15 Best Tips for Cooking in an RV for Beginners

Are you just getting started with learning about cooking in an RV? You’re in the right spot!

With a little planning, it can be a fun and rewarding experience! For many part-time travelers, the thought of cooking on a camping trip might seem impossible.

However, as a full-time RVer, the only place our friend Kathryn from Cool RVers ever cooks is in an RV, or outside if the weather is nice. She’s here to share her best tips with us!

Although cooking in a smaller space requires some extra creativity and ingenuity, it is possible to enjoy delicious meals while away from home.

With the right cooking supplies and recipes, cooking in your camper can be just as enjoyable as cooking in a traditional kitchen. Keep reading for tips that can help you get the most out of cooking in your RV.

🚐 Cooking in an RV for Beginners

Cooking in an RV can be a completely different experience than cooking at home. It takes more planning and preparation, but the rewards are worth it!

If you’re just getting started cooking in your RV, here are some more tips to get you on the right track. 

1. Make the Most of Your Space

You may find that you need to get creative with your space. A great way to do this is to use a sink cover or stove top cover as extra counter space when cooking.

Our stovetop cover on the gas stove is one of my favorite things about our RV. It provides tons of extra space for prepping food before you need to heat it up. Just beware if you are using the RV oven, the stovetop can get extremely hot.

Having a small cutting board is one extremely helpful item in making sure everything fits in your limited counter space and cooking area.

Prepare some of your food on the table or dinette if you have one. This is especially helpful if cooking a large meal that requires multiple dishes at once. 

2. Effectively Use Storage Space

Using your storage space effectively can help keep cooking supplies and ingredients organized.

 If you aren’t a full-time RVer, it’s important to only pack the ingredients needed for cooking and to make use of storage solutions like spice racks, hanging baskets, or magnetic knife strips to get supplies off the countertop.

Invest in stackable containers or airtight jars for pantry items like flour, sugar, and cooking oils. This will help free up more storage space and keep cooking areas clutter-free.

Additionally, getting creative with cooking techniques can also save on both storage and cooking time. For instance, cooking one-pot meals or prepping everything ahead of time to minimize the number of dishes used during cooking.  

3. Purchase Cooking Ingredients Before You Leave on your RV Trip

It’s best to stock up on cooking ingredients before embarking on your trip if you won’t be gone for an extended time.

Doing so will save you time and money since many RV parks, especially state and national parks or places you may boondock could be far from a grocery store.

Shopping selections can also be limited in remote areas, making it difficult to find what you need. Prices at these stores may also be considerably higher than a regular grocery store, meaning stocking up before leaving can help you save in the long run.

Plus, you’ll have all the cooking ingredients you need without having to spend your hard-earned vacation time grocery shopping! So make sure to purchase camping food ingredients before leaving on your RV trip for an enjoyable cooking experience.

If you’ll be taking a longer trip like a couple of weeks or more, you’ll definitely need to plan to make additional grocery store runs over the course of your stay. 

4. Make Easy Recipes that Require Fewer Ingredients

Cooking in an RV doesn’t have to be a chore! Making easy recipes that require fewer ingredients will give you more time to enjoy the other things on your trip, like hiking and visiting nearby destinations.

Plus, having fewer ingredients is especially important since cooking space is limited in RVs. And don’t worry – simple recipes don’t have to be boring. With the right ingredients, you can still make delicious meals that everyone will enjoy.

5. Purchase Space-Saving Appliances

One challenge for RV’ers is finding the right appliances to accommodate cooking needs while still leaving room for all other necessities. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there geared toward cooking in a smaller space.

Many appliance makers now offer mini versions of their cooking appliances that are perfect for cooking for one or two people. 

For example, my husband Joel and I got a mini waffle maker as a gift when we moved into our RV full-time and it has been awesome! We also have a mini blender.

There are some things worth having even if they take up more space. For me, it’s a bread maker. Nothing beats freshly made bread. So decide what your priorities are and purchase appliances that are most important and the best use of your space.

You should also consider investing in space-saving items like collapsible colanders or cooking tools that can do multiple things. Having cooking gadgets that are designed for smaller spaces will make things much easier.

6. Use Your RV Fridge Effectively

Using an RV fridge can be a bit of an adventure but it’s essential when cooking in an RV! It’s important to remember that you don’t have as much room as you do in a residential fridge.

You’ll want to be careful not to overbuy supplies so that everything will fit into your RV refrigerator.

Another tip is to use a small fan on the back fins of your fridge. This will help keep things from freezing unexpectedly. It’s also good to remember that items placed on the bottom shelf are less likely than those on the top shelf to freeze unintentionally.

Lastly, for most RVs, you can run the fridge while driving or pack ice packs so that food remains chilled when you’re on the go. Just be sure to shut off the propane in any tunnels that require it and when fueling for the safest experience. 

7. Consider Using More Non-Perishable Items

Cooking on the road can be tricky, especially with meal planning. With limited space in the fridge, cooking with more non-perishable items is a great idea for those wanting to enjoy their vacation without having to make multiple trips to the grocery store.

