Hunting season means early mornings, long sits and a hungry camp. A good camp grill turns backstrap, sausage and a skillet of eggs into the part of the trip everyone remembers.
Full disclosure: we build Slot Grills in Southeast Texas, and we cook on them constantly. These recommendations come from that real-world use.
Quick Answer
A hunting camp grill should feed several hunters at once, handle heavy cast iron, pack flat for the truck or ATV, and double as the evening fire. The Full Size Slot Grill with a griddle plate is our go-to for deer camp.
What Hunters Should Look For
1. Room to cook for camp
The Full Size gives you 20" x 11" of cooking space, enough to cook for the whole camp in one round. Add a griddle plate for breakfast before the morning sit.
2. Cast-iron strength
Camp cooking means cast iron. Thick 10-gauge carbon steel supports appropriately sized cast-iron skillets and dutch ovens with strength to spare.
3. Packs flat for the truck or ATV
Camp gear competes with rifles, stands, decoys and coolers for space. A flat-pack grill slides in almost anywhere. For duck camp or a small ATV, the Compact Slot Grill packs to just 14 lb.
4. It's the campfire too
After dinner, pull the top and add clean hardwood. You get a small fire pit that keeps coals contained and off the ground.
5. Built to be left out
If camp stays set up all season, just pull a side panel, dump the cold ashes and slide it back. Keep it covered and lightly oiled between weekends.
From Our Own Hog Hunt
This is the kind of trip we build these grills for. A night hunt in the woods, the dogs out front, and Brian turns up an old meat hog. First question out of everybody's mouth: will he fit on the Slot Grill?
Not in one piece. A hog that size gets cooked a few cuts at a time, and the rest goes to sausage. That's how most game ends up at camp anyway: backstrap and chops on the grill, the trim ground for sausage you'll be eating for months.
Camp Menu Ideas
- Breakfast: bacon, eggs and venison sausage on the griddle
- Lunch: smash burgers on the griddle between hunts
- Dinner: backstrap seared hot over charcoal, with foil-packet potatoes
- After dark: the same grill becomes the campfire
Safety first: always set up a charcoal grill outdoors on a stable, level, non-combustible surface like bare ground, gravel, sand or a fire-safe pad. Keep it clear of vehicles, boats, tents, blinds, dry grass and anything that can burn, and never use it in an enclosed space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook venison on a Slot Grill?
Absolutely. Lean venison loves a hot, fast sear, and a well-vented charcoal firebox gets there quickly.
Which size for a hunting camp?
For four or more hunters, the Full Size. For one or two hunters or tight ATV space, the Compact.
Can I leave it at camp all season?
Yes, with basic care. Keep it dry, oiled and covered, and scrub off any light surface rust before cooking. See our rust prevention guide.
The Bottom Line
Big enough for camp, strong enough for cast iron, and flat enough to haul with everything else. That's a hunting camp grill.
Shop the Full Size Slot Grill · Shop the Compact Slot Grill
Made in Southeast Texas. Free shipping in the lower 48.