The most important part of every van campers is a camper van kitchen. Having a full equipped kitchen is always a boon while living in a van. The kitchen helps in cooking some delicious food while traveling. In addition, to enjoying our skill in cooking it is a great way to save up some money. Owning a mini kitchen in one own van stops us from ordering take away all the time.
It is important to plan and design a van kitchen that works best for you. Van life kitchen should have a practical design to suit you van. It must be designed in such a way that the space in the van is properly used without any wastage. The appliance for the kitchen must have proper places and order in addition,it must be safe for the camper van kitchen.Must be safe in camber van due to various climatic conditions
8 MUST HAVE in a camper van kitchen
A camper van kitchen must have some of the essentials so as to make the kitchen accessible and productive. There are a lot of options for these products in market. It is advised by experts to look for quality products before buying. Your van life deserves the best so hunt the best and never compromise for anything below perfect.
The most important must have products for a good camper van kitchen are listed below.
A stove/oven:
A camp stove is perhaps the most important essential in a camper van kitchen. Even though,there are lot of option for stoves that it is a tough decision to select the best suited for one for our caper van kitchen. Some common type stoves, suited for van life kitchen:
a. Propane camp stove:
This can be closed and open in addition it can be permanent or portable. These use up a little more space than a normal stove. However, many cheap options are available online these days.
b. Single burner Camper van kitchen stove:
These are perfect to save space. Single burner stove is best for compact camper van kitchen.The van dwellers whose space is limited and has a small kitchen this type of stove is the best selection.
c.Induction Camper van kitchen stove:
The camper vans that has the provision of electricity in it can opt for an induction camper van kitchen stove. His reduces the tension of the vas dweller from being exposed to open fire which might cause disasters. In order to use an induction stove, the van lifer can install solar power panels for electricity.
d. Campervan Cooker:
Campervan cooker is a full stovetop and oven. It an elite amenity. You not only get a stove but also an oven! This is a scape consuming appliance. Hence, it cannot be opted by small camper van kitchen holders.
e. DIY soda can stove:
This type of stove is definitely not recommended for a long term camper van kitchen. since,it’s not very safe. It can be used for a day or two in case of any emergency. The only advantage of this stove is it uses alcohol instead of gas.
Mini fridge
Mini fridge is an absolute MUST for a camper van kitchen. There are many different kinds of fridges available in the market that would suits your van life kitchen. If you planning to build you own camper van or converting a van into a camper van, then make sure to have a decent sized Mini fridge for your camper van kitchen.Most of the fridge’s have a standing design. There some mini designs made more like a cooler.These can be opted if you like.
But majority of the camper van kitchen holders prefer a regular mini fridge as it has more use than a simple cooler It is always necessary to buy a standard mini fridge of our van life kitchen. some best brands to select from are Magic chef, Tavata and so on. Magic Chef is affordable by the majority as it is cheaper.
Sink /faucet
A completely functioning camper van kitchen faucet is a complete game changer. The sinks/faucets can be used from morning to night. Morning starting from brushing your teeth,washing your face, cleaning the utensils, washing hands and cleaning clothes.
Installing a deeper sink would be more comfortable while in a camper van kitchen. A sink can be considered deep if sink is 10 inches deep or more. 10 inch would be perfect for a van life kitchen beyond 10 is not required.
You will always need a faucet to go with the sink. There are many faucet options available nowadays. To select the best for our camper van kitchen is a herculean task.
The industrial style faucet where can control the faucet head and make the water go to the direction we prefer is the trend now. However, always make sure to check the dimension so that it fits within you designed plan.If the van does not have a built-in sink. Its preferred to have a collapsible bucket which can be used a sink.
Water storage
Water storage is another MUST have in a camper van kitchen. Water is inevitable from human life. It stands first in list of necessities. However, it is best to carry 5 liters per person in the van.This quantity would last for week if water is used cautiously.
The space availability in the van is a factor to be considered before filling the camper van kitchen with water alone. Therefore, consider the options available in the market and choose the right water storage container to suit your van life kitchen.
Cooking equipment
Camper van kitchen cooking can be a fun fill experience as far as we have the right cooking equipment. Cast iron cookware are best preferred for oven and stove top cooking. These type of cookware does not pose any health hazard to the camper.
Some essential cooking equipment are:
a.Sauce pan with a lid:
Sauce pan with a lid can be used to cook rice, pasta. It is an essential component in van life kitchen
b. Sharp knives:
High quality sharp knives in a camper van kitchen makes cooking more luxurious. As veggies and meat can be easily chopped and sliced as per your preference.
c. Cooking utensils:
It is essential to have the basic cooking essentials such as spatula, wooden spoons, serving spoons, tongs, whisks, peeler, can opener, scissors etc. cooking and serving without these are near to impossible. These have an important part in camper van kitchen.
d. Cutting board:
Cutting board to cut the ingredient for cooking is another necessity in a camper van kitchen.
Dining essentials
Enamelware are best suited for camper van kitchen. these are not easily breakable like china plates and also not a one-time user such as plastic or paper plates. Enamel plates, bowls and cups are classy and also a perfect fit for van life kitchen.
Along with dining set comes eating essentials such as Knives, Forks, spoons, teaspoon, steak knives and so on. Unless you are planning to eat with hands these eating essentials are necessary. Buying some quality products will be best for your camper van kitchen.
Food storage essentials
Staying organised in a van life kitchen is quint essential due the limitation of space. Neatly arranging everything makes our camper van kitchen look beautiful. Therefore, buying storage containers to do so is advised.Collapsible Tupperware is another option for storage in a camper van kitchen. It makes storing leftovers and other substances easy and storing these boxes comfortable as these containers do not take lot of space. These can be collapsed and kept aside easily.
Beeswax paper is another option to keep thins safe as they are reusable. They help keep vegetables fresher which is vital when living in extreme climates.
Optional kitchen essentials
There is always other kitchen item that are not necessary but these make camper van kitchen more luxurious. Some of these product include Bialetti moka pot, bottle opener, dishtowels and sponges, fire extinguishers, manual coffee grinder, knife sharpener, wine glasses, spice grinder.This list of thing that we need in our van life kitchen to make sure the experience in van life is a
memorable one. They also enhance our culinary skills even while on road.