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Best RV Grills in 2020

We’re going to look at options for a variety of RV sizes and types since the first thing that comes to most people’s minds when buying any product for their RV is: “Where can I store it?” Whether you pull out the grill occasionally or it’s a nearly daily staple in your cooking, we’ll find the right solution for your camper setup.

Portable grills can be stored away in storage compartments, under pop-up tables, or in your truck, but they are smaller than traditional grills. For gas grills, you usually have the option of using an external tank or running a gas line to your RV if it has one available. This saves storage space and is simply more convenient to use, but not available for everyone.

Electric grills and griddles are easy options that only require plugging in, and with griddles, you can cook a variety of foods that aren’t possible on a grill grate since it can fall through, such as scrambled eggs or shrimp.

For some RVs, you may be able to mount your grill on the rear bumper or underneath the RV. A bumper grill arm assembly lets you swivel out the grill while in use and this solves the problem of storing away the grill.


Attaching a Grill to Your RV

You’re here for RV grills, after all, so let’s first take a look at how you might take advantage of features on your RV, travel trailer, teardrop trailer, or fifth wheel. We’re also going to look at more typical portable grills that don’t need any mounting hardware and are popular portable grills for any occasion.

hitch mounted grill arm
Hitch Mounted Arm
bumper mounted grill arm with red circle around bumper mount
Bumper Mounted Arm

The two most common ways to mount a grill to your RV or pull vehicle is to use either the hitch mount or bumper mount. The Fleming Sales 52321 Bumper Grill Arm Assembly uses U-bolts to attach to your RV’s 4-inch square bumper, and along with the Fleming Sales Griddle Table, is a versatile combination that lets you set any grill on the 21″ x 14″ table and swing it away from the RV for convenient and safe use. If you aren’t interested in the table, you can get a grill, such as the Flame King RV Gas Grill, designed to mount to the arm assembly. If you’re looking for a grill that can permanently be installed onto your RV, then the Flame King is a good option. Also, remember you can connect the grill directly to your RV’s LP gas supply using a quick-connect hose, such as the Camco 10-ft RV Propane Hose.

For the hitch mount setup, you can attach the Fleming Sales 12450 Hitch Arm Assembly to any 2″ hitch receiver either on your RV or pull vehicle once you’ve parked your travel trailer.

Universal Mount Solutions

There’s another option if you’re interested in using a portable grill you already own. A hitch-mounted cargo carrier can be used as a platform for your grill and still be used for the storage of other items. It’s a great universal solution that opens up the grill options available to you instead of being restricted to those that fit these particular mounts.

Heavy Duty Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

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Tire Table Alternative

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As you can see, there are many options available to you that allow you to use just about any portable grill with a table that doesn’t take up a lot of storage space and has multiple uses. This is most important when storage space is at a premium and you want to be as efficient as possible.

Connecting Your Grill to an RV’s LP Gas System

Any propane grill can be adapted to connect to your RV’s propane system.

The work involved depends on if your grill is made with the right hose connections. Grills that are marketed as RV grills, such as the Flame King we mentioned above, are usually built with a quick-connect fitting that allows you to connect a 1/4″ NPT female hose connection to your grill’s 1/4″ NPT quick-connect male plug.

If you’re wanting to connect your standard propane grill to your RV’s propane system, then you will need to add the quick-connect plug to your grill. Undoubtedly, you may want to connect your grill to a standalone propane tank at some point in the future if don’t want to connect it to your RV, so for that, you can leave the quick-connect plug on the grill and use a hose with a quick-connect adapter and tank connection.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your RV has a regulator built into its quick connect line, so you don’t want to also have a regulator between the RV and the grill. Two regulators can further reduce the gas flow so that you won’t get optimal heat when using the grill. If you’re having issues with weak heat output, then this is the first thing you should check before returning your grill.


Best Mountable Grills for RVs

These grills are designed to be mounted onto your RV and offer convenience while not taking up storage space. Just in case you missed it, there are some mounting options that are more versatile as you can use just about any portable grill you want with your RV, van, truck, or car, so check that out in the Universal Mount Solutions section above.

Flame King RV Or Trailer Mounted BBQ

The Flame King is a popular grill option for mounting on to bumper arms and onto the side of RVs. It already comes with the quick-connect gas adapter by default, so you only need to get the right hose for connecting it to a propane source. You can get the hose for connecting to either your RV gas connection or to a standalone propane tank.

