Side of RV Mounted BBQ OR Carry a Blackstone?

[SoCalAngler]

I have been carrying a 22" Blackstone (with built in folding hood) and a Lifetime Table that is half plastic and half metal. Nice table, but heavy. And the Blackstone....heavy at approx. 38#! The table and Blackstone do take up some floor space in my pick up. In the back of my truck I also carry four of the black and yellow top storage boxes with all sorts of stuff...emergency supplies, tarps, hazard cones, small Viar compressor, tools, ratcheting straps, etc. That doesn't leave much room in a 6'9" truck bed.

That being said.....I am wondering if using a side of RV mounted BBQ may be a simpler and easier option. Previous owner used one (mount is still attached to side of trailer) and loved it so much that he did not include it in the sale! Now, original owner used the BBQ and this was before (2011) Blackstone hit the market. He also added a T fitting where OEM quick connects for propane are located so that he can use the OEM two burner stove that is a fold down built in unit AND the added side mounted BBQ.

I have never used the OEM built in fold down stove...why..because I use the Blackstone.

The original owner used the OEM fold down kitchen/2 burner stove and the added side mounted BBQ and did most of his cooking on these two appliances.

Now, as I get older, and I do 90% of all set up/take down alone, I am looking for simpler ways to cook, store, and handle outside cooking appliances/tools.

How many of use the side mounted BBQ and/or Blackstone? Do you prefer one over the other? Is weight, storage, and hassle a concern for you?

Thanks!

 

[sourdough]

Just some thoughts from my perspective;

I would not have a cooking apparatus attached to the trailer for many reasons. Some really like them....I don't have any use for them. They get the trailer greasy if you actually use them and most are just "get by" quality.

Blackstone vs attached grill? I would go with the Blackstone all day....or a different stand alone grill. I have three Blackstones. Used to love them but they are very limited compared to the way I cook and what we like to eat. One sits outside my house in what I call BBQ central and doesn't get touched and the other two are in the RV barn. Gone through lots of variations of cooking apparatus for the trailer but have now landed on a Camp Chef Pro 14" double burner stove, deluxe bbq box and griddle. I can actually use wood for cooking steaks, flat top for "griddle" stuff and the high output burners let me throw my big wok on and stir fry in a jiffy. Doesn't really answer your question about the Blackstone on the trailer....and folks have done it, but just a different perspective.

 

[SoCalAngler]

Just to be clear, I was not considering mounting the Blackstone to the trailer. I am considering this style below. It is a much lower quality BBQ vs the BS, but it small, lighter and no additional table stand is needed such as with the BS.

 

[flybouy]

I've had campers with those rails but never used them. Mine were always under the awning which at first thought seemed like a good idea until you realize that smoke rises. That stand off mount will not be enough to keep the smoke off even with a light breeze.

Current unit has a large outdoor kitchen with 2 burner stove that swings out, sink, dorm fridge, and generous cabinet space. The grill is bumber mounted and swings out to 90° from sidewall. It makes for a nice galley style kitchen. It works well for us as we do all our cooking outside unless there's high winds. Then it's microwave time.

 

[JRTJH]

Most "hang on grills, flattops and stoves have some sort of warning in them that cautions against using the product under an awning. Not only is smoke an issue with staining or "greasing up" the underside of the awning, any "flare up" can also start an "awning fire"... That's something you really don't want to happen if you're "boondocking far from the nearest fire department, expecially if you have "spotty cell phone service and aren't sure what the "fire department needs for an address to respond to help put out your burning trailer.....

 

[Peto]

Mine came with a Blackstone type grill as a part of the outdoor kitchen that mounts on the side. I just use it on a little table. I don't want the grease on the trailer when I make poppers.

 

[sourdough]

If you're looking for something a little small and easy to move around I used a Charbroil Grill 2 Go infrared gas grill for a few seasons - gave one to my daughter as well. It simplifies things and is easy to use/clean if you don't have to cook for a lot of folks.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/char-broil-tru-infrared-grill2go-x200-portable-9-500-btu-gas-tabletop-grill-1259461?store=&cid=Google-Shopping-Sustain&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&utm_content=Sustain&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20941180441&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiLLABhCEARIsAJYS6ul6w19KG-jy3vFRpox_H71vhKrTSRHT9587mQE73CIGk8MAHZS2KgEaApljEALw_wcB

 

[ChuckS]

While I like the Backstone 18 and 22 inch units I have used a Weber Q100 for the last 15 years... Its light, I use an adapter hose and 5# LP tank with it and can easily put it in the truck when we want to cook away from the fifth wheel.

Just dont like the weight factor of the Blackstone units but I very much like how easy they are to clean up...

