The Best Camper Grill Options for 2022 – Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Last Updated on May 19, 2022 by Chris and Lindsay

RV camping is not complete without the best RV grill for making meals while enjoying the great outdoors and we’ve got you covered with our top picks and everything you need to know when making your purchase before your camping season kicks off!

Among all of the top RV essentials you’ll want to pack into your RV for your next adventure, having a great RV grill must be at the top of the list. Nothing beats being able to cook a meal outside while enjoying a cup of coffee or a cool adult beverage.

Whether you want to want to cook on charcoal, propane or even over a bed of coals at your campsite fire, having the best portable grill for your RV is essential to the camping experience. 

Although we’ve always been self-contained in our RV kitchen with a great stove, we enjoy cooking outside as often as possible. And we’ll get into the details of what we think is the top grill for our outdoor kitchen as our Editor’s Choice below.

Finding a great grill can be difficult. And as we’ve gone through several lower-quality options in over 4 years on the road, we’ve spent hours researching the grill we wanted for our RV and we could not be happier with the choice. We’ve learned over time through trial and error that each grill offers its own advantages and disadvantages.

But we’ll save you time and effort and give you the best portable grill for RV options with all of the things we like and don’t like. Plus we’ll share which grill we chose for our RV and why we think it is the all-around best grill for any RV. 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain links to products we think you’ll like. If you purchase any of the products through the links below we’ll receive a small commission. As full-time RVers, we know our RV products well and only recommend those that we either own or would consider owning ourselves.

OUR TOP RV GRILL RECOMMENDATIONS

Best RV Grills // Our Top Picks at a Glance

The Best RV Grills

The best grill for RV living is ultimately dependent upon a variety of factors including the space you have for storage, the amount of cooking space and heat output you want and the ease of use and durability of the grill itself.

Read on to find our selection of the best portable grills available and what what we like or don’t like about each one. Do note that all but one charcoal model will be a propane gas grill.

BEST OVERALL: Blackstone Table Top Propane Griddle

From cooking burgers or stir fry for dinner to hashbrowns and eggs for breakfast, this portable gas grill lets you do it all. And you can cook directly on the grill as opposed to having to lay pots and pans over a grill grate.

Our first portable gas grill for RVing on the road was a simple tailgating grill that was handed down to us. We did our best to make it work, fumbling with the parts and nuts and bolts that often rattled loose. But with this high-quality portable propane grill, there are very few parts.

In fact, there are only 4: the griddle top, the grill base, the catch tray and the propane regulator.

While you can use the standard small 1 lb propane cylinders for this RV grill, we eventually built an extra propane hose with a quick connection between the grill and our propane cylinders. This gave us the feel and function as though we had a true outdoor RV kitchen.

The Blackstone Tabletop Griddle is by far at the top of the list of the best RV grills, offering great value at a reasonable price and the versatility to be able to cook pretty much anything while you camp.

If you have the room in your RV and budget, you can even upgrade to larger versions of the grill in order to enhance the amount of space you have for cooking.

On the downside, the only issues we have ever had have been with the ignitor loosening up a little so that the quick start did not happen. We had to adjust the ignitor so that the spark arched correctly over the propane to ignite the grill.

And you do need to be creative when using this grill on windy days. We create a sort of foil wrap to block wind from entering the space between the grill and the body and this works out great.

PROS	CONS
* Easy to clean * Durable aluminum and cast iron construction * Large H shaped stainless steel 12,500 BTU burner * 267 square inches of cooking surface * Electric igniter * Removable grease catch tray	* Heavy * Uneven cooking temps at back and sides of the griddle * Can’t use in windy conditions

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BEST PREMIUM GRILL: Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable TRU-Infrared

We really like that this RV propane grill is easy to set up, use, clean and pack away. It fits on virtually any camping table and can run on 1lb propane canisters or be adapted for a quick connect hose.

But the best feature of this RV grill is the high-quality TRU-infrared cooking system which spreads heat evenly across the cast iron cooking grates producing juicier food with fewer flare-ups. Perfect your camping cooking with even temperatures that aren’t achievable with other grill options.

The gas grill weighs less than 20 pounds for easier portability yet still has 200 square inches of cooking surface. That’s enough to cook up to 8 good size burgers, a perfect size for RVing!

Other than the price, there are not a whole lot of downsides to this grill. There have been reports of the grate corroding as a result of being difficult to clean. But otherwise this is a fantastic tabletop gas grill for your money.

PROS	CONS
* Cast aluminum firebox and lid * High-impact frame * No flare-up TRU-Infrared cooking system * 200 square inches stainless-steel grilling grate * Push-button ignition * Built-in temperature gauge  * 9,500 BTU stainless steel burner	* Grate corrodes easily * Needs a special tool to clean grate * Some consumers reported needing an aftermarket valve to control/lower cooking temps

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BIGGEST HOTTEST GRILL: Coleman Roadtrip LXE

With two powerful burners blasting out 20,000 BTUs that are independently adjustable this portable propane grill can handle practically anything you put on it. 

