6 Best Griddles For Solo RV Cooking That Serve Multiple Needs

Cooking for one in an RV shouldn’t mean a sad parade of microwaved meals or single-pot pastas. The right tool can transform your tiny kitchen into a versatile culinary workspace. A good griddle is more than just a pancake maker; it’s a multi-purpose cooking surface that saves space, simplifies cleanup, and gets you cooking outdoors.

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Why a Griddle is a Solo RVer’s Best Friend

Living solo in an RV is an exercise in efficiency. Every item must justify its existence, and single-use gadgets are the first to go. This is where the griddle shines, replacing multiple pans with one flat, expansive cooking surface.

Imagine making bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns all at once, with only one thing to clean. That’s the griddle life. It excels at one-pan meals, from stir-fries to seared fish with veggies. This consolidation of cookware is a massive space-saver in a rig where every cabinet inch counts.

More importantly, many griddles are designed for outdoor use. This keeps grease, smoke, and cooking odors out of your small living space—a non-negotiable benefit on hot days or when cooking something pungent like fish or bacon. It expands your kitchen into the great outdoors, which is why most of us got into RVing in the first place.

Blackstone 17" Tabletop: The Go-To Classic

There’s a reason you see Blackstone griddles at nearly every campsite. The 17" tabletop model is the quintessential RV griddle, offering a perfect balance of cooking area and portability for a solo traveler. It runs on a simple 1lb propane canister, making it easy to set up anywhere.

The heart of the Blackstone is its rolled steel cooktop. It requires an initial seasoning process—much like cast iron—which creates a beautifully non-stick surface that only gets better with use. This surface gives you the kind of crust on a smash burger or sear on a steak that you simply can’t achieve on a typical non-stick pan.

The tradeoff is its outdoor-only nature and its weight. While "tabletop" sounds small, it’s still a hefty piece of equipment that needs dedicated storage space. But for those who prioritize cooking performance and want a true outdoor kitchen feel, the Blackstone 17" is the undisputed champion.

Cuisinart Griddler: Top Electric Versatility

For the RVer who values indoor/outdoor flexibility and multi-functionality, the Cuisinart Griddler is a game-changer. This compact electric appliance is a true chameleon. With its reversible and removable plates, it functions as a flat-top griddle, a contact grill, and a panini press.

Its biggest advantage is its ability to work anywhere you have power. Plug it in inside on a rainy day, or run it off an extension cord at your campsite picnic table. The removable plates are non-stick and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup incredibly simple—a huge luxury in an RV.

The key consideration here is power. The Griddler requires a reliable 120V AC source, meaning you need to be on shore power or have a capable inverter and battery bank. It’s not the ideal choice for dedicated boondockers. But for campground adventurers or those with robust electrical systems, its sheer versatility is hard to beat.

Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle: Stove-Top Power

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. The Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle is a pure, minimalist workhorse. It’s a single slab of cast iron—smooth on one side for griddling, ridged on the other for grilling—designed to sit directly over your RV’s existing stove burners.

This approach has major benefits. There are no extra fuel sources to carry and no power cords to manage. It takes up almost no vertical storage space, sliding easily alongside cutting boards or pans. Once heated, the cast iron provides an incredibly even and consistent cooking temperature perfect for searing.

Of course, it comes with the quirks of cast iron. It’s heavy, requires proper seasoning and care, and can be tricky to clean without a large sink. It also means you’re cooking inside, which might not be ideal in hot weather. But for the RVer who wants an indestructible, fuel-free tool that will last a lifetime, this is it.

Pit Boss Tabletop Griddle: Compact & Powerful

Think of the Pit Boss Tabletop Griddle as a serious contender to the Blackstone, often appealing to those with slightly different priorities. It delivers the same propane-powered, outdoor cooking experience but frequently in a slightly more compact or differently shaped package. This makes it a great fit for RVs with awkwardly shaped storage bays.

Pit Boss models often come with a pre-seasoned surface, which is a nice touch that gets you cooking faster. They pack a serious punch in terms of BTUs, heating up quickly and maintaining temperature even on breezy days. The build quality is robust, designed to be knocked around a bit on the road.

When choosing between a Pit Boss and a Blackstone, it often comes down to small details. Check the grease management system, the stability of the legs, and the overall dimensions. For a solo RVer, the smaller 1-burner Pit Boss can be the perfect size, providing ample cooking space without the bulk of a larger unit.

Presto 22-inch Electric: Maximum Cooking Area

If your primary goal is to maximize your cooking real estate in an electric format, the Presto 22-inch griddle is your answer. This unit is deceptively simple: a massive, flat non-stick surface with a plug. It’s the king of breakfast, allowing you to cook a full spread of pancakes, eggs, and sausage all at once.

Its secret weapon for RV life is storage. The handles and legs typically detach, allowing the main cooking surface to be stored flat. It can slide under a dinette seat or into a shallow cabinet, taking up far less space than its huge cooking area would suggest.

The limitations are clear. It’s an electric appliance, so it shares the same power requirements as the Cuisinart Griddler. Its non-stick surface, while convenient, will not last as long as seasoned steel or cast iron and requires care to prevent scratches. But for the solo RVer who loves to meal prep or host the occasional friend, no other option provides this much usable surface area for the price and stored size.

Weber Q1200 with Griddle: Premium Performance

This isn’t just a griddle; it’s a premium grilling system with a griddle option. The Weber Q1200 is one of the best portable propane grills on the market, and Weber sells a custom-fit cast iron griddle insert that replaces one of the grilling grates. This gives you the best of both worlds without compromise.

With this setup, you can grill perfect steaks, chicken, and burgers on the open flame side while simultaneously sautéing onions or cooking eggs on the griddle side. The build quality, heat control, and overall performance of the Weber Q are a significant step up from typical tabletop griddles.

This performance comes at a cost. The Weber Q1200, plus the griddle accessory, is the most expensive option on this list. It’s also one of the bulkiest. This is the choice for the serious foodie RVer who refuses to sacrifice cooking quality on the road and has the budget and storage space to accommodate a premium appliance.

Choosing Your Perfect Solo RV Cooking Companion

The "best" griddle is the one that seamlessly fits your specific RV lifestyle. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else has; focus on how you travel and cook. The decision boils down to a few key factors.

Start by considering your primary power source. This is the most important fork in the road.

• Propane: The best choice for boondockers and off-grid flexibility. Models like the Blackstone or Pit Boss give you powerful, outdoor cooking anywhere.
• Electric: Ideal for those who frequent campgrounds with hookups or have a powerful inverter. The Cuisinart Griddler offers unmatched versatility, while the Presto provides maximum surface area.
• Stovetop: The minimalist’s choice. A Lodge cast iron griddle uses the fuel you already have and requires zero extra space for fuel or cords.

Next, be brutally honest about your storage space and cooking style. Do you have a large pass-through bay that can handle a bulky Blackstone, or do you need something that can slide into a drawer? Are you a simple breakfast cook, or do you need the high-performance grilling capability of the Weber Q system? Answering these questions will narrow your choices from six to the one or two that make the most sense for your rig and your adventures.

Ultimately, a griddle is about expanding your culinary horizons in a small space. By choosing a companion that matches your power, storage, and cooking needs, you invest in better meals and a more enjoyable life on the road. It’s one of the most practical and rewarding upgrades a solo RVer can make.