Cooking in an RV can be a constant challenge. From the lack of space to the need for careful planning, successful RV meals require a great deal of forethought. In this newsletter we’ll discuss the best methods for cooking in your cramped RV kitchen.

Planning your meals before your trip is the best way to ensure that cooking is a quick and efficient process on the road. The most common advice from RVers is to schedule your menu ahead of time: know what foods you’re making, what you’ll need for these recipes, and when you’re going to be enjoying them. It’s also helpful to make large batches of foods like soup, pastas, and homemade breads in the convenience of your sticks and bricks kitchen before your trip, and then freezing to bring along for individual use on the road. Another RVer approved suggestion is the “one pot meal”. A crockpot creation or hearty soup or stew only takes up a few cooking utensils, but taste great. If you’re planning this kind of meal you may even want to chop up your ingredients ahead of time so there’s no fuss when it comes time to compile the recipe.

The concept of planning ahead does not apply merely to meal choice, however. Knowing how much to bring along, what utensil to remember and which ones to leave behind, and what to always have in the RV also requires careful consideration. For instance, buying economy sized items will save you money, but you may not have the space to store them. Purchasing travel sized items or individually packaged snacks allow you to bring along only what you need, and to conserve coveted storage space in the rig. When choosing what cookware to bring you’ll want to consult your menu: bring exactly what you need, and nothing more. Muffin tins, bread pans, fancy spoons and other kitchen accessories will rarely get used on the road, but they do take up an awful lot of space. Consider bringing disposable cutlery and dishes, so your dwindling supply frees up space as you travel.

Whether you’re BBQing hamburgers or making a gourmet meal in the crock pot, the most important part of any meal is who you share it with. Invite your campground neighbors over for a delicious dinner, or spend some quality time with your loved ones in the beauty of the nature that surrounds you.