Ok, we made our first trip in the new to us camper. No one died, we all seemed to do ok. But, my goal is for us to not live in the camper when we are camping. I'd prefer to cook outside unless the weather or bugs are an issue. I brought my Coleman 2 burner stove with us but we didn't use it. I'd like to have the option of cooking and grilling outside when we camp. But, this appliance will be stored I side so it needs to be clean and small enough to store.So, what affordable exterior grill/stove are you using?

Very happy no one died. What do you mean by that statement?

I have older model of THIS GRILL and use it even at home when we sit on rooftop. Once I disconnect the regulator, it will fit into the space freed from removing 7 gallons propane cylinder in my camper. I hate carrying dead weight, so plug 1 of the hoses and use single cylinder for my summer camping.

Depends on your definition of small...I use a 2-burner camp chef stove with the grill box. Not small, but I’m able to store it inside our trailer so it might meet your needs. There are also some nice portable grill/stoves by Coleman, Cuisinart, and other companies.

After several years of using a Weber Q1000 we switched to a Blackstone 17" griddle. The Weber was great and is still used at home but it was limited to grilling. With the Blackstone, we now can cook the meat, vegetables, bacon, eggs, and just about anything we want. Takes up less space. We carry it in the backseat, same place as the Weber and notice less smell from the Blackstone. The Weber was inside two garbage bags but the Weber is only under the cover.The flavor on the Blackstone is a bit different, but we are slowly learning to get the flavors we like. One key thing to reduce cook time is buy a dome which helps hold the heat onto the food.If it's only 2 eating, the 17" is doable, but for more look at the 22" as the extra width makes it a bit easier. Both are usually available at Walmart for same day pickup. Not the cheapest thing, but cheaper than my Weber and they are built to last so you won't have to replace every year.

kohldad wrote:After several years of using a Weber Q1000 we switched to a Blackstone 17" griddle. The Weber was great and is still used at home but it was limited to grilling. With the Blackstone, we now can cook the meat, vegetables, bacon, eggs, and just about anything we want. Takes up less space. We carry it in the backseat, same place as the Weber and notice less smell from the Blackstone. The Weber was inside two garbage bags but the Weber is only under the cover.The flavor on the Blackstone is a bit different, but we are slowly learning to get the flavors we like. One key thing to reduce cook time is buy a dome which helps hold the heat onto the food.If it's only 2 eating, the 17" is doable, but for more look at the 22" as the extra width makes it a bit easier. Both are usually available at Walmart for same day pickup. Not the cheapest thing, but cheaper than my Weber and they are built to last so you won't have to replace every year.I saw a review of that today. Can you put a pot on it with water to boil water as well?

Portable grill/stove | Good Sam Community

NRALIFR
Explorer
Oct 17, 2020
I’ve got a Weber Q100/Baby-Q, and carried it around for several years in the toolbox I carry on the front bumper. Due to its height, I always had to take the lid off the grill and stow them side-by-side in order to get the toolbox lid closed. So, the grill took up twice as much space in the toolbox as it should have.

I bought this Coleman Fold N Go Grill about a year ago, and so far I like it. It’s just big enough to cook a couple of hamburgers, steaks, or chops, which is what I’m typically grilling. It could easily handle 3, and maybe 4 if needed. You can find it cheaper than Amazon has it for right now. I paid about $65.

It’s small, not very tall, and fits in the space I have for it very well. I haven’t tried this yet, but I think you could set a frying pan on it also.

:):)
tmartin000
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2020
https://www.hsn.com/products/lifesmart-270-sq-in-reversible-gas-grill-and-griddle-wi/9417633?sz=5&sf=QC0251&ac=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping%20engine&utm_term=&utm_campaign=GShopping%7CL%7CBrandProduct%7CKitchen+Food&utm_content=55626489293_pla-920026838332_9417634&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5NKepZO87AIVFD6tBh2LlAO5EAQYAiABEgLr9vD_BwE

Went to this and stopped looking.

Blackstone: cooking your burgers IN GREASE! No way, wanted grates...
OR
Use the flat side for breakfast!
&
With a closing lid
&
A bag...
&
cheap conversion kit for camper stub outside...no more 1lb cylinders.

