For many campers, their RV dining booth is a pretty major part of the camping experience. Not only is it where you have meals, it’s also a place to sit down and relax, or crank out some work if you’re making money on the road.
But as every motorhome or travel trailer lover knows, space in an RV camper is at a premium. Unfortunately, that traditional, booth-style RV dinette set isn’t exactly the most efficient use of space. The camping community has come up with some clever workarounds that save space, increase storage, and make your dining area look cute as a button. We’ll also take a look at your RV kitchen, and the ways to save space and make delicious meals to enjoy in your dinette area.
But first, let’s take a look at some basic RV dinette info.
What is an RV Dinette?
If you’re unfamiliar with RV dinettes, don’t fret. It’s simply the dining area of an RV which often resembles a booth. Your RV dinette booth contains a table in the center, with two seating areas on either side (or, sometimes, on three sides). Most RVs come with a dinette area already, and it is perhaps one of the most customized parts of recreational vehicles.
The Benefits of an RV Dinette:
RV dinette sets are also perfect for:
- Eating your meals comfortably
- Providing an entertainment area when friends are visiting
- A space to work
- Displaying your own personal touch (as dinettes are easy to customize with cushions, fabric, and other décor)
- Providing additional sleeping space, as some dinette areas convert into bedding
Where to Buy RV Dinette Furniture?
We recommend websites like Amazon if you’re after a bargain that can be shipped straight to you. Other online marketplaces, such as eBay, are also worth checking out.
A quick Google search of RV dinette furniture in your local area will also bring up a number of retailers specializing in it. You can either buy an already-designed RV dinette set or have them custom-make one to suit your own style and specifications.
While the idea of a brand-new RV dinette might have you excited, the price tag might not. If your budget is especially tight, we recommend searching your local classifieds or eBay for used RV dinettes that are up for grabs. RV owners remove and sell theirs all the time, so it’s a great way to bag a bargain.
RV Dinette Table
The RV dinette table is one of the most important elements of the dinette area. You can purchase an RV dinette table in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles.
RV Dinette Chairs
Perhaps the second-most important element is RV dinette chairs, as you’ll need somewhere comfortable to sit while using your table. Basic styles contain standalone dining chairs, while some RV owners prefer banquette seating – it just depends on your preferences, available space, and budget!
RV Dinette Cushions
Your RV dinette cushions make up the padded, cushiony part of your RV dinette chairs. Over time, they may wear and tear, but they can easily be replaced or reupholstered to look as good as new. When it comes to styles of dinette cushions, you’ve got a lot of choices, including leather, suede, linen, velvet, and more.
RV Dinette Bed
Remember how we mentioned earlier that some RV dinette sets can also become additional sleeping spaces when not being used for dining? You can buy specially-designed models that easily fold out into a bed. Some RV owners also convert their existing RV dinette into a bed with some handiwork. These work by utilizing the tablespace in between the dinette chairs and turning the whole space into one large mattress. Clever indeed!
There you have some RV dinette basics; now let’s look at some exciting alternatives!
RV Dinette Booth Alternatives
Although the RV dining booth is a tried and true RV interior mainstay, there are plenty of other ways to set aside space for meals without sacrificing a huge percentage of your floor plan.
Table and Chairs
Let’s face it: although booths can be comfortable, they’re often slightly cramped. If you replace your dinette with a camper table and standalone chairs, you have a lot more wiggle room — both literally and metaphorically. And if you need extra space down the line, perhaps to host an event or set up a video game system, you can likely stash those tables and chairs in your under-cabin storage area. The same certainly can’t be said of a booth-style RV dinette table!
Expanding Your Storage
Another great thing about choosing the table-and-chairs model over the traditional booth: you’ve got a great opportunity to add in some more storage!
You can create a sideboard table using two pre-built bookshelves and stools. Not only does this design increase your overall floor space, but it also offers additional shelving space, which you could use for craft supplies or books. After gluing the shelves together, painting them, and covering the top with wood grain contact paper, a separate long table with a matching finish can be added and set over the top of the shelves, creating a picture-perfect, space-efficient dining area.