Specifications

  • 214 sq. in. grilling surface
  • Mountable or Freestanding – the hanging rack can also be used as legs
  • Locking retainer pins for securing on the mounting bracket
  • Weighs 21.3 lbs
  • Dimensions: 20″ x 17″ x 8″

What We Like

  • Great size and ready to attach to an RV with little effort
  • Can be used as a freestanding grill
  • Quick-connect adapter already built-in

Concerns

  • No temperature gauge
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Hitch mounted solutions are popular because they can be put on just about any vehicle. The Stowaway setup is more than just a grill and is essentially a swivel cargo carrier designed to have a grill and cutting board mounted to it.

Stowaway Hitch Mount Grill

Perhaps the greatest feature of the Stowaway grill kit is that you can swivel the cargo rack away from the rear of your vehicle and still easily access that space. You can also use it as a place to hold your food that you’re preparing to cook.

The cutting board is a handy feature as well as the side tables included on the grill itself. There’s plenty of room to put things with this setup.

You can always just remove the grill and cutting board and use the cargo rack for other purposes at any time.

Specifications

  • 1.25″ or 2″ hitch receiver options
  • Swings out and locks at 90 degrees and provides access to the back of the vehicle
  • Includes SwingAway frame, Cuisinart Grill, Cargo Rack, Cutting Board, and Hitch tightener
  • 12,000 BTU, 240 sq. in. cooking surface
  • Cutting board measures 25.5″ x 18.5″
  • Grill and cutting board are removable

What We Like

  • Versatile kit that’s ideal for grilling on the road
  • Multi-purpose cargo rack
  • Grill is large and puts out impressive heat

Concerns

  • Price
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Springfield 1940057 Grill with Hitch-Mount

The Springfield hitch-mount grill is a much simpler design than the others we’ve looked at. There are no side tables attached to the grill and it’s a very basic setup with a smaller grill.

The grill is removable and the handles are actually legs that fold up, so you can use this grill on a tabletop as well.

Specifications

  • Springfield Model #1940057
  • 130 sq. in. griddle surface on top lid
  • 12,000 BTU
  • Use with a 1 lb. propane tank

What We Like

  • Compact design
  • Can swap to tabletop if needed

Concerns

  • Likely not as good of an option as just buying a cargo carrier and a grill separately
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Next up, the Sidekick grill from Fleming Sales, who also make a variety of other RV accessories, is meant to be mounted on a bumper arm or on the side of an RV.

Fleming Sales RVAD650 RV Sidekick Grill

The RVAD650 Sidekick has a lot of grilling space with 270 sq. in. total cooking area. The single 11,000 BTU burner is adequate for a grill this size. The mounting bracket for this grill can turn into a stable base for use on a tabletop or flat surface.

The grill has a built-in quick-connect adapter for connecting to your RV and also includes an adapter for connecting to a 1 lb. propane tank.

Specifications

  • Works with mounting rails on your RV, bumper arm, hitch mounted arm, or as a standalone grill
  • Works with low pressure propane connection on RV or 1 lb. propane tanks
  • 11,000 BTU single-burner grill
  • 270 sq. in. total cooking area includes a 66 sq. in. warming rack

What We Like

  • Great option for hooking a grill up to your RV
  • The rail mounts to the side of your camper and is convenient

Concerns

  • Rust concerns especially if it’s left out in the elements
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Comparison Table of Mounting Parts

Fleming Sales 12450 Hitch Arm Assembly
Attaches to any 2" hitch receiverCheck Amazon
Camco Articulating Grill Mount - Attaches to 4" RV BumperAttaches to 4" square RV bumperCheck Amazon
Camco 10ft Heavy Duty Quick-Connect RV Propane HoseConnect to your RV's propane supplyCheck Amazon
DOZYANT 12 Feet Quick Connect Propane HoseConnect your grill's quick-connect plug to a standard propane tankCheck Amazon
Fleming Sales 52321 Bumper Grill Arm AssemblyPivoting arm that attches to your RV's bumper for mounting your grillCheck Amazon
Fleming Sales Griddle Table ONLY (Bumper arm Mount not Included) 61119Griddle table that attaches to the pivoting armCheck Amazon

Best Portable Gas Grills for RVs

Gas grilling is perhaps the most convenient way to grill with an RV. You can use your onboard gas as a source, or use propane tanks as long as you have the right adapters for your grill. You don’t have to worry about disposing of burned coals and clean up is simple.

