10 Tips for Cooking in a Van

This article lists 10 tips for cooking in a van or RV. These tips may not apply to all kitchen set ups in vans or RV, please cook at your own risk in your van and follow recommended safety procedures. 

Cooking in a camper van can be a delightful and rewarding experience or painful and messy. It all depends on your setup in your van.

You don’t need to have the most elaborate kitchen set up, utensils or gadgets, but know that you are entitled to have your van kitchen your way. Don’t let social media or minimalist influencers impact what you want!

Whether you have a stove oven or a simple propane stove, there are a few tips and tricks that can make cooking a lot easier for yourself in your van.

Here are ten essential tips to make your van-cooking adventures safe, efficient, and enjoyable.

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Ventilate, Ventilate, and Ventilate

Proper ventilation is crucial when cooking in a small, enclosed space like a camper van. Without it, you risk lingering food odours and potentially dangerous build-ups of carbon monoxide and other fumes.

• Open Windows and Roof Vents: Ensure you open windows and roof vents whenever you’re cooking. If your van has a fan, turn it on to keep air circulating. Consider installing a roof vent like these from Amazon below to optimize ventilation and vent air with closed doors.

• Portable Fans: Consider using portable fans to help move air out of the cooking area. These fans are rechargeable, have a light source, can charge your phone, and can last all night. Bonus! You can hang these inside a tent if you have the room.

Carry a Fire Extinguisher

Safety should always be a top priority. A fire extinguisher is a must-have in any camper van.

• Location: Keep it in an easily accessible location, near your cooking area.
• Type: Make sure it’s suitable for kitchen fires, typically labelled as a Class K extinguisher. Having a fire blanket is also a good precaution to take.

Meal Prep and Plan to Save Time and Money

Space and resources are limited in a camper van, so efficient meal preparation and planning can save you a lot of hassle.

• Prep Ingredients: Chop vegetables, marinate proteins, and cook grains ahead of time in larger portions to heat up later.
• Plan Meals: Create a weekly meal plan to minimize waste and avoid last-minute grocery runs. Check out grocery flyers before shopping and try to use seasonal produce.

Back-Up Cooking Method

Having a backup cooking method can be a lifesaver when conditions aren’t ideal for your primary method, like if you run out of propane or have a low van battery.

• Electric Hot Pots or Steamers: These are great alternatives that can be powered by your van’s electrical system or a portable generator.

• Camping Stoves: If you camp or backpack a lot you will have a camping stove and cookware available to you. It’s a cheaper and smaller alternative to buying a stove.

Use a Tile for Ovens

Using a tile or pizza stone in your oven can help distribute heat more evenly, which is especially helpful in the smaller ovens often found in camper vans.

• Type: Use unglazed tiles only, these are available at any hardware store for cents.

• Placement: Place the tile on the bottom rack of your oven to prevent hotspots and ensure even cooking.

Be Wary of Burning Food

You can burn food more easily, particularly when cooking in a confined space where temperatures can be harder to control.

• Low heat only: If you think about the pot-to-heat ratio, you will be using more heat as your pots will be smaller. Therefore, your food will cook a lot faster and have a higher chance for food to burn. So only try to use the low heat setting on all your cooking mechanisms.

• Monitoring: Keep an eye on moisture levels and adjust as needed during cooking.
• Add Water: Adding a bit of extra water to your dishes can help prevent burning and sticking, as the water will evaporate quicker than normal.

Put in a Smoke Detector and CO2 Detector

A smoke detector and CO2 is an essential safety device in any living space, including a camper van.

• Placement: Install it near your cooking area but far enough away to prevent false alarms from normal cooking smoke.

• Maintenance: Regularly test and change the batteries to ensure it’s always operational.

Purchase Oven-Safe Containers or Bags

Using oven-safe containers can make your van cooking more versatile and convenient.

• Multi-Use: Look for containers or bags that can go from oven to table, saving space and reducing the number of dishes you need to carry.

• Materials: Opt for glass or ceramic, which are generally safer and more durable for cooking. Oven-grade silicone containers and bags work well too.

• Shape: Always go for square containers because they will fit better into storage spaces than circular ones. Also, get a variety of sizes so that you can use them for food and snack storage on the go.

Store Propane Properly

If you use propane for cooking, proper storage is critical for safety.

• Secure Storage: Always store propane tanks in a well-ventilated area outside or inside the living space.
• Check for Leaks: Regularly inspect hoses and connections for leaks using soapy water and replace any damaged parts immediately.

Limit Cooking Tools

You can easily buy as many small cooking tools, pots, pans, plates, and cutlery that you may think you’ll use. Be smart and buy quality gear to last a long time and have multi-use purposes.

• Enamel Plates, Bowls, and Cups: Look for camping plates, these can be used to cook with and are also indestructible. You can buy a larger pack online like these ones but also check out your local thrift store, and Dollar Store for individual options at a lower price.

• Limit Pots and Pans: Get one pan and pot to use in your van. Limit your pot to less than 2 quarts and your pan to less than 10 inches wide. Make sure they are good quality like the ones pictured below.

• Silicone Spatulas: This was probably the best thing I purchased for the van. A set of small silicone spatula are the most handy when cooking, not only are they just as good as wooden spoons but they can easily wipe clean a pot or pan making it easier to clean up at the end.

Cooking in a camper van requires a blend of creativity, planning, and safety awareness. By following these ten tips, you can enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals on the road while keeping your mobile kitchen safe and efficient.

Whether you’re a full-time van lifer or a weekend warrior, these strategies will enhance your culinary adventures and ensure you make the most of your camper van experience.

Happy cooking!