The draw of the open road and the thrill of new adventure calls many people to the RV lifestyle. In fact, RV travel has become so popular that industry manufacturers have flooded the market with a variety of options to fit nearly every interest.
Of course, the ability to cook a delicious meal with the convenience of home is also something that separates RV adventuring from plain old camping. The problem comes when hot weather strikes, forcing an often over-taxed RV air conditioning system to compete with the heat of cooking in the kitchen.
This particular problem is rarely answered by the RV industry. Instead, a few manufacturers will partner with an affiliate grill maker as part of an “Upgrade Package.” Most simply leave a little extra storage space or an area for an exterior mounting rod.
If you own an RV, motorhome, or you are thinking about buying one, you shouldn’t think of the lack of a grill as a glaring omission. In fact, it’s really an opportunity to invest in a grill you will fall in love with, rather than a cheap unit you feel stuck with!
Things To Consider When Shopping For RV Motorhome Grill
Some fifth-wheel campers and many motorhome RVs will include a special exterior compartment to accommodate an RV mounting bracket or pole. This is a great feature for RV travelers who like to “Boondoggle” off the grid, where a picnic table might not be available for a traditional portable grill.
Just keep in mind that with many of these grills the mounting bracket or pole is a separate purchase. If you don’t see it included in the details of the item specs, you should assume you will need to buy one.
RV Mounting Brackets
Smaller RVs like travel trailers, toy haulers, pop up campers, and truck toppers simply don’t include a spot for a portable grill. If you’re lucky the RV manufacturer included a separate exterior accessible compartment for stowing a potentially greasy grill away from other items.
In a situation like this, the first step is to pull out your measuring tape to record the accurate dimensions of the planned storage space. This is a handy guide to help you filter through a rather wide range of portable grill options.
It’s important to note that many of these grills require you to buy a specific mounting bracket or pole to securely anchor the grill to the exterior of the RV. Especially if you are using a gas grill and you are going to hook it up to the external propane connections. So, take the time to double-check what the right bracket is for your RV. You might want to also cross-reference it with the grill you’re thinking about. Many will have their own proprietary type of mounting bracket or bar. You just need to replace the fastening hardware when installing it.
Choosing The Best Fuel Type For Your Motorhome Grill
Right off the bat, you want to take a moment to consider where you will be using your motorhome grill the most. If you are going to be staying in a seasonal RV park, you might want to double-check their rules on grilling. Some will outright ban charcoal or require charcoal grills to be used in a specified location, to reduce fire risk.
The tendency is to look for something that is compact, or that folds down for easy storage and transport. Many people will trend away from charcoal with these grills due to the long cool downtime. With a portable gas grill or even an electric one, you can park up at a truck stop or a wayside rest area while you travel and grill lunch.
It’s a great way to take a break while cooking up a meal, without heating up the interior of the RV. Not only does this save you money on your lunch budget, but it spares you the wait time of restarting the rooftop AC unit.
Gas And Electric Portable Grills For A Motorhome
Still, there are a few RV travelers who insist on portable charcoal grills. Especially for times when you’re sitting around the campfire. If this describes you, then you might also want to invest in a metal bucket and a scoop. This lets you scrape out the lingering embers and pour water over them to put them out. Don’t pour water into the grill itself, as this could lead to rusting and corrosion issues.
Camco 58155 216 Elite Gas Grill
Pit Boss Grills PB100P1 Pit Stop Single-Burner Portable Tabletop Grill
Napoleon s TQ285X Travelq 285 Portable Grill
CADAC 98700-25-04-US Tailgater Chef Grill
Smoke Hollow 205 Stainless Steel Tabletop Propane Gas Grill
Cuisinart CGG-049 Searin' Sphere Portable Gas Grill
Blackstone Grills Tailgater 1555 Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo
Flame King YSNHT500 RV Or Trailer Mounted BBQ - Motorhome Gas Grill
Americana Lock 'N Go Electric Grill By Easy Street
Traeger TFT17LLA PTG+ 15" Portable Electric Grill
Techwood Indoor/Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill
Cuisinart CEG-980 Outdoor Electric Grill
Charcoal Portable Grills For Motorhomes
Make Sure To Clean And Maintain Your Motorhome Grill
It’s important to keep in mind that your motorhome’s grill likely isn’t going to get the same level of use that your grill at home does. It’s an arguable reality that most RV grills die an early death due to rust, corrosion, or improper care long before they suffer a major mechanical breakdown.
This is due in large part to poor care and cleaning while they are on the road. While you’re at camp, cleaning the grill is sometimes harder than at home. A messy grill grate isn’t necessarily the thing you want to put in the motorhome’s dishwasher. Not to mention the gunk that might build up in the lower portions of the firebox.
The temptation is to load the grill up quickly on your last day at camp, tell yourself that you’re going to give it a good cleaning when you get home and then take off down the open road. Unfortunately, many people get home, they get their luggage unpacked, dirty clothes in the laundry, and all the other natural rush that comes with getting back into your usual routine.
All the while, grease, lingering moisture, and stuck on pieces of food are taking the opportunity to cause rust and corrosion. If you don’t take another trip for a month or two, the damage to the grill can start to pile up. So, remember to take the time to properly clean and store your motorhome grill. Even if it takes you a week after getting back home, it’s well worth saving your investment for many trips yet to come.
Volcano Grills VL-20-300 3-Fuel Portable Camping Stove And Fire Pit
Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman's Grill. Large Charcoal Hibachi
Cuisinart CCG-190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill 121020
