After a lot of research, I have put together this list of 8 of the best RV grills.
I’ve owned a few grills over the years, charcoal and gas, some good, some bad.
There’s an excellent choice of grills available these days, so using what I know from past experience, word of mouth and plenty of research, this list is the result.
The Weber Q1200 Grill would be my number 1 choice. This grill is really well made with a ton of excellent features.
Contents
Best Charcoal Grill
Best Electric Grill
RV Grill Types
Ok, let’s have a quick look at the different kinds of grill available, and the pro’s and con’s of each type.
Propane Grills
Propane grills are by far the most popular, with good reason.
They provide instant heat. No messing around with lighter fluid and matches, no waiting around for the charcoal to ember down to the perfect cooking heat.
With a propane grill you just have to hit the button and you’re cooking.
There’s also no sooty mess to deal with when the cooking is over.
The only drawback (some would say) is that food cooked on a propane grill is missing that distinctive smokey flavor.
Charcoal Grills
BBQ aficionados will say that charcoal grills are the only way to go.
The main draw of a charcoal grill is that unmistakable BBQ flavor.
You have a lot more control over the cooking process. If something is cooking too fast you can just move it to a cooler part of the grill. With a charcoal grill you can cook as fast or as slow as you like.
Charcoal grills are much cheaper than their gas and electric counterparts.
A charcoal grill is pretty basic, there’s not a lot to go wrong.
The main drawbacks would be getting the grill started, and the clear up afterwards.
Electric Grills
The major advantage of an electric grill is that they are exempt from open flame policies that are often in force at certain times of the year in many locations across the US.
Plenty of electric grills have timer and auto off features which can be really helpful.
An electric grill is very simple to use – a simple plug and play operation.
The main drawback of an electric rv grill is that they need a steady current, and require a good battery set up, a generator or shore power.
Let’s take a look at the best rv grills available at the moment.
The Best RV Grills
- Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
- Cuisinart CGG-608 Portable Grill
- Blackstone 1813 Grill Station
- Char-Broil Portable Grill
- Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
- George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
- Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Grill
- Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
⭐️Best Overall
As you would expect from a well known company, the Weber Q1200 grill is very well made.
The grill has an aluminum body with porcelain enameled cast iron grill plates, which makes the grill plates super non-stick. The clean up afterwards is a breeze. A short soak, wipe off and you’re done.
On the lid of the grill is a handy thermometer which will let you know when the grill plates get up to temperature.
As you open the lid you’ll find space to store utensils and one of the best design features of the Weber Q1200, the fold out side tables.
With its high build quality and great features, the Weber Q1200 is my top choice.
Pros
Great Build Quality
Easy Clean Up
Stainless Steel Burners
Cons
Quite Large
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 20.5” D x 40.9” W x 24.6” H
Weight: 29.62 lbs
Cooking Surface Area: 189² Inches
Underneath the split grill plates there is a one piece stainless steel burner. This is a great feature as propane contains a fair amount of water and will rust your burner pretty quickly. Being stainless steel this won’t happen with the Weber Q1200.
There is a large push button electronic ignition (with changeable battery) and flame control dial.
There is also a drip pan underneath where you can insert a disposable tray for easy clean up.
The grill is set up for a standard 1 lb propane bottle and heats up quickly with a large cooking capacity for its size.
The optional Weber cart is also a great add-on and folds down to a stowable size.
Cuisinart CGG-608 Portable Grill
⭐️Choice #2
The Cuisinart CGG-608 portable grill is another well made propane grill.
The entire thing is made from stainless steel, even underneath.
Set up is really easy, just fold out the legs, unlock the lid, connect the propane bottle and you’re good to go.
Lighting the single burner just requires a push and twist of the single gas control knob on the front of the unit.
One of the great things about everything being stainless steel is the easy clean up. You can put the burner covers, the grill plate and drip covers straight in a dishwasher if needs be.
The Cuisinart CGG-608 is a good quality, compact and lightweight grill, a great choice for your RV.
Pros
Stainless Steel
Easy Clean Up
Compact
Cons
Temperature Control
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 14.5” D x 17.75” W x 15” H
Weight: 16.85 lbs
Cooking Surface Area: 176² Inches
There is a very accurate thermometer built into the lid to monitor grill temperature, and it will heat up (and cool down) very quickly.