Not only are most non-perishable and canned food items easy to store, but they can also create a variety of meals. This can help cut down on cooking time, so you have more time for adventure!

This is especially important if you will cook for a large group. Since Joel and I are just two people we can fit about 1.5 to 2 weeks of fresh food in our fridge. However, for larger groups, you’ll definitely go through fresh items much more quickly. 

8. Bring a Cooler For Beverages

It’s a good idea to bring a cooler along for cold beverages. After all, the refrigerator space is limited and likely won’t accommodate an entire case of drinks!

A cooler will ensure you always have plenty of cold drinks available, which can make your RV trip that much more enjoyable. Many RVers love the Yeti coolers or RTIC coolers. 

9. Clean as You Go

When cooking in a tiny kitchen, it is essential to clean as you go. Since the cooking space is much smaller compared to a home kitchen, even washing just a few dishes can still seem like a daunting task.

Plus, if you don’t clean up right away, your cooking area can quickly become cluttered and cramped – not ideal for preparing meals.

Additionally, if you don’t keep the cooking area clean, you risk cross-contamination of food which can lead to food poisoning.

That’s something nobody wants to experience on their RV trip! So remember, clean as you go and avoid piles of dirty dishes to ensure a happy cooking experience. 

10. Keep Food Scraps Out of the Drain

In RVs, it’s very important to avoid putting food scraps down the drain. If you do, they can easily clog up your grey tank, leading to odors and other problems.

This is especially true if you’re cooking a lot of food, as these scraps can build up and become quite smelly. Using cleaning products like Happy Camper can help to eliminate any lingering odors that you might have in your grey tank.

But keeping food scraps out of your drain in the first place is the best way to ensure that cooking in your RV stays a pleasant experience. 

11. Be Sure to Use the Hood Fan

Using your range hood fan every time you cook is a must that can cut down on potential problems. Not only will it help to keep cooking smells from building up inside your rig, but it also helps ensure that cooking moisture doesn’t create condensation on walls and windows.

That’s especially important to be mindful of when the temperature drops. Moisture is every RVer’s worst nightmare so, whether you’re cooking in the summer or winter, using your range hood fan is a necessity. 

12. Meal Prep At Home for Shorter RV Trips

Meal prepping at home for short RV trips is a great way to make cooking easy and stress-free. Doing food prep at home saves more time for fun on vacation.

You won’t have to worry about taking up much space or doing too much preparation, as you’ll basically just need to heat the food up which you can do quickly and with minimal supplies.

This way, you’ll have more time to enjoy your trips and relax without worrying about cooking!

13. Decide How You Want to Make Your Morning Coffee

For many people, brewing the perfect cup of coffee is essential for getting through the day. If you’re one of those people, forgetting about the coffee will probably lead to a sad and cranky RV trip. 

For those who prioritize the perfect cup of coffee, you may want to bring a small coffee maker along with you.

You can also opt for a French press if space is limited. French presses take up less space and can make a delicious cup of coffee without the use of electricity.

If you’re looking for something even more luxurious, I know some RVers opt to bring an espresso maker along. If it will make your camping trip that much more enjoyable, more power to you. You just might need to get smaller versions of other countertop items. 

For those who don’t drink coffee, like me, an electric kettle is a great cooking tool to have on hand while traveling in your RV. Electric kettles heat water quickly and are ideal for making tea, hot chocolate and even cooking instant noodles.

14. Stock Your RV Kitchen With Its Own Supplies

Stocking your RV’s kitchen with its own cooking supplies is a must for any RV enthusiast.

Not only does it cut down on the likelihood of forgetting something important, but it’s also far more convenient than lugging everything in and out of your house each time you go on an RV trip.

When equipping your RV kitchen, buy durable dishes or else wrap breakable items so they aren’t damaged during travel.

Don’t forget cooking utensils and other necessary items. I recommend taking all food items out of the RV between trips to keep mice out of the RV, though. 

15. Cook Outdoors Too

Cooking outside an RV is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while cooking delicious meals. You can cook over a fire using a Dutch oven, or if you prefer something else, you can use a portable smoker or grill.

Many RVers love cooking on a Blackstone griddle. Cooking outdoors can be especially beneficial during hot days as cooking inside can make your RV feel stifling! 

Try these tried and true Dutch oven recipes and meal ideas:
🔥 Campfire Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes
🔥 Easy Dutch Oven Bread Pudding with Blueberries
🔥 Dutch Oven Desserts for Camping

🔪 RV Kitchen Tips

Cooking in an RV can be tricky given the limited space. But if you get creative with RV kitchen storage solutions, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

✔️ Some cabinets are oddly shaped or deep so using cabinet organizers or adding shelves can help make use of all the space.

✔️ We love using stackable containers and bins. They’re a great way to keep things organized.

