You can have a good cooking place in a tent, but if you want to embrace the full RV camping experience you need to get out of the tent and into a camper trailer or motorhome. But, what’s the perfect list of items to stock your RV kitchen with if not the 20 items for the perfect RV kitchen?
You don’t have to be an RV master to understand that when it comes to setting up your rig for the first time, there’s a lot of planning and organization you have to do. For example, deciding on which tools you need for the kitchen is crucial as you have limited counter space and storage.
During the winter months, I plan on doing some long-distance RV camping and traveling over the holidays. Over the last few years, I have seen an increase in families and individuals that wanted to add an RV to their camping experience.
While some see it as a slight luxury or addition to the annual trek, others prefer the nuance of a full-time RV lifestyle. Whichever way, getting the RV is incomplete without these tips.
Each of these items serves a purpose, and fortunately for you, we’re about to reveal them all.
Here’s the Answer to 20 Items for the Perfect RV Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of your RV. It is a great place to prepare food and drink for you and your family. Whether you have a conventional oven or a microwave, whether you have a refrigerator or not – having some items will make it easier to make meals in your RV.
How to Set Up Your RV Kitchen
With some RV kitchen decorating ideas alongside some RV kitchen tips and tricks, you can set up an almost, or perfect RV kitchen that is comfortable for cooking.
When it comes to cooking in an RV, you don’t have a lot of space. That’s why it’s important to think about some or all of the items you’ll need for your kitchen before you pack up and hit the road.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for what tools can make your RV kitchen run smoothly, here are some items that will help you get started on how to set up your RV kitchen.
1. Basic Cookware
You don’t need a lot of pots and pans when you’re camping in an RV. But you do need a few basic pieces so that you can cook basic meals like eggs and bacon without having to scramble around looking for everything.
2. Must-Have Food Airtight Storage Containers
Food storage containers are essential when camping in an RV because they help keep food fresh longer and prevent spills on the countertop or floor of your RV. You should also consider getting airtight containers so that no bugs can get inside them.
Airtight storage containers are a must for keeping fresh produce fresh while traveling. They’re also handy for storing leftovers and dry goods like rice, pasta, and flour.
3. Plates, Cups, Utensils, and Linens
A good set of camping dishes is essential for any camping trip. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and can be used over an open fire or on an electric stovetop. A good set will last for years if taken care of properly. Choose one with a lid so you can store leftovers in it until it’s time to eat again.
4. Outdoor Cooking Equipment
If you plan on cooking outdoors when camping in a tent or RV, then you’ll want some outdoor cooking equipment to make your meals easier to prepare and clean up afterward.
There are all kinds of options available, from grills made specifically for campers to portable stoves that use propane tanks as fuel, but we recommend choosing something that works best for the type of your RV.
5. Water Storage System
An easy way to keep water cool in an RV is to use a cooler with built-in ice packs. If your cooler doesn’t have these features, place ice packs inside the cooler and add them as needed throughout the trip.
6. Bottle Openers
You’ll need a bottle opener at least once during your trip, trust me. I recommend keeping one attached to the side of your refrigerator door so it’s always within reach.
You can also buy magnetic versions that stick to the outside of your fridge if you prefer having them out in plain sight instead (which is what I do).
Outfitting an RV Kitchen
There’s no doubt that one of the best things about RV camping is the ability to eat well and cook your meals in the great outdoors. But there are some things you need to know about outfitting your RV kitchen before you go on your first trip.
Some small RV kitchen ideas are here to help you with outfitting an RV kitchen properly.
7. Propane Gas Hookup
Even if you plan to use your RV as an occasional vacation home, it’s a good idea to have a propane gas hookup installed, especially if you have an off-grid location or want to use solar power while camping.
When installed, this system allows you to bring along a propane grill, stove, and refrigerator without having to worry about charging them up with electricity or finding a place to plug them into so they can run off battery power.
8. Trash Compactor
The trash compactor is one of the most important items in your RV kitchen because it allows you to keep the area clean and organized by storing all of your trash together in one place instead of having it scattered throughout the entire camper or trailer.
The compactor also makes it easy to empty when necessary so that you don’t have to go outside every time there is garbage that needs to be taken care of!
9. Camping chairs
Camping chairs are another must for any RV kitchen because they allow you to sit comfortably while preparing meals or eating them. One with a backrest will give you more support than one without one, but it may take up more space inside your rig as well.
10. French press, Aeropress, and/or percolator depending on your coffee habits
French presses are great for camping because they are easy to clean, great for larger groups, require no power, and make them the best option for camping. The Aeropress is good for camping too but it requires a little more effort to clean up afterward.
I prefer the Aeropress because I like to have more control over the brewing process and have more options for different brew methods. You can also get a cold brew attachment for the Aeropress that allows you to make cold brewed coffee without having to buy any special equipment or wait overnight for it to be ready.
The percolator is my least favorite option but it does work well if you are in a hurry and want something quick and easy (and don’t mind having some grounds in your cup).
If you want something quick without having any grounds in your cup, then try using a French press or Aeropress with K-cups or other single-serve packs of coffee that contain only ground coffee beans and nothing else (no filters, etc).
11. Two-part vegetable prep system that includes a bowl and colander
A two-part vegetable prep system that includes a bowl and colander is an essential tool for washing fruits and veggies before cooking them.
It’s a must-have item for any RV kitchen, the bowl and colander are both dishwashers safe making them easy to clean after use.
