6 Best Compact Charcoal Grills For RV Campsites That Nomads Swear By

There’s a moment at every good campsite, just as the sun dips below the trees, when the smell of charcoal hits the air. It’s the universal signal that the day’s adventures are done and it’s time to gather, cook, and relax. For RV nomads, a grill isn’t just an appliance; it’s a ticket to cooking outdoors, keeping heat and smells out of your small living space, and connecting with the rhythm of life on the road.

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Why Charcoal Grilling is Perfect for RV Life

Choosing charcoal over propane for your RV grill is a deliberate act. It’s about trading the convenience of a knob for the unrivaled flavor that only real fire can produce. You don’t have to worry about running out of propane or carrying a separate, bulky tank that takes up precious bay space. A single bag of charcoal is compact, easy to find anywhere, and lasts for multiple meals.

The experience itself is a huge part of the appeal. Charcoal grilling forces you to slow down and engage with the process of making fire and managing heat. It becomes a ritual, a core part of the campsite experience rather than just a way to heat food. While cleanup is a factor, modern chimney starters and simple ash disposal techniques make it a manageable task. For many nomads, the superior taste and authentic outdoor cooking feel are well worth the extra five minutes of cleanup.

Weber Go-Anywhere Grill: The Compact Classic

This grill’s name says it all, and for decades it has been the gold standard for RVers who prioritize storage efficiency. Its rectangular shape is a game-changer. Unlike round kettle grills, the Go-Anywhere slides perfectly into a packed storage bay or truck bed, minimizing wasted space. The legs pivot to lock the lid in place, creating a secure, self-contained box for transport.

Don’t let its simple, lunchbox-like appearance fool you. The Go-Anywhere provides a surprisingly generous 160 square inches of cooking space, enough for a half-dozen burgers or a couple of nice steaks. Its dual dampers give you solid temperature control, allowing for both direct searing and slower, indirect cooking. This is the workhorse grill; it’s not fancy, but it’s reliable, easy to pack, and just plain works.

Weber Smokey Joe: Iconic Portable Kettle Grill

If the Go-Anywhere is the practical box, the Smokey Joe is the iconic sphere. It’s essentially a miniature version of the classic Weber kettle grill that many of us grew up with. That classic design isn’t just for looks; the domed lid and bowl shape create a convection effect that cooks food evenly and efficiently.

The main tradeoff here is its shape. A 14-inch round grill is inherently less space-efficient to pack than a rectangle. However, what you lose in packing ease, you gain in cooking performance, especially for anything that benefits from convection heat, like a whole chicken or thick pork chops. The Smokey Joe is simple, durable, and has a massive community of users who have developed countless tips and mods. It’s a proven performer for those who can spare the slightly awkward storage space.

Lodge Sportsman’s Pro: Cast Iron Durability

The Lodge Sportsman’s Pro isn’t just a grill; it’s a 33-pound piece of cast iron heritage. This is not the grill for someone who counts every ounce. This is the grill for the nomad who believes that cooking tools should be heavy, durable, and capable of producing a steakhouse-quality sear. Its hibachi-style design is simple and brutally effective.

The beauty of cast iron is its incredible heat retention. Once the Sportsman’s Pro gets hot, it stays hot, delivering consistent, powerful heat directly to your food. It’s perfect for searing steaks, burgers, and chops. The major considerations are its weight and maintenance. You have to treat it like a cast iron skillet—keeping it seasoned and dry to prevent rust. If you value cooking performance above all else and don’t mind the heft, this grill will likely outlast your RV.

PKGO Grill & Smoker: Premium Cast Aluminum Pick

The PKGO takes the heat-retaining principles of cast iron and applies them to a much lighter, rust-proof cast aluminum body. This is the premium, versatile choice for the RVer who wants to do more than just grill burgers. Its brilliant design allows the grill to unclip from its stand, creating two separate hibachi-style grills. This is perfect for setting up a two-zone fire for searing and indirect cooking simultaneously.

The thick cast aluminum construction is incredibly efficient with charcoal and provides exceptional temperature stability, making it a surprisingly capable smoker for ribs or pork shoulder. The rectangular shape is also easier to pack than a round kettle. The obvious tradeoff is the price—it’s a significant investment. But for those who are serious about their outdoor cooking and want a grill that doubles as a legitimate smoker, the PKGO is in a class of its own.

Everdure CUBE: Stylish All-in-One Portability

For the nomad who values design and a seamless experience, the Everdure CUBE is a standout. It looks less like a traditional grill and more like a piece of high-end camping gear. Its thoughtful design integrates everything you need into one compact package. A food-grade storage tray and a bamboo cutting board are cleverly integrated, locking together with the grill body for easy, one-handed transport.

The CUBE is all about convenience. You can prep your food on the cutting board lid, store it in the tray below, and carry the whole unit to your picnic table. The porcelain enamel firebox is easy to clean, and the heat-protected handles mean you can move it even while it’s warm. While it may not have the raw searing power of a cast iron grill or the smoking versatility of the PKGO, it wins on pure, integrated portability and style. It’s perfect for quick trips, beach days, and campsite picnics.

Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler: Heavy-Duty Performance

The Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler brings a heavy-duty, traditional grill feel to the portable category. Built from thick-gauge steel, it feels substantial and stable, unlike some of its flimsy stamped-metal competitors. Its key feature is an adjustable-height charcoal tray, which gives you fantastic control over the heat. You can lower it for slow cooking or raise it right up to the grates for a powerful, steak-searing flame.

This grill is a beast. It’s heavy, but that weight translates to durability and heat retention. It also features large air dampers for precise temperature management and cast-iron grates for great sear marks. The Rambler is for the RVer who doesn’t want to compromise on performance. It feels less like a portable grill and more like a shrunken-down version of a high-quality backyard model, making it a top choice for those who take their campsite grilling seriously.

Choosing Your Ideal RV Campsite Charcoal Grill

There is no single "best" grill; there’s only the best grill for your style of travel. Your decision should hinge on a few key tradeoffs. Think about it this way:

• Storage vs. Shape: The Weber Go-Anywhere and PKGO are champions of efficient packing due to their rectangular shapes. The round Weber Smokey Joe is a classic performer but will always leave dead space around it in a storage bay.
• Weight vs. Performance: The Lodge Sportsman’s Pro and Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler offer incredible heat retention and searing power at the cost of significant weight. Lighter options like the Everdure CUBE are easier to carry but won’t hold heat as effectively.
• Simplicity vs. Versatility: The Weber grills are simple, reliable, and get the job done. The PKGO offers true smoking capability and two-zone cooking, but with a higher price and learning curve.
• Budget vs. Longevity: A Smokey Joe is an affordable classic that will last for years. Investing in a cast iron Lodge or cast aluminum PKGO is a "buy it for life" decision that pays off in long-term durability and performance.

Before you buy, physically map out where a grill will live in your RV. Consider its weight and how often you’ll be moving it. Be honest about your cooking style. If you’re just grilling hot dogs and burgers, a simple, classic Weber is perfect. If you dream of smoking a brisket at your remote boondocking spot, you need to invest in a tool built for the job.

In the end, your grill is more than just a cooking device. It’s a centerpiece for your campsite, a tool that helps you create memories and delicious meals far from home. Choose the one that best fits your space, your cooking ambitions, and your vision of the perfect evening on the road.