While cooking in a campervan might not be as straightforward as rustling up a delicious meal in your own fully equipped kitchen, it’s certainly worth it when you’re craving a taste of home or want to experiment with new flavours and ingredients!
Whether you’re new to campervan cooking or are looking for ways to make dishing up dinner in a smaller space easier, our quick guide to compact kitchen essentials and the best cooking techniques for small spaces has you covered.
Essential campervan kitchen equipment
Let’s start with those campervan kitchen essentials, we recommend investing in:
- Campervan stove (if your campervan doesn’t have a built-in hob)
- Cooler bad (if your campervan doesn’t have a built-in refrigerator or freezer)
- Foldaway or nesting pots and pan
- Kitchen utensils (spatula, can opener, tongs, whisk, serving spoon, bottle opener, etc.)
- Collapsible kettle
- Shatterproof drinkware (tumblers, wine glasses)
- Shatter-resistant plates (BPA-free plastic or melamine for a porcelain alternative)
- Set of knives
- Chopping board (wooden or plastic)
- Cutlery
Choosing the right cooking method
Effective cooking in campervan environments calls for careful consideration of your cooking methods. With no oven, restricted space, and potential limitations on gas and electricity, too, we can help you to brainstorm some more suitable campervan cooking ideas.
Hob
Many campervans come with a two-ring hob as standard (either gas or induction), providing a versatile cooking method for various one-pot meals, including stir fry dishes, curries, and pasta.
Induction hobs, in particular, are also an energy-efficient solution to dining in your camper.
Portable grill
A convenient, but less energy-efficient option is portable grills. A quick and easy way to whip up a tasty treat while on the road, portable grills are ideal if your campervan doesn’t come with a suitable indoor hob or you want to embrace cooking outdoors.
Summer classics like burgers, steaks, and kebabs alongside nutritious staples like chicken, vegetables, and potatoes make the ideal addition to these grills.
Slow cooker
While slow cookers will take up more counterspace, these handy appliances are incredibly energy-efficient thanks to their low wattage, meaning they draw less power from your campervan’s electrical system or battery.
From heart-warming stews and casseroles to cosy soups and chilli dishes, the slow cooker is especially popular when travelling in cooler countries or during the colder seasons.
Cleaning up in a compact space
Clean the surfaces and stovetop
Countertop space is a luxury in a campervan, so it’s important to clean the surfaces with a suitable multipurpose cleaner and microfiber cloth quickly after you’ve finished cooking.
For the stovetop, you can use glass cleaner, dedicated hob cleaner, or washing up liquid with a non-abrasive sponge.
Wash dishes and glassware
After scrapping away any food scraps into a designated bag or bin, simply fill the sink (or collapsible sink) with hot, soapy water just like you would at home.
Filling a separate bowl with clean water can help you to conserve water by using the bowl to rinse dishes and glassware instead of the tap.
To preserve counter space, dry washed-up items with a tea towel or soft microfibre cloth and store securely into designated cupboards.
Any waste water (known as grey water) should be dispensed into waste water tanks and then responsibly disposed of at either a designated campsite facility or an environmentally safe location.
Open windows and vents
To prevent cooking odours from hanging around all night, ensure you open windows and vents either during cooking or after. Opening the windows and doors can also support with cooling the small campervan cooking space, creating a more enjoyable experience.
Sort rubbish and recycling
Any rubbish from the cooking process like food packaging and beverage containers should be sorted into the appropriate bags or bins (general, recycling, and compost) and taken to designated disposal points that can be found at many campsites and service areas.
Cook up a storm in the Landseer Ford Custom 2.0
Wondering whether you should purchase a portable camping stove or collapsible sink for your new campervan? At Landseer Leisure, we believe that campervanning shouldn’t mean compromise – especially when it comes to cooking.
With the new Landseer Ford Custom 2.0, you can enjoy all the convenience of a well-equipped kitchen, saving you time and money shopping around for essential appliances.
As standard, our latest gas-free campervan model comes with Sterling twin induction hobs powered by a Clayton LPSII lithium power system and flush-integrated into a real oak worktop. Complete with an underslung and concealed sink, the clean-up process is just as easy.
Our Ford Custom 2.0 also boasts a Webasto Isotherm 42L ‘Cruise Elegance’ refrigerator with freezer compartment, so you don’t have to rely on canned goods to satisfy your appetite for the entire trip.
To learn more about this model and campervan cooking in the UK, talk to our friendly and knowledgeable team today on 01772 429763.
Or, if now’s not a good time, we’d still love to hear from you via email at info@landseerleisure.com or by submitting an online enquiry.
