10 Best RV Grills of 2020: Brand Buying Guide & Reviews

Everything You Need to Know About RV Grills

What is an RV grill?

An RV grill is just like any other grill, except manufacturers design it to be as portable and compact as possible to make it more convenient to bring on outings. The materials they’re made from are light-weight, they come with mounting attachments, and can easily be folded into a more compressed form.

Most RV grills use propane as its fuel source. They are usually attached to your RV’s supply tank, but some can have tanks of their own. There are brands however that give their customer both a hose to connect to the RV with and an independent tank supply, which gives you more options to choose from.

An RV grill can also run on charcoal, which acts as its heat source. They are a bit more simply built compared to propane grills, which makes them more portable easier to bring with you. This makes the charcoal RV grill popular among smaller groups or individuals.

The advantages and disadvantages of these two types of grills will be discussed along the way. There is no one best RV for everybody. Everyone has different situations and needs, which is why we are giving you the basic know-how to make an informed decision, and we will direct you to quality RV grills you might find suitable.

Should I Choose Propane or Charcoal?

These are the most commonly used types of grill found on the market, and they both have their distinct advantages and disadvantages. As we have said, you have to look at the facts and see what best fits the situation you have and decide what is best for you. Here are the things you need to know about propane and charcoal grills:

Propane Grills

Propane grills will give you a flavor that’s “cleaner” and purer compared to charcoal-grilled foods (although some do like the flavor charcoal imparts. The grill will be easier to clean compared to charcoal ones since charcoal combusts and creates soot, which makes cleaning the unit more difficult.

Propane grills also usually offer more features such as increasing or decreasing the heat by changing the gas flow with the turn of a knob. With charcoal grills, you would have to manually add or remove charcoal and assess its heat, which may be a hassle to some. But because of these features, the propane grill is often more expensive. If you would love excellent grilling performance at a bit of a price, then this kind of grill is for you.

But keep in mind that they are also generally less convenient to bring with you since they are bulkier and heavier because of their propane tanks. Refueling can also be seen as a con. Buying charcoal is relatively more accessible since they’re more readily available compared to propane.

Using gas as a heat source may also be more of a danger compared to charcoal. You will need to be careful in securing the gas lines and making sure the gas is off when not in use.

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills are popular because they are convenient to bring along due to being smaller, which is why this is a good option for smaller campers. They are also cheaper than their propane counterparts because their designs are simpler. They don’t require gas tanks, gas lines, or burners, which usually makes them lighter and more compact.

Charcoal, its heat source, is also easy to get a hold of and cheaper than propane. Most supermarkets have charcoal available in their stocks. Propane might be a bit harder to find.

One thing charcoal owners mainly complain about though is the cleaning. The soot from the charcoal will adhere to the surface of your unit, and if you don’t habitually clean it, the soot will accumulate and harden, making cleaning more of a pain. If you don’t mind the upkeep and want something affordable and convenient, then the charcoal grill is for you.

Now you can understand that the best grill is dependent on the user’s needs. You should take into consideration factors such as price, convenience, quality, upkeep, and the other things we mentioned to ensure that you get a grill that’s right for you.

Why Do You Need an RV Grill?

You don’t need an RV grill the same way you don’t need to get popcorn in the movies. While getting the popcorn might not be a requirement, it just won’t be a complete movie experience without it. In the same way, you don’t need an RV grill, but you’re missing a vital part of a good RV road trip.

With a grill, you can cook outdoors and enjoy the surroundings, which can be a great respite from being cooped up in an RV all day. It’s an experience that lets you appreciate the outside and a more simple way of living. It’s a chance to bond with your companions, or if on your own, a chance to give yourself a nice grilled treat.

Going on an RV road trip is not about going from point A to point B. This may be cliche to say but is about the experiences you have when getting there. And having a grill, weirdly, can help you with that.

Consider These Factors When Getting a Grill

Choosing an RV grill isn’t all about whether to buy a charcoal or propane one. There’s a little bit more to decide than just that if you want to choose the best grill possible. Here are a few key components you might want to consider when choosing an RV grill.

