There is nothing as tasty as grilled steak or veggies prepared somewhere under the stars.
Its definitely the most delicious meal after a day of walking, hiking or camping under the scorching sun.
One of the best accessories that you can use for outdoor cooking is a portable grill for rv, tailgating and camping.
These appliances are small enough to fit in the boot of your trailer or car. These handy appliances can be carried anywhere you want, whether its on the beach or national park.
To help you pick the best RV bbq and portable grills for tailgating and camping. We evaluated the top grills that are not only portable but also energy-efficient, high-performance and budget-friendly.
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Note – Please know, some of the external links on this page are affiliate links, this means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to yourself.
Top Picks
What to Look for in a Portable RV Grill for Camping or Tailgating
The best RV grills all have certain things in common. These things will enable you to know what to look for before purchasing an RV grill.
RV Gas Grills (RV propane grill) vs. Charcoal Grills
What your portable RV grill is going to be running on is an obviously essential consideration. In comparison with charcoal grills, gas grills are easier to operate. Nonetheless, charcoal rv grills are cheaper, which works perfectly for those who prioritize more portability than The best rv gas grill can offer.
Portability
Considering you are often going to lug your RV grill about, finding one that weighs conveniently enough for easy movement is optimal. The best rv grill solves that problem using lightweight quality materials, like superheated stainless steel. Make sure to consider the amount of space you have and the weight you’d consider to be easily movable before making your choice.
Cooking Plate Area
The grilling surface area you’ll need is determinable by the number of mouths you plan to feed. RVers, most times, don’t have to cook for too many people. That’s why our top choice, the Coleman RoadTrip, with its 285 square inches of the surface area, is a popular, standard choice for most people.
Burners
The burners, along with grates, are essential to what you can cook with your gas grill. The choice of shapes and hole number is essentially up to your unique taste. On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid having dust or drippings on the burners to keep them maximally functional for a longer time.
Most people would avoid using aluminum burners because it tends to burn out easily when it receives much heat too fast. Stainless steel burners are the popular choice for a good food turnout. Most of the best rv grills have stainless steel burners.
Temperature Gauge
The simplest way to determine whether you need a temperature gauge is if the RV grill closes, in which case, it should have a meter. The best grills for rv come with some of these features to ease the grilling process.
Best Portable Grill for RV & Camping
- Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-up Grill
- Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet
- Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill
- Cuisinart CGG-200 All-Foods 12000 BTU Gas Grill
- Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
- Traeger Grills Ranger Grill TBT18KLD Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
- Weber 54060001 Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill
- Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Portable Grill2Go X200
- Camco Olympian 5500 Stainless Steel
- George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
1. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-up Grill [Editor’s Pick]
If you are looking for a reliable and a master-of-all portable propane grill for BBQ’s, tailgating, picnics and camping, Coleman RoadTrip 285 is an excellent choice.
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 is mostly referred to as the Grilling Master because of its efficiency in outdoor cooking. As the outright best rv grill around, it is equipped with 285 sq. in. of durable cast-iron grilling surface for easy and quick grilling.
Easy to Set Up
The Coleman portable rv grill is easy to set up since it comes with its own stand and wheels.
The stand makes it convenient to grill in the absence of a picnic table or an ideal table for grilling. Though the grill is heavy, the attached wheels make it possible to roll it to a perfect location for cooking.
Once you have identified the ideal location for grilling, take caution when unfolding the unit. To set up the rv grill properly, step on the handle and lift it up carefully. This allows the legs to stretch and be in an upright position for latching.
RoadTrip 285 is energy efficient and propane powered and comes with cast-iron porcelain coated grill grates for easy cooking. The grill grates allow for grilling of large amounts of food using three adjustable burners.
With a swap-top interchangeable cooktops, this grill allows you to enjoy more meal options by replacing the grill grates with a stove or griddle grate.
- Easy to set up and transport
- Cooks quickly and nicely
- Large cooking area
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Accessories are sold separately, but they only add a few bucks to the product price
- Requires frequent cleaning
- Heavy to lift
2. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet
The Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet is a super portable and lightweight, portable grill set that fits on decks and patios or in an area with limited space.