We’re going to look at a variety of sizes and options for portable gas grills that work great for different size RVs, campers, or even vans.

That leads us to our first pick, the Pit Boss 75275 Portable Gas Grill. It doesn’t compromise too much on size and has two burners which give you some freedom with cooking a variety of foods at once. It also comes at an incredible price.

Pit Boss Grills 200P Two-Burner Portable Grill

This portable Pit Boss grill retains many of the convenient features we usually see in full-size grills while still being portable and powerful. The built-in thermometer allows you to accurate judge the heat while the two burners give you full control of each grill zone.

The folding legs and latching hood are a nice touch that makes the Pit Boss easier to store away while on the road in your RV.

The Pit Boss grill comes with a gas line designed for 20 lb. tanks, but you can purchase an adapter separately for using 1 lb. canisters. You can connect the grill to your RV’s quick-connect fitting as well, but you may need an adapter.

In terms of heat, this grill has been measured to get as hot as 700 degrees Fahrenheit in normal outdoor conditions, which is excellent for searing. Plus, the two burners mean you can have a steak searing on one side and vegetables cooking on the other.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 23″ x 19.5″ x 16″
  • 275 sq. in. of cooking space
  • 20,000 BTU/hr
  • Built-in thermometer
  • Weighs 27 lbs

What We Like

  • Two burners with enough heat for searing
  • Stainless steel with good quality materials
  • Excellent for tabletop or bumper/hitch mounted racks

Concerns

  • Relatively bulky body. One of the larger “portable” options
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The Pit Boss is a great option if you are less concerned about the size of the grill and want to maximize grilling space while still having a relatively portable grill. However, if portability is a bigger concern, then this next grill may be a better option for you.

Weber Q1000 Propane Grill

Weber has several options for portable propane grills, but the Q1000 is one of the more portable models that doesn’t include the side tables. If you want to go for the larger model with side tables, then check out the Q2200.

The design of the Weber Q-series feels more portable than, for example, the Pit Boss we looked at above primarily because of the handles and the overall frame has a smaller footprint. The Q1000 is the space-saver model, while the Q2200 is the larger-but-portable design that has about the same cooking area as the Pit Boss, but has folding tables on each side.

Weber is a popular brand for a good reason: they have excellent product support and the ability to buy replacement parts and accessories. That’s something you don’t get from every manufacturer.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 27″ W x 16.5″ D x 14.5″ H
  • 189 sq. in. of cooking space
  • 5-3/4″ lid height
  • Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grate
  • Single burner
  • 8500 BTU/hr
  • Weighs 28.5 lbs
  • Uses disposable 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinders

What We Like

  • Good quality materials
  • Easy to clean design with removable drip tray
  • Customer support from Weber is excellent

Concerns

  • Some complaints about the regulator failing and needing replacement
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Lastly, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 is a more standalone option that is built with a folding frame and side tables. It’s an overall bulkier package than the two grills we looked at above, but if you have space, then it’s ideal for a standalone solution that gives you room to set plates and tools.

Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill

The Coleman Roadtrip 285 is almost like a grill in a suitcase. The frame folds up and you can pull it around on the wheels just like a suitcase. The three independent burners make the Roadtrip one of the most versatile portable grills when it comes to cooking a variety of food types. Also, you can purchase a griddle cooktop separately for cooking even more foods, such as omelets, egg scrambles, or hashbrowns.

Specifications

  • 20,000 BTU/hr
  • 285 sq. in. cooking space
  • 3 independently adjustable burners (the most of any grill we’ve looked at!)
  • 2 durable side tables
  • Integrated thermometer
  • Dimensions: 45.6″ D x 19.5″ W x 35″ H
  • Weighs 52.58 lbs

What We Like

  • Heat control and swappable cooktop options make this grill extremely versatile
  • Though it’s bulkier, the folding frame and wheels make it easy to transport

Concerns

  • Cleaning the water tray can be messy
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Best Portable Charcoal Grills for RVs

Charcoal grills are simple to use and convenient since charcoal is easy to find and relatively cheap. The grills themselves are often cheaper than a comparable propane grill since there’s less hardware involved and you ultimately have a lot of control over the heat once you’ve used the grill a few times.

We’re going to look at few popular options that are really great for just about any situation, but can easily be stored in your RV, truck, or van.

