An RV or camper kitchen is often small and compact.
Most motorhomes only have two or three burners to cook your meals. And don’t even get me started on the small oven and microwave.
Because space is already compromised, you have to be smart about the things you bring. But don’t worry. I have made a list of my 18 favorite kitchen accessories that will make your culinary journey much easier when on the road.
From cooking to washing the dishes after a meal, these accessories are sure to help.
1. Countertop Extension
Space is compromised in an RV and, if you’re like me, you’ll want more counter space when preparing a meal.
One thing I love in my RV is the countertop extension from Camco.
Place it on your stove top for additional space. It will also keep the stove from rattling as you’re driving. When you don’t need the extension it can be stored upright in a cabinet, saving you space.
2. Hanging Spice Rack
But having your spices unsecured is not a great idea when you’re driving. A hard stop or a sharp turn could quickly land your flavorings right on the floor.
You can’t cook without a little salt and pepper, right?
A spice rack that will not only store your seasonings but also keep them safe is a must. The rack can be attached to a wall or cabinet and it will keep all seasonings in place and easy to access, too.
3. Foldable Dish Rack
Doing the dishes is never fun.
I wish I could tell you to get a dishwasher, but that might be a bit of a stretch in an RV!
But a foldable dish drying rack could make the dreaded task just a tad easier.
You could get a standing rack, but my favorite is ingenious space-saving rack.
This is not foldable, it’s roll-able. It’s a dish drying mat that you can lay out over the sink once you’re done, or while doing the dishes.
4. Sink Caddy
Where did that sponge go again?
And who put the dish soap in the cabinet?
The things you need to clean the dishes need a dedicated place as well.
Placing a wet sponge in a closed cabinet can quickly turn it into one big, moldy mess.
A sink caddy might be a small, sometimes overlooked kitchen item, but it can really come in handy.
Especially if it’s hooked over the side of the sink to keep everything within reach.
My favorite sink caddy has space for both a sponge and soap, and two suction cups keep it in place.
5. Durable Dinnerware
As you’re packing your motorhome, you might be feeling hesitant about bringing your porcelain from home.
There’s always the risk of something breaking or chipping.
Something I like to pack instead is a set of very durable dinnerware.
These don’t have to be pricey.
One of the most durable and inexpensive materials I know is melamine, this can be dropped on almost any surface without breaking.
6. Plate Cradle
Even if you choose to get durable plates like melamine, storage is still a concern.
There’s always a risk that everything will fly on the floor during hard stops and sharp turns. You want your plates to stay in place.
7. Mini Ovenware
When you’re on the road you should still be able to cook your favorite dishes.
But the tiny RV oven might not be able to fit regular-sized ovenware.
The solution? Go for small ovenware sets.
Four-piece set from Chicago Metallics contains a muffin tray, deep baking dish, shallow baking dish, and a rack.
They are non-stick and the perfect size for small ovens.
Now you can treat your family to lasagne for dinner, as well as breakfast muffins.
8. Utensil Organizer
Reaching into your kitchen drawer and scrambling around just to find a teaspoon can be frustrating.
Keeping your utensils organized saves both time and space.
I love bamboo utensil organizer, it’s durable and expandable.
That’s right, you can make it bigger or smaller as needed.
There are six compartments for the usual spoons, knives, and forks.
The expanded section gives you two additional large compartments on the side.
9. Stable Cutting Board
A good quality cutting board is a must in any kitchen, whether stationary or mobile.
A cutting board has to be durable and easy to clean.
You might also want more than one, particularly if you will be preparing poultry or meats.
Excellent set of cutting boards has a large, medium, and small board.
They are made of BPA-free plastic, and are also non-porous, which means they won’t splinter or crack.
Unlike wooden boards, these can be washed like regular dishware.
There’s a large handle and the boards are fitted with TPR borders to keep them in place while you’re cutting.
The edges will also keep them on the counter as you’re driving.
10. Pan And Pot Protectors
Just like you want to keep your plates and bowls safe, you also need to think about your pots.
A non-stick pan with a scratched surface is no good.
And those pots and pans can be pricey, so you have to care for them.
The best way to store pots and pans is by stacking them on top of each other, right?
But as you’re driving around the country, they can slip and scratch the other pans easily.
You also get six pieces which should be plenty for the pans and pots you will store in your motorhome. If you think they are a little too big, simply trim the edges to fit your needs.
11. Cabinet Bars
Keeping everything in place when you’re driving is crucial.