We really like that this grill is so portable. While it stands up for a more convenient ease of use, it also packs away nicely – which is great for RVs with limited space. And it has excellent temperature control with a built-in thermometer.

Best yet, as we have labeled it, this is also the BIGGEST cooking space and HOTTEST portable propane grill on our list. You get high quality and performance with this option.

On the downside, it is a bit pricey. And it is also the heaviest of the grill for RV camping options, weighing in just under 50 lbs. Further, there have been repeated reports of the handles being flimsy and coming off the grill as well as other parts seemingly poorly made.

PROS	CONS
* Interchangeable cooktops * Instastart button * Delivers 20,000 BTUs between two burners * Collapsible design * Cast-iron and porcelain-coated surfaces	* Pricey * Some consumers reported rust issues * Heavy

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BEST TABLETOP GRILL: Weber Q1000

We really like that its infinite control burner valve makes grilling easy and when you’re done clean up is a breeze with a removable grease catch pan. For a small propane grill, it offers a considerable amount of cooking surface of up to 189 square inches and can fit 6 decent-sized burgers.

We also like that you can also purchase different style grates/griddle inserts that make this grill super versatile. And if you want to use 20 lb propane tanks instead of the costlier 1 lb portable cylinders you can purchase an adapted hose as well.

On the downside, the grill needs to be preheated with the burner on high before use. This can lead to a substantial use of propane fuel over time. And it is a bit pricey – but well worth your investment.

All in all, this is a fantastic portable grill that’s durable and has great features, perfect for grilling up some delicious BBQ! 

PROS	CONS
* Compact and lightweight * Stainless steel burner that produces 8500 BTUs * Push-button ignition * Heat control valve * Versatile split grates so you can choose to use a grill or griddle	* Pricey * Regulators tend to fail

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MOST COMPACT GRILL: Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Tabletop Grill

We really like how compact and lightweight it is at only 17 lbs. It packs away easily and sets up and breaks down in seconds. And we like that it appears to be quite rugged despite having plastic parts that are prone to melting.

On the downside, this propane grill offers the lowest amount of heat outpur at only 5,500 BTUs. We feel it may be priced a little too high for the BTU output.

However, being lightweight, compact and portable is worth every dollar when it comes to living small in an RV. So if you don’t have a lot of space in your RV, this may be the best budget bet for you.

PROS	CONS
* Compact and lightweight * Foldable legs * Twist to start electric ignition * 145 Square inch porcelain-enameled cooking grate * Precision temperature gauge * Integrated lid lock and briefcase-style carrying handle  * Affordable	* Has some plastic pieces that could melt * 5,500 BTU burner

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BEST CHARCOAL GRILL: Weber Smokey Joe 14 inch Charcoal Grill

If you enjoy cooking on charcoal you can’t go wrong with the Weber Smokey Joe. It is built by a reputable brand in the grill industry so you can count on getting a quality portable grill if you buy this one.

On the downside, there are lots and lots of complaints over time about the fact that the vents are designed wrong so airflow into the grill is not ideal. And it is a relatively small grill.

While we don’t personally prefer to cook using charcoal, this is a handy grill for anyone who does. And if you want, you can buy the larger version of this grill if you have the space and need for it.

PROS	CONS
* Compact and lightweight * Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl * Tuck-N-Carry lid lock * Handle makes it easy to carry and move around * Dampers allow control of the cooking temperature	* Vents are on the side instead of the bottom causing low airflow * Not large enough to cook for more than 2-3 people

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BEST BUDGET GRILL: Flame King Motorhome Gas Grill

We like the simplicity of this no-frills grill that has what you need to make delicious BBQ or juicy burgers for a reasonable pricetag. We also like that it is designed to be mounted to your RV so you can build your outdoor kitchen conveniently around the grill.

On the downside, it is not well made and may not last you more than a year on the road. Some users have also reported sharp edges in the construction of some units and it is known for not having great temperature control.

But it is the most affordable propane grill on our list and we think that, for the money, you’ll likely be happy with its performance.

PROS	CONS
* Large grilling surface with upper grill deck * Comes with a bracket ready to mount to your RV * Can be mounted or freestanding * Dual locking lid for secure storage * Good Price	* Not made from durable or rust-resistant metal/materials * Only compatible with a standard propane cylinder or your RV’s LPG system * Has extremely sharp edges

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What to look for in the perfect RV grill

When shopping for the best RV grill you’re going to want to consider several factors. Each factor comes with its own pros and cons and a lot of the decision will come down to personal choice. 

Some of the most important things to consider in finding the best portable grill are the space it takes up, the type of fuel it consumes, it’s BTU rating and additional features such as ignitors, heat control and, of course, price.

Here’s a little more about each factor and what you will want to consider before making your RV grill purchase.