More RV Table Alternatives and Suggestions
Here are a few more ways to rethink your RV’s dining area!
High-Top Table or Bar Area
You can reinvent your ideal seating scenario in the comfort of your rig by ditching your dinette booth in favor of a slightly taller solution if you prefer.
Take out your dining booth and use cabinets and a separate tabletop in order to create a nice, tall dining area. Then purchase some standalone stools, and voila: an instant bartop!
One of the coolest things about this method is that you can use just about anything to create a table or bar top. It just has to be flat, sturdy, and about the right size — which means you may be able to use reclaimed wood or even an old barn door!
The Half-Booth
Maybe you do like your RV’s dinette booth just fine, but don’t want to waste space.
No problem: save yourself some square footage and elbow grease by only removing half of your RV’s dinette booth. Then, you can still be seated at your comfy cozy booth… while adding extra storage space or floor room on the other side of the table.
Another creative way is to use a bookshelf in place of the second dining bench. You can use that to hold extra kitchen items, food, or any other necessary equipment. Plus, you can find bookshelves at Walmart, Target, or even on Amazon for well under $100.
Extra Space
Maybe you’re not really the type to eat in very often… or when you do, you invariably find yourself seated on the couch anyway.
If so, does it really make sense to devote a big chunk of your living area to a dinette set?
Swap out the booth for a small (but sufficient) table and chair set, and add in an extra accent chair and some wall art to complete the look. While you’re at it, update window fixings and add a throw pillow — major makeovers don’t always necessitate major expenses!
Best of all, this new set-up can easily be stored if you decide you need the room to do something else with, whether that’s hosting a party or having an impromptu dance-off.
Even More RV Furniture Hacks
As you can see, there are tons of ways to rethink the tried-and-true dinette set model. Whether you opt for a pre-built bar and chair set or invent your own novel solution, one of the coolest things about purchasing a motorhome or travel trailer is making your RV your own. After all, it’s supposed to be a home away from home, right?
But it might not just be your RV dinette set that needs an update! Depending on how you use your rig, you may also want to rethink your pull-out sleeper sofa, bunkhouse beds, and more.
The sleeper sofa, in particular, is a great example. Although this set-up is really convenient if you’re trying to sleep as many people as possible in your rig, if you’re traveling with a small party, they’re just unnecessary. They could easily be replaced with super-luxurious reclining chairs in which to sit back and enjoy your onboard entertainment system. Or, if you are traveling with more than a couple of people, especially for the long term, you might want to remove the couch and invest in an actual bed for that area. (After all, sleeper couches are convenient, but no one ever said they were the most comfortable option on the planet.)
No matter where you are on your RVing journey, we hope you feel empowered to make your rig your own — or are brainstorming some creative ideas for renovations, remodels, and upgrades for the future.
RV Kitchen Sink
Replacing an RV sink is a fairly easy, fairly common, DIY project.
But before you begin, it’s important to choose the right sink. There is a multitude of RV kitchen sinks available online and in RV stores. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing an RV kitchen sink.
Style
The style of an RV kitchen sink should complement the theme and decor of the RV kitchen. For example, if you have a vintage RV, a brand-new shiny chrome sink will probably not go well with your existing kitchen.
Material
RV kitchen sinks come in a range of different materials. Some materials, such as stainless steel, will last longer than materials like plastic. Durability should be taken into account before picking your sink. When choosing a material, consider who will be using the sink, and how often. For example, for a family with small children who use their RV every weekend, stainless steel is the right material because it can take a lot of wear and tear.
Type of RV
RVs come in many different sizes and styles, and the size of the kitchen varies according to vehicle. For example, Class A RVs often have a large kitchen, while Class Bs, truck campers, and small campers often have a tiny kitchen with only enough room for a small sink. Based on the size of the kitchen, you should choose the size and style of the RV kitchen sink to match.
