RVers Share Their Favorite Kitchen Appliances

Facebook groups are excellent resources for gadgets and gear that make camping more convenient and enjoyable. Recently, one member asked a full-time RV living group about their favorite kitchen appliances.

We couldn’t agree more with the responses! Today, we’re looking at ten kitchen gadgets that will make cooking and preparing meals in your RV easier! Let’s dive in!

How Big Are RV Kitchens?

It should come as no surprise that RV kitchens are small. Even in the most luxurious, spacious Class A motorhomes, the kitchen isn’t more than a few square feet. In an RV around 300 square feet, the kitchen may be 30-50 square feet.

However, the layout can make a huge difference. For example, you may have a small Class B camper van. But if you have three feet of countertop space, that’s plenty of room to prepare a meal for one or two people.

A fifth wheel with a rear kitchen may be U-shaped, providing easy access to all appliances, cabinets, and counters. If you’re a master chef, want to entertain friends often, or have a large family to feed, you certainly want to consider the kitchen layout when choosing the best RV for your camping needs.

Also, RVs may still have residential appliances even in a small space. Some motorhomes and larger fifth wheels will have stainless steel appliances, kitchen islands, or separate hutches for a coffee bar. Although RV kitchens are much smaller than your standard sticks-and-bricks kitchen, you can still have all you need for an enjoyable camping trip.

What Are the Challenges Of Cooking In An RV Kitchen?

Space is the biggest challenge of cooking in an RV kitchen. When you’re used to preparing meals in a residential kitchen that’s three times as large, it takes some getting used to when transitioning to a tiny area.

You can’t bring along every kitchen gadget because there is insufficient storage or countertop space. Plus, you might not need everything for every camping trip.

But the space isn’t the only challenge. Another significant difference between cooking in an RV kitchen and a home kitchen is the quality of the appliances.

Mainly, we’re talking about the RV oven. This appliance is notorious for having poor heat distribution. You can quickly burn the sides of a casserole dish while the center isn’t even cooked through.

The temperature also fluctuates. If you set the temperature to 400 degrees, it will likely change between 350 and 450 degrees throughout the cooking time. If you don’t have an oven thermometer to monitor this, the food will either be burned or take a long time to cook.

The Top 10 Kitchen Appliances For RVing

Campers bring along a few kitchen gadgets to combat the poor quality of RV ovens and make their RV kitchens feel more like home.

They know how to use these appliances since they often use them in their homes. And while RVers can’t bring every accessory listed below, having a few will make cooking in an RV kitchen more enjoyable and manageable.

1. Ninja Air Fryer

An air fryer is one of the most popular kitchen gadgets RVers won’t leave home without. With it, you can create perfect French fries to pair with hamburgers or mozzarella sticks for an afternoon snack.

Multiple sizes are available, so you can find an air fryer that will work for the countertop space and cabinet storage you have in your RV. This Ninja air fryer eliminates the need to use your RV oven.

2. Instant Pot

Like an air fryer, the Instant Pot can eliminate the need for an RV oven. Because of its multiple functions, you can also leave the crockpot, rice cooker, and frying pans at home. RVers can cook many dishes with the Instant Pot, so they don’t have to resort to just hot dogs. You can eat healthy while camping!

3. Crockpot

When we’re traveling in the winter, we bring along this crockpot. We love the smell of chili or soup that welcomes us when we enter the RV after a day of exploring. It’s perfect for potlucks too!

Because crockpots come in multiple sizes, you can choose what works best for your family and RV kitchen. Even a tiny 2-quart crockpot will warm dips or little smokies – perfect for a fall tailgating afternoon!

4. Ninja Foodie

Instead of bringing an air fryer and Instant Pot, some RVers bring one larger kitchen gadget: the Ninja Foodie. The biggest problem with this appliance is that it takes up a lot of space.

You likely won’t want to bring along a Ninja Foodie if you don’t have ample countertop space. But if you have a larger rig with a good-sized kitchen, this is an excellent gadget that will eliminate the need for an oven, microwave, and almost any other kitchen appliance.

5. Ice Maker

While we don’t have an ice maker (much to Jason’s dismay), many RVers won’t camp without one. They prefer saving space in their freezer for food, not an ice cube tray. You may want an ice maker if you like having a refreshing beverage by the campfire or enjoy making smoothies. They’re easy to use and super convenient.

6. Single Cooktop Burner

For RVers who don’t have a cooktop or would rather cook outside, a single cooktop burner is an excellent addition to their camping gear.

It’s also great for tailgating! You can heat soup or boil potatoes without adding heat and moisture to your RV. They’re small and don’t take up a lot of space when stored away, too.

7. Coffee Maker

Whether it’s a Keurig or a coffee maker with a carafe, most RVers can’t go a weekend without a hot cup of coffee. We use the Ninja DualBrew because you can use pods or grounds.

We love this model because we brew full pots in our house and use pods in the truck camper. A bonus is that you can connect the water reservoir to either the side or the back. We move it to the back when in the truck camper to save space.

8. Countertop Dishwasher

There’s nothing worse than having to spend time washing dishes rather than enjoying nature—that’s the whole point of camping! That’s why some RVers love having a countertop dishwasher.

While this appliance isn’t necessary, it makes the weekend more enjoyable. Load up the dishes, start the cycle, and then pass the time away by the campfire.

9. Bread Maker

A bread maker is probably unnecessary for a weekend warrior since you can make bread at home before camping. But a bread maker is a welcome kitchen gadget for full-time travelers or folks who hit the road for extended periods. Travelers who are more conscious about what they eat or who have specific diets love being able to make their own bread on the road.

10. SodaStream

Finally, a SodaStream sparkling water maker is a must-have for some RVers. It saves so much money in the long run.

One container replaces over 120 sparkling water bottles! Like a bread maker, a SodaStream probably isn’t necessary for a weekend camping trip. But it’s a great addition to your kitchen accessories for longer road trips.

Cook Anything You Want At the Campsite With These Kitchen Appliances

These kitchen appliances aren’t for everyone, but there’s likely one or two that would make your camping experience more convenient and enjoyable.

Which gadget do you think you’ll add the next time you head down the road?

Last update on 2024-07-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API