Cooking in a campervan isn’t just about throwing noodles in a pan. It’s about waking up to the smell of hot coffee drifting through your tiny kitchen, frying sausage with paprika as the sun rises over the campsite, or simmering a hearty curry after a long hike. If you love cooking at home, you’ll find campervan cooking just as rewarding – with a little creativity and planning.
How to Cook in a Campervan: Essential Tips for Easy Meals on the Road
First, keep it simple. You don’t need an endless supply of utensils and pans cluttering up your limited space. Stick to the essentials: a cast iron skillet, a large skillet for pasta dishes or stews, and a small saucepan or dutch oven for one-pot meals.
Smart tips:
- Use a portable camp stove or a built-in burner powered by propane. If your van doesn’t have a fitted cooker, a Coleman dual burner is a reliable option.
- Always cook with ventilation – open windows or the side door to avoid steam build-up.
- Clean as you go to keep your van’s kitchen organised.
Campervan Kitchen – Build a Space for Cooking
Your campervan kitchen setup doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be functional. Many campers install a compact hob with a sink alongside. If you’re building your van kitchen, consider:
- Foldable worktops or slide-out counters for extra prep space.
- Stackable containers for dry goods, herbs, and seasoning like paprika, thyme, and curry powders.
- Box organisers for cutlery, tongs, tin openers, and utensils.
- A deep enough sink for dishwashing, ideally with a foot pump to save water.
- A small griddle or barbecue stored under your seat for cooking outside on picnic tables at campsites.
If you’re cooking in the van during winter, nothing beats hot chocolate prepared quickly on your hob while snow piles up outside.
You may also like: Clever Campervan Kitchen Ideas
Cooking in a Small Campervan Kitchen: Smart Storage
Your van kitchen thrives on space-saving solutions:
- Use melamine plates and bowls – they’re lightweight and won’t chip.
- Buy collapsible kettles, colanders, and dish tubs.
- Invest in a magnetic spice rack or labelled stackable tins for easy seasoning access.
- Store a bag of frozen mixed veg or broccoli in your campervan fridge for quick stir fries.
Best Cooking Tools for a Campervan Kitchen – Campervan Kitchen Setup
Here are some kitchen essentials for campervan cooking:
Fridge
A 12V compressor fridge is ideal for van life – it’s efficient, keeps things cold even off-grid, and runs off your leisure battery. Can you use a normal fridge in a campervan? Technically yes, but it’s heavy, energy-hungry, and not designed for bumpy roads.
Campervan Ovens
A compact oven is perfect for baked potatoes, roasted bell pepper, or one-pot pasta bakes. Dometic and Thetford make campervan ovens with built-in hobs.
Air Fryer
If you have a good inverter setup, an air fryer is a game changer. It’s lightweight, cooks quickly, and makes delicious and healthy meals with minimal oil.
Box Organiser and Stackable Containers
These keep your pasta, rice, and toppings like nuts or seeds fresh and organised. Plus, they stop everything rattling while you’re road-tripping across the country.
What accessories do you need in a campervan?
- Portable camp stove or barbecue
- Collapsible kettle
- Stackable storage containers
- Magnetic spice rack or small box organiser
- Portable solar shower
- 12V compressor fridge or cool box
- Levelling ramps
- Portable heater or diesel heater
- Fairy lights or LED strip lights
- Extra leisure battery or portable power bank
- Thermal blinds or window covers
- Outdoor rug or mat
- Collapsible washing up bowl and dish drying rack
- Comfortable camping chairs and folding table
- First aid kit and basic tool kit
- Compact vacuum or handheld brush
- Fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide alarm
- Slow cooker or instant pot: Great for set-and-forget stews or mashed potato when plugged into campsite power.
- Cast iron skillet: For campfire nachos or seared steak.
- Portable barbecue: Perfect for evening meals at the beach.
- Kettle: Morning coffee, tea, and hot chocolate essential.
- Dutch oven: Ideal for cooking over a campfire or making rustic bread.
- Utensils: Tongs, spatula, large spoon, and a sharp knife set.
Smart Cooking Tips for Van Life
- Shop at local farm shops for fresh local produce.
- Choose one-pot recipes to minimise washing up.
- Pre-chop veggies and store them in stackable containers to save time at camp.
- Use seasoning blends to elevate simple dishes quickly.
