and lid are made of cast aluminum that is heat resistant. Weber Q1000 is both small and light so that you can move it or pack it in just a few minutes. Even so, this Q series model can generate more than enough heat for grill and griddle cooking methods. The grill’s steel burner has 8500 BTU, which enables you to prepare food at high temperatures. The porcelain-coated iron cast grates are excellent at holding and distributing heat along the 189 square inch cooking area. Cleaning the grates won’t take too much of your time, although proper maintenance is required to keep the grill in perfect condition.

The Weber Q1000 arrives at your home already assembled and ready to use, so you won’t have to spend time disassembling the grill every time you want to use it. You can ignite this grill with a single push of a button and control the amount of heat it generates through the infinite control burner valve.

Features

  • 8.5000 BTU per hour input
  • Porcelain-coated iron cast grates
  • Removable catch pan
  • Cast aluminum body and lid
  • Infinite burner valve
  • 189 square inch cooking area
  • Stainless steel burner
  • Electronic push ignition

Pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Heat resistant and durable

The regulator breaks down after only a few cooking sessions

The lid is easily secured

The cooking area could be larger

No assembly required

Suitable for grill and griddle cooking

Customer opinions of Weber 5060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill

  • Weber Q Series regulators have high failure rates
  • Great little RV grill
  • I love this grill, perfect for up to four people
  • Perfect BBQ for camping
  • Cooks with high temperature even when it is windy
  • Perfect for roasting a small turkey

Weber Q1000 is almost a perfect grill for an RV, but you should keep in mind that it only uses disposable 14.1 and 16.4 oz propane cylinders you must purchase separately. The Webber’s Q1000 liquid propane grills is undoubtedly among the very best portable grills you can currently find on the market.

Cuisinart CGG-180 Portable Gas Grill 

 If you are looking for an easily movable grill, you shouldn’t look any further. You can carry this 17-pound portable gas grill the same way you would carry a briefcase and use it to prepare meals for groups of up to four people. The 160 square-inch cooking area may seem small, but it grants you enough space to prepare a broad range of meals. The grill’s stainless steel burner has 5,550 BTU, which reduces the amount of fuel you will be spending.  Moreover, the porcelain coated grates ensure the even heat distribution over all segments of the cooking area.

The Cuisinart CGG-180 ships with an adjustable stand that can be expanded or collapsed in seconds, enabling you to keep your grill perfectly stable regardless of the terrain. The grill’s integrated lid lock is designed to keep the lid secure, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it accidentally.

Features

  • 5,500 BTU stainless steel burner
  • Porcelain-enameled grates
  • Weighs 17-pounds
  • A collapsible stand that can be packed quickly
  • Suitable for tabletop use
  • 160 square foot cooking area
  • Integrated lid latch
  • The lid contains a handle that enables you to carry the grill like a briefcase

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Fuel efficient

The cooking area might be too small for RV owners who frequently cook for large groups of people

Even heat distribution

Made of flimsy material

Stylish and portable

Lets you choose the height at which the grill is going to be located

Customer opinions of Cuisinart CGG-180 Portable Gas Grill

  • There is no customer support
  • Great priced portable grill
  • Shoddy parts
  • The grill heats up fast
  • The grates can be difficult to clean
  • The best quality portable grill stand

The Cuisinart CGG-180 is one of the best portable grills for RVs since it doesn’t require much storage space and it can be assembled in just a few minutes. The grill’s durability is a major concern because some parts are made from materials that can break after only a couple of cooking sessions.

Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Propane Grill

Unlike previous entries on this list, this portable propane grill is equipped with two 10.000 BTU burners that heat the 285 square inch cooking area. The grill features two temperature control knobs that let you control the temperature on each burner separately. You can ignite the grill by a simple push of a button, and the PerfectFlow Pressure Control System ensures that heat is distributed equally over the entire cooking area.

The Colman’s RoadTrip LXE model enables its users to switch between different grates or to griddle a perfect steak. The stand has wheels that allow you to move the grill freely even after you placed its body onto the stand.  The grill also features two sliding tables on each side that give you extra room while preparing food for several people. Folding the grill to save space in your RV won’t take much more than a few moments of your time.

Features

  • 2 porcelain-coated iron cast grates
  • Removable drip tray
  • 285 square inch cooking area
  • PrefectFlow Pressure Control System
  • Two 10.000 BTU burners
  • The expandable stand has two wheels
  • Features two side tables
  • Fueled by a disposable 16-ounce propane cylinder

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Each burner can be controlled separately

Excessive fuel consumption

Large cooking area

Keeping the grill in pristine condition can be difficult

Low preheat times

Grates can be cleaned easily

Customer opinions of Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Propane Grill

  • Quick and easy assembly
  • Adapted for the Quick Connect to an RV
  • Well built and cool design
  • Solid, sturdy and easy to set up
  • Portability is a great plus
  • Exceptional grill for RVing, tailgating and road trips

Coleman’s RoadTrip LXE portable propane grill offers high-quality features at a reasonable price. This 2-burner grill has two temperature control knobs that allow you to adjust the amount of heat each burner is producing. The only downside is that you have to spend a lot of fuel if you intend to use this grill on a constant basis.

