6 Best Infrared Griddles For Quick RV Searing That Nomads Swear By

You’re parked in a perfect spot, the sun is setting, and you’ve got a beautiful steak ready for dinner. The last thing you want is to fill your tiny living space with smoke or spend 20 minutes waiting for a weak camp stove to heat up. This is where the magic of infrared searing comes in, giving you that steakhouse crust in minutes without the drama.

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Why Infrared Searing is Perfect for RV Cooking

Infrared cooking is fundamentally different from traditional convection grilling. Instead of just heating the air around your food, infrared elements radiate intense, direct heat waves that cook the food itself. This means you get incredibly high temperatures, fast. For an RVer, this translates to less time spent cooking and less propane or electricity used.

The biggest win for small spaces is the reduction in smoke and flare-ups. Because infrared heat vaporizes drippings on contact, you get flavor without the billowing clouds of smoke that can stain your ceiling or annoy your campground neighbors. It’s a cleaner, more efficient way to get a perfect sear, whether you’re cooking a steak, a burger, or even vegetables. This efficiency is a game-changer when you’re managing limited resources on the road.

Char-Broil Grill2Go: Portable TRU-Infrared Power

The Grill2Go is a workhorse you see in RV bays everywhere, and for good reason. It’s built tough with a cast-aluminum firebox and lid, and its locking latches mean it travels without rattling apart. It’s designed from the ground up for portability.

Its TRU-Infrared system uses a special plate that sits between the flame and the cooking grate. This plate heats up and radiates that heat evenly across the entire surface, eliminating hot and cold spots. You get a consistent, high-heat sear without the flare-ups that char your food on a traditional portable grill.

This grill runs on the small 1lb propane canisters, making it easy to fuel up anywhere without lugging around a big tank. While it’s not a true flat-top griddle, the infrared plate provides such even heat that it sears more like a griddle than a conventional grill. It’s the perfect, no-fuss solution for reliable outdoor cooking.

Solaire Anywhere: The Ultimate High-Heat Searer

If your primary goal is achieving a flawless, high-temperature sear, the Solaire Anywhere is your tool. This grill is a specialist. It uses a ceramic infrared burner that can reach searing temperatures in about three minutes, which is faster than almost anything else in this size class.

This isn’t your all-day, low-and-slow smoker; it’s a finely-tuned searing machine. The intense, direct heat is perfect for locking in the juices on steaks, pork chops, and burgers. Because it gets so hot, so fast, you can cook quickly and get back to your adventure. Its compact, all-stainless-steel construction also means it can take the abuse of life on the road.

The tradeoff for this incredible power is a smaller cooking surface and less finesse for low-temperature cooking. But if you’re a nomad who believes a good meal starts with a great sear, the Solaire is hard to beat. It’s a simple, powerful, and effective grill that does one thing exceptionally well.

Magma Newport II: Marine-Grade Durability

Magma grills come from the boating world, and anything built for a marine environment is more than tough enough for an RV. The Newport II is constructed entirely from mirror-polished stainless steel, making it incredibly resistant to rust and corrosion from road salt or coastal air. This is a grill you buy for the long haul.

It uses a combination of direct flame and a radiant plate, which provides intense infrared heat that’s distributed evenly. This design minimizes flare-ups and delivers consistent results. It’s a versatile cooker, capable of high-heat searing but also manageable enough for more delicate items when you get the hang of it.

What really sets Magma apart are the mounting options. You can get mounts that attach directly to your RV’s ladder or an exterior rail, saving you precious storage space. It’s a premium product, but its durability and space-saving potential make it a smart investment for serious full-timers.

Philips Smoke-less Grill: Indoor Searing Solution

Sometimes you can’t cook outside. Whether it’s a rainstorm, a fire ban, or a stealth camping situation, having an indoor option is critical. The Philips Smoke-less Grill uses powerful infrared heaters on the sides, angled towards the food, while a drip tray below stays cool.

This design is brilliant. Drippings fall onto the cool tray and don’t burn, which eliminates virtually all smoke. You get the high-heat searing of an outdoor grill without setting off your smoke alarm. It’s a fantastic solution for cooking in your rig without compromise.

The only real consideration is power. It’s an electric appliance, so you’ll need to be on shore power or have a robust inverter and battery bank to run it. For those with the electrical setup, it unlocks the ability to grill year-round, in any weather.

Techwood Electric Grill: Affordable Infrared Option

The Techwood grill offers many of the same benefits as the Philips but at a more accessible price point. It’s a great way to get into smokeless indoor grilling without a huge financial commitment. Like the Philips, it uses a non-stick surface and a drip tray to manage grease and prevent smoke.

It heats up quickly and provides a surprisingly good sear for an electric unit. While it may not have the same premium build quality or precise temperature control as more expensive models, it absolutely gets the job done. It’s perfect for grilling burgers, chicken, or vegetables inside your RV.

This is an ideal choice for the weekend warrior or part-time traveler who wants an indoor grilling option but doesn’t need a top-of-the-line appliance. It’s simple, effective, and won’t break the bank, making it a practical addition to almost any RV kitchen.

Kenyon All Seasons Grill: Premium Electric Choice

For the full-timer who wants the best and has the power system to support it, the Kenyon All Seasons Grill is the pinnacle of electric grilling. These are often found built into high-end RVs and boats. They are UL-approved for both indoor and outdoor use, offering incredible versatility.

The Kenyon uses a concealed electric element that heats the grate directly, providing 550°F of even, radiant heat. This results in a fantastic sear with minimal smoke. The build quality is exceptional, featuring marine-grade stainless steel that will look good and perform well for years.

This is an investment, not an impulse buy. Its power draw requires a serious electrical system, but the performance is unmatched in the electric category. If you live in your rig and want a permanent, high-performance grilling solution that works inside and out, the Kenyon is the answer.

Choosing Your Griddle: Power, Size, and Fuel Type

Making the right choice comes down to honestly assessing how and where you cook. There is no single "best" grill; there’s only the best grill for your setup and lifestyle. Start by considering the three biggest factors.

First is your fuel source.

• Propane: The go-to for off-grid freedom. Propane is portable, powerful, and available everywhere. It’s ideal for cooking outdoors and doesn’t tax your battery bank.
• Electric: The champion of convenience and indoor use. If you spend most of your time at campgrounds with shore power or have a massive solar and battery setup, electric offers a smokeless, hassle-free experience.

Next, think about size and storage. Space is the ultimate currency in an RV. A portable grill like the Char-Broil or Solaire can be tucked into an external bay, while a Magma with a rail mount might not take up any interior space at all. An indoor electric model needs a dedicated spot on your counter and in a cabinet. Don’t underestimate the hassle of a grill that’s too big or awkward to store.

Finally, match the grill’s strength to your cooking style. If you are a steak purist, the Solaire’s intense, focused heat is what you need. If you want a durable, versatile outdoor cooker for a bit of everything, the Char-Broil or Magma are better all-rounders. And if you value the ability to grill in a downpour, an indoor electric model like the Philips or Kenyon is the only real choice.

Ultimately, the right infrared griddle is the one that removes friction from your daily life on the road. It should match your power reality, fit your storage constraints, and cook the food you love to eat. Choose the tool that helps you make great food, wherever you happen to park.