6 Best Small RV Grills For Limited Storage That Serve Multiple Needs

You’ve just pulled into the perfect campsite, the sun is setting, and you’re ready for a classic camp meal. But your tiny RV storage bay is a game of Tetris, and that bulky grill you bought is jammed behind the camp chairs and the sewer hose. The best gear for small-space living isn’t just about function; it’s about how it fits into your life, both in use and packed away. This guide cuts through the noise to find the best small RV grills that punch above their weight, serving multiple cooking needs without monopolizing your precious storage.

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What Makes a Great Multi-Functional RV Grill?

A great RV grill is defined by more than just its cooking surface area. It’s about the total footprint—how much space it demands when stored, when set up, and when in use. A grill that’s compact when folded but requires a massive, stable picnic table to operate isn’t truly small-space friendly. You have to consider the entire system.

True multi-functionality means it can do more than just grill burgers. Can you swap in a griddle plate for pancakes? Does the lid have enough clearance to roast a small chicken? Can you use it as a stove top in a pinch? The more tasks one piece of gear can handle, the more you can leave behind, freeing up critical storage space.

Fuel is another major factor. Most RVers lean toward propane for its convenience and cleanliness, especially since you can often tap directly into your rig’s main propane tanks with an adapter hose. This eliminates the need to carry a stash of disposable 1lb green canisters. Charcoal offers incredible flavor but comes with the hassle of messy briquettes and ash disposal, which can be a real challenge in campgrounds with strict fire regulations.

Finally, think about the shape of the grill when it’s packed. A weirdly shaped grill with protruding legs and handles is much harder to store than a clean, rectangular box, even if their total volume is the same. Look for designs that are self-contained, with folding legs or side tables that tuck away neatly. The shape of your storage bay often dictates the best grill for you.

Weber Q1200: The Classic All-Around Performer

There’s a reason you see the Weber Q series at nearly every campground. It’s the reliable, no-fuss workhorse of the portable grill world. With its cast aluminum body and porcelain-enameled cast iron grates, it holds and distributes heat exceptionally well, giving you results that rival a full-size backyard grill.

What sets the Q1200 apart from its smaller siblings are the practical features that make a real difference on the road. The built-in lid thermometer, electronic ignition, and two fold-out side tables are not gimmicks; they are functional upgrades that streamline your outdoor cooking process. The tall lid design is also a huge plus, allowing you to cook thicker items like a beer can chicken or a small roast, something most compact grills struggle with.

While it’s primarily a grill, its versatility is easily expanded. Weber sells a griddle insert that replaces one of the two grate sections, instantly turning it into a half-grill, half-griddle setup perfect for cooking bacon and eggs alongside your sausages. For storage, it’s a bit bulky but has a consistent, rounded shape. It’s a known quantity that fits well in many standard RV basement compartments.

Blackstone 17" Griddle: The Ultimate RV Cooktop

The Blackstone isn’t a grill at all, and that’s precisely its strength. It’s a dedicated flat-top griddle that completely changes what’s possible for your camp kitchen. If your ideal outdoor meals involve diner-style smash burgers, a full pancake and bacon breakfast, or sizzling hibachi-style stir-fries, a traditional grill with grates simply can’t compete.

The griddle surface provides edge-to-edge even heat, perfect for cooking for a group. You can sauté vegetables on one side while searing steaks on the other. Cleanup is also remarkably simple—a quick scrape and wipe-down with oil, and you’re done. No more scrubbing greasy grates.

The 17-inch tabletop model is perfectly sized for RV life. Its best feature for storage is the clever design that allows the griddle top to be removed and flipped upside down over the burner base. This creates a surprisingly slim, self-contained package that slides easily into a shallow compartment. The Blackstone proves that "multi-functional" can also mean mastering a wide variety of foods, not just offering different cooking surfaces.

Coleman RoadTrip 285: Collapsible and Versatile

The Coleman RoadTrip series is designed for ultimate portability and convenience. Its defining feature is the integrated, collapsible stand with wheels. You simply fold it up and roll it like a piece of luggage from your RV bay to your campsite. This completely eliminates the need to pack a separate table or find a clear spot on a potentially grimy campground picnic table.

This grill is a true chameleon. Coleman’s "Swaptop" system allows you to exchange the standard grill grates for a full griddle or even a spiral stove grate for using pots and pans (sold separately). With three independently controlled burners, you have precise temperature zones, allowing you to keep pancakes warm on one side while frying bacon on the other. It’s a complete outdoor cooking station in one package.

The major tradeoff here is its stored shape. While the collapsible design is brilliant for setup, it results in a long, somewhat awkward form factor when packed. It won’t fit in a square or deep storage bay as efficiently as a Weber or Blackstone. You absolutely must measure your intended storage space before buying this grill. If you have a long, shallow "pass-through" storage bay, it could be the perfect fit.

