Food Done Right: Top Outdoor Cooking Options

Camping, cooking, and comradery—these are just a few of the things RVers love about their lifestyle. Although some prefer the convenience of preparing meals in their own kitchen, others enjoy cooking outside. In fact, some campgrounds provide grills or fire-rings at each site, and many RVs even come equipped with a propane grill outside to help make this dream a reality.

For those who prefer to have ultimate control and versatility in their culinary pursuits, there are many different camp stoves and grills to satisfy those needs. Here are some of the most popular over the last five years.

Top Outdoor Camp Stoves

Generally, camp stoves provide one or more burners in an easy to transport, durable case. Some are small enough—and light enough—to easily fit in a backpack if you're hiking. Others are sturdy enough for tabletop use at a campground. Here are a few of the most popular and highly-rated.

• Biolite Campstove 2 is an extremely eco-friendly, lightweight unit that fits easily in a backpack. It's powered with twigs and other natural items and provides up to 3 watts of usable energy for charging phones, LED lights, and other devices.

• Camp Chef Everest two-burner stove is a powerful, wind-resistant, two-burner option that has been named the top pick by many reviewers for several years in a row.

• Coleman Classic dual-fuel stove is a reputable and affordable option. It has two burners and adjustable wind-screens with plenty of cooking space in a compact storing size.

Camp stoves are perfect if you want burners in your cooking appliances. This allows you to make coffee, boil water, and basically cook things in pots and pans when you don't want to use a campfire or grill.

Top Outdoor Grills

Portable grills are great when you prefer your food cooked over a flame and a campfire isn't an option. These grills are perfect for tailgating and bringing along when traveling in your RV. If your motorhome doesn't come equipped with one, here are a few of the top portable options.

• The versatile Char-Broil Portable Tabletop Charcoal Grill allows you to cook without a propane or electrical source. It folds compactly for easy storing and moving.

• The Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill offers 20,000 BTUs and 285-square inches of cooking area with two burners. It's compact and easily collapsible for convenience.

• Weber Q2200 provides 12,000 BTUs and 280-square inches of grilling space. This 42-pound, cast-iron propane grill comes complete with two work tables and a removable catch pan for grease.

Although a good grill doesn't provide burners for "stove-top" cooking, it's perfect for those who prefer the healthy food options it does make.

The Blackstone Griddles and Grills

Perhaps the most popular and highly-recommended cook options among RVers are the products designed and developed by Blackstone. Since 2005, Blackstone has been building first-rate "Made in the USA" appliances for outdoor cooking activities, such as camping and backyard get-togethers. Their products and accessories can be purchased directly from their website, but can also be found at big-box home-improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes. The smaller units can even be found at Walmart.

Related Read: RV Recipes: Grilling on the Go

The popular Blackstone Griddle comes in a few versions. The 17-inch griddle is a table-top unit that's perfect for using on a campground picnic table or in your RV's kitchen, but is also easy to store between uses. There are medium-sized, 22-inch and 28-inch "cooking stations" with two burners. Then, there's the original, larger option that is a 36-inch, free-standing appliance with four burners in classic black or stainless steel, which is great for cooking full meals for the whole family. Another convenient choice is the Tailgater Combo featuring two burners, a griddle plate, and a grill box. With a great reputation and so many different options to choose from, there is practically something for everyone.

Features of the Most Popular Blackstone Grills and Griddles

Blackstone appliances are primarily propane fueled. They can handle breakfast foods like pancakes, eggs, and your choice of meat, as well as fish, steak, kabobs, and veggies to finish up the day.

The 36-inch unit can cook up to 28 burgers or 72 hotdogs or brats at a time, making it perfect for getting to know your neighbors! It offers 60,000 BTUs, four independently-controlled burners, a sturdy frame, two propane canister holders, and a side shelf and tray for prepping, serving, or storing your cooking utensils.

The 28-inch free-standing griddle offers 34,000 BTUs, two independently-controlled burners, one propane canister holder, a rear grease-management system, plus a side and a bottom tray that make serving food and storing spices and utensils easy.

The smaller 22-inch table-top griddle provides 24,000 BTUs, two burners, and a rear grease-management system to make clean-up easy. It uses a 1-pound propane bottle, which isn't included, but can also be adapted with the included Bulk Tank Hose Adapter to accept a 20-pound propane tank.

Related Read: RV Techniques: Grilling on the Go

The much more compact—and less expensive—17-inch table-top griddle provides 12,000 BTUs, one "H-style" stainless steel burner, and a built-in grease trap. It also uses a 1-pound propane bottle or a 20-pound propane tank if it is adapted with a Bulk Tank Hose Adapter, which must be purchased separately. It can be carried by hand, or in a 17-inch canvas Tabletop Griddle Cover and Carry Set, which is available for purchase separately.

For a versatile cooking experience, the Tailgate Combo (Griddle + Grill) is a great option. It offers 35,000 BTUs, has two independently-controlled burners—one "H-style" stainless steel burner and one round cast iron burner—as well as a grill box and griddle plate add-ons, and two extra-large grease trays. A two-piece canvas Tailgate Combo Carry Bag Set is available for purchase to make toting easier.

In Conclusion

Being able to cook outdoors is one of the perks of RVing. With one of the many free-standing units, you can easily whip up steaks and eggs for breakfast or steaks and veggies for dinner without heating up your kitchen. Plus, outdoor clean-up is usually easy and helps keep the mess out of your RV, as well. Fortunately, with so many options in a wide range of price-points, there is bound to be a unit that is perfect for your situation and preferences.