Best Small Grill For RV Camping- 6 Best Options

Most of us enjoy camping because it offers the opportunity to cook over charcoal in the woods. Unfortunately, most people don’t know that bigger grills don’t necessarily provide better cooking. While small grills may have limited grate space, they are portable and are something first time RV owners need. These grills are portable, allowing them to be moved from one location to another. Regardless of where you are, be it the beach, campsite, or even hikes, you will be able to enjoy your delicious barbecue with your portable grill on hand. Portable grills are very important when going for RV camps. As such, we have a list of the best small grills for RV trips.

Not only do portable grills enable you to cook anywhere and everywhere, but they are also compact. Furthermore, there are various fuel options to go for when choosing small grills. There are ones made for an open wood fire, charcoal, propane gas, and the sun. Choosing the best small grill for RV will depend on the number of people you are cooking for and the type of grilling you want. However, with a visit to the beach or woods, portable grills make the experience more enjoyable.

Generally, gas grills can be tagged the best portable grills since they can be used and cleaned easily. Next is the charcoal grills, which are good too but can get messy and take longer to light. Aside from these diverse grill types, many brands offer small grills in various styles. As a result, we have tested countless grills from brands to select the best. Thus, you do not need to go through the stress of trying out several grills to make your decision or settle with a low-quality product. So, what is the best portable grill for RVing? Here are out top 6 choices:

Top 5 Portable/Best Small Grill for RV

1. Weber Q-1200 Portable Gas Grills– Overall Best Portable Grill
2. Coleman RoadTrip– Largest Grilling Area
3. Weber Smokey Joe Premium– Budget-friendly Charcoal Grill
4. Cuisinart CGG-180T– Exceptional Portable Grill for RV
5. GoBQ Charcoal Grill– Top-notch Portable Charcoal Grill

1. Weber Q-1200 Portable Gas Grill – Overall Best Portable Grill for Camping

Weber Q-1200 is a sleek and compact gas drill that is relatively superior to its counterparts. It has only a few parts, making it very easy to assemble. Another desirable fact about this grill is that it is sturdy, unlike other grills, which collapse under light pressure. Furthermore, it has an ignition that works fast, as once lit, it reaches 500°F after a quarter-hour. Markedly, you don’t have to worry about burning your cooking since the grill keeps a consistent temperature all through the process.

 It offers enough space to cook for about six people. Additionally, it has a pound of propane capacity, but with a hose adapter, you can connect a larger tank if needed. There are flare-out trays to place plates and grilling tools. You can also pick different colors of Weber Q-1200, depending on your choice.

Weber Q-1200 is a combination of stainless steel and cast iron, making it tough and durable. This grill is extremely sturdy, but it is also light, making it easy to carry by one person. With the maximum satisfaction it offers to users, Q-1200 is one one the best portable grills for RV.

Pros

• It is lightweight
• Insulated bottom
• Smooth heating
• Durable
• Different color options
• Drip tray underneath
• Small legs

Cons

• May not perform at higher altitudes
• Low BTU rating

2. Coleman RoadTrip – Largest Grilling Area

This portable RV grill is the best for those who want a large grilling area. Not only is it larger than most portable grills, but it also has a high BTU rating of 20,000. In addition, Coleman RoadTrip provides about 70 BTUs of cooking power with its 285 square-inch grilling area. This grill has lots of features that endear it to users. Its three-burner design allows users to control the grill’s temperature better.

Moreover, the grill has a lid that contains an integrated thermometer. With this integrated thermometer, you can monitor the temperature for food staples that need close temperature sensitivity. Additionally, these burners (the left, center, and right) have adjustment valves that enable you to control the heat separately.

The grill comes with X-shaped collapsible legs that allow for an easy set-up. With wheels allowing you to move it with or without the legs folded out, it does not need to be placed on a stable surface. Although Coleman RoadTrip is only compatible with 16.4-ounce liquid propane cylinders, it has a removable cooking grate for easy cleaning.

Pros

•  Full-size legs
• Large grilling area
• Wheels
• Integrated thermometer
• Three burners

Cons

• It only works with 16.4-ounce liquid propane cylinders

3. Weber Smokey Joe Premium – Best Small Charcoal Grill for RV

This is a very portable RV grill that is quite popular on camping trips and at park cookouts. The grill is soundly and exceptionally designed despite its simplicity in outlook. Additionally, its features are simple to operate, even for a first-time user. While this grill doesn’t possess fancy or over-the-top features, it possesses the important features you need. It has ventilation dampers that enable you to monitor the total temperature easily.