Type

If you’re still troubling over choosing between propane or a charcoal grill, we’ll make it easier for you. If you own class A RV or any larger RV, we recommend going for grills using propane.
Campers usually go for charcoal grills owing to their size and portability, but if you do have the storage space for it, propane grills are more technologically advanced compared to the former.

Another thing that requires your consideration is the environmental impact these types of grills have. Which is better in this regard, gas or charcoal? The conventional charcoal usually used during grill is made from combined lighter fluid, sawdust, corn-starch, and other materials that produce 105 times more carbon monoxide compared to burning propane. It doesn’t stop there. Apart from carbon monoxide, burning this kind of charcoal also creates volatile compounds that can make you sick.

If you still want to use a charcoal grill, you should opt to use lump charcoal instead of charcoal briquettes. Lump charcoal doesn’t have any of the additives mentioned. This makes it carbon neutral when burned, making it more environmentally friendly. They can usually be found in general home improvements stores or health food stores.

But the most environmentally friendly is still propane. If you consider that lump charcoal is shipped to from faraway places, its total carbon footprint is higher than propane.

Burner

This is only important if you’re set on buying propane grills. Charcoal grills don’t have burners, so skip this part if you’re going for a charcoal grill.

You should choose propane grills with a brass or steel burner. Both of these materials don’t corrode as much when exposed to the elements. RV grill burners made from these materials might be more expensive, but they last for a long time all while maintaining their quality, so you don’t have to be concerned about replacing them.

Be wary of burners made from cast iron or aluminum. Cast iron rusts easily when exposed to moisture. They are also usually heavier than brass or steel. This is because cast iron far more brittle than the two, so manufacturers have to compensate by making the cast iron burner thicker, which makes it weigh a lot more. Aluminum, on the other hand, is lightweight, but it corrodes much more easily in the presence of heat compared to steel or brass.

Metal deflectors also help you during grilling; some ensure your propane grill has it. Metal deflectors are components found between the burner and the grate, and they even out the heat by diffusing any hotspots. This results in better tasting food and makes you less prone to burning food during grilling.

Another thing that is convenient to have in with propane grills is multiple burners. This helps you control the heat even more precisely and allows you to cook multiple items at once while cooking all of them in the temperature needed. That would require a lot more effort with a single burner.

Construction Material

Look for RV grills made from stainless steel, ceramic, or iron. These are very durable materials. RV owners usually have stainless steel grills because of the convenience.

Stainless steel doesn’t require as much cleaning and maintenance compared to others made from different materials. If you’re like us who want to do as little cleaning as possible on an RV road trip, you should go for stainless steel, which is also rust-resistant.

Aside from durability, another factor that’s in play is portability. It makes no sense buying a heavier stainless steel RV grill if you don’t have the RV space for it. You might want to sacrifice some convenience by choosing grills made from other materials in exchange for a lighter and more portable grill.

If you do have a bigger RV and weight is not an issue, you should opt for a stainless steel grill for the convenience. They might be a bit on the pricier side, but they last a long time and don’t give you any extra cleaning hassle.

Here’s an extra consideration you might want to look into:

Helpful Features

Every good grill manufacturers will always try to one-up each other by adding features to their RV grill the others might not have. These extra features will offer you a little more help and convenience along the way.

Some grills have attachments that allow you to mount them. Some have detachable features or retractable stands that make them more portable. But if you want a simpler grill that’s more affordable, and you don’t need any of these features, you can start narrowing down your choices. These features are only helpful if they fit your needs. Find a grill that fits your bill.

Proper grill Usage and Maintenance

Propane Grills

You need to use and clean your propane grills the right because they will always pose a danger of you don’t handle them correctly. Here are a few reminders that can help with your grill maintenance.