Though the unit is small-sized, it cooks large amounts of food just like full-sized grills. It cooks 8 burgers, 8 steaks, and 6-10 chicken breasts at once.
The high-performance grill uses propane and consumes far less gas than the full-sized grills, making it the best propane grill for a person looking for a compact and energy efficient grill.
The powerful 5500 BTU stainless steel burner heats up relatively fast, allowing food to cook quickly and in relatively little time.
The portable Petit Gourmet grill has a briefcase-style and weighs only 13.5 pounds. The unit fits comfortably in small spaces and can be carried anywhere, either to the beach, games, RVs, or boasts. It has durable aluminum legs and stabilizing feet for quick set up. The integrated lid lock keeps the lid secure.
- Compact Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Uses less gas than full-sized grills
- Briefcase-style carrying handle for easy transportation
- Removable grate that is dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Quite affordable
- Sometimes the unit heats up slowly due to the low setting
- Small cooking surface
3. Weber 50060001 Q1000 LP Grill
The Weber portable grill Q 1000 is an upgrade of the Q 100.
The improved models maintain the superb performance but considerable improvements in design and functionality. The improvements include a larger grip handle for ease of portability, ergonomic side handles, and sturdy front.
There’s also the fact that you don’t have to be stuck with a charcoal grill anymore, since the Q100 was one of the premium charcoal grills of its time – but that means nothing now.
Instead of that charcoal grill, you have the Weber Q 1000, which is made of a durable cast-aluminum material for longevity, making it ideal for outdoor activities including tailgating, fishing, and picnics. The unit is lightweight and can be used on the go when preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The simple-to start push-button ignition and infinite control burner valve settings make it a breeze to use
Just like other Weber portable grills, Q 1000 is energy efficient, durable and requires minimal care and maintenance. The unit comes assembled fully out of the box, and you start grilling and enjoying tasty grilled foods immediately.
The Weber portable grill includes an optional LP adapter hose for hook up to a 20 lb. tank. It uses 14.1 or 16.4 OZ LP cylinders (disposable) that are sold separately.
- Heats up quickly and cooks evenly
- Reliable start with the push button ignition
- Lightweight and can be carried to any event including basketball games
- Excellent quality as you would expect from a Weber product
- Environmentally friendly (no more charcoal grills!)
- Easy and quick assembly
- Easy to clean
- Large sized and bulky
4. Cuisinart CGG-200 All-Foods 12000 BTU Gas Grill
The Cuisinart CGG-200 Portable gas grill is a high-performance tabletop grill that excels in grilling fine and large amounts of food.
It is the best portable grill choice for a grilling enthusiast looking for a grill that combines portability, convenience, and exceptional performance.
CGG-200 is portable, compact and ideal for small yards and patios. The folding steel shelves and carry handles make it convenient to carry the unit to the beach, game or fishing expeditions.
The unit features the versatile modular grill system with interchangeable specialized rv grill surfaces ideal for frequently grilled food such as pizzas, bread, and veggies.
Grilling with Cuisinart All-Foods Portable Gas Grills
The unit is intelligently designed to generate adequate heat than most large grills in the market. The 12, 000 BTU stainless steel burners and panels distribute heat evenly to the cooking surface to give you a unique grilling experience. It heats fast and recovers quickly when you open the cover to rotate food.
You will simply be amazed by the result when grilling chicken, fish, roasts, hamburgers, steak, pizza, seafood and fresh vegetables. To get the perfect grilling marks, heat the CGG-200 portable tabletop grill to 4000 . The unit is ideal for small balconies, homes with limited space, picnics, tailgating, and fishing.
- Easy to set up and use
- Perfect for homes with limited space
- The grill heats very quickly, and the heat is distributed evenly to the surface grate
- Build to last for long with durable materials such as the iron cooking grates
- Has a stainless steel veggie plate for cooking vegetables
- Reasonably priced for the quality
- Heavy due to the material used
5. Weber 51010001 Q1200 LP Grill
When it comes to backyard grilling, Weber has made a name by developing superb products that enhance the grilling experience. The Weber Q1200 lives to its expectations in enabling sumptuous grilled meal at all times.