Unlike other grills, Smokey Joe is made from enameled porcelain, which prevents rusting. Another feature that made this grill sought-after is its built-in lid rack. With the presence of this lid rack, you have a place to put the grill cover while flipping your chicken or barbecue.

For those who love the exhilarating feeling that comes with cooking on charcoal in the open, Smokey Joe is the one for you. While charcoal can get messy and tiring, this grill carries out a great job that lifts your worries concerning the fuel type. It enables you to control the temperature so that no flare-ups burn your food. Overall, the budget-friendly price of the grill has enabled lots of people to be proud owners of this grill.

Pros

• Color variety
• Budget-friendly
• Compact and lightweight
• Porcelain-enameled lid
• Dampers for temperature control
• Easy to clean

Cons

• No vent below the coal grate

4. Cuisinart CGG-180T – Exceptional Small RV Grill

Cuisinart is a very effective portable camping grill. It is a lightweight grill and weighs about 17 pounds. This grill possesses porcelain-enameled grates, enabling it to use heat very well. Cuisinart CGG-180T has a burning capacity of 5,500 BTUs which is tagged small. On the contrary, it utilizes its heat more effectively than some grills with larger ratings. This portable grill has a 145-square-inch grilling area. It can cook eight burgers conveniently and about six to ten chicken breasts.

The grill possesses aluminum legs and an integrated lid lock. One attractive feature of this portable grill is its briefcase-like structure. Furthermore, the grill is fueled by propane, and you only have to twist the knob on it to start the ignition. While you use Cuisinart CGG-180T, you can put it on small decks and patios. Interestingly, this product comes in handy for limited spaces, and its compact size enables it to be used anywhere and helps it keep the heat near the cooking surface.

Moreover, you can trust this portable grill not to suck your gas. It is important to note that this Cuisinart brand has a spill-resistant drip tray, grill lid latch, and a carry handle that further boosts its portability. Due to this grill’s effectiveness and easy accessibility, it is cherished by chefs and adored by customers.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Very durable
• Easy to clean
• Briefcase-like structure
• Spill-resistant drip tray
• Carry handle for proper transportation

Cons

• The handle might melt off

5. GoBQ Charcoal Grill – Best Portable Charcoal Grill for RV

Do you know that GoBQ is made from fireproof fabric? The manufacturers of this grill really put in a lot of thought in producing this, as the structure is one of a kind. The grill folds up like a camping chair, fits into a backpack, can be stored in a drawer, and slung over your shoulder. In other words, it is very portable. Nevertheless, it works efficiently. The 14-inch grill can cook about 24 hotdogs and six burgers. It is perfect for a beach picnic, biking, hiking, and even traveling.

Notably, this portable grill has a high clearance lid that conserves air and smoke well. Markedly, students or people without cars can carry this grill anywhere at any time. Simply put it in a bag, then hang it over your shoulders and – BOOM! You begin your trip. Another fantastic fact is that you can bring your GoBQ on a plane. However, you should not take along charcoal, matches, lighter fluid, and other flammables. You can purchase those at the campsite or wherever you land. Overall, GoBQ is a grill that all should own.

Pros

• Ultra-portable
• Cools fast
• Lightweight
• Easy to set up
• Flame resistant silicone coated fiberglass
• 1-year manufacturer warranty
• Durable

Cons

• Difficult to control the heat

6. NomadiQ Portable Propane Grill – Best Small Propane Grill For RV Camping

This portable 12 pounds grill can be taken anywhere and is easy to transport. It folds up into a case as small as a bag. It is suitable for hikes, boating trips, parks and can be used on decks, patios, tiny homes, and apartments. Notably, this grill can be used both inside and outside. For better and easy transport, the grill has a reliable carrying strap.

Do not be deceived by the small structure of this propane grill, as it has a huge cooking area. The grill provides evenly distributed heat, so you can grill your favorite food in comfort. It also has grates that are easily removable and are rust-resistant. You can also wash these grates in a dishwasher.