Whether it’s stuff in the fridge or cereal packs in the cabinet, everything needs to be secure.
Pulling up to your destination and discovering a mess in the kitchen can be disheartening.
This messy-problem has one easy and inexpensive solution: cabinet bars.
These are expandable bars that can be put in place in the cabinet, cupboard or fridge.
Cabinet bars from Camco can be expanded from 10 inches to 17 inches.
They also have spring-loaded functions which keep them locked in place.
In this pack, you get three bars which should be enough for an RV cabinet.
12. Collapsible Containers
The fridge in your motorhome is most likely a mini-fridge—and a tiny one of that.
When space is compromised, you need a smart way to store leftovers.
It’s never ideal to store pots in refrigerators.
Not only do they take up much-needed space, but they can also compromise the effectiveness of your fridge.
One of my favorite ways to store leftovers is using compact cases.
Recently I have been using collapsible containers. You get four colorful boxes, ranging in size from small to large.
They are made of a BPA-free silicone.
And the best thing?
They are multi-functional.
You can quickly reheat food in the microwave, they can also be stored in the freezer without a problem.
When not in use, they can be collapsed to 1/3 of their original size.
13. Ice Cube Tray With Lid
Not many of us would turn down the offer of ice cubes in our drinks during a hot summer.
An ice cube tray is a must-have for our homes but many people forget to pack one in the RV.
Something I always find difficult with ice cube trays is that they have to be on top of everything.
You can’t put anything over the tray or else your cubes won’t freeze properly or they will stick to other items.
RV fridges are already small, so being able to stack ice cube trays on top of each other is really helpful.
14. Cooking Utensils
You’re packing up the RV and getting ready to hit the road.
Even though you’ve taken a mental inventory of everything you need, it’s likely the smallest (and most essential) thing that is likely to get left behind.
For example; a potato peeler, measuring cups, tongs, etc.
That’s why it’s nice to have a dedicated set of utensils for your RV, which contains everything you need to cook your way through summer.
The best sets include ladles, large spoons, measuring cups, and even a pizza cutter and can opener.
My favorite utensils are non-stick and made of stainless steel.
15. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
One thing I always keep in my kitchen is a microfiber cloth.
These are easy to clean with, and gentle on all surfaces.
They can quickly come in handy in an RV as well.
Whether you’re cleaning the kitchen counter or need a dashboard wipe down, these can be used.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are super soft and they can absorb eight times their own weight in liquid—great for spills.
The best thing about these is that they’re easy to clean; you can quickly and easily rinse them off when they get dirty.
16. Strainers
This is another one of those smaller items that are often forgotten.
Strainers are a must in any kitchen and, at home, they’re kind of a given.
You may forget to put one on your RV packing list, though.
Whether you need to wash a few grapes or drain the pasta for dinner, strainers are needed.
In this set we found, you will get three strainers in large, medium, and small.
The handles are non-slip and heat-resistant, and the mesh net is so fine that nothing will be wasted.
17. Collapsible Kettle
If you (or anyone in your family) are anything like me, you can’t live without a hot cup of coffee or tea.
A kettle is always needed, you may need a cup of joe, or to boil water for dinner quickly. It’s a kitchen gadget I simply can’t live without.
However, as we know by now, a motorhome kitchen is not the most spacious. For that reason, we have to be extra clever when packing.
A regular kettle needs space on the counter, or in the cabinet. Fortunately, there is such a thing as a collapsible kettle.
Gourmia kettle is made out of a BPA-free, TUV-certified silicone, so it collapses to half its size.
It will only boil half a liter at a time, but that’s still enough for a couple of cups.
18. Wall-Mounted Paper Towel Holder
Paper towels are another must-have. Maybe you need to wipe down a surface quickly or dry off your hands.
But more often than not, the roll ends up on the floor, or unrolling itself somehow.
Having a holder mounted to the wall saves space, it can also keep the towels away from small and inquisitive hands.
You can mount it vertically or horizontally on a wall or even under a cabinet.
It’s made out of aluminum and it’s flexible enough to fit a jumbo-sized roll.
Conclusion
Being able to effortlessly cook your favorite meals while on the road can make camping a bit more fun. But in order to do so, you need to have all the essentials.
In the list above, I shared everything that I feel is essential in an RV kitchen.
The devil is in the details, and it’s often the smallest things we forget.
The only thing we’re missing now?
Delicious and easy camping recipes!
Hopefully you found the list helpful for your next trip. Maybe you have a couple of items you think should be added to the list. If so, drop us a comment in the section below.
