We've come a long way from the old style charcoal grills, with their spindly legs, messy charcoal and unpredictable cooking characteristicsĦ­ today, when it comes to gourmet dining, RV enthusiasts turn to their barbecues as the preferred food preparation appliance.

There are many styles and sizes of barbecues available that are appropriate for the RV experience. From the basic portable units that offer compact size and rudimentary design, to sophisticated models that provide all the options you need to prepare a full-course dinner, there's no reason why you can't be "cooking with gas" at the campsite tomorrow night!

Our RV Lifestyle Road Test Teams have selected a series of products to help you determine which grill is ideal for your family. With prices ranging from under $100 to more than $800, there are obviously many salient points to examineĦ­ you have to consider how often you will be using the grill to justify how much you should invest, but a good grill can last for years, with excellent safety and cooking characteristics - a cheap grill might not last the summer, and where can you turn to replace parts or make a warranty claim? We also considered the range of charcoal fueled barbecues, but when you pull into a campsite and the kids are hungry, the last thing you want to do is wait for the coals to be ready, so for the time being, with the exception of the very interesting Cobb Premier product, we have narrowed the subject to propane and LP gas fuelled BBQ models.

With this in mind, we surveyed the market to select a range of models that combine compact size, quality and value - some of the products are available through your RV dealer, some through specialty shops, and some through the big-box and chain stores... once you have made your selection, visit the websites to locate a dealer in your area.

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While some specialized RV barbecue models are made to hook right into the RV's LP gas system, some of the gas barbecues designed to use 16 oz. gas cylinders require a greater rate of flow than what is typically used in your RV system, so an RV adapter may be required if you want to run the barbecue on a "T" hookup from the 20 lb LP gas cylinder on the RV, because the regulator on the tank will adjust the rate of flow to be appropriate for the RV systems - and not necessarily the barbecue. The same barbecue may operate perfectly if connected directly to a stand-alone 20 lb. LP tank.

The design and construction of a high quality barbecue has a significant effect on the quality of your results - the best grills are engineered to take advantage of convection currents within the grill, creating an oven-like cooking experience. In order to achieve gourmet caliber results, you want a barbecue with burners that will heat evenly throughout the surface area of the grill surface, and give you enough control to vary the cooking intensity so that you can produce rare, medium or well done delicacies, depending on where you place the food on the grill.

How Big is Your Grill?

For the home barbecue gourmet, the concept that "bigger is better" is a common goal, with elaborate patio grills boasting features worthy of a five-star steakhouse, but for the RV enthusiast, space is a major consideration, and even if you set up a park model in a seasonal campsite, chances are your grilling requirements will focus on reasonably compact models.

Barbecue specs generally deal with the number of burners, the BTU output, and the size of the cooking surfaces. In some cases, these measurements include all of the features of a grill into one spec - for instance, there may be two main burners, a side burner, and a rear burner, and the manufacturer might combine the output of all four burners in the BTU category - so you should check the output of each burner to be able to compare the performance to others in the range. Most barbecue chefs will cook the food in stages, using the warming rack to keep the steaks and burgers that are almost ready cooking at a slow rate while another batch broils on the main stage. With smaller portable grills you rarely have a warming rack, so it's a good idea to have a covered serving dish handy to keep food hot while you cook additional portions - you can rotate the cooked food back to the grill for a minute to heat it up prior to serving.

Safety and Storage

For the portable units using small gas cylinders, storage and transportation of the full and depleted canisters should be a careful consideration - some parks require that a fee be paid for disposal of the empty cylinders - and it can be almost as much as the cost of a full tank... so many RV'ers simply take the empty gas bottles with them, which opens another area of concern - be sure to check the recommendations for the ventilation requirements of the storage compartment, and the orientation of the bottles during transit, and do not place any of the barbecue supplies and components in proximity to a source of heat, or combustible cargo.

When storing your RV barbecue, make sure that the unit is reasonably clean and free of grease, as this can be difficult to clean off your RV storage compartment.

So, What's For Dinner?

As we compiled this compendium of culinary appliances, we encountered several websites with excellent menu suggestions for hungry campers, as well as the gourmet grilling recipes from our own Cooking Ladies, whose column this month features Yukon style barbecue chicken nuggets. (Page Top)

Coleman RoadTrip® Grill LX

For ease of use and portability, you would be hard pressed to find a more compact grill than Coleman's RoadTrip? Grill LXE. The RoadTrip? provides authentic open-flame drip-through grilling, with fully adjustable 20,000 BTU burners and 285 sq.in. of cooking area. The design of the grill assures consistent performance in a range of wind, weather, and altitude conditions. Choose from porcelain coated cast-iron grill plates, griddle, or stove cooking surfaces (each sold separately) and your RoadTrip? Grill can handle all of your family's dining desires.