Underneath, there is a large removable stainless steel drip tray, which will hold a lot of drippings.
Blackstone 1813 Grill Station
⭐️Choice #3
The Blackstone 1813 is a slightly larger propane griddle with some nice features.
The unit is made of stainless steel and solidly made. The solid metal griddle plate and sturdy construction do make the grill quite a bit heavier than most, but this isn’t a deal breaker.
It has four rubber feet which give a good grip on any surface you put it on, and the hood provides good wind protection.
The two burner set up ignites easily from temperature control knobs, and the flat griddle plate heats up very quickly. The temperature control is precise and it’s possible to keep the plate at two different temperatures with the twin controls.
Although on the larger size, the Blackstone 1813 griddle is easy to clean and will cook a large variety of food.
Pros
Twin Temp Control
Stainless Steel
Large Cooking Area
Cons
Heavy
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 23.6” W x 23.6” D x 13” H
Weight: 37.5 lbs
Cooking Surface Area: 339² Inches
At the back of the large cooking surface is a grease catcher where you can put removable inserts for easy clean up.
The main advantage a griddle plate has over a standard grill is the range of food that it’s possible to cook on it. Cooking breakfast is no problem, this particular griddle will fry 12 eggs at a time!
N.B. Griddle plate seasoning is a good idea before using a brand new plate.
Char-Broil Portable Grill
⭐️Budget Propane Grill
The Char-Broil portable grill is the very definition of a “portable grill”.
The body of the grill is powder coated aluminum, making it the lightest grill on this list.
The grill has porcelain coated grill plates which makes for easy clean up, and stainless steel burners for rust prevention.
A 1lb propane bottle will screw on the side, and the gas is regulated by the twist knob.
A cool little feature is the piezo igniter which is built into the handle which is a nice touch on a budget grill.
For easy portability, even when hot, the grill has heat resistant handles.
Although pretty basic on features, this grill is super lightweight, and packs away small enough to fit almost anywhere.
Pros
Affordable
Lightweight
Ignitor
Cons
Very Basic
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 24” L x 12” D x 15” W
Weight: 1lb
Cooking Surface Area: 190² Inches
To set the grill up, the legs fold down (when not in use, the legs fold up and over to secure the lid in place.)
There is no drip tray, so it would be a good idea to sit the grill inside a baking tray or disposable foil tray to stop unwanted mess and unnecessary clean up.
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
⭐️Best Charcoal Grill
The Weber Jumbo Joe grill is the first charcoal grill on this list. The grill does require some assembly from new, but this is pretty straightforward.
As you would expect from Weber, the build quality of the grill is very good.
The metal lid lock is a clever system which locks into the handle to keep everything in place during transport. The lid lock arm also helps keep the lid at a 90 degree angle to act as a windbreak when cooking.
Once the grill is going you can control the airflow via two dampers, one on the lid and one underneath the body.
The Weber Jumbo Joe is a great charcoal grill option, compact and very portable.
Pros
Good Build Quality
Lid Lock
Airflow Control
Cons
Not Very Compact
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 19.75″ D x 20.5″ W x 19.75″ H
Weight: 22lbs
Cooking Surface Area: 240² Inches
There is a removable aluminum ash catcher underneath the main body, and the tripod legs are also aluminum.
The body of the grill is porcelain enameled steel, so will never peel or flake. The bottom of the grill is made of slightly heavier gauge steel to cope with heat stresses.
George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
⭐️Best Electric Grill
The Indoor Outdoor Electric Grill from George Foreman is the only electric grill on this list of RV grills.
It’s a 110 volt electric grill, and will need some assembly out of the box.
The excellent build quality is noticeable, with the lid feeling sturdy and the temperature control precise and easy to use.
The grill plate is coated with the famous “George Tough Non Stick” and will clean up with just a paper towel.
A nice feature is the sloping grill plate which will remove over 40% of the fat from the food cooked. You can then remove it via the drip tray under the plate.
If you’re after an electric RV grill, the George Foreman Electric Grill is a good choice.
