Nothing beats a good old fashioned grill sesh’ when you’re out camping, and for many, the grill is the heart of their camping meals. Not only does it produce food with a delicious, unique flavor, it also spares you the chore, and unbearable heat, of cooking inside your RV. You’ll be especially grateful for the temperature break if you’re going camping during the summer. As veteran motor coach campers, the team here at The Motorcoach Store has a good deal of experience with RV grilling. We’ve gathered some of our favorite tips and tricks for RV grilling here in one short guide. When you’re looking for your next luxury motorcoach, or you need service, parts, and repairs for your current one, don’t hesitate to stop by our Bradenton, Florida location. We proudly serve Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Lakeland, Florida.
Choosing a Grill
Great grilling starts with a great grill and there are no shortage of options on the market. These differ immensely in terms of size, style, and features, but a helpful way to divide them up is by heating method: propane, charcoal, and electric.
Most old school grillers will passionately tell you that charcoal is the only way to go if you want full grilling flavor. But if you’re planning on cooking the majority of your meals on it, charcoal is less than ideal. After all, it can take twenty minutes or more to get your briquettes heated up and ready for grilling, and only the most passionate will feel like doing that three times per day.
Propane is much more convenient and can light up at a moment’s notice to cook hot dogs, kebabs, or chicken. It doesn’t impart much flavor, but you can still get a nice char on your food, which adds its own unique flavor. Some chefs even prefer propane for its even, predictable heat.
Electric is the final option and it’s probably the most convenient of them all. If you have a stable supply of electricity, you won’t even have to worry about fuel. Unfortunately, cooking on an electric grill adds very little flavor that a hot pan wouldn’t add.
Grilling is a fun process and produces some amazing food, but it’s important to stay safe while you’re grilling. Make sure to place your grill in the right space. You don’t want it to be too close to your motorcoach where it could potentially start a fire or melt vinyl graphics or siding. While you grill, make sure to keep a spray bottle of water handy to deal with flare ups. Fattier meats like pork and beef can drip major amounts of fat onto the flames causing big, unpredictable flames. A few sprays of water should knock them down.
If you’re concerned about scorching your hand as you cook, use an insulated glove to protect yourself. Just make sure it’s made from a heat-resistant, non-flammable material. When cooking with charcoal, try lighting your briquettes in a chimney, and use newspaper or paper towels instead of lighter fluid. Not only will this save the expense of lighter fluid, it will also keep the aftertaste of lighter fluid out of your food.
Finally, try using an instant read digital thermometer to make sure your food is cooked to the appropriate temperature. And make sure you use separate plates for raw and cooked meat to avoid cross contamination. If you’re having trouble cooking meat all the way through before it gets charred on the outside, try creating a hotter zone and a cooler zone by piling the coals to one side or turning down one burner, if using propane. Then, sear the food on the hot side and bring it the rest of the way up to temperature on the cooler side.
One handy grilling tip is to leave the grill cleaner at home and just use a ball of tinfoil held in tongs for a grate cleaner. If you are cooking delicate or small foods that would normally fall apart or stick to the grates, make an inexpensive grilling basket by poking holes in a disposable aluminum food dish. And propane grill owners can often make life easier by connecting their grill directly to their RV’s propane system to avoid having to use a separate tank.
Grilling is a great way to prepare food if you own a luxury motorhome. Hopefully these tips give you some ideas on how you can make better grilled food while also making the process safer and easier. And when you need a new motorhome, or even if it’s just time for a tune-up, stop by The Motorcoach Store in Bradenton, Florida. We proudly serve Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Lakeland, Florida. We’ll help you get your next cookout started the right way by helping you find the perfect RV.
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