We also carry a light weight 3 burner LP coleman stove for those times we want to cook omelets, etc

 

[DutchmenSport]

Have you tried hooking the Blackstone up to the propane quick connect to make sure "it" will actually work? I'm assuming your Blackstone has a propane regulator and the camper has a regulator. You'll need to make some kind of modification.

The regulator in your camper is a low pressure regulator. If the Blackstone requires high pressure, you won't have sufficient gas to run the Blackstone. So, before doing anything .... connect the Blackstone to the propane quick connect and make sure "it" actually works ok. If it does, then I think you'll be fine switching out the two camp stoves, provided everything fits.

 

[SoCalAngler]

Have you tried hooking the Blackstone up to the propane quick connect to make sure "it" will actually work? I'm assuming your Blackstone has a propane regulator and the camper has a regulator. You'll need to make some kind of modification.

The regulator in your camper is a low pressure regulator. If the Blackstone requires high pressure, you won't have sufficient gas to run the Blackstone. So, before doing anything .... connect the Blackstone to the propane quick connect and make sure "it" actually works ok. If it does, then I think you'll be fine switching out the two camp stoves, provided everything fits.

I have not tried it yet. I will soon. Yes, BS does have two fittings...one for the small disposable 1# bottles (I believe it is regulator) and a second 90 degree fitting for direct hook up to a 20# BBQ style propane tank (which I have used and it worked fine). So the trailer propane regulator and a second regulator may be too little gas for the BS. The trailer came OEM with propane quick connects for use with the OEM fold down stove. Wouldn't the BS be the same thing? Perhaps the OEM stove has no regulator? I'll try the BS 90 degree fitting straight to RV quick connect and see if it works.

 

[SoCalAngler]

If you're looking for something a little small and easy to move around I used a Charbroil Grill 2 Go infrared gas grill for a few seasons - gave one to my daughter as well. It simplifies things and is easy to use/clean if you don't have to cook for a lot of folks.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/char-broil-tru-infrared-grill2go-x200-portable-9-500-btu-gas-tabletop-grill-1259461?store=&cid=Google-Shopping-Sustain&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&utm_content=Sustain&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20941180441&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiLLABhCEARIsAJYS6ul6w19KG-jy3vFRpox_H71vhKrTSRHT9587mQE73CIGk8MAHZS2KgEaApljEALw_wcB

I actually have one of those that I used for several years. It's still in great shape. It uses the 1# disposable propane bottles. It would be nice to be able to connect it to main trailer propane tanks.

 

[SoCalAngler]

Most "hang on grills, flattops and stoves have some sort of warning in them that cautions against using the product under an awning. Not only is smoke an issue with staining or "greasing up" the underside of the awning, any "flare up" can also start an "awning fire"... That's something you really don't want to happen if you're "boondocking far from the nearest fire department, expecially if you have "spotty cell phone service and aren't sure what the "fire department needs for an address to respond to help put out your burning trailer.....

Great point about grease on trailer, under awning and potential for fire. Now I am reconsidering the use of both the OEM fold down stove and the hang on grill. Perhaps it is safer, but more of a hassle, to use whatever grill/griddle I decide on and use it on a table. I can either use a long propane hose for quick connect to RV or carry a 20# BBQ propane tank...yet another item to carry and store.

 

[sourdough]

I actually have one of those that I used for several years. It's still in great shape. It uses the 1# disposable propane bottles. It would be nice to be able to connect it to main trailer propane tanks.

I believe you can buy an adapter that eliminates the regulator on the Grill 2 Go along with a LP hose for the quick connect. I do not use the quick connect because the hose is a trip hazard and was constantly in the way so I used 1# bottles which posed no problem. I use a modified carry bag that has 6 of them in it so I've always got a spare. For the Camp Chef I mentioned I use a stand alone 20lb. tank and any other small cookers still use the 1 lb. bottles. When I connected the Camp Chef to the RV quick connect it did not provide enough pressure/flame for the double 30k btu burners so abandoned that idea.

 

[SoCalAngler]

I believe you can buy an adapter that eliminates the regulator on the Grill 2 Go along with a LP hose for the quick connect. I do not use the quick connect because the hose is a trip hazard and was constantly in the way so I used 1# bottles which posed no problem. I use a modified carry bag that has 6 of them in it so I've always got a spare. For the Camp Chef I mentioned I use a stand alone 20lb. tank and any other small cookers still use the 1 lb. bottles. When I connected the Camp Chef to the RV quick connect it did not provide enough pressure/flame for the double 30k btu burners so abandoned that idea.

Several good things to consider...especially long hose tripping hazard. Have you considered using a short hose to connect your G2G to your 20# tank, thus avoiding all of the small 1# bottles? I like the portability and availability of the 1# bottle, but they are not enough propane when cooking meals that may require longer times cooking. Seems like like I went through one bottle every meal, of course this was on the BS.

