RT-340 or a 17" Blackstone for camping

Mike

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We just bought a 23' camper trailer, and I'm looking for a grill setup to haul around while we go camping. I absolutely love my RT-700, but it's a tank by itself, let alone the custom cart I built for it - so hauling that around is out of question.

The next thing that comes to mind is the RT-340. Really, the only thing that concerns me is its size as well and storing it inside the camper while we travel or build a small deck off the back of the campers rear bumper.

Several of you guys seem to really enjoy your larger Blackstone griddles, and I've noticed they have a small 17" model as well but uses a pretty small tank.

I'm curious if we have any campers here and if so to hear what your setup looks like.
 
I got the 340 bundle that came with the small griddle. It works well. Seasoning was easy and did pancakes, bacon and eggs with no sticking. So you could do that and get the best of both worlds.
 
I kind of want to ask: what happened to cooking over the open fire? But, the weather isn't always agreeable for that type of cooking. So if the weather is less than perfect maybe the Blackstone would be a problem too? So, as @RTFfan said - 340+griddle seems the most versatile, whatever you're cooking is covered from rain, leaves, bugs.
 
We don’t camp, but we travel to Charleston a lot and bought our RT-340 with the idea of taking it with us. Still haven’t done that-it weighs 95 pounds with an empty hopper and while it can be done by one person, you really need two to fold the legs and move it around. Your welcome to come look at mine if that would help you make your decision.
 
@RTFfan the RT-340 is certainly where I'm leaning, if for nothing else my experience with the RT-700. It would be able to do everything than just cook a few burgers or steaks.

The packing and unpacking is my only concern.

I kind of want to ask: what happened to cooking over the open fire?
Hold up there... :D While I really love my RT-700 for a number of things. Open fire cooking is still a blast. In fact, I have a custom-made tripod I use to cook chili and soup over an open fire using my cast iron pots.

I have no doubt a custom-made grate will be made to that can be used over an open fire. ;)

Now that aside, there is no comparison to the speed and convenience of a pellet grill (I don't own a Blackstone, so I can't say anything about it)

@Greg Jones that actually helps a lot as I looked on the RecTeq site (albeit very quickly) and didn't see how much it weighed.

If I do go the RecTeq route, it sounds like building a small deck off the back of the camper would make it far easier to pack it around vs trying to carry it up into the camper or in the back of the truck bed on travel days.
 
Any consideration for the Bullseye with a Base Camp?

https://ba-s-bullseye-accessories.m...products/bullseye-base-camp-stand-version-2-0

The Bullseye is versatile enough for hot/fast as well as low/slow, and only weighs 70 lbs without pellets (15 lb hopper). You could easily remove the lid for transport to get a bit more headroom. And it just takes a few screws to remove the Base Camp & return it to the original stand.

Either way, congrats on the camper, and enjoy the Great Outdoors!
 
22" Blackstone with cover, would most certainly get my vote. Much easier to deal with and more versatile. I know you can get griddle for 340, but eggs, pancakes, bacon real quick.
 
if your only doing breakfast the blackstone is the champ. If you want to do other things like ribs for example go 340
 
We take our Bullseye with the Base Camp and love it. We have a Fifthwheel and I haul it in front of our hitch With a towel betweeen the grill and the back of the bed. Our RV came with a rear rack that attaches to the hitch and I’m working on a solution to haul the Bullseye on that.
5F56F182-5FC5-4858-A5AB-D81ED3D01313.jpeg
 
Congrats on joining us in the “camper world”. I love my RT’s but I also own a Blackstone Tailgater (see pics) that is the perfect travel companion. I own a toy hauler and use it relatively often and I wouldn’t leave home without it. It also adds capacity when I am at home using my other outdoor cooking devices. The Tailgater is the chameleon of grills and you never run out of ideas. It can be configured with the grill box and griddle (included in the package ),pot and pot, dual griddles (you can order a second one from BS), griddle and pot (bring your own pot), etc. I also like the independently adjustable legs. They come in handy on campgrounds that are not level as each leg can be set differently. ProTip: If you are camping in windy conditions, you can build wind shields that will assist with the heat retention on the griddle. Youtube has many videos on that topic. Also, you didn’t hear it from me but you can get a 0-5psig propane adapter-adjustable regulator, and wind will not be a problem. DM me if you need additional information but for ~$300 (less when on sale) I can’t think of anything I would pack before I add the Tailgater to my rig. Don’t forget to order the cases, they keep everything really clean.

Good luck with the camping. Let me know if you need a packing supply list, I have one that is great.

704E8E52-A7F8-483F-AF29-2CF426BF8535.jpeg


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E0EC9AA3-6ED9-496F-9539-4FCB538487D3.png
 
I travel with a 21' 5th wheel, while I have a Weber Q, if I were to buy a grill now for travel it'd be the Napoleon Travel Q.
 