Weber Q2200 Gas Grill

The Weber Q2200 gas grill has even more to offer than the Q1000 model we mentioned earlier. Its lid and body are made of cast aluminum, while its nylon frame is reinforced by the glass. The grill’s durable stainless steel burner can put out  12,000BTU per hour, meaning that you can heat the 280 square inch cooking area in just a few minutes.

The porcelain-coated iron cast grate distributes the heat evenly and prevents the creation of hot sports. The grill’s lid features the thermometer that tells you the grill’s exact temperature at all times. You can either use the electronic ignition or rely on the battery to power the grill if you want to use it in the outdoor conditions. The Weber Q2200 also has foldable two side tables that provide some extra space where you can put plates or cutlery you need while using the grill.

Features

  • 12,000 BTU stainless steel burner
  • Infinite control burner valve
  • 280 square inch cooking area
  • Foldable side tables
  • Built-in lid thermometer
  • Removable catch pan
  • The body is made of cast aluminum
  • Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates

Pros

Cons

Large cooking space

Heat regulation can be a problem

Foldable side tables provide additional room

The grill cover must be purchased separately

Thermometer lets you monitor the heat without having to open the lid

Weighs 42.5 pounds

Quick start through an electronic ignition

Customer opinions of Weber Q2200 Gas Grill

  • Quick and easy assembly
  • Great grill for easy cooking
  • Stylish and perfect for a small family
  • The grill is much larger than expected
  • Weber built a fantastic product
  • Even heat distribution

Like all recent models from Weber’s Q series, the Q2200 portable gas grill is a reliable option that offers plenty of cooking space and a high BTU Rating. On the other hand, the temperature control knobs don’t always work as expected, which can make finding the perfect temperature for the food you’re preparing more complicated than it needs to be. The price of the Q2200 models is a bit steep for what it has to offer, and you can probably find a better portable grill for your RV at a more affordable price.

Cuisinart CGG-306 Tabletop Grill

Tabletop grills are known to be stylish, and the Cuisinart CGG-306 is not an exception. Cuisinart stainless steel tabletop grill can be used equally effectively for both griddle and grill cooking methods. The cooking area offers 725 square inches of working space, which enables you to prepare meals for larger groups of people. The two stainless steel burners have 10,000 BTUs, and you can control the temperature each one produces separately.

The Cuisinart CGG-306 tabletop grill can be started using a twist-start automatic ignition. Once you’ve started grill you can choose the temperature of different areas of the cooking space using the temperature control knobs. This tabletop grill is equipped with a thermometer so that you can monitor the temperature while the lid is closed. The Cuisinart’s CGG-306 model is easily portable as it weighs just 22 lbs, and it has a carrying handle that enables you to relocate the grill quickly and effortlessly.

Features

  • Two 10,000BTU stainless steel burners
  • 725 square feet cooking area
  • Stainless steel grate
  • Weighs 22 lbs
  • Twist-start automatic ignition
  • The lid can be locked and it features a thermometer
  • Folding legs and a carrying handle
  • Burner knobs can be adjusted separately

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Excellent for grilling larger pieces of meat

Needs a lot of fuel

Well-built and beautifully designed

Requires regular maintenance

Setup takes less than ten minutes

No assembly required

Customer opinions of Cuisinart CGG-306 Chefs Style Stainless Tabletop Grill

  • It zooms up to 600-degrees (F) in less than ten minutes
  • Lightweight and stylish
  • Easy cleanup
  • The bottom beneath the burners is flat and shallow
  • Disappointed in the quality, the grill runs extremely hot
  • Flame ups are on the menu when grilling with this

At first glance, the Cuisinart CGG-306 Chefs Style Stainless tabletop grill’s price is surprisingly low, but the use of flimsy materials, excessive gas consumption, short grate life expectancy, and poor dripping management all indicate that this portable grill wasn’t built to endure the wear and tear of the daily use.

Our favorite portable RV grills

Determining which portable grill is a perfect fit for your RV can be more difficult than it seems, as there are so many factors to consider. However, the 2-burner grills are generally a better option for an RV owner who plans on using the grill to prepare food at least several times a week.

We recommend using the Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Propane Grill in case you’re looking for a powerful 2-burner grill that grants you complete control over the temperature of the cooking area. The Cuisinart’s  CGG-306 tabletop grill is also an affordable option, although durability isn’t one of the grill’s strongest features. Camco Olympian 55000 or the Weber Q1000 portable RV grills may not have dual-burners, but they still offer a lot of value to RV owners who occasionally like to go camping. Each of these portable RV grills provides a unique grilling experience, but before you opt for one model or the other you should make sure that it meets all your demands.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has helped you find a portable grill for your RV, that is going to make the time you spend with your friends a bit more memorable. Which portable grill for RV are you going to choose? Leave a comment below and share your opinions with us.

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