 

[sourdough]

Several good things to consider...especially long hose tripping hazard. Have you considered using a short hose to connect your G2G to your 20# tank, thus avoiding all of the small 1# bottles? I like the portability and availability of the 1# bottle, but they are not enough propane when cooking meals that may require longer times cooking. Seems like like I went through one bottle every meal, of course this was on the BS.

On the G2G they seem to last a long time. Of course there are just 2 of us and I don't cook big, long extended meals on it. I can cook chicken/steaks/chops etc. many times before the little bottle runs out. Due to the little bottles lasting so long I've never considered trying to put it on a larger tank. The Camp Chef will not operate on a small bottle so has to have the larger tank. Those burners would empty one of the little bottles in a couple of minutes.

 

[Firstime RVer]

All I can say is that we love our Blackstone 17" griddle.
We carry a light weight 36" x 18"aluminum collapsible table with a roll up removable top.

We also carry a 10lb propane bottle in an old plastic square milk crate, that also serves as a backup relocatable propane supply. It can be located along with our BS etc. wherever we like, depending on wind direction and weather conditions. With a wye connector it can supply the BS and our propane stove or small gas grill simultaneously.

Over the years we have accumulated a small grill and propane stoves that allow us to cook any thing we want, any way we want, for as many people as we want, loading up the proper gear based on a bit of pre trip planning.

However our default is the BS and a Nuwave induction single cook top for out door cooking.

Safe travels and all the best.

 

[sourdough]

All I can say is that we love our Blackstone 17" griddle.
We carry a light weight 36" x 18"aluminum collapsible table with a roll up removable top.

We also carry a 10lb propane bottle in an old plastic square milk crate, that also serves as a backup relocatable propane supply. It can be located along with our BS etc. wherever we like, depending on wind direction and weather conditions. With a wye connector it can supply the BS and our propane stove or small gas grill simultaneously.

Over the years we have accumulated a small grill and propane stoves that allow us to cook any thing we want, any way we want, for as many people as we want, loading up the proper gear based on a bit of pre trip planning.

However our default is the BS and a Nuwave induction single cook top for out door cooking.

Safe travels and all the best.

I have to say I love those slat type aluminum topped tables that just fold up. We carry 2 and love the simplicity and versatility. You also mention the NuWave single cook top; when they first came out I bought 2 from one of those sales channels. Never watch them but they were demonstrating them and I thought they were really cool. After receiving them we fell in love with induction - bought 2 more for the RV and then put in a 5 burner induction cooktop in the kitchen. We both love the induction and they are perfectly matched to being in an RV IMO.

 

[Peto]

You'd really have to screw up to catch your awning on fire with a propane griddle........ I move mine away from the trailer to prevent grease splatter on the side but still have used it under the awning on occasion for a little shade.

 

[Desert Cavalier]

I have been carrying a 22" Blackstone (with built in folding hood) and a Lifetime Table that is half plastic and half metal. Nice table, but heavy. And the Blackstone....heavy at approx. 38#! The table and Blackstone do take up some floor space in my pick up. In the back of my truck I also carry four of the black and yellow top storage boxes with all sorts of stuff...emergency supplies, tarps, hazard cones, small Viar compressor, tools, ratcheting straps, etc. That doesn't leave much room in a 6'9" truck bed.

That being said.....I am wondering if using a side of RV mounted BBQ may be a simpler and easier option. Previous owner used one (mount is still attached to side of trailer) and loved it so much that he did not include it in the sale! Now, original owner used the BBQ and this was before (2011) Blackstone hit the market. He also added a T fitting where OEM quick connects for propane are located so that he can use the OEM two burner stove that is a fold down built in unit AND the added side mounted BBQ.

I have never used the OEM built in fold down stove...why..because I use the Blackstone.

The original owner used the OEM fold down kitchen/2 burner stove and the added side mounted BBQ and did most of his cooking on these two appliances.

Now, as I get older, and I do 90% of all set up/take down alone, I am looking for simpler ways to cook, store, and handle outside cooking appliances/tools.

How many of use the side mounted BBQ and/or Blackstone? Do you prefer one over the other? Is weight, storage, and hassle a concern for you?

Thanks!

I use the Blackstone every time we are staying for more than one night!

 

[Medic455]

I also use a 22 inch black stone griddle with mine. It has the same type table and yeah it’s heavy and can be a pain taking in and out, but my unit came with a side mount one, hated it! Grease on camper was a pain to clean, and it too took up space in the basement storage. Found the adapter kit for the BS on Amazon to hook into my onboard propane and now I just leave it hooked up and use a cover on it. It doesn’t need to be away from unit very far so I don’t worry about the trip hazards and can still use the propane stove if needed at the same time. Stick with the black stone. Just my two cents. Also turned the rail into a small herb garden that has worked fantastically.