We all know that cooking in a confined space can be difficult at the best of times! But after a year of living full-time in our tiny home on wheels, we have perfected our kit to make our (Nad’s) life as easy as possible.
Our Campervan Kitchen
Now our campervan, like most coach-built panel van conversions came with the usual Dometic sink/hob combo which is functional.
A small sink, marginally bigger than a cereal bowl, and a two-burner gas hob, which unless you are using the smallest pans in the world, is basically a one ring hob.
They have also fitted an oven, and after spending 40 minutes trying to cook a chilled pizza over a flame akin to that of a tealight, the oven is now a very expensive breadbin.
Enter The Air Fryer!
We bought our air fryer to fit in the cupboard when we had the previous motorhome, (yes the oven was shite in there too!) so we were a little restricted on size. We chose the compact Tower Vortx 4L 1300w, our model has been discontinued but you can see the upgraded version here . For under £40 you cannot go wrong!
We chose this model as it is relatively low wattage, (tried and tested on 6amp hook up and didn’t blow) and compact whilst still being big enough to cook for the two of us.
If you want to save on washing up a giant pan, I highly recommend disposable foil trays (like the ones from a takeaway) or a silicone liner.
We use the air fryer for absolutely everything that would normally go in the oven. I have baked bread in it and even use it for our toast!
Cooking on Electric
I know you won’t have electric hook up all the time, but if you do, then you want to be able to make the most of it.
With space at a premium, I set out to find the most compact induction hob on the market and boy did I succeed!
The Streetwize Compact Single Induction Hob fit the bill perfectly. Max 1400w, tried and tested on 6 amp site, heats up in seconds and wipes clean. Best of all it is the same size as a small plate.
Don’t forget, you will need induction pans (we use a Scoville wok) and kettle so that you can use them on both gas and electric. We chose a kettle with a long spout as they tend to piddle less. This one is similar to ours.
I really didn’t think such a small bit of kit would become such an essential part of our van, but I definitely wouldn’t be without it now.
Spice Up Your Life
Those little spice jars are the bane of my actual life! They turned my lovely organised cupboard into a marching band every time we drove anywhere.
They also add some decent weight into the van too, so I now use these little resealable bags that look like mason jars.
They have an airtight seal and squish neatly into my spice basket without rattling when you go around a corner.
You can also use them to premix dry marinades before you go if you don’t want to take enough spices to rival a Moroccan souk like I do.
Let’s raise a Toast…
There is nothing that will save your cooking ass like a piece of toast. Egg on toast, bruschetta, even beans on toast if you must…
If you’re off grid and can’t power a toaster that is the lord and saviour of the campervan meal out of the window…until I found this little fella!
Sit it on any gas hob and wait for the little polka dots of loveliness to appear, turning your sorry looking bread into the breakfast of champions!
Do we really need all this stuff?
Living in a van means everything has to earn its space. We have lived full time in a campervan since March 2025 and these are things that we still use regularly.
There is simply no room for dust collectors that sit at the back of a cupboard. These bits of kit have genuinely made my life easier and I cook more than most (three meals a day, plus whatever recipe ideas I’m faffing around with.)
Can you live without them? Absolutely…well maybe not the toaster! But if you genuinely want to cook some great meals in your van, these make a great addition to your kit.
Over to you! What is the one Kitchen gadget you cannot live without in your van? We are always looking for new things to try out so leave your recommendations in the comments!
This article contains affiliate links, and whilst we may earn a small commission for recommending products that we genuinely use, there is no additional cost to you.
Campervan Kitchen FAQs
Can you use an air fryer in a campervan?
Yes, but you will either need an inverter, a good power bank or to be hooked up to 240v electric
What is the best hob for a campervan?
We have a combination of gas and electric so that we can choose the best option for whatever we are cooking or wherever we are staying
Can you use a toaster without 240v power or electric hook up?
Yes! Get yourself a camping toaster that sits on your gas hob or camping stove.
What cooking equipment do I need for my campervan?
This all depends on what you want to cook/eat. The best equipment is the stuff that you use regularly and earns its place when space is at a premium
Leave a Reply