Magma Newport II: A Mountable Marine-Grade Grill

Originally designed for the harsh saltwater environment of boating, Magma grills are a fantastic, space-saving solution for RVs. The entire concept revolves around its mounting system. Instead of taking up valuable table or ground space, the Magma mounts directly to your RV’s ladder or an installed rail on the side of your rig. This creates a stable cooking platform out of thin air.

Constructed from 100% 18-9 mirror-polished stainless steel, these grills are built to last a lifetime and are incredibly resistant to rust and corrosion. They use a combination of radiant plates and a convection heating design, which provides intense, even heat and is remarkably resistant to wind—a common frustration with other portable grills.

The mount system is the key to its storage efficiency. When you’re done cooking, the grill detaches easily and stores as a compact, cylindrical unit. The mount stays on the RV, ready for next time. While the initial investment is higher, you’re paying for bomb-proof construction and a system that creates usable space where there was none before.

Nomad Grill & Smoker: Premium Briefcase Design

The Nomad is in a class of its own. This is a high-performance charcoal grill and smoker that packs down into a sleek, self-contained briefcase. It’s for the RVer who refuses to compromise on barbecue quality and appreciates brilliant design. Its heavy-duty cast aluminum construction provides exceptional heat retention, making it incredibly efficient with charcoal and perfect for low-and-slow smoking.

Its design is its superpower. When closed, it looks like a rugged piece of high-end luggage. There are no dangling legs or awkward parts; everything is contained within the shell. This makes it one of the easiest grills to store, as it presents a perfect, solid rectangle that can be laid flat or stood on its side. You can even use it with the lid open for a double-wide grilling surface.

The primary consideration is fuel. As a charcoal-only unit, you’ll need to carry briquettes or lump charcoal and have a plan for disposing of hot ash safely and responsibly. This can be a deal-breaker for some RVers, especially those who travel in areas with frequent fire bans. But if authentic charcoal flavor is non-negotiable for you, the Nomad’s performance and ingenious portability are unmatched.

Cuisinart Petit Gourmet: Ultra-Compact Gas Grill

Sometimes, the best grill is the one you actually have room to bring. The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet is the answer for those with the most limited storage, like in a van conversion, teardrop trailer, or truck camper. It’s incredibly lightweight and has a tiny footprint, both in use and when stored.

It delivers on the basics: it gets hot enough to grill a couple of burgers, chicken breasts, or hot dogs. The fold-away legs are stable enough for a flat surface, and it sets up in seconds. Don’t expect the even heat of a Weber or the versatility of a Coleman, but it reliably handles simple grilling tasks for one or two people.

Its standout feature is its briefcase-style carrying handle and compact size. You can tuck this grill into a small cabinet, under a dinette seat, or in a rooftop cargo box with room to spare. It’s the definition of a "good enough" tool that wins because its small size and low weight mean you’ll never have an excuse to leave it behind.

Comparing Grill Fuel Types and Storage Needs

Your choice of grill ultimately comes down to a balance between cooking style, fuel preference, and the physical constraints of your RV. There is no single "best" option, only the best option for you.

The fuel debate is straightforward:

• Propane: The peak of convenience. It’s clean-burning, offers instant and adjustable heat, and can be sourced from small 1lb canisters or your RV’s onboard tanks. It’s the standard for a reason.
• Charcoal: The king of flavor. It provides a smokier, more authentic barbecue taste and can achieve higher searing temperatures. The downsides are significant for RVers: longer heat-up times, messy cleanup, and the challenge of safely disposing of hot ash.

More important is the nuance of storage. Don’t just look at the listed dimensions. Consider the entire package. A grill like the Coleman RoadTrip integrates its stand, creating a long, singular object to store. A Weber Q1200 is a blocky unit that needs a separate table, which you also have to store. The Magma system offloads its "stand" to a permanent mount on your RV, making the grill itself a small, storable cylinder. The Nomad packs into a perfect, space-efficient rectangle, but requires you to also store a bag of charcoal.

Before you buy, open your storage bay and take a picture. Think about the shape of the empty space. Is it tall and narrow? Short and deep? A long pass-through? Match the grill’s packed-down form factor to the space you actually have. That is the secret to choosing a grill that you will love using on the road.

The right grill can transform your RV experience, turning a simple campsite into an outdoor gourmet kitchen. The key is to look beyond the cooking grates and evaluate the entire system—from fuel and features to its packed-down shape. By choosing a grill that fits not just your cooking style but also your storage reality, you ensure that delicious, open-air meals will be a highlight of every trip, not a logistical headache.