The reason we have a motorhome is to access the great outdoors, so it makes total sense to have a barbecue on which we may cook al fresco. The question is ‘what type of BBQ should we get?’.
This blog is not intended to review products on the market, or to make a recommendation. Ask any number of motorhomers and they will have differing personal favourites. Here, we will examine the practical considerations to steer a choice.
In Argentina, Stephanie and I prefer to cook on a charcoal. Not simply traditional, charcoal imparts the perfect smokey flavour that you rarely get elsewhere. However, for a motorhome, burning charcoal is challenging, involving longer lighting and cooking times, fire risk, and on some sites, breach of regulations.
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Which narrows the practical choice to LPG gas BBQs.
Question 1: van gas cylinder, or portable cannister?
Do you have an external BBQ point on your motorhome? Many modern motorhomes have precisely this, conveniently fitted on the awning side of the vehicle, providing simple connection, and for summer and continental travelling, facilitating outdoor cooking using your motorhome’s gas supply.
For those without a fixed van gas outlet, cooking on the beach is made possible with a fully portable system using lightweight disposable gas canisters. However, portable gas is not cheap and will habitually run out after 2-3 hours cooking time. As challenging, some products limit you to a proprietary brand which may be difficult to source on the road.
Question 2: where will I store my BBQ in the van?
For those with larger motorhomes exceeding 3,500 kgs, neither storage of the BBQ nor its weight need be an issue. Those of us with more modest transport should remember that the average quality BBQ weighs the same as a whippet, and with its stand, takes up a similar amount of space. Take a look at the detailed specifications of your proposed purchase, and where possible, view one in real life before you buy.
Question 3: how easy is it to clean?
Imagine this. You are wild camping. There is nowhere to wash or clean your BBQ. What now? Or, you are on one of those posh sites that prohibit the cleaning of BBQs at the washing-up block? Design for cleaning is as important as design for cooking when on the road. Again, take a look at the options face to face and ask for a demonstration.
Question 4: how versatile is it, and do I really need all of the options?
Here, we are considering both size of grill and those added extras such as pizza stones, woks and paella pans. Much depends on how you propose to use your purchase. For how many do I need to cook? Will I be setting it up outside over a period of days and lagely cooking outdoors? Do I need a ‘Jack of all trades’ or the master of one? Cooking a pizza under the awning may seem like a good idea from an armchair at home, but didn’t you already have an oven in your camper? On the other hand, cooking breakfast under the trees, or paella under the stars does sound quite appealing.
Question 5: how to connect my purchase to the van’s gas supply?
An external gas point is massively more sensible than hauling around an 11 kg cylinder; or connecting, disconnecting and storing a 4.7kg version. Gas is ‘on tap’ with safe plug-and-turn connection. But some BBQs are designed for connection direct to a cylinder, so here you may need to make some adaptations.
First, source the appropriate length of high pressure LPG hose (8mm bore / 15mm diameter). This can be purchased from a supplier or online by the metre.
(FLEXIBLE HOSES: Use only approved hoses to BS3212, BS:EN:1763 or equivalent and clips. Keep hose length as short as possible, but sufficient to give you options. All flexible hoses must be secured with proper hose clips. Make sure that the hoses are kept clear of “hot spots” and inspect them from time to time. Replace any hose that shows signs of wear, cracking or damage).
Whilst at your dealers or online, order a quick release 8mm x 8mm fulham nozzle hose connector, enabling you to detach the hose for storage, plus a quantity of 12-20mm Jubilee clips to seal any connections. I also ordered a straight hose joiner, allowing me to connect the new hose to a short length of existing hose attached to my particular appliance. Using my BBQ for home use too, I bought a spare quick release nozzle which I attached to a second section of hose and gas regulator, enabling me to attach the BBQ to a cylinder.
Finally, check out the Gaslow system. It is a pricey addition, but over time should pay for itself both in cost and convenience of refill.