Size, Portability and Weight

By far the overall space a portable RV grill takes up is quite possibly the most important factor to consider before buying a grill. If you’ve owned a standard grill at your house you’ve likely found that it is pretty awesome. Being able to cook virtually anything for a large gathering of friends and family is one of the reasons why people love grilling.

But packing this up into your RV is a different story.

Of course, it is a little extreme to think about taking your grill from home with you on the road. But what’s not extreme is choosing a portable grill that you think is amazing and then finding out that you don’t have the space to carry it!

Or maybe it fits, but is a lot of work to set up and break down, stealing your joy for cooking on the grill in the first place.

If you are like us, you are going to want the largest cooking area possible while not taking up too much storage space.

As you search for the best RV grill be sure you have an idea of the dimensions of where you want to store it so you can confirm whether it fits in your RV. Each portable RV grill that we recommend is compact in size and weight and is quite portable. But be sure to have measurements specific to your storage space in your RV.

Type of Portable Grill Fuel

There are two primary kinds of fuel for RV grills: gas and charcoal. Of course, you could throw in a campfire as a third source. But for these portable grills, you are looking at either a liquid propane grill or charcoal grill.

If you are familiar with cooking on charcoal you may prefer the taste and style of a charcoal grill for your RV. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to carry the charcoal with you and make sure that you dispose of it properly when you are done.

Charcoal grills can be great options if you do not plan to live full-time in your RV.

But we prefer propane grills for our RV. While carrying the little green canisters of fuel can be challenging (and expensive) at times, we found a way to hook up our Blackstone Griddle directly to our RV propane so we aren’t redundant in carrying fuel.

A propane gas grill typically offers better distribution of heat than charcoal grills. And with a tabletop gas grill you can quickly ignite and extinguish the grill in the event you need to pack up and move quickly.

Construction

How the RV grill is constructed will speak more to the quality of the grill and the type of cooking that you can do. Options for materials typically include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, cast iron and porcelain (or a combination of each).

Aluminum and stainless steel are the most common. These are pretty durable and lightweight and typically offer reasonable price points. RV grills that are made of cast iron or porcelain can be a bit more pricey but they are also going to be more durable.

Our Blackstone liquid propane grill combines the lightweight stainless steel body and burner with the heavier-duty cast iron griddle for one of the best combinations of lightweight and durability.

Burner Type

The type of burner in your RV grill will determine how quickly your food cooks as well as how evenly heat is distributed throughout the grill. Of course, this only applies if you are shopping for propane grills as you will cook directly on charcoal if you go that route.

You have a few options to consider here, most of which will consist of stainless steel burners.

Stainless tube burners come either in straight shape or u-shaped form, are pretty rust-resistant and distribute heat quite evenly, particularly those that are u-shaped.

Cast stainless steel is thicker and absorbs and distributes heat a little more evenly and are great at resisting rust.

Infrared burners will give you the most fuel efficiency, but will also pack the most punch in terms of heat. Expect to cook a meal quickly on these burners. But know that they may not be best for cooking for longer over lower heat.

Ceramic burners are great if you worry about the rust because they will not rust. However, they are fragile and susceptible to breaking more easily, which is definitely a downside to the literal bumps in the road that come with the RV life.

Cast iron burners are for the old school and are mostly outdated and replaced by stainless steel. They are more durable but also highly susceptible to rust.

Heat Output / BTU Rating

British Thermal Units (BTU) rating is a standard way of measuring both heat output and fuel efficiency in a grill. Unlike other forms of measurement, the BTU rating does not tell you whether the higher (or lower) the number the better. In fact, it is recommended that you avoid portable grills that rate on either end of the BTU extreme.

Instead, you can make sure to aim for somewhere in the middle, between 50-100 BTUs per square inch. By far the most efficient form of burner is the infrared burner mentioned above. These burners make the most of their heat output rating by creating the opportunity for maximum heat with minimal fuel consumption.

Cost

Clearly, the cost can be a significant factor when deciding which portable grill for RVs is best for you. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. While we are incredibly budget-minded in our RV lifestyle, we do believe that sometimes you need to spend a little more for the value you receive in not having to purchase a product again.

We feel this way, particularly about our RV safety essentials and, of course, our coffee maker! So when it comes to choosing the best portable grill for RV, spending a little more for one that is reliable, compact and can handle the bounces in the road is important to us and worth a little more.

But grills for RV are also not life-saving appliances (well, maybe to you they may be!) so you can cut costs in a grill if there are other budget priorities you have.

Additional Features

Shopping for the best portable grill for RV is not as complex as shopping for a car when it comes to bells and whistles. But you should be aware that there are all sorts of conveniences you can find in a variety of different grill options.

These include whether you have a push-button ignitor, interchangeable grill plates, heat control and temperature gauge. You will also want to determine how easy to clean the grill is and how much cooking area you would like.

 

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