Dealers
There are many dealers who sell RV kitchen sinks, both in stores and online. While searching for the right RV kitchen sink, it’s a good idea to keep the make, model, and year of the RV handy so you can choose a sink that fits. Regardless of whether you purchase one in stores or online, consider the reputation of the manufacturer and the design. It’s a good idea to do some research on the different manufacturers and models available before choosing.
RV Coffee Maker
Of course, once you have your RV dining area set up, you’ll want a decent coffee maker so you can sit and enjoy your morning coffee!
A coffee maker for an RV can be a small cost for big savings in the long run. It’s also nice to be able to get up in the morning and brew yourself a cup without having to worry about driving to a coffee shop.
Types of RV Coffee Makers
Before you begin shopping for an RV coffee maker, you should know the various kinds that are available so you can decide which is best for you. Whether you want a machine that does everything for you, or you prefer more hands-on coffee making, there’s an RV coffee pot for everyone. Here are the different ways to brew your morning joe.
Drip Coffee Makers
These are the traditional coffee makers you find in workplaces, hotel lobbies, and tons of other places. To brew, put a coffee filter in the top, pour the ground coffee in, and fill the machine with water. The water filters through the coffee grounds and drips into the large pot, where it stays warm until you shut off the pot. This is one of the easiest methods of making coffee, and you can get a drip coffee maker for very little money. They can also come with features such as timers or built-in grinders so you get freshly ground coffee which improves the taste.
Single Serve Coffee Makers
The most popular brand of these coffee makers is the Keurig, but there are several options. To brew your coffee, make sure there is water in the receptacle, then put a pod in the top of the machine, flip the lid down, place your mug underneath, and push a button. Because you only brew a single cup of coffee each time, these makers take up less space than a 12-cup coffee pot. There are also a variety of choices for pods, and you can get pretty fancy coffee this way. Single-serve coffee makers are much more expensive than drip coffee makers.
Percolators
Percolators can be electric, or you can purchase a percolator that heats on a stove. Stovetop percolators are popular with campers who don’t have access to electricity – you could even heat one over a campfire. Electric percolators are obviously easier and usually faster. To brew coffee in a percolator, place the coffee in a central container and fill the pot with water. Heat up the pot using one of the two methods, and the coffee will brew inside. Percolators run the gamut from simple camp coffee pots to fancy models with sleek designs and extra features like timers. Some people prefer the taste of percolated coffee to drip coffee – it’s all a matter of what you like best.
Pour Overs
A pour-over brew is exactly what it sounds like. You place a small container that holds a coffee filter on top of your mug and add grounds. Pour hot water over the grounds, letting it seep through the filter and into your mug. Pour-overs are another easy method while camping since you simply need a way to heat some water. Because the method only involves a single small piece of equipment, it’s also great for RVing. You can purchase a plastic pour-over cup for less than $10, or you can invest in a nicer-looking ceramic cup for more. You may not want to use this method if you’re making coffee for several people each morning, as you have to wait for each person to use the pour-over cup.
French Press
This is a more involved method of making coffee, but people who use it rave about the taste. A French press uses immersion to brew your coffee, and the absence of a paper filter leads to a much better flavor. French presses do have to be taken apart and rinsed, and many of them are glass which could be a challenge while traveling.
Best Coffee Maker for RVs
1.) BLACK+DECKER Brew ‘N Go Single-Serve Coffeemaker
This personal coffeemaker brews right into the included travel mug so you can grab it and get moving! It comes with a permanent filter and has an automatic shutoff. The mug fits most vehicle cupholders.
2.) Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
This coffeemaker is less than 5 inches wide, making it a great option when space is at a premium. It brews one cup of coffee at a time – you can use your favorite mug, or remove the drip tray and put your travel mug under the spout. An auto-off feature shuts off the machine 90 seconds after your last brew so you won’t waste energy, and the machine uses standard K-cup pods.
3.) Cuisinart 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe
This is a great option if you’re traveling with more than one coffee drinker (or just like more than one cup yourself!). The stainless steel carafe is practical for travel and features a dripless pour spout. This RV coffee maker has a 30-minute automatic shutoff, and a brew-pause feature in case you desperately need your first cup before the whole pot is done brewing.