I have the 22 black stone, the 340, and the bullseye with basecamp with a custom cart for the basecamp. I use them all on different camping trips. I just plan my meals based on which one I decide to take. The blackstone is fun and makes a great breakfast. But the bullseye is the most versatile of them all. I can still make a great breakfast on either of the recteq grills but have the smoking option for the trip. Here’s a picture of what did for portability with the bullseye. I can take the base off with 4 pins to use on a table or tailgate or the big wheels roll very well around the campsite.

61CD504F-8191-4DFC-9AB4-CBFB0542F386.jpeg
 
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I have the 22 black stone, the 340, and the bullseye with basecamp with a custom cart for the basecamp. I use them all on different camping trips. I just plan my meals based on which one I decide to take. The blackstone is fun and makes a great breakfast. But the bullseye is the most versatile of them all. I can still make a great breakfast on either of the recteq grills but have the smoking option for the trip. Here’s a picture of what did for portability with the bullseye. I can take the base off with 4 pins to use on a table or tailgate or the big wheels roll very well around the campsite.
Your custom Bullseye cart is a thing of beauty, @RecTecTom ! I don't have the tools or skills to manufacture my own, but last year I noticed that the Base Camp fits perfectly in/on the RT590 competition cart (both 16" across), so I pinned it to that for my cart mod. It also raises the height of the Bulleye grate level to ~36".

(p.s. Sorry, Mike, for somewhat derailing the topic)

RT380 IMG_6506.JPG
 
I have the 22 black stone, the 340, and the bullseye with basecamp with a custom cart for the basecamp. I use them all on different camping trips. I just plan my meals based on which one I decide to take. The blackstone is fun and makes a great breakfast. But the bullseye is the most versatile of them all. I can still make a great breakfast on either of the recteq grills but have the smoking option for the trip. Here’s a picture of what did for portability with the bullseye. I can take the base off with 4 pins to use on a table or tailgate or the big wheels roll very well around the campsite.

View attachment 16942
That is such an awesome build. Nicely done!
 
Your custom Bullseye cart is a thing of beauty, @RecTecTom ! I don't have the tools or skills to manufacture my own, but last year I noticed that the Base Camp fits perfectly in/on the RT590 competition cart (both 16" across), so I pinned it to that for my cart mod. It also raises the height of the Bulleye grate level to ~36".

(p.s. Sorry, Mike, for somewhat derailing the topic)

View attachment 16944
That worked out very well. Good job
 
The more I look at the bullseye the more I'm tempted by it too.

Good luck with the camping. Let me know if you need a packing supply list, I have one that is great.
I've been camping many times but never owned a camper. I'd be happy to take a look at your list if you don't mind sharing!
 
22" Blackstone with cover, would most certainly get my vote. Much easier to deal with and more versatile. I know you can get griddle for 340, but eggs, pancakes, bacon real quick.
I like to bring This Blackstone camping. It cooks just about everything. We had breakfast burritos, steaks, boneless chicken thighs, griddled veggies, etc. Last time I left the legs at home because I knew I had a bear box available for a level surface. I don't usually go camping in the rain. But I do bring along an easy-up just in case. I'll use the 700 when I get back home, like the pork butt we just killed off. Oh man, I should of saved some for the next camping trip for tacos or something.
 
We just bought a 23' camper trailer, and I'm looking for a grill setup to haul around while we go camping. I absolutely love my RT-700, but it's a tank by itself, let alone the custom cart I built for it - so hauling that around is out of question.

The next thing that comes to mind is the RT-340. Really, the only thing that concerns me is its size as well and storing it inside the camper while we travel or build a small deck off the back of the campers rear bumper.

Several of you guys seem to really enjoy your larger Blackstone griddles, and I've noticed they have a small 17" model as well but uses a pretty small tank.

I'm curious if we have any campers here and if so to hear what your setup looks like.
I bought the 2 burner pit boss table top griddle that I take in my camper. I think it is a bit better than the Blackstone with the hood design they have. I also have a camp chef pursuit 20 that is just the right size to fit in the storage space in the front of my camper.
 
We have a 36" fifth wheel. Carry a 17" Blackstone, 2 burner Camp Chef Ranger and a Weber Q for my outdoor kitchen. Have taken our Bullseye on family weekends when I was going to smoke something or needed a larger grill. It's easy even for a smaller guy like me to get into the bed of the truck. It would take up too much room in the basement of the camper, The 17" Blackstone is OK for 2, maybe 3 people. Need the Camp Chef when we need to boil something. Looking at replacing the two of them (Blackstone and Camp Chef) with the 22" Blackstone with side burner or a similar Camp Chef. We pull with a long bed dually so the Bullseye fits in the bed without any disassembly, but on longer trips I have a storage container holding a compressor, generator, propane tanks, floor jack and other accessories. Have not looked at how the Bullseye would fit with all that in the bed. I would love it if Recteq would make something to compete with the ASmoke and other portable pellet grill/smokers
 

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