✔️ If your RV is lucky enough to have a pantry, adding a closet organizer can be incredibly helpful in maximizing the xc

Unfortunately, Joel and I don’t have a pantry so we really need to be mindful of how much space we’re using. Sometimes minimally used cooking ingredients or supplies get stored under our dinette seats.

It’s not ideal, and retrieving items can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s all part of the experience. All that matters is that we’re able to make delicious meals together despite the small cooking space.

How to Cook in an RV Oven

Cooking homemade meals is a great way to enjoy delicious food on the road. But cooking in an RV oven can be tricky, as it doesn’t always have the same consistent temperature that you’re used to at home.

Here are some tips to help you keep your food from burning when using an RV oven:

♨️ Add a temperature sensor. Using an RV oven can be unpredictable. Adding a temperature sensor will help provide you with more control and accuracy when cooking, ensuring your food doesn’t burn.

♨️ Put a pizza stone or unglazed ceramic tiles on the bottom of the oven. These items help to disperse heat throughout the cooking process, reducing the likelihood of burning. Some RVs have reportedly had their pizza stones break when doing this, so some cheap ceramic tiles may be a better bet. 

♨️ Place tinfoil and/or an upside-down baking pan on the cooking shelf. This will help to prevent your food from getting charred on the bottom.

♨️ Rotate your food halfway through cooking or more often for longer cooking times. Doing so ensures that all sides of the food get cooked evenly and prevents burning.

♨️ Let the oven preheat before putting food in. Preheating is a cooking tip you should adhere to with any type of cooking, but it’s especially important when cooking in an RV oven. Preheating will help your oven maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process.

♨️ You may need to cook at a lower temperature than what the oven knob says. Cooking at too high a temperature can lead to burning, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and start off cooking on the low end. Even if your food takes longer to cook evenly, it’s usually better than having it burn.

Following these tips can help you cook delicious food with confidence when on the road!

Best Accessories for RV Cooking

Having the right cooking equipment and supplies in your RV can potentially make or break how enjoyable your camping experience is!

✅ Crock Pot

A crock pot is the perfect cooking accessory for your RV kitchen! Not only does it provide a delicious, flavorful meal with minimal effort but it also makes clean-up a breeze.

Cooking in an RV can be a challenge because of limited cooking space. But with a slow cooker, you can have tasty food that’s easy to prepare, and that you don’t have to babysit. Simply serve up your delicious meal and enjoy.

✅ Strong Dishes

Having durable dishes like tin cups and Corelle dishes will save you a lot of hassle. Not only are these types of dishes less likely to break because of their sturdy construction, but they also don’t require extensive wrapping each time you drive somewhere.

Corelle dishes are also microwave safe which is handy for reheating leftovers or pre-prepared meals.

Whether it’s a day trip or a camping excursion, having durable dishes will make meals much easier. Plus, you won’t need to worry about replacing expensive broken pieces!

Some RVers use pool noodle hacks by sticking a pool noodle between the plates and the top of the cabinet as a simple way to stop plates from rattling around when driving. 

✅ Blackstone Griddle 

The Blackstone griddle is an invaluable cooking tool for RVers, especially those who love outdoor cooking. It comes in multiple sizes, making it easy to find one that suits your cooking needs.

Be sure to learn about Blackstone griddle accessories too in order to help you take your outdoor cooking game to a whole new level.

What makes this griddle so popular with RVers is its durable cast iron construction and fast cooking times. With the Blackstone Griddle, you can cook almost anything you can imagine.

I’ve even seen some RVers make cinnamon rolls — on a griddle. Wouldn’t have thought of that myself! So if cooking in an RV is your thing, the Blackstone Griddle will make cooking outdoors a breeze.

The griddle also features easy clean-up so you don’t have to worry about spending time scrubbing pots and pans after cooking.

🍽 FAQS: Cooking in an RV for Beginners

If you are a beginner when it comes to RV cooking you may have some questions. We have some answers for you!

However, many people are hesitant to cook in an RV, mainly because of the smaller cooking space. It’s true that cooking in such a small space can be tricky, but with some patience and creativity, it can also be rewarding.

Cooking in a small space indoors can be especially challenging during the hot summer months. The heat from cooking inside the RV can make it very uncomfortable, so cooking outdoors might be a more enjoyable option.

In the winter, cooking inside is definitely more convenient but you need to be mindful of condensation and use your range hood when cooking to prevent moisture buildup.

It’s always best to find a safe spot to park and enjoy cooking in your RV oven. That way, you can be sure of a delicious meal every time!

🍪 Need more camping food ideas? If you are looking for Make Ahead Desserts for Camping, we’ve got you covered! Enjoy your trip!

❇️ Final Thoughts on RV Cooking

Overall, RV cooking has its advantages and challenges. There’s the convenience of having a kitchen right at your fingertips when you’re on the go. If you plan things right, it’s easy to prepare meals with limited hassle saving your time and money over having to go out to eat for every meal.

If you’re a foodie or simply want to try something new, cooking in an RV on your next road trip is definitely the way to go. Plan ahead and make memories in your RV kitchen! Let us know how it goes!

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