The design of the Weber 51010001 Q1200 cook box combined with other components of the cooking system including cooking grates and burner tubes allows for proper heat circulation around the food for even cooking. The tall lid allows the grilling of small birds and roasts with the inbuilt thermometer helping you monitor the grill temperature.
The Weber Q1200 portable propane grill is made of high-grade stainless steel construction that stands up to small amounts of water found in a liquid propane grill. They are stronger and more resistant to rust and burn-through. They are easy to clean with a Weber stainless steel grill brush.
- The design of the Weber Q1200 cook box makes it possible for food to cook evenly
- Can be carried virtually anywhere
- Easy to clean
- Easy to assemble (less than 10 minutes)
- The inbuilt temperature gauge is a plus
- Moderate heating- it is difficult to turn on to full blast
- Slightly heavy
6. Traeger Grills Ranger Grill TBT18KLD Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
If you’re looking for a portable grill and smoker, then the Traeger Grills Ranger wood pellet grill and smoker may be just what you’re looking for.
Built for the road, the Traeger Ranger features a baffled lid design with lockable lid latches for durability and safe transport.
The usable grill surface is around 12” W x 16” L x 5”H, which while not being huge, the cast iron griddle is enough for a family and the simple to use digital arc controller which ensures you have precise control and consistent temperatures.
With the ability to hold up to 8lbs of wood pellets, you won’t have to be constantly checking the hopper, that is plenty for long smoking sessions. Of course, it can also be used as a regular grill as well if you’re in need of a convenient quick cook.
Actually, as I mentioned conveniently, I have to also mention the keep warm mode that I love. It means you can have a lot more flexibility in your day and that your food is ready to eat whenever you need it to be.
This wood pellet grill is made for travel and is excellent for tailgating or parked up in your RV at the park.
- Excellent cooking results
- Easy temperature control
- Keep warm mode
- Quick cool down after use
- Small bucket for grease collection included
- Economical on pellets
- Manual isn’t great
- The hopper is inside the unit makes it impossible to add any during a burn without interrupting the smoking
7. Weber 54060001 Q2200 LP Grill
The Weber Q2200 is an upgrade of the Q220 model, and it is higher in the rank before Q1000 and Q1200.
This grill features the 12,000 BTU/hr that heats up the 280 square inch cooking surface, a given for a piece touted as the best grill for rv. Q2200 has a large cooking area that can accommodate plenty of food, enough to serve 4-8 people.
Weber Q2200 also includes the porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grate that is now a split grid. The split grid is advantageous because it makes it easier to clean the unit if you only use one half of it.
Alternatively, you can use a grate on one side of the cooking area and a griddle on the other. The cast iron construction of the lid and body makes them durable.
It also includes a thermometer on the lid for easy monitoring of cooking temperatures. The electronic starter ignition makes it easy to start within seconds and start grilling.
The handy fold-out side tables provide ample space to place cooked food, tools and beverages. All the features make Q2200 one of the most popular portable grill manufactured by Weber.
- Made of durable material
- Heats quickly and cooks evenly
- The inbuilt thermometer is a plus
- Comes pre-assembled
- Easy to clean cooking grates
- Electronic start ignition is effective
- This grill does not come with grinding tool hangers
- Bulky but compact
- Total cooking area = 280 Square Inches
8. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Portable Grill2Go X200
The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is built for the road and does not mind getting tossed up in rough terrains.
If you are going for camping, tailgating, fishing or to the beach, this little and super lightweight grill is an ideal option that survives any adventure. The high impact legs and carry handles make it easy to carry this little friend anywhere.
The powerful 9,500 BTU burner heats up the 200 square inches of cooktop quickly, and the heat is distributed evenly, reducing the amount time used in grilling foods.
The cooking plate is large enough to grill steak, fish, chicken, veggies, burgers, and hotdogs for several friends. Charbroil portable gas grills use the Char-Broil TRU-infrared technology to better cooking performance, even in the coldest weather.