Volcano Grills 3-Fuel Portable Camping Stove/Fire Pit

The Volcano portable stove is unique since it can use three different fuel types: propane, charcoal, and wood. If flexibility is what you’re after, then the Volcano is one of the best options for being able to swap between propane and charcoal depending on what you have available at the time.

It connects to a standard 20-lb propane tank and you can purchase adapters for other sizes separately.

The Volcano collapses down to a 5″ thick disk with a 17″ diameter. Honestly, this is the most compact grill we’ve looked at so far, but it also has a smaller cooking area at about 132 sq. in.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 17″ x 17″ x 12″ when grilling; 17″ x 17″ x 5″ when collapsed
  • 132 sq. in. grilling area
  • Weighs 24 lbs with propane kit
  • 3-fuels: Propane, Charcoal, or Wood
  • 19,500 BTU/hr burner

What We Like

  • Fuel versatility
  • Ultra-portable
  • Excellent for dutch ovens or boils

Concerns

  • No lid
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The Volcano is a bit different than a standard charcoal grill with the lack of a lid and optional propane burner, but certainly is a compact and versatile grill that can be used while camping in an RV, van, or tent.

The next two charcoal grills we’re going to look at are more traditional and very popular as affordable and high-quality charcoal grills. One of the more subtle features that differentiate grills like the Volcano and a traditional charcoal grill like the Weber models below is the addition of dampers for controlling airflow to the charcoal. Temperature control with charcoal is certainly a bit more difficult than with gas, but the dampers on the Weber charcoal grills at least give you some sense of control, whereas the more barebones grills like the Volcano don’t have that feature. However, since the Volcano does have the option of using gas it is somewhat an exception to that rule, but for the purposes of charcoal grilling, it doesn’t have a way to control the temperature.

Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill

The Weber Jumbo Joe is the larger of the portable charcoal grills from Weber and has an 18-inch diameter, locking lid, dampers for controlling temperature, and a heat shield under that handle for extra protection.

The aluminum ash catcher makes cleanup easier and means you can safely use this grill on a tabletop. Corrosion is really unlikely with this grill as long as you maintain it. As with most grill grates, it never hurts to apply a coat of cooking oil after each use. It’s not absolutely necessary but can help increase the life of your grill grate.

As far as size goes, you could easily cook a roast on the Jumbo Joe, or just a few hamburgers.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 19.75″ x 20.5″ x 19.75″
  • Weighs 18 lbs.
  • Holds up to 8 burgers made with the Weber Burger Press
  • Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl resists corrosion
  • Tuck-N-Carry Lid Lock
  • Dampers for controlling the temperature
  • Aluminum Ash Catcher

What We Like

  • Weber product support is excellent with a variety of accessories available
  • Size is ideal for a larger family or gathering while still remaining portable enough for camping

Concerns

  • There’s not much to worry about with this grill, but one thing it lacks is a thermometer
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Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

The Go-Anywhere Grill is more compact than the Weber Jumbo Joe, primarily because the legs fold up to hold the lid which turns the grill into a rectangular shape that’s easy to pack away. You do get less cooking area with the Weber Go-Anywhere, but if portability is more important than size, then the Go-Anywhere may be the grill for you.

Since the grilling grate is plated steel, you certainly should clean the grate after each use and apply some cooking oil to the grate. Another recommended way to preserve the grate is to apply a coat of oil to the grate before the first use and light some charcoal to season the grate.

One thing to be careful about with this grill is where you place it when you are grilling. The bottom of the grill hot and some users have complained about it melting plastic tables under the grill. The reason this wasn’t a problem with the Jumbo Joe is that there is an ash catcher under the grill and there’s distance between the hot bottom of the grill and the surface underneath.

In either case, grilling on a material that’s capable of being melted is never a good idea in the first place. The amount of charcoal you put in a grill will certainly change whether or not it gets hot enough to melt the surface below, so it’s all relative.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 12.2″ x 21″ x 14.5″
  • Holds up to 6 burgers made with the Weber Burger Press
  • Porcelain-enameled Lid with lock
  • Dampers for controlling the temperature
  • Plated steel cooking grate
  • Weighs 14.5 lbs.
  • Model# 121020

What We Like

  • Shape and size are ideal for space-saving storage
  • Weber product support is excellent

Concerns

  • The depth of the grill is rather shallow, so be careful about how much charcoal you use
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Best Portable Griddles for RVs

Griddles allow you to cook foods that aren’t able to be cooked on a standard grill grate, such as eggs, potato hash, omelets, pancakes, and fragile fish fillets. Standalone gas griddles are easy to cook with and easy to clean. Griddles generally have more evenly distributed heat than a typical gas or charcoal grill.

