Cooking outside, whether it’s on a small camping stove, a big grill, a BBQ, or over a campfire, is something that goes hand-in-hand with camping and RVing. Oh, and how could we forget those deluxe outdoor kitchens some RVs have these days?
There’s just something about the smell of food cooking in the open air that makes it taste better. Maybe it’s the wood smoke, maybe it’s the fresh breeze, or maybe it’s just the fact that you’re not cooped up inside.
Burgers sizzling, veggies roasting in foil packets, marshmallows catching fire (on purpose or not)… it’s all part of the fun.
And it’s not just dinner—breakfast outside is its own kind of magic. Fresh coffee percolating while bacon crackles in the pan? Yes, please.
Of course, outdoor cooking also comes with its quirks. Ever had the wind blow out your camp stove flame just as the water was about to boil? Or found yourself dodging smoke because it seems determined to follow you no matter where you stand? But those little challenges are part of the charm—stories you can laugh about later while enjoying the final product.
How often do you cook outside? Every night? Once a week? A few times a year? Never? After you vote in today’s poll, tell us how and what you usually cook outside. Come on, go ahead and make us hungry (we’re already hungry, so it won’t be hard!).
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RVT1222
All of our camp cooking is done outside; either on a camp stove or fire pit. Only coffee gets ‘cooked’ inside.
As long as it’s not raining cats and dogs it’s all outside.
Depends on the weather, to hot or to cold, my wife stays inside. I don’t cook anything that can’t be done with can opener and the Microwave.
There’s nothing like the smell of bacon and fresh coffee in the air on a cool summer morning. The aroma of hamburgers sizzling over charcoal is a close second though!
Tend to do more meals inside when actively travelling. More outside when stationary. We have a seasonal site where I setup cooktop row – griddle, grill (shared propane), and pellet smoker. Haven’t used a firepit or charcoal for several winters due to open fire bans.
If it’s not raining I’m.cooking outside while camping. I have cheated a bit lately. I bought a kuerig for my coffee. I need my coffee quick . Lol
We virtually never cook indoors while on the road in our motorhome. Maybe microwave eggs in the morning for speed, but that’s about it unless the weather doesn’t permit cooking outside.
I enjoy cooking in a Dutch oven with coals when not in burn ban, then it’s the Black Stone. Set up and break down days is usually inside to save time.
Even though there’s more convenience in our indoor kitchen, there’s just something wonderful to cook outside. And that’s why we camp anyways.
And on a Blackstone or PTG (Portable Traeger Grill) 😊🥩🍔🥩😊
I have a hard nuff’ time figuring out cooking inside let alone outside! Also, I don;t think you’re supposed to get a microwave wet and the cord would be too long anyway……
I used to cook on a campfire all the time but not anymore. That’s because of “burn bans” at so many areas these days. I’m not a fan of propane grills and charcoal can get messy.
During the summer we grill a couple of times a week. During the winter about once a week. This summer in SE Alaska we have grilled two times as the weather has been unusually rainy.
I said pretty often but I camp in areas that have fire seasons. So depends on year and location. But when I can, you bet.
We have a folding table from Walmart that we set up under our camper’s awning. On it goes our icemaker, BBQ grill, and camp stove. The only time we cooked inside was when we went on a weekend-only camping trip (Friday-Sunday) and decided we didn’t want to get the stove out. We have one of those folding camp toasters and made toast on that, and our electric egg cooker was used to make poached eggs. We DID use the grill to grill steaks, though!
I cook outside as often as I can, even pancakes on an old cast iron griddle put on a charcoal grille.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Sometimes, but far more often when home than when traveling. Our RV grill is pretty puny and really only works if the outside temperature is in the 70s or warmer. Have a great week and safe travels!
In 35+ years, we’ve never had a wood campfire, so no interest in cooking on one. Tried a charcoal grill, didn’t earn the space it took. We often have fire restrictions, so depending on either would be foolish. For years, as tent campers, all our cooking was outside on a camp stove. Being able to cook inside the popups, after occasionally having to crouch behind a windbreak, was a step forward. We now have a small TT, we do some cooking outside on the camp stove, but it’s just easier inside, where the fridge and running water are.
Try to cook outside as much as I can. The best steaks, for example and burgers, were cooked over a grill that used hardwood. Can’t beat it. The flavor imparted to the meat, veggies, etc was amazing. Charcoal, second choice. But like many of us depending on the situation, can’t help but cook inside. I also have a Blackstone griddle and a propane grill.
Over the years, I’ve gone through fazes, cooking over fire, using propane, etc. a griddle with propane.
If the camping setup is right, I would prefer cooking over ‘ natural ‘ wood.
Fresh caught trout on the campfire is to die for.