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Some of the best things about summertime camping are the cookouts. Somehow, grilled food always seems to taste better, and the time spent outdoors with family and friends, enjoying the summer evening, just can’t be beat.
Unfortunately, many of us full-time RVers have a tendency to forget this, meaning we don’t cook outside nearly as often as we probably should. Let’s change that. This summer, we recommend taking advantage of the beautiful weather and your RV lifestyle by making a point of grilling out often.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to grilling? In this article we will discuss the best grills and grill gear, share some amazing grill recipes, and even offer some tips and tricks for grilling like a pro.
The Best Grills and Grill Gear
Let’s begin by talking about equipment. After all, you can’t grill out without…well, a grill, and you will want to make sure you’re investing in a good grill before opening your wallet. On top of that, having the right kinds of tools is super important, and the list of must-have items below will help you select exactly what you need to get started.
Best Charcoal Grill for RVers
If you’re in the market for a charcoal grill, we recommend the Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill. This particular unit is just small enough to be portable while still providing plenty of cooking space. We love how durable the grill is, and find that it is one of the only portable charcoal grills on the market that can both sear and cook just as well as a full-sized grill.
Best Propane Grill for RVers
Weber is an amazing grill brand. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that our pick for the best portable propane grill is the Weber Q 1200. This is a high quality appliance that delivers consistent heat and a build that makes flareups a rarity.
At 30 pounds, it is a bit on the heavy side, but is still small enough to carry and store easily.
Overall Best Camping Grill
While either of the Weber units mentioned above will serve you well, we can’t write a camping grill article without mentioning the amazing products from Blackstone. Most of the items sold by Blackstone are griddles rather than grills, but the Blackstone Tailgater Combo offers both a propane grill and an amazing Blackstone griddle, making it the ultimate outdoor cooking appliance.
Must-Have Grill Gear
Wondering what else you’ll need to purchase in order to be ready to grill out? The following grill gear items are the best of the best, and buying one of each will leave you with an amazing grill starter kit:
- OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Grilling Set
- Best BBQ Grill Brush
- Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter
- Weber 6750 Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
- OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Basting Brush
- US Forge 400 Welding Gloves
Best Camping Grill Recipes
Of course, even the best equipment in the world is only so good if you don’t have awesome ingredients and a fantastic recipe or two to work with. This is where our collection of marinades, rubs, and recipes comes into play.
Try the following options in order to create the cookout meal of your dreams. Find a favorite and make it time and again, or try new things until you’ve given all of these fantastic options a try!
Fulltime Families Recipe Book
Some of the best recipes are the ones shared amongst friends. That’s why we’ve created the Fulltime Families Recipe Book.
This awesome book contains an enormous collection of favorite recipes submitted by your Fulltime Families Friends. Whether you’re looking for a new grill recipe, some yummy sides to go along with your grilled meats, or a fantastic campfire dessert, there’s something in this book for you!
Yummy Meats and Veggies
Need some recipes to use in addition to what you find in the recipe book? There are plenty to be found. Below are some of our favorite meat and veggie recipes for cooking on the grill:
- Grilled Vegetables Marinade
- Grilled Pork Chop Marinade
- Grilled Shrimp Marinade
- Grilled Chicken Marinade
- Grilled Steak Marinade
Grill Dessert Recipes
No meal is complete without something sweet to finish it off. That’s where these fantastic grilled desserts come in:
It might seem a bit odd to grill a dessert, but trust us when we say it works wonderfully.
Tips and Tricks for Grilling Like a Pro
At this point, you have the right grill gear and some yummy grill recipes. Now all you need is some know-how. Lucky for you, we’ve collected a nice list of the very best tips and tricks for grilling. By knowing these things going in, you should be able to whip up a delicious meal on your first try.
Avoid Cold Meat
Don’t throw your meat on the grill cold. Instead, let it warm up to room temperature before you begin cooking it. This will help the meat to cook evenly.
Don’t Skip the Seasonings
Well-seasoned meat and veggies are almost guaranteed to taste good. Therefore, it’s important that you season your food liberally before throwing it on the grill.
Clean Your Grill
A clean grill grate is a happy grill grate. Make sure you use a grill brush to clean your grate both before and after you cook to ensure no yucky tastes make it into your delicious meal. You may also want to add a bit of oil to the grate before you begin cooing to avoid sticking.
Lastly, you can add red pepper flakes to the inside of the grill before storing it in order to keep pests away.
Preheating is Important
Preheating your grill is important for even cooking. It also helps kill bacteria. In order to see if your grill is hot enough—and this is if you don’t happen to have a thermometer handy—hold your hand about four inches over the grate and count the seconds.
If you can count 10 seconds without moving your hand, your fire is considered medium-low. 2–3 seconds is high heat.
Make Use of Heat Zones
In a charcoal grill, you can create heat zones by moving all coals to the center of the grill. To do this in a propane grill, simply run only one burner. Use these heat zones to sear meat in the hottest areas and slow cook in the cooler areas.
Watch for Flare-ups
Flare-ups are going to happen now and then. Be prepared to deal with them by moving the food from the hot zone to a cooler zone, or spritzing the flames with a bit of water. Be careful not to go overboard with the water though!
Know When It’s Done
Invest in a meat thermometer (such as the one mentioned above) to ensure you remove your meat from the grill at the proper time. This will help you avoid overcooking while still keeping you safe.
Also note that it is best to remove your meat a little before it’s actually done. This is because it will continue to cook just a bit after being removed from the grill.
Leave It Be and Let It Rest
After putting your meat on the grill, leave it alone. Prodding or moving the meat before it’s ready to be flipped may cause it to stick to the grill.
Additionally, you will want to let your meat rest on a cooling rack without being cut after removing it from the grill. This will help keep the meat moist and tender.
Time the Sauce Right
If you’re adding a sauce to your meat, make sure to do so near the end of grilling. Sweet sauces can burn, and adding it later in the game means less chance of that happening.
Go Smaller
Running low on time? Consider cutting your meat into smaller pieces, putting them onto skewers, and grilling them that way. They will cook faster, and they’re super fun to eat!
Now that you know what you need and how to cook on the grill well, it’s time to put your tools and skills to the test. When are you going to have your first summertime cookout?
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