Charbroil X200 is quick to start with the instant built-in push-button ignition (do not need batteries). The aluminum lid is hinged to the rest of the grill, making things a lot easier if you have limited space but still want to make tasty food. The large handle allows you to open and close the lid safely as you monitor your food.
- Easy to set up since it comes pre-assembled
- Easy to use and transport on the road
- Lightweight
- Heats quickly and cooks evenly
- Energy efficient
- Cheap
- The grate requires extra work to clean (You need to scrub it)
- Temperature increases rather quickly when the lid is closed
9. Camco 57305 Olympian 5500 Stainless Steel
No products found.The Camco 57305 stainless steel grill is a high-quality grill from Camco that is specially designed for RV and outdoor use.
The stainless steel portable gas grill has a large grilling surface of 180 square inches that is adequate for plenty of food. The 12, 000 BTUs/hour burner is hot enough to cook food quickly. Also, it helps increase the flavor of cooked food.
The Camco 57305 Olympian 5500 stainless steel portable gas grill works with an RV or trailer that is equipped with a low-pressure quick-connect propane outlet. When the unit is packaged, it comes equipped with the proper propane gas quick connect hose assembly ready to be attached to the trailer or RV.
Some consider it as the best rv grill around since it is also easy to maintain, being made with stainless steel
If the trailer or RV lacks the quick-connect propane outlet, you can purchase an accessory hose that connects to a 5lb. or 20lb. propane cylinder or a 1 lb. throwaway propane cylinder.
Using with your RV
If your trailer has a preinstalled mounting rail, the accompanying mounting bracket can help hang the grill from the side of the RV.
Attach the mounting bracket by holding it at a 45-degree angle from the mounting rail, and slide it onto the aluminum mounting rail and slowly lowering towards the RV or trailer.
Alternatively, if you want to use the rv grill without the mount, simply extend the folding feet for convenient tabletop use. When not in use, the folding feet folds flat under the grill.
Included in the Box
- Assembled grill
- Stainless steel cooking grate
- Cast iron smoker plate
- Temperature gauge
- Piezoelectric spark ignition
- RV grill mount
- Low-pressure control valve assembly with quick connect fitting
- Drip/Grease Tray
- 39” propane hose with quick connect fittings
- Manual
- Easy to hook up with an RV
- No assembly required on the grill
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Saves on cost of using LP cylinders
- Lacks a regulator for using with the propane tank
- A little pricier
No products found.
10. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
The George Foreman portable electric grill is a lightweight and high-performance electric grill that easily converts from outdoor to indoor use. This little rv grill has terrific and flexible designs.
Other superior features such as the cool touch handles, adjustable temperature control, double non-stick coated plates and 1600 watts make this electric grill extremely popular with food lovers.
The unit is easy to use and set up. After assembly, simply plug it and allow it at least 10 minutes to adequately heat the surface as you gear up for an apparently fantastic grilling experience. As you cook, the electric grill allows you to adjust the heat from low to high depending on what you are grilling.
The non-stick cooking top means that you can use a minimum of added fats and also makes cleaning quite easy. The sloppy surface has channels that draw accumulated fats into a tray, just beneath the surface. The vented lid creates a circular flow of air to ensure even cooking especially for large stakes or chicken.
For convenience, place the George Foreman GGR50B either on a tabletop or atop its removable pedestal. On the stand, the electric grill stands approximately 2-1/2 feet high without including the domed lid. On its own, the cooking plate stands 6 inches high. Though the stand is sturdy for grilling, take caution when grilling in a high traffic area or near kids.
- Apartment-safe
- Cooks evenly and better- the food tastes great
- Fantastic design: can be used on a tabletop and a pedestal
- Easy to assemble (less than 10 minutes)
- Lightweight but with a large cooking plate
- Space saving
- If used indoors, be prepared for potential spattering
- Slightly heavier than an average tabletop gas grill
Choosing the Best RV BBQ Grill for Camping and Tailgating
Consider the following factors when selecting the perfect portable grill:
1. Size of Cooking Area
In the current portable grill models, manufacturers have reduced the size of the cooking areas to increase their portability.
