Cooking in a camper van can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be a headache. Whether you’re new to van life or you’ve been living on the road for years, these tips will help you make the most of your tiny kitchen.
Let’s look at some game-changing ideas that will make cooking on the road way easier and more fun.
1. Keep Your Spices and Oils in a Watertight Bin
Nothing ruins a good meal plan like opening your spice cabinet to find everything covered in olive oil. When you’re driving down bumpy roads, bottles can tip over and lids can come loose.
A watertight bin keeps all your seasonings and cooking oils safe and sound. Plus, you can grab the whole thing when you want to cook outside at your campsite.
2. Choose High-Quality Knives and Buy a Knife Sharpener
A good knife makes cooking so much easier, especially when you’re working in a small space. You don’t need a whole set, just one or two really good ones.
And here’s the key part: get a knife sharpener too. Dull knives are dangerous and make cooking feel like work. A sharp knife will cut through anything like butter and make meal prep actually enjoyable.
3. Travel with a Folding Table for Extra Food Prep Space
Camp van counters are tiny, and sometimes you need more room to spread out. A folding table can be your best friend when you’re cooking for a group or making something that needs lots of prep work. Set it up outside when the weather’s nice, or use it inside when you need extra counter space. When you’re done, it folds up flat and slides into a storage spot.
4. Use Sink Covers to Convert Your Basin into Workspace
Here’s a clever trick that many people don’t know about: sink covers can double your counter space instantly. When you’re not washing dishes, pop a cover over your sink and you’ve got a whole new work area.
You can chop vegetables, roll out dough, or set up your coffee station. It’s like getting a kitchen upgrade without any construction.
5. Get Space-Efficient Bowls and Plates with Hybrid Designs
Regular dishes take up way too much room in a van. Look for bowls that have flat bottoms and raised sides so they work like plates too. These hybrid dishes mean you need fewer items in your cabinets, and they stack better than traditional round bowls. Your storage space will thank you, and you’ll still have everything you need for any meal.
6. Make Vegetarian Meals for Safety and Convenience
Plant-based meals are perfect for van cooking because vegetables and grains last longer without refrigeration. You don’t have to worry as much about food safety, and many vegetarian ingredients can sit in your pantry for weeks.
Plus, beans, lentils, and grains are usually cheaper than meat, so your food budget will stretch further too.
7. Set Up Your Kitchen Based on Your Van Type
Every camper van kitchen is different, so your setup should match what you’re working with. If you have a permanent kitchen, use magnetic strips on the walls to hold knives and tools. For portable setups, bungee cords can keep everything secure while you’re driving. Think about how your stuff moves around when you’re on the road, and plan accordingly.
8. Keep Your Cookware in Airtight Bins
Dust and dirt get into everything when you’re camping, especially if you like to get off the beaten path. Airtight bins protect your pots, pans, and cooking tools from all that grime.
You’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your meals. Plus, these bins stack nicely and make your storage areas look more organized.
9. Pick Your Stove Based on How You Actually Cook
Be honest about your cooking style when choosing a stove. If you mostly heat up soup and make simple meals, a single burner that boils water fast might be perfect.
But if you like to cook real meals with multiple dishes, invest in a good two-burner stove. Don’t buy more stove than you need, but make sure you have enough for your actual cooking habits.
10. Get Collapsible Kitchen Tools to Save Space
Silicone measuring cups, colanders, and bowls that collapse flat are amazing space savers. They work just as well as regular tools, but they practically disappear when you store them.
You can fit a whole set of measuring cups in the space where one regular cup used to go. These items have gotten really good in recent years, so don’t worry about quality.
11. Freeze Soup Portions and Pre-Cut Vegetables
Spend some time at home preparing ingredients that you can just grab and use later. Freeze soup in individual portions, and cut up vegetables that keep well frozen.
When you’re tired after a long day of driving, you’ll be so grateful to have meals that just need reheating. This works especially well for things like stir-fry vegetables and pre-made sauces.
12. Use Drawer Dividers to Organize Your Dishes
Dishes sliding around in drawers is annoying and can lead to chips and cracks. Dividers keep everything in its place, especially important for ceramic or glass items. You can find adjustable dividers that fit most drawers, or you can make your own with small boxes. Either way, your dishes will stay put and last much longer.
13. Pack Your Fridge Full for Better Temperature Control
A full fridge stays cold better than an empty one because the food acts like insulation. If you don’t have enough food to fill it up, add some water bottles or even towels to take up space.
This helps your fridge work more efficiently and keeps your food fresher longer. Just don’t pack it so full that air can’t circulate.
14. Consider Cast Iron Pans for Their Versatility
Cast iron might seem heavy for van life, but it’s incredibly useful. These pans work on your stovetop, in the oven, and over a campfire.
They last forever if you take care of them, and they actually get better with age. One good cast iron skillet can replace several other pans, which saves space and weight in the long run.
15. Store Your Stove in a Drawer to Save Counter Space
If you have a portable stove, don’t leave it sitting on your counter taking up precious space. Find a drawer or cabinet where it fits and store it there when you’re not cooking. This keeps your counters clear for food prep and makes your kitchen feel less cluttered. Just make sure the storage spot is secure so the stove won’t slide around while driving.
16. Marinate Your Proteins in the Fridge Ahead of Time
Marinated meat, vegetables, or tofu tastes way better and cooks faster too. Do this prep work when you have time and space, then just pull out the marinated food when you’re ready to cook. The flavors have time to really soak in, and your meal will taste like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
17. Invest in Stackable Cookware Sets with Removable Handles
This is where you want to spend some money. Good camping cookware sets nest inside each other perfectly and often have handles that come off for even better storage. Look for sets where the pots and pans fit together like puzzle pieces. Yes, they cost more upfront, but they’ll save you so much space and frustration that they’re worth every penny.