Done. :B
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2020
The OP mentioned wanting to spend a lot of time outdoors. I do that but not in the campground. I am usually out sightseeing, hiking and doing photography almost all the waking hours of the day.

Carrying grills and fuel and the accessories are just not worth it to me, especially because space is limited in a truck camper. Most of my outdoor cooking is limited to grilling over a campfire. I have the usual folding marshmellow/hot dog skewers and I kept the roughly 14" top of an old grill. I use it on top of campground grills so my burgers are not on the dirty/rusty grill provided. Without a campground grill I can get by holding the grill up over coals with some rocks.
Rou222
Explorer
Oct 09, 2020
we have a Magma Products one.
works well for us and it's really small.
Geewizard
Explorer
Jul 03, 2020
I have a similar one to 2 Piece. Mine is a Weber and I've had it for years. Still works great.

Weber Grill
2_Piece
Explorer
Jul 03, 2020
Truck camper is limited for space and for people, why have a huge grill for 2-4 people? I like small and light weight. This works fine for us and I cook for up to 4 on it.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Expert-Grill-17-5-10-000-BTU-Portable-Gas-Grill-Black/238454155
kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 03, 2020
To answer a couple of questions and concerns I've seen since my post.

To adapter to a standard lp system would be easy with an adapter hose. Any that converts your propane to the round connector for a 1# bottle will work. To tie into a system after the TC regulator would be a bit more troublesome, but could be done.

As far as putting a pot on and boiling water, should be able to do it but would use more propane than a little side grill.

I've been carrying the 17" with the griddle in the normal position in the back seat for the last 3,000 miles, some of it rough road. No bending of the sheet metal at the four post. No smell even after cooking salmon which is one of the smelliest things I know. We just put a Blackstone cover on it before sliding it into the little wooden box sitting in the back seat. The side towards the door of the box is open, but we haven't noticed any smell, even after getting in the truck at the end of a hot day.

One of the key things to the griddle is not cleaning it too well. Usually after I cook, just scrape then turn off. When I turn it back on for the next use, just scrape again, wipe down with a paper towel then light coat of olive oil. Things like burgers are the worse, but still not a big deal.

Cool down for storage takes about as long as required to eat. I have put it up within a couple of minutes when we had a storm roll in, just didn't put the cover on it until later.
NVR2L82AV8
Explorer
Jun 29, 2020
Just a head up for anyone out looking to get a Blackstone 17" griddle and SAVE $30. I found it currently On-Sale at Target for $79.99 Plus Tax (shipping FREE).

Griddle ON SALE at Target

These are on Amazon, E-Bay, and Walmart for $109.
silverbullet555
Explorer
Jun 29, 2020
thedavidzoo wrote:
We had the Blackstone and sent it right back. We couldn't figure out how to plumb it into our propane system. They have a proprietary connector/fitting. Carting around a bunch of those 1lb bottles when we have 40lbs ready to go seems kinda dumb.

Now we successfully use this Camp Chef Ranger 2-burner stove with regulator removed that hooks into our camper propane with a quick connect. It also gives you a bigger surface area than the Blackstone, I think.

https://www.campchef.com/ranger-ii.html.

Cranks heat and stays clean. It lives in our generator compartment.

With it we use a griddle such as this: https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Burner-Backsplash-Griddle/dp/B0089XJDP8/ref=sr_1_32?dchild=1&keywords=non-stick+griddle&qid=1592699952&sr=8-32

Catches your grease for easy cleanup. It is aluminum and very lightweight, drawback is it has warped somewhat. When the non-stick is nolonger ok, we'll replace with a heavier duty one.
It is very versatile from pancakes to eggs to veggies to steaks.

We used to have a Weber Q grill, but it was so bulky and HEAVY to store and MESSY and smelly in the camper. Our current setup is much more user friendly. Only thing you might miss is the flame-grilled taste.

The mess and smell is certainly a concern. We have a griddle in the camper which I stole form our camping stuff. Perhaps having a grill vs just a stove is not that important. I have been known to fry a steak or a burger in a pan when the weather or time or recipe doesn't call for or allow the grill.

Somewhere I have a small propane grill. Perhaps it will find a place in the camper in a trash bag or something similar. Perhaps not.
JTLance
Explorer
Jun 29, 2020
Here you go!

https://www.campchef.com/ranger-ii.html