Another option to consider is adding a griddle top to your grill. Some manufacturers sell griddle tops that sit on your existing grill, such as the Coleman RoadTrip Series, and allow you to use either the entire grill top or just half as a griddle. More on this below.

Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle

The Blackstone Tabletop Griddle is a 22″-wide, two-burner griddle that connects to a 1 lb. propane bottle, but you can buy an adapter separately for connecting to a 20 lbs. tank or your RV’s propane connection.

Two burners mean you have great heat control and can cook pancakes on one side while cooking sausages or vegetables on the other. The 24,000 BTU output also lets you sear steaks or hamburgers.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 26″ x 9″ x 22″
  • 24,000 BTUs with two burners
  • 339 sq. in. cooking surface
  • Weighs 34.8 lbs

What We Like

  • Easy to clean and versatile for cooking a variety of foods
  • Powerful griddle with plenty of cooking space for a family

Concerns

  • Relatively large and may not be viable if storage space is limited
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Coleman RoadTrip Swaptop Aluminum Grill Griddle

Turn your RoadTrip grill into a griddle by swapping out your grill grate with this griddle cooktop. Bringing an entire gas or electric griddle along with your grill is not realistic if you don’t have much storage space to work with or are camping in a van or tent. The two-burner RoadTrip grill helps make sure heat is distributed across the entire griddle.

There are some downsides with this griddle, which are mainly due to how it sits on the grill. The griddle cooktop sits a little high above the burners so that windy conditions can sap some of the heat. The positioning of the griddle also means you can’t close the lid, which somewhat worsens the ability to keep heat on the food in windy conditions as well.

Some people love it and if you can find a workaround for dealing with the gap around the griddle top in windy conditions then it might work for you.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 27″ x 14″ x 3″
  • 285 sq. in. of cooking space
  • Made of aluminum with a non-stick surface
  • Grease capture channel

What We Like

  • Easy swap with your grill grate
  • Saves space
  • Cook a variety of food without bringing an extra griddle

Concerns

  • Can’t close the lid when using the griddle
  • The gap between lid and burners means heat can get weakened in windy conditions
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Best Grill-Griddle Combos for RVs

In this section, we’re going to look at some options that offer some combination of a grill and griddle that is also relatively portable. Portability in this category is somewhat difficult to find as most options are full-size grills and griddles built into a single unit, such as the Royal Gourmet GD401 Gas Grill and Griddle Combo. Clearly, there’s nothing very portable about the Royal Gourmet, but there are some unique situations that might make it a good fit for you, such as if you have a toy hauler type RV and like to bring a full-size grill.

Hamilton Beach 8-Serving Raclette Electric Indoor Grill

Electric is a great option for heat if you have access to a plug and don’t want to carry around an extra fuel source. You don’t get the smoky flavor from charcoal or wood, but you can still get grill marks and reliable heat from an electric grill and griddle combo.

Hamilton Beach has several options in this category that are lightweight and versatile.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 15.5″ x 16.5″ x 7.12″
  • 1300 Watts
  • Weighs 6.95 lbs.
  • BPA Free non-stick surface
  • 200 sq. in. cooking surface
  • 8 heat-resistant Raclette trays and spatulas

What We Like

  • Large cooking space at a bargain price
  • Raclettes are great for melting cheese and warming sauces

Concerns

  • Some users report heat is too weak. You seem to be able to get the best performance by preheating for 15 minutes or so
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This two-burner grill and griddle by Pupzo is a good option if you are looking for a portable gas griddle and grill. The wind blocking panels help combat the common complaint we see with some gas grill and griddle models where the heat is too weak in moderately windy conditions.

The Pupzo has a grill/griddle cooktop with a second burner for heating up a pot or pan. The legs are removable making the unit easy to store away. Additionally, the lid closes and locks into place.

Specifications

  • 170 sq. in. non-stick cooking area
  • Fits up to a 12-inch pan on the stove
  • 30-inch propane hose and adapter
  • Weighs 20 lbs.
  • Wind Blocking Panels
  • Removable grease trays

What We Like

  • Compact and simple design that overcomes the common complaint about wind and gas heat
  • Locking lid and removable legs make this a portable option

Concerns

  • Not a well-known brand, but customer reviews are very positive
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