Fall is RV road trip season. Think: tailgates, campgrounds, and questionable parking lot grillouts. Which makes it the perfect time to talk about how to cook like a champ even when you’re in the rig.

AmazingRibs dropped a guide for RV pitmasters who refuse to let limited space, propane rules, or common sense get in the way of a good time.

Whether you’re boondocking in Montana or just parked behind a Walmart for the night, here’s how to keep the smoke rolling…

Tiny Kitchen, Full Flavor

RV life means severe space constraints. As AmazingRibs reminds us: you can’t haul your whole kitchen with you, so pick your tools well:

  • Opt for multi-use gear over single-purpose toys (shout out to the Dutch oven that does everything)

  • Find yourself some compact, stackable cookware

  • Small appliances like an electric oven or Instant Pot are worth their weight in gold

Grill & Smoker Setup for the Open Road

You’re going to need to make some adjustments to your usual smoke setup to make it all work. Here’s what AmazingRibs recommends for RV BBQ:

  • Go with small, foldable grills. AmazingRibs used a Napoleon with scissor legs.

  • Keep a thermometer you trust. You don’t want to be guessing at a campground at 9 pm…

  • Use propane grills to match what RV parks allow (many don’t permit charcoal grills)

Cooking Off the Grid

Not every park has electricity or hookups. AmazingRibs covers how to cook smarter in “boondock” mode:

  • Rely on propane for cooking and your refrigerator, and try solar for lighting power. Avoid cooking gadgets that drain your battery.

  • Get plenty of water in your tanks when going fully off the beaten path

  • Store your meats smartly with vacuum sealers, portioned packs, etc.

Pitmaster, Not Passenger

Too many folks think “RV cooking” means hot dogs, canned chili, and whatever’s left in the cooler after day two. But the truth, and what AmazingRibs proves, is that good food travels.

If you can haul a small grill and plan well, you can make magic anywhere there’s a level parking spot. Being on the road shouldn’t mean settling. It should mean smoking with scenery.