4.) Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
This fast-brewing machine can accommodate either your favorite mug or travel mug and uses a mesh scoop filter so you don’t need to replace filters. The stainless steel looks sleek but is practical for an RV, and regular and bold settings mean you can easily adjust the strength of your coffee. The machine has an automatic shutoff and spill-resistant tray.
5.) Eurolux Percolator Coffee Maker Pot
This stovetop percolator is a great option when you want to make coffee off the grid – on your stove, or even over a campfire. The stainless steel pot is easy to clean and holds up to 9 cups in case you have a larger group. The pot comes with an instruction manual and filters to keep coffee grounds out of your java.
6.) Hario Plastic Coffee Dripper (Pour Over)
About the simplest way to make a cup of coffee. Just put this plastic pour-over cup over your mug, add a filter and coffee grounds, and pour hot water slowly over the grounds to brew your coffee. You can easily handwash and pack away the plastic dripper without any worries about treating it gently. It isn’t the most elegant cup of coffee, but it’s a great, inexpensive option to toss in your RV and not fuss over.
7.) Coleman Camping Coffee Maker
If you’re dry camping or just want to preserve power in your RV, try this coffee maker outfitted for a camp stove. Coleman is one of the most recognized camping brands, and they bring their quality construction to this coffee maker as well. The coffee maker fits on most 2- and 3-burner camp stoves and the glass carafe holds up to 10 cups, so you can brew for a larger group of people.
8.) BLACK+DECKER Under The Cabinet 8-Cup Coffeemaker
The ultimate space-saver – affix this under-cabinet coffeemaker in your RV and free up counter space while still giving your coffeemaker pride of place. This RV coffee maker attaches under most motorhome cabinets and is only 11 lbs, so it won’t put too much stress on them. The 8-cup insulated carafe keeps coffee warm for hours without the need for a hotplate and brews up enough coffee for several drinkers.
Coffee Maker FAQs
Once you’ve settled on the perfect compact coffeemaker for your RV, you may have a few more questions about your machine. A lot of those can be answered by reading the manufacturer’s instructions or visiting their website, but here are a few FAQs.
How do I clean my coffeemaker?
Cleaning your coffeemaker is going to depend on the type you selected, and it’s best to read the manual to know for certain. However, with a drip coffee maker, you’ll want to rinse and wipe out the chamber to remove any loose grounds. Fill the water chamber with a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water. Put a paper coffee filter in the basket to catch any debris that may be loosened by cleaning. Brew half the pot of water/vinegar, turn off the pot and let sit for an hour. Turn the pot back on and allow it to finish brewing. Change the coffee filter, fill it with clear water, and run the cycle again. You may want to do this two times to get rid of any lingering vinegar smell. Wash the inside of the carafe separately with dish soap, warm water, and a soft cloth and allow to dry.
Where should I set up my coffeemaker?
You’re going to want a water source, and with most coffee makers, a power source, so it’s most convenient to set up your coffee spot in your kitchenette near a sink. However, all you really need is a flat surface and likely an outlet, so a small table will work also. You may want to keep all your coffee supplies – the coffee itself, a grinder if desired, a measuring spoon, sugar if you prefer, and your favorite mug all in one spot so it’s easy to find.
Can RV coffee makers make tea also?
Since most coffee makers involve heating water, many of them are capable of making tea as well. If you’re going to make tea often, check your model before buying to be sure. Since you’re traveling light, it’s always nice when your appliances can do double-duty and make tea, or even instant hot chocolate or cider as well.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of waking up in the morning while camping at a scenic spot, brewing a fresh cup of coffee, and sitting outside watching the sunrise over a lake, the mountains, or the desert. You don’t need to sacrifice a good cup of coffee, just because you’re on the road!
Storage Ideas for RV Kitchen
Of course, even if you do your best to purchase only space-saving kitchen tools, and even if you’re at Tetris-master level when it comes to finding a place for them all to live, your RV’s kitchen cabinets only have so much space. That means finding some creative storage solutions and accessories can be incredibly helpful.