The unit operates on portable propane cylinders, with about an hour of cooking time with both burners on high per 16.4 oz. cylinder, or up to 4.5 hours per cylinder with the burners set on low heat. You can purchase an optional hose and adapter that lets you connect the grill to a 20 lb LP tank. Clean-up is easy with a removable grease management tray, and when you're ready to go, it folds to a compact size with wheels and a handle - ideal for tailgating or campsite use.

Retail is in the $259 range, with a 5-year limited warranty.

For more information visit the website at www.colemancanada.ca.

Cobb Premiere

The Cobb Premiere Grill from South Africa brings a unique approach to the North American BBQ concept, with a central "cage" for briquettes heating a non-stick cooking surface for steaks, burgers, fish, and other main course items, and a "moat" area that is ideal for cooking vegetables and side dishes.

You almost have to see a demonstration to grasp the versatility of this grill, which can barbecue, bake, smoke, boil, and warm food - it's almost like having a campsite oven at your disposal, except it does more than a conventional oven ever could.

The Cobb Portable Cooking System is one product that is best enjoyed after you study the instruction manual - which is complete with a range of recipe suggestions. Lightweight and easy to maintain, the Cobb utilizes stainless steel construction components for durability, and is designed to be virtually smokeless as the fat and oils from the food drain away from the fire. Gourmet chefs who enjoy cooking with their Cobb grills say that it is a complete cooking solution - a "kitchen in a bag".

The Cobb uses only a handful of briquettes to cook at 500 degrees F for 2 - 3 hours. During the cooking time, the exterior of the grill remains cool to the touch, since the coals are contained in the basket at the centre of the unit.
The Cobb Premiere Grill may be relatively new to North America, but it has been approved by the South African Heart Foundation, and it was cited by TIME magazine as one of the inventions of the year in 2001.

For more information visit www.cobbcanada.ca

Beef Stroganoff on the COBB BBQ

Chef Edmour Richards Recipe

Prepare the COBB for Grilling and sauting following the directions on their information booklet. (as seen in RV LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE, August 2007 issue)

Sauted steak and onion slices give this classic recipe a new lift. Onion slices wrapped in aluminum foil brings out the natural sugars in the onion slices and they caramelize on the surface, giving them a slightly sweet flavor. The grilled steak adds just a wisp of smoke. A nice romp for your taste buds.

1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 pounds top sirloin steak. Chef Richard likes to use beef tenderloin its what steak suits your fancy
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil

HOW TO PREPARE THE REST OF THE STROGANOFF:

Season the onion slices and steak with the salt and pepper, then lightly brush or spray with the olive oil. Put on the COBB GRILL. Checking once halfway through grilling time. Remove from the grill, cool slightly, then chop the onion and cut the steak into 1/8-inch slices. Set aside.

For the sauce:

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic1 pound mushrooms, quartered
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup flour
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth
1 cup red wine
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1 pound egg noodles, cooked or you can cook rice instead.

To make the sauce: In COBB's large saute pan over the charcoal heat, warm the olive oil. Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute 3 minutes more.

Into the COBB saute pan add the butter this will melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Add the garlic and mushrooms along with the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir to combine. Partially cover, and simmer for 5 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the steak and onion slices. Blend in the sour cream and cook 15 minutes more, making sure the sour cream does not curdle continue to stir if curdling. Serve immediately over cooked noodles; also good with rice, gently toss to combine. Optional at during the last five minutes is to slice up sour pickles such as kosher dills and add to the sauce giving the Stroganoff a more European flavor

Makes 4 servings. (Page Top)

Broil King

The Porta-Chef® series from Broil King features a 20,000 BTU stainless steel burner that is among the highest capacity in the portable sector, producing good searing performance for those criss-cross grill lines, and a large enough oven and cooking surface to satisfy the appetite of the whole family. With sturdy legs and quality construction, you'll find this grill to be an excellent choice for patio or campsite. The Porta-Chef 4 model shown here features a porcelain coated cast iron grid and a stainless steel Flav-R-Wave? cooking system that vapourizes juices on contact for that BBQ flavour. Operating on your choice of 5 or 10 lb. refillable LP gas cylinders, or from a 20 lb. LP gas tank, this Canadian made product reflects Onward Manufacturing Company's century of experience with outdoor lifestyle appliances. With a linear flow control valve and Accu-Temp? thermometer you can produce gourmet results with a compact and portable BBQ that's ideal for RV enthusiasts.