While going through the available portable grills, we were intrigued by how fast the NomadiQ grill opens and closes. It takes just 45 seconds to set up. If it takes longer than that, you are doing something wrong. You can unlock, open, connect, and grill with this portable machine with three simple moves. After you connect to propane gas, the grill heats up quickly.

Overall, the solid and durable components make it highly sought-after. The grill is made from heavy steel with a powder-coated finish. This way, it can withstand your adventurous outdoor activities. Furthermore, NomadiQ portable propane grill has a BTU (British Thermal Units) rating of about 10,000. Since this grill has two separate grilling sides, each has about 5,000 BTU. To make things easier for you, you can use one or both sides and control their temperatures with independently controlled burners. Interestingly, you don’t need to assemble this grill before you use it.

Pros

• Ease of use
• Very portable
• High Quality
• Easy to clean
• Dual temperature control
• Large grilling surface

Cons

• No lid

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Small Grill for RV

Provided you want to select a portable grill that is not on this list, you should ensure that you take note of the following factors.

●    User-Friendliness

You do not want a grill that you can’t handle. Thus, you should choose one that is easy to light and clean. For instance, once connected to a propane canister, gas grills do not need much trouble using it. It is very easy to control the temperature and heat. Although people love the experiment of cooking over charcoal in the open air, it isn’t as user-friendly as the gas grill.

●    Quality

The quality of materials is one crucial factor you must not neglect while choosing your grill. You should purchase a durable product that can last for a long time. Furthermore, when the firebox cast aluminum is manufactured from quality material, you will be able to enjoy your grill better. Lastly, choose a grill with porcelain-coated grates, which provides a great taste for your cooking.

●    Vents and Airflow

When you want to purchase charcoal grills, it is highly imperative you check for the vent placement. Through the vent placement, you can control the incoming and outgoing temperature of the grill. Since charcoal grills lack knobs to control the temperature, you should be able to control the oxygen that gets to the fire.

●    Price

You shouldn’t go way over the budget to get a portable grill for your RV. That isn’t necessary. Why? The reason is that there are high-quality grills sold at affordable prices. So, you do not need to purchase an overly expensive product to get quality. All the grills on our list are affordable and exceptional in their duties.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Small RV Grills

1.   What are BTUs, and how do they impact my grill’s performance?

BTU means British Thermal Units. It indicates the amount of heat a grill can produce. Additionally, it is a measurement of the heat a grill can produce. Additionally, it measures how much fuel your grill can consume. Generally, the higher the BTU rating, the more fuel the grill consumes over time.

2.   How do I clean my small RV grill after use?

The way to prolong the life span of your portable grill is to clean it properly after each use. First, after taking your food off the grill, you should heat the grill for two to five minutes to cook off scraps and oils. Next, allow your grill to cool down after you turn it off. Then you should use a grill brush to clean off the burnt residue. Provided you are using a charcoal grill, make sure you dispose of your charcoal after use.

3.   What do I do if my portable RV propane grill is not heating up?

Many things can cause a propane grill not to heat up, but a common cause is a propane leak. You can use soapy water in a spray bottle to check each line to check this leak. If the soapy water does not bubble up in any place, it shows there is no leak. When this occurs, you should reset the valves on the safety feature. Then your grill begins to heat up normally.

4.   What are the safety tips for using small RV grills?

It is advisable always to use propane grills in a well-ventilated area outside. You should not forget to shut off your gas controls after you’re done grilling. Finally, test your gas fittings for leaks before lighting the burners. For Charcoal grills, ensure that the charcoal is sufficiently soaked with lighter fluid before igniting. Moreover, for better lighting effectiveness, you should arrange your charcoal at the center of your grill in the form of a pyramid. Lastly, endeavor to keep the grill vent open when cooking.

Conclusion

During RV campings, the conditions in some evenings might not be favorable for cooking over an outside fire. If this occurs, it could ruin your prepared dinner plans. However, you do not need to fret or worry since you have a portable grill. This way, you can carry it around till you get a perfect spot for your cooking. So, a portable grill is a must-have for an enjoyable RV trip. Although there are numerous portable grills on the market, not all of them are effective and efficient. For this reason, to save yourself the stress and unnecessary spending, you can trust our list of the best small grill for RV and check them out