- Pack tins of beans, tomatoes, and tuna – they’re vanlife staples.
- Make cooking outside part of your van life routine whenever weather allows.
Space-Saving Tips and Meal Planning Advice
Meal planning is essential in a campervan. Before you leave, plan at least five easy dinners, like:
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One-pot pasta with broccoli, bell pepper, and sausage.
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Stir fry with fresh local veggies and pre-cooked rice.
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Stew made in your dutch oven with beans, thyme, and paprika.
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Campfire nachos layered with leftover chilli and cheese.
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Curry with naan heated directly on your skillet.
These are quick to cook even after a day on the open road and leave minimal cleanup.
Family-Friendly Campervan Cooking: Quick and Healthy Recipes for the Road
Travelling with kids? Try:
- Breakfast wraps with scrambled eggs and sautéed bell pepper.
- Pasta dishes with hidden veggies blended into tomato sauce.
- DIY campfire pizzas using wraps as bases.
- Overnight oats mixed in melamine bowls for mess-free mornings.
Safety First: Cooking Safely in Your Campervan
Cooking in a campervan is one of the best parts of vanlife, but it’s important to keep safety front and center. Always set up your cooker or camp stove on a stable, flat surface to avoid spills or accidents. If you’re cooking inside, make sure there’s plenty of ventilation — open windows or the side door to prevent steam and smoke buildup.
Never leave your burner unattended while cooking, especially when using propane or gas bottles. Keep a fire extinguisher and a carbon monoxide alarm within easy reach; these aren’t just smart additions—they can be lifesavers. Avoid using your cooker near flammable materials, and always double-check that your gas connections are secure before lighting the burner.
A little caution goes a long way to keeping your campervan adventures safe and stress-free.
Keeping It Clean: Tips for a Tidy Campervan Kitchen
In a small van kitchen, mess can quickly take over — and cleaning up can feel like a chore. The best way to keep your campervan kitchen clean is to tidy as you go. Wash or rinse pans and utensils right after use, so food doesn’t dry and stick.
Invest in a collapsible washing up bowl and drying rack; they save space and make dishwashing easier, even without a built-in sink. Use melamine plates and reusable utensils to avoid breakages, and keep cleaning supplies handy—think biodegradable soap and multipurpose wipes.
Organise your spices, tins, and dry goods in labelled stackable containers or magnetic racks to reduce clutter and save time when cooking. A quick sweep with a handheld brush or compact vacuum keeps crumbs and dirt at bay, so your tiny kitchen stays fresh and inviting for every delicious campervan meal.
Discover the Joy of Cooking in a Camper with RaoverVans
Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling sausage, all made in your custom-built campervan kitchen. With RaoverVans, cooking on the road isn’t just possible — it’s a true pleasure.
Our expertly designed campervans come fully equipped with space-saving kitchens featuring efficient hobs, reliable propane cookers, and cleverly organised storage for all your kitchen essentials. Whether you’re a fan of hearty stews made in a cast iron skillet, quick one-pot pasta dishes, or simple breakfasts with fresh local toppings, our vans are perfect for making delicious campervan meals anywhere you park.
Why choose Raover Vans for your vanlife kitchen?
- Optimised tiny kitchen layouts that make cooking easy and enjoyable, even in limited space.
- Built-in 12V compressor fridge options keep your fresh and frozen ingredients ready at all times.
- Handy storage solutions for spices, utensils, and cookware — say goodbye to clutter.
- Durable materials and quality appliances designed to withstand the open road and frequent campsites.
Ready to make cooking in your campervan effortless and fun? Explore our range today and find your perfect mobile kitchen setup designed just for you.
FAQ
Can I use a normal fridge in a campervan?
It’s possible to cook and store food with a normal fridge, but a campervan-specific fridge is lighter, safer, and designed for off-grid living.
How do you power a fridge in a campervan?
Most run on 12V via your leisure battery or shore power at a campsite. Three-way fridges can run on gas bottle propane too.
Can I have a dishwasher in a campervan?
Yes, but it requires careful water storage and drainage planning. Many campers prefer manual dishwashing to save space and electricity.
What is the best cooker for a campervan?
A two-burner hob with integrated sink saves counter space. Combine it with a portable camp stove for outdoor cooking flexibility.
Is an air fryer worth it for van life?
If you have a reliable inverter, it’s one of the best van kitchen additions for quick, delicious meals.
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