For more information, visit www.omcbbq.com, and for a great batch of recipes check out www.theperfectsteak.com

Napoleon Freestyle

The Napoleon Freestyle PTSS215 presents an elegant approach to portable grilling, with 304 stainless steel construction and folding stainless steel legs. Designed for a range of applications, from RV's and boats to tailgating or condo cooking, the Freestyle operates on a 1 lb. propane cylinder, with optional 4 foot hose and adapter to run off a 20 lb. propane tank. Features include a 14,000 BTU stainless steel burner with electronic ignition, a sear plate for consistent heat, a 215 sq. in. cooking area, plus a 105 sq. in. foldaway warming rack. The tightly sealed lid has a wind resistant design, and hardware kits are available for tailgate, wall, boat/rail or post mounting, and there is a removable drip pan for easy cleaning. The Freestyle PTSS215 has a suggested list price of $252.

For a bit more versatility in a compact grill, check out the Freestyle model PTSS215PI, which adds a high heat ceramic infrared burner for BBQ gourmets who prefer to sear their delicacies to perfection.

For more information on the Freestyle models, and the full line of Napoleon barbecues and grills, visit http://www.napoleonproducts.com.

Kuuma Products Stow N' Go BBQ

Kuuma's Stow N' Go 125 (Model 83715) stainless steel barbecue from Kuuma products is new for 2007, providing a 125 sq. in. cooking surface, with an 8,500 BTU burner fueled by 16.4 oz. propane cylinder, and a windproof design that's among the most portable of the units featured in this section. Among the features we liked on this grill was the locking lid, and the very fine fit and finish overall. Fold-away legs and a removable grease tray make transporting the Stow N' Go a breeze, and at just 20 x 10 x 10 inches the unit is very easily stored in your RV.

For RV chefs looking for a larger grill, the original the original Stow & Go BBQ (Model 83722) features a 13000 BTU burner, and a 145 sq. in. cooking surface. For really big dinners, the Stow & Go 225 BBQ (Model 83735) offers 14,000 BTU and a 225 sq. in. cooking surface plus a warming rack, and you can add an optional side stove burner. At just 24 x 13 x 12 inches, and tipping the scales at 24 lbs., it is still quite compact and well suited for RV or marine applications.

For more information visit www.kuumaproducts.com.

Thermos Grill2Go® Advantage™ By Char-Broil

Always a popular selection for families on the go, the Thermos Grill2Go® combines all of the features of a full-size barbecue with the portability so crucial for RV enthusiasts.

With two independently controlled stainless steel burners, the Grill2Go® provides a 308 sq. in. open-flame cooking surface, and there's a 140 sq in. DuPont™ Teflon® coated griddle, so you can prepare all of your meals ¨C from pancakes to burgers, and there's even a multi-task LED Night Light® that clips onto the handle for grilling after dark.

Detach the folding legs, and you can use the unit as a tabletop model, the base is specially made to rest on a picnic table without damaging the surface.

The Grill 2 Go® has many interesting and unique features, and can be used with either 16.4 oz., or 14.1 oz. propane cylinders.

For more information visit www.grill2go.com.

WEBER

The Weber line has always been a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts. The latest innovation is the "Q™" series of portable gas barbecues, designed for patio use, or as a campground grill. The Q™ 220 model shown here has 280 sq. in. of cooking area, porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grills, and a 12,000 BTU stainless steel burner with infinite control burner valve. Folding work tables are a key feature, and the BBQ is fueled by portable propane bottles, or you can purchase an optional adapter for a 20 lb. LP tank. The body of the grill is durable cast aluminum, and there are many accessories available, including a choice of two carts, covers, a rolling duffle bag, griddles, and specially designed stainless steel tool kit. The Q™ 220 carries a suggested retail price of $279.

For more information visit www.weber.com.

Camco Elite RV Mountable Gas BBQ Grill


The easily assembled Camco 5100 Elite is an RV mountable gas barbecue with heavy duty cast aluminum construction, and all the features a BBQ chef looks for in a portable unit. For even greater versatility, check out the Camco Deluxe Folding Grill Table, which has a high strength steel frame and aluminum table top that's ideal for picnics, camping, or at home in your backyard. Measuring 57.75" wide by 19" deep, and 32" high, the table comes with a durable carrying case.

Camco Stainless Steel Grill

The newest barbecue on the RV market is the Camco Stainless Steel Grill, a high quality lightweight unit designed to be mounted on the side of your RV, or used on a stand at the campsite. With a patented smoker plate the drippings from your dinner create that perfect smokey BBQ flavour, while minimizing flare-ups. The Camco Stainless Steel Grill is fueled by standard commercial or disposable LP gas cylinders.

For information on these and other Camco products, visit the website at www.camco.net. (Page Top)