Grilling in Small Spaces: The Best Portable Grills for RV Life

so here's the thing about grilling from an rv -- everyone on youtube makes it look like they've got this massive outdoor kitchen setup with a built-in grill and granite countertops and like, a whole island. meanwhile i'm out here trying to balance a grill on a folding table that's also my desk, my dining table, and occasionally my bed when i fall asleep outside.

i've been living in a converted sprinter van for about a year and a half now and i've gone through four different portable grills trying to find the right one. lemme save you some money and time.

weber go-anywhere charcoal grill -- this was my first one and honestly? it's still pretty solid. it's rectangular, the legs fold up to lock the lid shut, and it fits in my van's storage compartment perfectly. charcoal flavor is unbeatable. the downside is that charcoal is messy, takes forever to heat up, and some campgrounds won't let you use it during fire season. i had to put it away for basically all of august and september last year in california because of fire restrictions.

weber q1200 -- this is what i use most now. propane, heats up in like 10 minutes, and the temperature control is actually reliable. it's not huge but i can fit four burgers or a couple chicken breasts no problem. the cast iron grates hold heat really well and give you those grill marks that make your instagram pics look legit. runs on those small green propane cylinders which you can get literally anywhere. i paid about $230 for it at a home depot in portland.

blackstone 17" tabletop griddle -- ok this isn't technically a grill but i'm including it because it's probably the most versatile thing i own. breakfast? smash burgers? stir fry? philly cheesesteaks? this thing does it all. it folds up pretty compact and the grease trap actually works unlike some griddles i've tried. only complaint is it doesn't give you that smoky charcoal flavor. but the convenience factor is insane.

the one i returned -- i bought a no-name brand off amazon for like $45 because the reviews were decent. do not do this. the grates were so thin they warped the first time i used them, the legs were wobbly, and the temperature was basically two settings: cold and surface-of-the-sun. returned it the next day.

tips for small space grilling

get a grill that has foldable legs or a compact shape. seems obvious but i've seen people buy full-size weber kettles for their rv and then have nowhere to put them. you need something that fits in a storage compartment or at least straps down securely.

keep a spray bottle of water nearby for flare-ups. this is just good practice but especially important when you're grilling close to your rv or van. i've seen some close calls at campgrounds and it's not cute.

invest in a good small cutting board and a pair of tongs. that's really all you need tool-wise. i see people with like 17 different grilling gadgets and spatulas and thermometer guns and honestly most of it is unnecessary. tongs. a cutting board. maybe a meat thermometer if you're paranoid about chicken. done.

honestly the weber q1200 is my top pick for most rv and van lifers. it hits that sweet spot of portable enough, powerful enough, and not so expensive that you'll cry if it gets dinged up. which it will. everything gets dinged up in van life.