7 Best Griddles For Single Burner RV Stoves That Nomads Swear By

There’s nothing quite like the smell of pancakes or sizzling bacon at a remote boondocking spot, but wrestling with a warped pan on a tiny RV stove can ruin the moment. The right griddle transforms that single, often-underpowered burner into a functional short-order cook station. Choosing the best one isn’t about finding the fanciest option; it’s about matching the tool to the unique constraints of life on the road.

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Key Features for an RV Single-Burner Griddle

The first thing to get straight is that your home kitchen logic doesn’t fully apply here. In an RV, weight and storage size are just as important as cooking performance. A heavy, cumbersome griddle might cook beautifully, but if it’s a pain to get out and put away, you simply won’t use it.

Look closely at the material, as it dictates everything else. Cast iron offers incredible heat retention, perfect for getting a great sear even on a weak burner, but it’s heavy and requires maintenance. Aluminum, on the other hand, is lightweight and heats up fast, but it also loses heat quickly and can lead to hot spots. Enameled cast iron offers a middle ground—great heat, no seasoning—but at a premium cost and weight.

Pay attention to the details. A handle that folds or is removable is a massive space-saver in a crowded RV drawer. The size is also critical; a 9 to 11-inch griddle is typically the sweet spot, maximizing cooking area without being too unstable on a small stove grate. A griddle that’s too large can create a tipping hazard, which is the last thing you want with hot oil and a propane flame.

Finally, consider the surface. Traditional non-stick is convenient and makes cleanup with limited water a breeze, but the coatings can be fragile. Seasoned cast iron is nearly indestructible and develops its own non-stick properties over time, but it demands a specific cleaning routine that can be tricky without a full-size sink. There is no single "best" choice, only the best choice for your cooking style and tolerance for maintenance.

Lodge 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Griddle: The Classic

This is the workhorse you see in countless van life and RV builds for a reason. The Lodge cast iron griddle is simple, brutally effective, and will likely outlast your rig. Its sheer mass is its greatest asset; once it gets hot, it stays hot, providing a consistent and even cooking surface that cheap, thin pans can’t replicate.

This is the griddle for people who want a perfect sear on a burger or evenly browned pancakes. The low-profile sides make flipping food easy, and the pre-seasoned surface gets better with every use. But you have to accept the cast iron lifestyle: it’s heavy, you can’t soak it in the sink, and it needs to be dried and oiled after washing to prevent rust. For many nomads, this ritual is a small price to pay for a lifetime of reliable cooking.

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo 10" Griddle: Lightweight

If the thought of storing a 5-pound cast iron pan makes you anxious about your payload, GSI has the answer. The Bugaboo griddle is designed for the outdoors, which means it’s built to be light and packable. Made from aluminum with a Teflon non-stick coating, it weighs a fraction of its cast iron counterpart.

The folding handle is the real genius here, allowing it to slip into a drawer or cabinet without snagging. It heats up incredibly fast, which is great for a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon. The tradeoff is heat retention. It won’t give you the same crust on a steak, and you have to be more careful with the non-stick surface, but for campers prioritizing weight and convenience, the Bugaboo is a proven performer.

Sensarte 9.5-Inch Griddle: Compact Non-Stick

Sometimes, you just need a simple, no-fuss tool that works. The Sensarte griddle is exactly that. Its smaller 9.5-inch diameter makes it incredibly stable on compact RV stovetops, and the granite-derived non-stick surface is surprisingly durable for its price point.

This is the perfect griddle for the solo traveler or couple who primarily cooks simple meals. Think grilled cheese, quesadillas, or a couple of fried eggs. Cleanup is effortless—often just a wipe with a paper towel—which is a massive advantage when you’re conserving water. It’s not a "forever" pan, but it solves a daily problem with zero hassle.

Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle: Dual-Surface Pick

For those who want maximum versatility from a single piece of gear, the reversible griddle is a tempting option. One side is a flat top for pancakes and eggs, while the other has raised grill lines for burgers, chicken, and veggies. It effectively gives you two pans in one.

However, this design comes with significant real-world compromises in an RV. Most are rectangular and designed to span two burners, so using one on a single burner creates a very hot center and cool edges. They are also extremely heavy and have no handle, making them awkward to store, wash, and maneuver when hot. This is a great choice if you also plan to use it over a campfire grate, but for daily stovetop use, its unwieldy nature can be a deal-breaker.

MSR Ceramic Skillet: Durable Non-Stick Surface

MSR brings its legendary backpacking gear expertise to the RV kitchen with its ceramic skillet. This isn’t your typical non-stick. The ceramic coating is free of PTFE and PFOA and is known for being more resistant to scratches than many traditional coatings, a huge plus when things are rattling around in a cabinet.

This pan combines the light weight of aluminum with a premium, durable cooking surface. It’s a fantastic option for health-conscious nomads or anyone who has been frustrated by delicate non-stick pans in the past. It comes at a higher price, but MSR’s reputation for quality makes it a worthwhile investment for those who want a lightweight pan without the usual durability compromises.

Le Creuset Square Skillet: Premium Enameled Iron

Let’s be clear: this is a luxury item. But for full-time RVers who are passionate about cooking, the Le Creuset skillet can be a justifiable splurge. It offers the unparalleled heat retention of cast iron without the hassle of seasoning, thanks to its tough enamel coating.

The enamel makes cleanup much simpler, and you don’t have to worry about acidic foods like tomatoes stripping your seasoning. The downside is obvious: it is incredibly heavy and carries a steep price tag. This is not the griddle for a weekend warrior in a lightweight travel trailer. It’s for the dedicated cook in a Class A or fifth wheel who has the space and payload to spare and wants a beautiful, high-performance tool that will last a lifetime.

Rockurwok 10-Inch Pan: Best Budget Non-Stick

Not every piece of gear in your rig needs to be a lifetime investment. The Rockurwok pan (and others like it) represents the practical, budget-friendly approach. It’s a simple, lightweight aluminum non-stick pan that does its job reliably for a very low price.

You can make your morning eggs, toast your buns, and fry up some veggies without a second thought. Will the non-stick last for a decade? Absolutely not. But when it eventually wears out after a year or two of hard use, you can replace it without breaking the bank. For many nomads, this disposable-gear strategy is far more practical than maintaining an expensive or heavy piece of cookware.

Ultimately, the perfect single-burner griddle is the one that removes friction from your daily routine. Whether it’s the classic heft of cast iron, the packable convenience of a GSI, or the simple utility of a budget non-stick, the right choice makes cooking in a small space feel less like a compromise and more like a craft. Choose based on how you actually live and cook on the road, not on an idealized version of it.