5 Best Grill Presses for Small RV Grills That Serve Multiple Needs

Every square inch of storage in an RV is prime real estate, forcing you to question every single item you bring aboard. When it comes to the kitchen, single-use gadgets are the first to go, which is why a simple, heavy piece of metal might be the most valuable tool you own. A good grill press isn’t just for grilling; it’s a multi-tool that earns its keep by solving multiple cooking challenges on the road.

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Why a Grill Press is Your RV Kitchen MVP

A grill press seems like a simple tool, and it is. That’s its strength. In a compact RV kitchen, any tool that does more than one job well is a winner, and a press excels at versatility. It speeds up cooking by applying heat from both sides, which is a big deal when you’re trying to conserve propane or get dinner on the table before the sun sets.

Think beyond the grill. That same press flattens bacon in your cast iron skillet, preventing the dreaded curl-up and ensuring even cooking. It creates incredible crust on smash burgers on your Blackstone, delivers the perfect grilled cheese or panini, and puts a beautiful, even sear on a steak or chicken thigh. It’s a weight, a lid, and a sear-enhancer all in one, replacing a bacon press, a panini maker, and sometimes even a pot lid in a pinch. This isn’t about adding another gadget; it’s about replacing three.

Key Features for a Multi-Use RV Grill Press

Choosing the right press for an RV involves different priorities than for a home kitchen. Weight, size, and material aren’t just about performance—they’re about payload, storage, and life on the move. You need to balance cooking power with practicality.

Here are the key features to consider:

• Material: Cast iron is the king of heat retention, giving you a deep, consistent sear. However, it’s heavy and requires seasoning to prevent rust. Stainless steel is lighter and easier to clean but doesn’t hold heat quite as well, making it better for smashing than for searing.
• Size and Shape: Your press must fit your primary cooking surface, whether that’s a small 17" griddle or the grates of a Weber Q. A rectangular press is fantastic for bacon and sandwiches, while a round press fits neatly inside a 10- or 12-inch skillet, making it incredibly versatile for indoor cooking on the stovetop.
• Handle Design: A handle that gets screaming hot is a hazard in a tight space. Look for wood or a heat-resistant composite handle. A comfortable grip is also crucial for applying even pressure, especially when you’re making smash burgers or paninis.

Ultimately, the best press is one that matches your cooking style and your specific grill. Don’t just buy the heaviest one you can find. Consider how you’ll use it 80% of the time. Is it for bacon in a skillet or burgers on a griddle? The answer will guide you to the right choice.

Lodge LGP3 Cast Iron Press: The Classic Choice

When you think of cast iron, you probably think of Lodge. Their LGP3 grill press is a workhorse and for good reason. It’s a simple, rectangular slab of pre-seasoned cast iron with a cool-grip spiral handle, and it does its job exceptionally well. The weight—around 4 pounds—is substantial enough to press down a steak or a couple of burgers without you needing to apply much force.

Its flat bottom surface provides maximum contact, which translates to a perfect, edge-to-edge sear. This is the press you want for getting crispy skin on chicken thighs or laying out four strips of bacon and knowing they will stay perfectly flat. The real-world tradeoff here is its weight and the care it requires. It adds a noticeable heft to your kitchen box, and you have to keep it seasoned to avoid rust, especially in humid environments. But for pure cooking performance, it’s tough to beat this classic.

Blackstone Griddle Press for Perfect Smash Burgers

If your RV life revolves around a Blackstone or similar flat-top griddle, then their purpose-built press is a game-changer. It’s typically wider and heavier than many other presses, designed specifically for tasks like creating those lacy-edged smash burgers that are impossible to get any other way. The extra weight and surface area let you press two or three burgers at once with even, consistent pressure.

The Blackstone press often features a heat-resistant handle and a stainless steel or heavy cast iron construction. The key advantage is its design synergy with griddling. It’s not just for burgers; it’s ideal for making large grilled sandwiches, quesadillas, or hashbrowns. The only real downside is that its larger size might be overkill for a small skillet or a compact grill grate, making it more of a specialist tool. But if you’re a dedicated griddler, this is the specialist you want on your team.

Cuisinart CGPR-221: Ergonomic and Versatile

Cuisinart brings a slightly more refined approach to the cast iron press with their CGPR-221. It features a comfortable, ergonomic grip that makes it easier to handle and apply pressure compared to some of the more rustic, all-metal designs. This small detail matters when you’re working on an uneven camp table or reaching across a hot grill.

The press itself is a solid piece of cast iron, offering excellent heat retention for searing and pressing. It’s a great middle-ground option—heavy enough for serious cooking but often designed with a slightly smaller footprint that fits well on portable RV grills and larger skillets. It’s a versatile, all-around performer that works just as well on grill grates as it does on a griddle, making it a smart choice if you use both cooking methods regularly.

Bellemain Heavy-Duty Press for Bacon & Paninis

The Bellemain press is all about one thing: serious, uncompromising weight. This is the tool you grab when you absolutely, positively need to keep thick-cut bacon from curling or achieve that perfect, compressed panini. It’s often one of the heaviest options in its size class, which means the press does most of the work for you.

With its sturdy wooden handle and thick cast iron base, the Bellemain feels indestructible. That heft is its greatest asset and its biggest liability in an RV. You have to account for its weight in your payload and find a secure place to store it. But if your idea of a perfect camp breakfast involves flawlessly crisp bacon or you love making restaurant-quality grilled sandwiches, the extra weight is a worthwhile tradeoff for the superior results.

Victoria Round Press for Grills and Skillets

Don’t overlook the utility of a round press. The Victoria Round Cast Iron Press is a brilliant tool specifically because its shape is so practical for RVers. A round press is designed to fit inside your 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet, which is a staple in most small kitchens. This allows you to sear a burger or a chicken breast in the pan with direct, weighted heat from above.

This design is also fantastic for making perfectly round sausage patties, pressing tortillas flat while they cook, or even keeping a single large steak in full contact with the pan surface. The Victoria press, made from seasoned cast iron, often includes a cool-touch handle and a textured bottom that leaves attractive grill marks. For the RVer who does a lot of one-pan meals on the stove or grill, a round press offers a unique versatility that a rectangular one can’t match.

Cleaning and Storing Your Press on the Road

A grill press is simple to use, but improper care on the road can lead to rust and rattles. For cast iron, cleaning should be water-free if possible. While the press is still warm, scrape off any food debris with a metal spatula or chainmail scrubber, then wipe it clean with a paper towel. A final wipe with a very thin layer of cooking oil will re-season it and protect it from moisture.

Storing the press is the most critical part. A heavy, loose object is a serious hazard in a moving vehicle. The goal is to stop it from rattling and turning into a projectile. The easiest method is to wrap it in a thick towel or a dedicated canvas bag. This cushions it and absorbs any residual oil.

For a more permanent solution, place it on a silicone mat inside a cabinet to prevent it from sliding. I’ve seen people build custom felt-lined slots for their cast iron, but a simple towel works for most. Whatever you do, make sure it’s secure before you hit the road. That simple step will protect your press and your sanity.

Ultimately, the right grill press isn’t about a brand name; it’s about finding a heavy, durable tool that fits your grill and your cooking style. By choosing a versatile press, you’re not just buying a cooking accessory—you’re investing in a space-saving, problem-solving partner for your RV kitchen. It’s a simple piece of gear that delivers outsized results, meal after meal.