Another great solution is to use cabinet pot and pan organizers, which make it easy to arrange even the most unwieldy vessels and their lids. Just make sure you always put down some non-skid material. (You can easily cut down a non-skid rug like this one to fit your cabinets exactly.)
After all, unlike home kitchen cabinets, your RV does move from time to time. You don’t want to accidentally break any of your cookware… or to have all your hard organizational work amount to nothing every time you set out for a new destination!
RV Kitchen Cabinet Accessories
Save space and make your RV kitchen more comfortable at the same time by investing in a door-mounted trash can, which will allow you to move your garbage into the under-sink cabinet instead of out in the open. Just make sure you don’t forget to take it out regularly, since once it’s out of sight, it can easily be put out of mind, too!
Another common RV kitchen space problem: you’ve got enough drawers, but they’re unorganized, with all sorts of utensils and other things tossed into them at random.
Keep your trailer’s kitchen drawers spiffy and useful by investing in some simple drawer separators, which will help make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for every single time. You could also use more ambiguous drawer organizer bins for all the odds and ends that don’t quite fit perfectly into the mold.
Just make sure you always take the measurements inside your drawers before you order or purchase any of these organizers. There’s nothing as frustrating as getting ready to tidy up your space only to discover the implements you planned to use to help you won’t fit!
RV Accessories for Kitchen
Making your RV’s kitchen space tidier and better organized will help make cooking in your rig easier and more fun. After all, being able to whip up your favorite meals on the road is one of the most appealing things about this kind of travel.
Whether it’s hot dogs or haute cuisine: bon appetit, campers!
RV Ice Maker: Best Countertop Ice Makers
At the end of a long day driving or exploring, it’s nice to relax back at your campsite with a cold drink. Whether that’s an ice-cold lemonade, or something more potent, there’s nothing better than sitting and sipping and watching the sunset.
In order to have your chilled drinks at hand, you may want a portable ice maker for your RV. An ice maker for your RV means you can mix up cold drinks whenever you wish! Portable ice makers are also great when you want a large amount of ice available all at once. They make filling coolers or serving drinks to your campsite neighbors easier by supplying you with plenty of ice.
But which ice maker is the best for you? We’ll take a look at some of the best portable ice makers for campers and sort them according to size, price, and reliability.
Here are some of the best portable ice makers for RVs.
NewAir Portable Ice Maker
This ice maker produces 28 pounds of ice in a day. Its compact design makes it a great option for RVs and campers, and it’s a wonderful countertop RV ice maker. It can make three different sizes of ice cubes, which is helpful when you have different sizes of drink glasses or want to make fancy cocktails with specialty ice cubes.
It’s available in black, sleek stainless steel, or a variety of fun colors to match almost any RV decor. It’s very simple to set up and use, and it has an indicator to show you when the icemaker runs out of water, or when it’s full of ice.
Igloo Portable Ice Maker
A popular food blog rated this as one of their top ice makers. It has two ice sizes. It’s also small enough to fit on countertops and is easy to store when you’re not using it. It can produce 26 pounds of ice in one day.
GE Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
This ice maker looks expensive…and it is. The design of this machine is gorgeous and sleek, and you can see the entire ice bucket and water tank, so you always know exactly how much you have. It produces 24 pounds of ice in a day, and it also comes with an ice basket and scoop.
Frigidaire EFIC101-BLACK Portable Compact Ice Maker
This Frigidaire is very efficient, and its auto-shutoff feature means it’s also energy efficient. It’s a great countertop ice maker that also comes with an ice scoop. To install, simply plug the ice maker in and fill the reservoir with water. It runs very quietly and comes in several color options, so you should be able to find one to match your decor!
hOmeLabs Portable Ice Maker Machine for Countertop
This ice maker produces 26 pounds of ice each day and can produce one batch in 10-15 minutes. It runs quietly and is energy efficient. The cylindrical ice cubes last a long time before melting.
7 Game-Changing Kitchen Accessories Every RVer Needs
If you’re like most campers, chances are, the opportunity to cook your own meals on the road is part of what attracted you to RVing in the first place. I mean, who wants to live off overpriced restaurant chain meals every single night of their vacation?