The set also includes a strainer that fits over the bowl, allowing you to drain water from fruits or vegetables. This is especially useful if you’re making soup or another liquid dish that requires draining excess liquid.
And don’t forget about storage space! If you have it, consider adding an over-the-counter refrigerator so you can store fresh food for longer periods of time without having to worry about it spoiling
12. Collapsable sink
A collapsible sink is a must for any RV kitchen. This type of sink folds up into almost nothing when not in use and can be set up on the countertop or table during meal prep or cleanup time. It’s also great for washing dishes by hand if you don’t have electricity at your campsite.
13. Sufficient Lighting
This is necessary over the stovetop so that you can see what you’re doing while cooking.
RV Kitchen Essentials List
The RV kitchen packing list contains RV kitchen essentials that will help you pack some of what’s needed so that your experience with the RV can be worth it.
14. Propane Grill
Camping is all about enjoying nature’s beauty and taking time out to relax with family and friends. A propane grill is a perfect way to do just that. You can cook burgers or steaks while enjoying the great outdoors, while also keeping things nice and clean by not having to use any charcoal or wood as fuel.
15. Hot Water Heater
Water heaters are one of the most important appliances in your RV kitchen. They provide hot water for cooking, cleaning dishes, and more. Many RVs come equipped with electric water heaters that plug into shore power or operate using batteries when there is no access to electricity.
Other models use propane gas instead which requires much less energy consumption than an electric version would require on its own due.
16. RV Fridge
While it may be tempting to use your RV’s refrigerator as a place to store your food, it’s important to keep in mind that this is not its intended purpose. RV refrigerators are designed to keep the temperature cool enough to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.
However, they’re not designed to keep things cold enough for long-term storage. If you want to store food in your RV, you should invest in a separate cooler or ice chest that can keep your food at a lower temperature for longer periods.
17. Water Filter
When you’re out camping, fresh water can be hard to come by. This is why it’s important to have a water filter system that will allow you to turn dirty water into usable liquid. A good quality filter will remove harmful chemicals from the water while leaving behind any sediment or debris that might be present in the source of your water supply.
18. Portable deep fryer with a thermometer
Frying food in the RV can be difficult due to the lack of counter space. A portable deep fryer solves this problem by allowing you to cook food in small batches without heating up your entire rig. I recommend getting one that includes a built-in thermometer so you can monitor cooking temperatures easily and safely.
19. Portable Oven
When you need something hot to eat but don’t want to spend too much time cooking over an open fire, this portable oven can cook almost anything on its own. You just have to make sure that whatever food you put into it isn’t too big or heavy (or else it might break the oven).
Luxury RV Kitchen Accessories
To pack the perfect luxury RV kitchen accessories, you need to know how to pack RV kitchen essentials.
Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you have to cook with a limited selection of utensils and ingredients. The RV kitchen can be just as stocked as your kitchen at home, with just a few simple upgrades.
Here are some more pieces of equipment as part of the choices to make when selecting your items:
20. Instant pot
The Instant Pot is one of those kitchen appliances that’s both incredibly useful and incredibly versatile. It can do everything from cooking rice and steaming vegetables to making yogurt and even slow-cooking meat.
Plus, it’s super easy to clean up afterward because there’s no oil splatter like with other cooking methods like stir-frying or pan-searing.
21. Pull Out Pantries
Pull-out pantries are extremely convenient for storing items in your RV kitchen. They allow you to store items that might not fit inside cabinets or drawers. They also make it easier to find things when you need them because everything is visible at all times.
22. Wine Rack for Small Spaces
Wine racks are also great for keeping wine bottles organized and stored safely in an RV kitchen, especially if you have limited space or are traveling with children who might get into them otherwise.
23. Tiered Spice Rack for Large Cabinets or Drawers
If you have plenty of cabinet space, consider installing tiered spice racks so that all of your spices are easily accessible without having to dig through several drawers or cabinets looking for them when you’re cooking on the road. Spice racks are great for keeping spices organized and close at hand in an RV kitchen. They can also double as decoration.
These racks come in a variety of styles and sizes so there’s one out there that will fit perfectly into your RV’s kitchen space.
24. Kitchen Accessories Organizer/Sorter
This handy organizer is perfect for storing any number of small items that could otherwise get lost.
List of the 20 Items for Your RV Kitchen
The perfect RV kitchen is the one that has everything you need. Here’s the list of the items that are important for your RV kitchen.
1. A good knife set.
2. A cutting board.
3. A good pair of tongs (or two).
4. A frying pan and skillet.
5. A set of pots (for boiling pasta, heating canned goods, etc.)
6. Coffee maker.
7. Plastic storage containers.
8. Plates, bowls, and cups.
9. Cutlery set (silverware).
10. Spice rack
11. Propane stove (for cooking outside).
12. Sink strainer cover.
13. Pot holder or kitchen gloves.
14. Can opener.
15. Corkscrew.
16. Measuring cups and spoons.
17. Mixing bowls.
18. Bottled water pitcher (or refillable water container) with filter system (or Brita filter).
19. Propane grill (for cooking inside).
20. A strainer or colander.
FAQ
Final Thought
Whether you are a full-time camper or just like to get away every once in a while, you know that traveling in an RV can bring about some unique challenges. You need to make room for bulky items and things that are sometimes hard to even think about taking with you.
I promise though that if you take the time to carefully choose what goes into your RV kitchen, you will be much happier and more comfortable on your road trips.