Pros
Easy Clean
Great Build Quality
Good Temp Control
Cons
Needs Electric Hookup
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 19.69″ D x 11.02″ W x 20.47″ H
Weight: 8.68lbs
Cooking Surface Area: 240² Inches
The grill comes with a stand which feels pretty stable, but you are also able to use the grill on any table or countertop.
Once you get the grill together the first thing you’ll notice is the really heavy duty power cord. The manufacturers have definitely made sure the cord will withstand the portability factor.
Being electric, the grill heats up almost instantly and you will get an even cook temperature over the whole grill plate.
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Grill
⭐️Choice #4
The Coleman Roadtrip 285 is a propane grill that comes complete with its own two wheel cart table.
The cart system on the Coleman is very convenient, but the trade off is the added weight. Make no mistake, this grill is heavy.
Extending the cart table ready for cooking is an easy enough process, and once up, feels pretty stable.
The grill has a lid thermometer and two pull out side tables which are handy, but a bit on the small side.
It has three separate burners, each with their own temperature control and “Instastart” electronic ignition.
The Coleman 285 portable grill has some nice features, but at the cost of added weight.
Pros
Cart Table
Large Grill Area
Cons
Heavy
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 30.25” D x 19.19” W x 16.13” H
Weight: 46.7lbs
Cooking Surface Area: 285² Inches
Underneath the grill plates is a drip tray which you can fill with water. The idea behind this is to prevent grease fire flare ups. It works quite well, but some might find that adding water is an extra chore.
The grill plates are porcelain enameled, and the burners are stainless steel. The grill has a griddle plate option (purchased separately) which will give you a wider variety of food options.
Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
⭐️Best Budget Charcoal Grill
The Cuisinart CCG190RB charcoal grill is the simplest portable grill on our list.
It will only take five minutes to put together out of the box, and when fully together only weighs 2lbs.
The body is enamel coated, and it has three lid locks to keep it all together for transport.
The grill has a dual damper vent system and an ash catcher underneath.
It’s very compact and can be stored just about anywhere.
The Cuisinart CCG190RB is an ideal grill to cook a handful of burgers or a couple of good size steaks.
Pros
Compact
Simple To Setup
Inexpensive
Cons
Small Grill Area
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Size: 14.6” D x 14” W x 15” H
Weight: 2lbs
Cooking Surface area: 150² Inches
RV Grill Adapter Hose
An average size portable grill with a 1lb propane bottle will, on average, give you roughly 2 hours of grill time.
This is fine for a couple of days, but if you’re away for longer you may want to carry a bigger 20lb propane bottle. (I do)
It’s possible to connect a bigger propane bottle using a propane adapter hose.
The 1lb bottles are definitely convenient, but if you’re going to do a fair bit of grilling, the bigger bottles are more cost effective.
Things To Consider When Selecting An RV Grill
There are a handful of things to consider when buying a portable grill.
How many people will I be cooking for?
Smaller grills are ok for two people, but you’ll definitely need a slightly larger one for 4 people or a small family.
How often will I use the grill?
If you’re going to be doing a lot of cooking, the best RV grill would be a propane or electric grill. Purely because they are way more convenient.
Where am I going to store it?
Storage is always a factor. RV storage space is precious, so make sure you have a spot allocated. It’s not just the grill itself, you may well have an adapter hose, a couple of 1lb propane bottles or maybe a 20lb bottle to store.
Safety Tips
Messing around with gas, electric, charcoal, open flames and hot stuff in general does require a few safety precautions.
Mostly common sense, but here are a few top safety tips for RV grilling.
Never leave a grill unattended.
Keep young kids away from the grill.
Don’t light a gas grill with the lid closed.
Always have a fire extinguisher close by. (Never use water to put out a grill fire.)
Check your connections before lighting a gas grill.
(I use my finger and wipe some 50/50 water and dish soap on the connections, if you have a leak, you’ll see bubbles.)
When you turn a gas grill off, turn it off at source as well.
(Cylinder or exterior connection).
More safety tips here.
Hopefully I’ve given you a little insight into purchasing your next RV grill.
My pick would be the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill.
Be safe and happy grilling..
Please check out my other RV equipment reviews.
See how we test and rate products in our reviews here.
FAQ’s
How Long Can You Cook On An RV Grill?
About 2 hrs on a 1lb propane bottle. 18-20 hrs on a 20lb bottle.