Not only is cooking meals in your rig healthier, but it’s also a great way to save money. If you’re feeling really industrious, you can even meal prep ahead of time so you won’t have to worry about spending too much cash or overeating while you’re on the road.
But as you may have noticed, even the nicest RV kitchens aren’t exactly on par with the one you’re used to in your foundation-built home. You may not have an oven, for instance, and everything you do have is smaller.
But with the help of a few affordable kitchen accessories, you won’t have to sacrifice your cooking abilities just because you have less space to make the magic happen.
Kitchen Accessories for Campers
When it comes to an RV kitchen, your biggest limiting factor is likely to be your cabinet space. Camper kitchen cabinets are small, and most rigs don’t have many of them to begin with.
If you’re anything like me, you have a whole pantry at home filled to the brim with all sorts of fancy cookware you honestly probably don’t use all that often. So the first step for maximizing your RV’s kitchen space: only buy and bring the items you truly need.
For most home chefs, this means a basic set of pots and pans, a few good knives, and some mixing bowls. A great hack for RVers is to choose sets of utensils and dishes that stack neatly, so they take up less of a footprint in storage. For instance, this colorful 8-piece set includes mixing bowls, a colander, and a few measuring spoons, and they nest neatly to take up as little storage space as possible.
Kitchen countertop organizers
If your kitchen counter at home is prone to disorganization, just wait and see what happens when you’re crammed into an RV’s even smaller space. Depending on the size of your motorhome or travel trailer, kitchen organizers aren’t just helpful — they’re essential.
You can find accessories to help get your countertop in ship shape, as well as drawer dividers and cabinet organizers to tame interior messes. You can even organize the inside of your fridge with these large, plastic bins. You’ll be thanking yourself when you can find everything you need to whip up your favorite tasty camping meal in a flash!
A portable grill
Cooking outside is one of the best parts of camping. But sometimes, the campfire just won’t get started, and you’re not in a developed campground with a grill.
That doesn’t mean you have to give up hot dogs, steaks, and burgers! A small, portable grill is one of the best and most affordable outdoor kitchen accessories to invest in for travel trailers and motorhomes alike. Just make sure you bring the fuel you need, whether it’s propane or charcoal!
Collapsible colanders (and other dishware, too)
When you’re traveling and living in an RV, storage space is at a premium. That’s why it’s important to take up as little of it as you can!
Collapsible colanders and dishes can help make more space because they fold down flat. Plus, they’re usually made of food-safe silicone, which is a breeze to clean.
Airtight storage containers
If you buy dry goods like cereals, nuts, or trail mix, you’ve probably noticed they’re not always packaged in the best way to save space.
So if you want to cram more nutrition into your RV’s small space, try reusable airtight containers. If they’re square and stackable, they’ll use the space more efficiently and allow you to store way more food than you could before — not to mention helping you reduce waste (and save money!) by purchasing goods from the bulk bin at the market.
Nesting sets of pots and pans
Stock pots, saucepans, Dutch ovens — you need them all if you’re going to cook your favorite gourmet meals in your RV. But once you open your camper’s cabinet, you might be wondering how on earth you’ll fit it all!
Although cabinet organizers can be a big help, the best way to get all your tools to fit in a limited space is to buy a stackable or nesting set. That way, you can get the largest number of kitchen accessories to take up the littlest amount of space… and never be without the item your recipe calls for.
Instant Pot
Want all of the convenience and ease of a slow cooker, coupled with a huge range of alternative functions, an RV-friendly countertop footprint, and an affordable price to boot?
The Instant Pot is what you’re looking for. Once you get one, you’ll see why this is one of the most highly sought-after modern kitchen accessories there is. You’re essentially replacing what would have been a whole countertop’s worth of kitchen appliances with one device. You can make your own yogurt, cook perfectly puffy rice, and render even tough meats deliciously tender in just minutes.
