Equipping your RV kitchen with compact, multifunctional, and durable tools is key to avoiding endless fast-food stops. Your kitchen tools should also withstand bumpy roads and collapses and be easy to clean. We’ve found the best kitchen essentials to help you create everything from quick and easy breakfasts to slow-cooked dinners.
Kitchen Essentials Comparison Table
Here’s a quick look at how our 4 favorite kitchen essentials stack up:
| Product | Instant Pot Duo Mini | AeroPress Go Coffee Maker | Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers | Progressive Collapsible Colander |
| Image | ||||
| Price | $49.95 | $49.95 | $22.97 | $11.99 |
| Weight | 8.65 lbs | 0.71 lbs | 3.2 lbs | 0.53 lbs |
| Material | Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic | BPA-free polypropylene, silicone, paper | BPA-free Tritan plastic | Flexible silicone |
| Durability | Shatter-resistant, stain-resistant | Shatterproof, durable | Stain-resistant, odor-resistant, shatter-resistant | Withstands hot/cold liquids |
| Dimensions | 11.2″H x 11.4″L x 10″W | 4.2″D x 4.2″W x 7.3″H | N/A | 0.91″L x 11.18″W x 10″D |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year warranty | Limited warranty | 1-year warranty |
1. Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: Best Multitasker
Price: $49.95
Features:
The Instant Pot Duo Mini is a pint-sized powerhouse, packing seven appliances into one compact countertop unit. It can pressure cook, slow cook, rice cook, sauté, steam, warm, and even make yogurt.
At 3 quarts, it’s ideal for small families, couples, or solo travelers. The stainless steel inner pot has a tri-ply bottom for even heating and safety features to ensure hassle-free cooking. Plus, the lid, inner pot, and accessories are all dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Replaces 7 appliances, freeing up precious RV storage.
- 3-quart capacity is perfect for RV meals.
- Pressure cooking is 70% faster than other methods.
- In-built safety features.
- It is dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Multiple functions can be overwhelming initially.
- Steam release can be startling in close RV quarters.
2. AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press: Best Coffee Maker
Price: $49.95 (Sale Price $37.47)
Features:
This compact brewer makes 1-3 cups of smooth, rich coffee in about a minute with minimal bitterness. It includes a drinking mug that doubles as a carrying case, a folding stirrer, a scoop, and 350 micro-filters. The brewer is made of durable, BPA-free plastic and has a lid to prevent spills during transport.
Pros:
- Microfilters remove grit for smooth, flavorful cups.
- Makes 1-3 cups in about a minute.
- Collapses into the included mug for easy packing.
- Makes regular coffee, cold brew, and espresso-style drinks.
Cons:
- Not ideal for large groups because it has a limited brewing capacity.
- Ongoing cost and waste of disposable filters.
3. Rubbermaid Brilliance 10-Piece Food Storage Containers: Best Food Storage
Price: $22.97– $38.61
Features
This 10-piece set includes two 1.3-cup, two 3.2-cup, and one 9.6-cup BPA-free Tritan plastic containers with 360-degree crystal-clear lids. They stack neatly and share lids across sizes for easy organization. They’re 100% leak-proof due to airtight latches and a vent for splatter-free microwaving. They’re also stain-resistant, odor-resistant, and dishwasher-safe—perfect for busy travelers.
Pros:
- The airtight seal prevents spills and leaks.
- Food residue won’t penetrate plastic.
- Contents can be seen without unstacking.
- Built-in vents allow reheating without removing lids.
Cons:
- May be too tall for some RV cabinets and fridges.
- Feels less sturdy than glass containers.
4. Progressive International 3-Quart Collapsible Colander: Best Colander
Price: $11.99
Features:
This collapsible colander from Progressive International saves space without sacrificing function. Made from flexible silicone, it expands to hold 3 quarts of food and collapses to just 1 inch tall for storage.
The colander has soft-grip handles for comfortable carrying and raised feet for faster draining. It’s heat-resistant up to 400°F, so you can safely drain boiling water and pop it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Collapses to 1 inch tall for compact storage.
- Holds up to 3 quarts of food.
- Withstands boiling water and high temperatures.
- Soft-grip handles for secure holding.
- Ut is dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- May be less sturdy than rigid plastic or metal.
- Holes are small, so draining can be slower.
How We Picked the Best Kitchen Essentials for RV Travel
Choosing the top kitchen essentials for RVing requires careful consideration of the needs and challenges of cooking on the road. Here are some key factors we considered:
- Capacity: We looked for items sized appropriately for RV kitchens and typical RV meal prep, favoring compact footprints and sensible serving sizes.
- Multi-Functionality: The more jobs an item can do, the fewer items you need to store. We prioritized versatile tools that can pull double or triple duty.
- Storage: Anything that collapses, nests, or compresses earned major points. We also considered overall size and shape for efficient cabinet and drawer storage.
- Power Efficiency: Electric appliances must run on minimal power to avoid overloading RV systems. We chose models with lower wattage draws and energy-saving features.
- Durability: Bouncing down the highway is hard on kitchenware. We sought out products made from shatter-resistant, chip-resistant materials that can handle life on the road.
- Easy Cleaning: Doing dishes is enough of a chore without scrubbing pots and pans. Dishwasher-safe and non-stick options were strongly preferred.
- Weight: Every ounce counts when carrying your kitchen on your back. We factored in weight as a key consideration, especially for larger items.
The Bottom Line on Essential RV Kitchen Gear
You can whip up your favorite dishes wherever the road takes you by choosing the best kitchen essentials for your needs and space. The Instant Pot Duo Mini is a versatile multi-cooker while the storage containers and colander are handy for prepping fruits, veggies, salads, and more. And you have the AeroPress if you’re looking for a great cup of coffee. For more expert advice, check out our guide to mastering your RV kitchen.
