On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we pulled up our chairs aroound the digital campfire with someone we’ve admired in the outdoor cooking world for a long time: Cheri Reneé, author of the brand-new Blackstone Griddle Camping Cookbook and the bestselling I Love My Blackstone Griddle Cookbook.



We first met Cheri last summer at the Blackstone Social Media Summit in Logan, Utah, and instantly connected with her warm personality and her genuine love of creating great food outdoors. As we joked on the show, talking with Cheri makes you want to run outside, fire up the griddle, and cook something—anything—immediately.

This episode goes into her story—from second-grade teacher to food blogger to cookbook author—and explores why the Blackstone griddle has taken over campgrounds around the country. And of course, we dive into the most important part: sample recipes from her newest book, the Blackstone Griddle Camping Cookbook, all designed with camping in mind.

If you cook at the campground—or if you want to start—this conversation is packed with helpful techniques, inspiration, and approachable recipes that work beautifully outdoors.

To listen to Jeremy's interview with Cheri Reneé please click on the media player above or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows!
Meet the author of The Blackstone Griddle Camping Cookbook
Who Is Cheri Reneé?


Cheri lives in Indiana with her husband, their blended family of six kids, and two grandchildren. Before becoming a cookbook author, she spent twenty years teaching second grade. As her kids got older, she began sharing her family’s favorite dishes on her first food blog, Cooks Well With Others, which focuses primarily on indoor cooking methods like slow cookers, ovens, and air fryers.

Later, craving a fresh creative outlet, she launched her second blog, If You Give a Girl a Grill, dedicated entirely to grilling, smoking, and cooking outdoors—including her wildly popular Blackstone recipes.

Those recipes caught the eye of a major publisher, which led to her first cookbook offer—and 175 recipes later, she was officially a Blackstone cookbook author. Her new camping cookbook is the natural extension of that journey.
Why Campers Love Cooking on the Blackstone


We kicked off our conversation by talking about why Blackstone griddles have blown up at campgrounds over the last few years. Cheri's answer was simple:

They’re easy to use.


They’re easy to clean.


They’re fun and social—people naturally gather around them.


They work for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.


And most importantly, they help campers eat really well.



Cheri specifically wrote her Blackstone Griddle Camping Cookbook for real RVers and tent campers, focusing on 5–8 ingredient recipes that fit small spaces, small griddles, and small coolers. These are campground-friendly meals designed to be simple, fast, and delicious.
Getting Started: Seasoning the Griddle + Basic Tools
If you’re new to Blackstone cooking, Cheri's book begins by walking readers through the basics—including how to season a griddle without feeling intimidated.

Her approach:
Clean with soap and water, heat the griddle on high, apply thin layers of oil, use long tongs and paper towels, and repeat. She breaks it down simply enough that even first-time griddle owners feel confident.

She also recommends starting with a basic accessory set:

Tongs


Metal scraper


Two spatulas


Oil and water bottles


Optional caddy for carrying it all to the campsite