How to Make a Small RV Kitchen More Efficient
Any RV owner will happily tell you just how awesome it is to have their kitchen with them wherever they may roam. That said, those same RVers would also be pretty quick to share how frustrating their small kitchen can be. After all, working with little to no counter space and trying to cook for a family with only two burners can be challenging, to say the least.
Fortunately, there are ways to make sure using your RV kitchen is less stressful and more convenient. Below are our favorite tiny kitchen ideas.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Design
Kitchen design for a small space is not something that is always done well, and carefully considering which of the small kitchen layouts you choose can make or break your cooking experience while camping.
Closely examine every little detail and really try to picture yourself cooking in the space:
- Take a good look at the countertops. Will you have enough prep space?
- Check out where the sink is, if you can reach it well, and if it’s big enough and deep enough for your tastes.
- Make sure the RV has all the appliances you need. Many only include tiny refrigerators, and some skip having an oven entirely.
By carefully considering the small kitchen design before you ever make a purchase, you might just save yourself numerous headaches.
Small Kitchen Ideas for Storage
Whether your tiny kitchen is well designed or not, storage solutions can make a world of difference. After all, small kitchen cabinets tend to be less than plentiful, meaning a bit of creativity is almost always needed to make the most of the space you do have.
Non-Skid Shelf Liner
Begin by putting some non-skid shelf liner in all of your cabinets. This will keep things from shifting during transit, saving you from needing to reorganize every time you change campsites.
Dish Storage
Changing the way you store dishes can give you tons of extra space. We really love these dish shelves for making sure all space is used effectively.
Can Organizer
If you carry canned goods in your RV, try using a can organizer to keep them all contained. This is the perfect way to keep cans from falling out of the cabinets as you drive.
Command Hooks
Scotch Command Hooks are great for organizing hanging things such as washcloths, pot holders, and more. Best of all, because they stick on and come off without messing up the wall, you won’t be decreasing the value of your rig by using them.
Tension Rods
Placing a tension rod at the front a cabinet behind the door will ensure nothing falls out on you when you open the cabinet after moving.
Magnetic Storage
Magnetic spice racks are perfect for getting your spices out of your cabinets or drawers, freeing up extra space for other things. Meanwhile, magnetic knife racks give you more drawer space and make digging for silverware a bit safer.
Tiny Kitchen Cooking Solutions
If your RV kitchen is one that doesn’t have an oven, or even if you just have a need to cook a large meal for a special occasion, you may be left wondering how on earth to get things done efficiently. Luckily, there are some ways to take care of this issue.
Cooking in Advance
There are some foods that are just as good a day or two after they’re made as they are the day of. Try weaving some of these foods into your meals so you can make them before ever leaving the house.
Examples of such foods include pasta salads, deviled eggs, pinwheels, and fruit and veggie trays.
Electric Appliances
If a lack of oven or insufficient burners are proving problematic, try employing some electric appliances. Instant Pots, NuWave Ovens, George Foreman Grills, and electric griddles can all give you extra ways to get things cooked and on the table. Just make sure you aren’t using too much electricity at once or you may flip a breaker.
Outdoor Cooking
Of course, you could also take some of the cooking outdoors. Grilled foods are always delicious during camping season. Try marinating some meat beforehand and putting it on the grill while you prepare the sides indoors.
Tips for Making the Most of Your RV Kitchen
Once you have storage and cooking methods sorted, you should be good to go. That said, there are some other tips that can help you along. Try these kitchen ideas on your next trip to see if they help you find your groove:
Prep in Advance
Before you head out for a weekend trip, do as much meal prep as possible at home. Cut vegetables, season meats, and bag meals up together. The less prepwork you have to do in your tiny kitchen, the better off you’ll be.
Stay on Top of Dishes
As tempting as it may be to leave the dishes until the last moments of your trip, doing so can really eat up your kitchen space and make cooking much more difficult. Instead, stay on top of those dishes by washing them after every meal. Consider using paper plates if the dishes seem to be taking over your camping time.
Folding Tables
If you find you just don’t have enough prep space, you might try setting up a small folding table to give yourself extra working room. If you don’t have room for one inside, take some prepwork outside.
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