No matter how big your rig, truth is the RV kitchen is no match for the one you have back home. But that’s just part of the fun! But before you hit the camping stores in search of 10-in-one utensils to start stocking up the RV kitchen, take a look around and see where you might be able to maximize space—and see what you own already that could do double (or even triple!) duty. You might even want to jot down the essential utensils you use at home during a regular week of cooking and take it from there.
If you’re new to roadtripping or in need of an overhaul, these travel tips are for you!
Cookware
This is a less-is-more scenario—and think “nesting.” Buying pieces from a single collection helps, as most times they’re created to work with each other. There’s no way you can recreate your home kitchen in your camper—there just isn’t the space! Here is a sample of a list of some basic pots as a starting point.
- 10-inch non-stick frying pan with a lid
- 2-quart pot with lid
- 4-quart pot with lid
- 1 large stock or soup pot with lid
- 1 6-inch cast iron skillet
- 1 Dutch oven with a lid
Storage Items
Plastic may be lighter, but truth is, glass is easier to clean, doesn’t stain and doesn’t hold on to old cooking odors. Buy microwave safe containers—they come in a wide variety of sizes and most have snap-on lids that are great for storing food in the refrigerator. Plastic is great for dry goods such as pasta, rice and cereal. You can find narrow containers that easily fit in tight spaces, and be sure to label them clearly so you don’t have to go hunting to see what’s in where. And don’t forget to take along a variety of Ziploc bags—they take up very little space and have endless uses.
Electronics
Some must-haves from our readers include:
- Microwave
- Small toaster oven
- Mini blender
- Mini food processor
- Coffee maker
- Crock pot
Miscellaneous Kitchen Equipment
- Plastic cutting board (if you can fit it across the sink it can double as added counter space when cooking)
- Can/bottle opener
- Vegetable peeler
- Paring knife
- Chef’s knife
- Serrated knife (for bread)
- Tongs
- Spatula
- Serving spoons and forks
- Soup ladle
- Nesting measuring spoons
- Colander (this can double as a salad bowl—no dressing—or a fruit basket)
- Mixing bowls (can double as serving bowls)
- Square baking pan
- Butane lighters (the long, candle ones)
- Plastic wrap and aluminum foil
- Dishwashing sponges (you can cut one in two to save)
- Biodegradable dishwashing liquid
- Potholders (can double as trivets)
- Dishtowels
- Stainless steel silverware
- Sturdy plastic dishes, mugs and tumblers
- Stone oven pan (Pampered Chef has them in several sizes—you can cook and serve endless dishes on them; they even have toaster over sized ones. They are microwave-, freezer-, convection- and conventional-oven safe. They double as cookie sheets, too!)
- Spice rack – consider hanging it behind a cabinet doorx
And finally…
Take your RV kitchen for a test drive. Go for a long weekend away and see how your supplies and space work out. You’ll probably find you’re missing something, so take along a pad and pencil!
Don’t spend more money than you have to. Though we recommend keeping your RV kitchen stocked on its own, separately from your home kitchen, there’s no need to hit the specialty stores and rack up a large bill. Big box stores like Walmart and Target have great kitchen sections, and you’ll find many of the things you need at discount stores like Marshall’s Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Ross. Check your kitchen, too: chances are you have doubles of things you can move to your RV and save some cash.
Measure all your accouterments before you leave. Meaning, you might want to make sure your pans fit in the stove and/or microwave and everything has a place and space for when you’re literally driving down the road.
If you buy glass, don’t forget to wrap it in clean towels before you hit the road to avoid chipping and breaking.