In a bid to compensate for the reduced cooking top, the current designs incorporate double folding tables for placing cooking tools, food, and beverages. Traditional BBQs had larger cooking areas than the current portable grills, but they were too heavy to be carried to camping, tailgating, and fishing.
If you are looking for a portable grill for parties and social events, buy a grill with a large cooking surface (200 square inches and above). For a small number of people (2-5), a small rv grill is an excellent choice for grilling steaks, fish, burger, and kebabs at outdoor events.
2. Heat Capacity
The standard unit for measuring the heat generated by a grill is BTU that stands for British Thermal Units.
Basically, the higher the BTU, the hotter the grill will get and the quicker it grills food. High BTU rating is ideal for cooking plenty of food for many people at camping sites and picnics. Anything above 8,000 BTUs is adequate for cooking large amounts of food within a short time.
3. Temperature
A good portable grill should allow easy switching from low to high temperatures and vice versa. Small portable grills come with single temperature control while commercial-grade grills are likely to have a control burner valve to give you better control over the heat being dispersed.
The best portable grill heats up to 600 degrees, making it possible to grill food within a short time. A good grill should be capable of cooking soft food items like maize and bacon at low temperatures.
4. Type of Fuel
Portable grills are powered by either electricity, gas or charcoal. To be considered as the best rv grill for indoor use, a portable electric grill is most suitable since it requires a small space and does not produce fumes. They are perfect for apartment use.
Portable propane grills are the most appropriate for outdoor drilling since they are lightweight, energy efficient and environmentally friendly – especially when with low pressure propane supply. it is most suitable for use at the park, beach, camping, fishing and social picnics.
Charcoal rv grills are another excellent choice though they are not environmentally friendly. They are cheap, and charcoal-grilled foods taste better than food grilled by other types of fuel.
5. Product Dimensions & Weight
Are you limited in cooking and storage space? Well, if you are limited in space, and you have a small backyard, you should buy a portable grill that is compact, lightweight and can sit on a pedestal like George Foreman GGR50B. If space is not a factor, go for portable grills that have a large cooking surface.
6. Ease of Cleaning
Even the best portable grills require regular cleaning to ensure proper food hygiene. Most portable grills are easy to clean and include features such as a removable grill plate cooking surfaces, drip tray, and a sloppy grate. A sloppy grate helps in drawing fats away into the drip tray.
7. Durability & Warranty
The materials used in the manufacture of the best rv grill is what determines the unit’s performance and durability. If you are looking for a portable grill that will last for long, make sure it is made with high-quality materials to ensure a sturdy construction. The best rv grills are made of cast aluminum, cast iron, and stainless steel construction. This gives them the ability to distribute heat efficiently, as well as rust resistance and durability.
Also, grills made with cast-iron are heavy while those made with cast aluminum are lighter and portable. However, when the grills get exposed to heat and harsh weather, they get discolored and develop char marks that reduce their lifespan.
When buying a portable grill, make sure you always consider the length of the product warranty. A warranty of 1-3 years will be adequate just in case the grill malfunctions during the warranty period.
Portable Propane Grill: Are They Any Better?
When going camping, tailgating, fishing, or to the beach, you must never forget to carry things like camping tents, ice cubes, wine & beer, lots of snacks and of course (yes, you got it right) a portable grill to grill all your delicacies.
Portable grills can either be electric, gas or charcoal powered.
But not all are ideal for outdoor activities. Electric grills require plugging into a power outlet which would be hard to get in the middle of the wilderness. Charcoal grills are great, but in the wake of environmental conservation, most people are reluctant to use them in outdoor cooking and going for the environmentally friendly propane-powered grills.
There are various reasons why most people prefer a portable propane grill over the charcoal grill for outdoor cooking. Apart from being environmentally friendly, they are inexpensive, easy to start and use, lightweight, heat fast and cook evenly. Also, propane grills have burner controls and thermometers, making it possible to adjust and control the temperature.