Do’s

• NEVER grill in your RV. Always do your grilling outdoors or places with good ventilation.
• Seal the valve of the propane container properly
• Double-check that all the grill’s have it’s controls shut off when you’re not using it.
• Allow the cooking grill to cool down first before you cover it.
• Always store your propane containers in cool places, and make sure that they remain in upright position whether it’s in use or storage
• If your grill is not in use, always place all the air intakes of the burner and hose-end fixtures inside bags, or you can cover their ends with protective caps to keep away any contaminants and moisture. Since the gas component of these grills is the potentially most dangerous, you have to take extra care in keeping them clean.
• Check for any gas leaks on every gas connection before you turn on the burner.

Don’ts

• Propane cylinders should never stay in enclosed spaces or indoors, especially at hot temperatures
• Don’t smoke near propane gas connections or propane cylinders
• Don’t use your vehicle as long-term storage for your propane cylinders.K eep them in your house when not in use where its cooler and more ventilated.
• Don’t let children play near or use the propane cylinders as toys or any of the gas connections.
• Avoid grilling in places with extremely high temperatures.

Charcoal Grills

These are just as dangerous as propane grills if you don’t handle them properly. Follow these guidelines so you can ensure that you know everything that you need to ensure your safety.

Do’s

• Make a pyramid formation when using charcoal and then douse with the lighter fluid. Give some time for the lighter fluid to soak in the charcoal and then you can light it after.
• Always re-cap your lighting fluid immediately after use and store it away from heat sources.
• Wait for a starter to cool down before releasing it from the grill. You should also store it somewhere dry and cool.
• Always cook in well-ventilated areas.
• After grilling, wait for the coals to completely stop burning and then you can throw them away afterward.
• Try to buy environmental friendly charcoal. You won’t be just lowering your carbon footprint; eco-friendly charcoal also doesn’t pose a risk of exposing yourself to toxic compounds when using charcoal briquettes

Don’ts

• Never use combustible fluids such as kerosene or gasoline to ignite your fire. Doing this poses a risk of explosions and burn accidents.
• Never use lighter fluid on already lit coals.
• Using a starter that runs on electricity is a big no-no in wet or damp conditions.
• Never test the coal’s temperature by touching it with your hand. Just asses the heat by looking at the coal’s appearance and by hovering your hand over the coals.
• Never add lighter fluid in charcoal that’s already instant lighting. If you need to put in more coals, always use regular coals.
• You should integrate the dos and don’ts to your grilling routine, and you will have no issues with your RV grill. All your barbecues will be a safe environment where everyone can enjoy themselves without stressing over about any sort of tragic circumstances that might arise.
• Follow all these guidelines, and you need not worry that danger may arise. It’s very straightforward to remember and do these tips, and it’s a small thing considering it involves your safety. Grilling is an awesome experience and its definitely worth your time in exchange for a little care and maintenance

How do You Properly Maintain Your RV Grill?

If you want to increase the life of your grill and maintain its quality, then proper cleaning is a must. Here is an easy step-by-step process on how to do it:

Turn Up the heat

With this method, any residue or food particles stuck on your grill will combust, turning most of it into ash that can easily be removed with a good brush. You can do this habitually after every grilling session, so the residue doesn’t accumulate.

Remember, the more you put off cleaning, the more the particles accumulate and harden over time, making it more of a hassle to clean. One the cleaning is done your grill is ready for use once again.

Use an Oven with that Cleans Itself

For any resistant residues that cling to your grill, here’s the solution for you. Place the grates in an oven that can self-clean. The very high temperatures will eventually combust any stubborn residues on your grates.

Use Oven Cleaner

Some of you might not have an oven that self-cleans. Here’s what you need to do. Just simply use an oven cleaner to remove any residue on your grill. Coat the whole grate with the cleaner and place it in any plastic bag, then leave it like that overnight. You can quickly rinse and brush the dirt off the next morning.

Conclusion

Choosing the right grill for you might take a bit of time, and it requires some care and attention after you buy one, but it’s all worth it in the end. We hope that our guides have helped you with all your RV grilling needs. Remember to do extra research yourself, and don’t just rely on a few sources of information. Have a good one!

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