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RV Grilling With a Compact Charcoal Grill

Storage is the number one problem in an RV. Every cubic inch matters, and most grills are awkward shapes that eat a whole bay. The Slot Grill Compact packs to about 1" thick, so it slides into a closet, under a mattress platform, behind a cushion or into a narrow storage bay. One RV owner bought it for exactly that reason:

"The primary reason i purchased the grill was for the compactness when ready for storage in the RV's "closet". This grill is available for use in minutes and hardly takes up any space. Assembly takes only a minute. The design allows for use of charcoal or wood. I lit up the charcoal in minutes in windy conditions."Richard Shapero, Compact owner

Why a flat-pack grill suits RV life

Packs about 1" flat, with no legs or lids to rattle.
Tab and slot assembly in 30–60 seconds, no tools, no hinges, nothing to lose under the rig.
Charcoal or wood, so you can cook with campground firewood if allowed.
12-gauge carbon steel that holds up to road vibration and years of use.
Made in Texas and built and sold direct by the maker.

Setting up at the site

Check campground rules; many allow charcoal in designated areas or fire rings only, and burn bans override everything.
Set up well away from the RV, awning, slide-outs, propane tanks and tow vehicle, on gravel, a concrete pad or bare ground.
Never grill under the awning or inside the coach. Carbon monoxide from charcoal is deadly in enclosed spaces.
Keep the grill downwind of the rig so smoke doesn't drift into windows and vents.

Storage tips

Store only fully cold, clean, dry steel.
Put it in a bag or old box so soot stays off the closet.
Lightly oil cooking surfaces before storing for long drives; humidity in bays can cause surface rust. See rust prevention.
Store charcoal in a sealed bin outside the living area.

RV menu ideas

Griddle breakfast with the Slot Grill griddle
Ribeye for two
Shrimp and vegetables
S'mores after dinner where fires are allowed

Compact or Full Size for an RV?

The Compact (about 14 lb, 146 sq in) suits couples and small families. If you regularly cook for a group at the campsite and have storage for it, the Full Size (about 27.6 lb, 231 sq in) is the bigger option. See Compact vs. Full Size.

Quick-start checklist

Grill seasoned and dry; old ash emptied
Stable, level, non-combustible spot with clearance
Charcoal lit in a chimney, ashed over
Two-zone fire built, grates preheated and oiled
Thermometer, tongs, spatula and gloves within reach
Clean tray ready for cooked food

Common small-grill mistakes (and the fix)

Cooking before the coals are ready. Black-topped coals give smoky, weak heat and sticking. Wait until they glow under a light coat of gray ash.
Wall-to-wall coals. With no cool zone, every flare-up becomes a burn. Leave at least a third of the firebox thin or empty.
Crowding the grate. 146 sq in fills fast. Leave space between pieces so you can move them, and cook in waves.
Moving food too early. Let it sear and release on its own; it sticks until a crust forms.
Cold, dirty grates. Preheat for a few minutes, scrape, and wipe with an oiled paper towel held in tongs.
Wet food. Pat meat and vegetables dry before oiling and seasoning. Moisture steams instead of searing.
Judging doneness by time or color. Small fires vary. Use a thermometer.
Leaving ash in the firebox. Old ash chokes airflow. Empty it once cold before the next cook.
Putting the grill away wet. Raw carbon steel needs to be dried and lightly oiled. See rust prevention.

After the cook: burn-down and pack-down

Let the remaining coals burn down. Don't leave a fire unattended.
When ash and steel are completely cold, dump the ash into a metal container with a lid, or dispose of it where the venue or campground allows.
Scrape the grates, then wipe the cooking surfaces with a light coat of oil or Slot Grill Seasoning Balm.
Lift off the grates, slide out the V side panels, pull the end pieces and stack. The Compact packs to about 1" thick.
Store it dry. A bag or old box keeps soot off the rest of your gear.

Safety basics (every cook)

Outdoors only. Never use a charcoal grill indoors, in a garage, tent, camper, boat cabin or vehicle. Burning charcoal makes carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell.
Stable, level, non-combustible surface. Bare soil, gravel, sand, concrete, pavers or a fire-safe pad. The Compact's 2⅞" air gap between the table and the bottom of the coal bed helps minimize radiant heat to the surface below, but it is still a live fire.
Clearance. Keep it away from tents, vehicles, siding, overhangs, dry grass and anything that can burn. Keep kids and pets back.
Follow local rules. Burn bans, campground, park, venue and HOA rules come first.
Water or a fire extinguisher nearby, plus heat-safe gloves for handling grates and panels.
Ash stays hot for a long time. Put it in a metal container with a lid and never pack hot steel or ash into a vehicle.

Cooking in wind, rain, cold and heat

Conditions	What happens	What to do
Wind	Coals burn hotter and faster on the windward side; ash and sparks blow	Shelter the grill behind a vehicle, wall or rocks with safe clearance; point the hot end into the wind; skip cooking in high wind or red-flag conditions
Rain or drizzle	Slower lighting, weaker coals, wet fuel	Keep charcoal in a dry bag or lidded bin; cook in the open (never under a tent, awning or in a garage); dry and oil the grill afterward
Cold	Steel and food pull heat; longer cooks	Light more fuel; keep coals together; add lit coals sooner; use the thermometer, not the clock
Heat	Food safety window shrinks; you're sweating over a fire	Keep coolers shaded and cold; don't leave food out more than 1 hour above 90°F; stay hydrated
Dry season	Sparks can start fires	Check burn bans; clear debris around the grill; keep water ready

Taking this recipe on the road

The Compact packs about 1" thick and weighs about 14 lb, so this recipe travels to a campsite, tailgate, river bank or job site as easily as it cooks on the patio. A few habits make it safer and easier away from a kitchen:

Prep at home. Trim, season or marinate meat, chop vegetables and mix sauces in the kitchen. Pack each in a sealed bag or container labeled by cook order.
Keep raw meat cold and separate. Pack it at the bottom of the cooler, sealed, below ready-to-eat food. Keep the cooler at 40°F or below with plenty of ice, and keep it in the shade.
Two sets of tongs and platters: one for raw, one for cooked. Never put cooked food back on the tray that held raw meat.
Bring water and soap for hands and tools, plus paper towels and a trash bag.
Pack the thermometer. It matters more outdoors, where wind and cold change cook times.
Plan for ash. Bring a metal can with a lid and follow the venue's disposal rules.

For more, see the camping, tailgate and river trip guides.

Frequently asked questions

Can I store a Slot Grill in my RV?

Yes. The Compact packs about 1 inch thick, so it fits in a closet, under a bed platform or in a narrow bay. Store it cold, clean, dry and lightly oiled.

Can I use a charcoal grill under my RV awning?

No. Set it up well away from the RV, awning, slide-outs and propane, in the open. Never use a charcoal grill inside or under cover.

Does the Compact work with campground firewood?

Slot Grill lists charcoal or cooking wood as fuel. Use untreated wood and follow campground rules.

How much does the Slot Grill Compact weigh?

About 14 lb, grill only.

Slot Grill Compact

12-gauge carbon steel · about 14 lb · 16.25" × 9" cooking area · packs about 1" thick · made in Texas · ★★★★★ 4.92 (77 reviews)

$89.97~~$99.97~~

Shop the Compact at SlotGrill.comAdd a griddle

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All specs and prices are from SlotGrill.com. Always grill outdoors on a stable, non-combustible surface and follow local fire rules.