What are the Benefits of Portable Propane Grills?
Portable
Propane grills are usually lightweight thus reliable for outdoor cooking or grilling. Most of these grills weigh 10 to 35 pounds and can be carried virtually everywhere, grilled food is required. They have firm legs or pedestal that can be retracted and extended at any time.
Fuel Efficient
Portable grills that use propane gas are fuel efficient. Some models work with small disposable canisters that are adequate for all the cooking you need at the beach or during camping.
Environmentally Friendly
Unlike portable charcoal grills, the best portable propane grills are environmentally friendly since they use propane or natural gas. If you want one of the best portable grills for your apartment, start by looking at propane grills.
Budget-friendly
Propane grills are less expensive than other comparable grills on the market, making them ideal for people with a limited budget for an outdoor event.
High Performance
Propane grills are known for their high performance and efficiency in outdoor grilling. They give you long hours of grilling without worrying about gas running out in the middle of the night. Propane grilled foods are also delicious!
Low Maintenance and Durable
Propane grills are low maintenance and only require a quick cleanup of their cooking surfaces in between the grilling sessions. These grills are made using durable materials such as cast iron and aluminum that last for long and also rust-resistant.
Portable Electric Grill
One of the advantages of using an electric grill is that there no heavy fuel loads that you are expected to carry around. There are no propane tanks to fill and move around or charcoal bags to pack onto the back of your truck.
However, one thing that you have to consider is that you will require an extension cord from a wall socket, connecting to your grill. You can use an electric grill in your backyard or on the patio.
The portable electric grills feature a heat control knob that allows you to adjust the temperature upwards or downwards. Most electric grills have a Teflon coating making them easier to clean after cooking. Just use a damp clothing to wipe the surface once the grill has cooled down.
Using a portable electric grill outside the house while it is raining or drizzling poses a grave danger unless you have an undercover outside your home.
FAQs
What does BTU mean?
In purchasing a gas grill for RVs and outdoor cooking needs, you will inevitably come across the term British Thermal Units (BTUs). Simply, BTUs define the amount of gas outputted to heat up your gas grill.
In essence, a high BTU number means an equally high temperature. For a gas grill, the BTU rating refers to the maximum amount of heat per burner or throughout the central grill cooking space but doesn’t include warming trays, side burners, and the likes.
As it concerns your RV grill’s maximum heat output, you should also consider the grill’s make-up material. Thinner materials imply your grill won’t hold in the heat, and as such, you’d require one with even higher BTU to grill something in the same period it takes a quality grill with lower BTU. Ultimately, make sure you keep in mind that the consequence of your gas grill’s BTU output being high is that you’d burn through fuel relatively quickly. Details like the BTU rating of an rv grill separate the very best rv grill from the rest.
What is an ideal surface cooking area?
The challenge of many charcoal grills now is the relatively small size of the holding area or warming tray, so knowing the grill surface area you’ll need to feed a specified number of mouths is important.
Using burgers with patties of about 4″ x 4″, for instance, we can ascertain that 200 square inches of cooking space will hold roughly 12 patties with intermittent space between each. Therefore, 100 per s. should be enough for one person to handle and vice versa. Please make sure you take note that the bigger the rv grill size, the costlier they get. The best rv grills have their ways around that fix.
What choice of grates is best?
Grates are responsible for the typical char marks on grilled meals, and functionally, they are responsible for conducting heat to the food. There are majorly three varieties of grates. The cheapest and lightest are chrome or nickel-plated grates, which are disadvantageous in their inability to retain heat relatively well and the plating’s tendency to rust.
The best rv grills use cast iron cooking grates, which do well in heat retention and conduction but are likely to deteriorate without regular oil treatment. The best portable grill option, however, is stainless steel grates. They don’t do as well as cast iron grates to conduct or hold heat, but they supersede every other criterion.
Which is better – Natural gas or propane gas grill?
Summarily, portable RV grills only ever make use of propane. Using natural gas is only possible when you’re coupled to your home’s gas line for tabletop gas grills – clearly not so portable.
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