Many RV kitchens can be small, basic, and lacking in some key areas versus traditional kitchens. Fortunately, there are some very innovative RV kitchen accessories that help bridge the gaps and turn your RV kitchen into a great place to whip up some great food! We’ve pulled together a list of must-have RV kitchen gadgets that’ll enhance your camp cooking experience.
Constraints Of An RV Kitchen
There are some obvious differences between a regular house kitchen and an RV kitchen. Many of which are because of the RV’s overall smaller size. This means that cupboard space is more limited, and you might also run into issues with cupboard shape. If you have a big appliance, it might not fit the width or height of your RV kitchen cabinets.
Counter space is a luxury that few RVs have. The kitchen gadgets and accessories that once lived on your home counter will need to be smaller or find another location. We went so far as to determine which RV we purchased based on the counter space and layout of the RV kitchen!
RVs are all constrained by weight carrying capacity, so heavier items should be avoided. Quantities and heavier materials should also be considered – just think of all the pots, pans, and glass containers you have!
Finally, you’ll have to consider the size of the RV kitchen sink and stove you have. Many RV kitchen sinks are also smaller, and sometimes oddly shaped to fit the limited counter space (or for style). You’re going to have a hard time washing a big kitchen countertop appliance or oven pan in a tiny circular sink! Similarly, large clunky pots and pans might not be able to fit.
What To Look For In The Best RV Kitchen Accessories
Because of the aforementioned constraints of an RV kitchen, you must get a little creative in which RV kitchen accessories you choose. Fortunately, there are lots of great gadgets that will ease or completely overcome the hurdles presented by your smaller RV kitchen size. So when looking for the best RV kitchen accessories, keep your eyes out for the following characteristics:
Multi-purpose – The more functions a single instrument can perform, the fewer of them you’ll need! This saves weight, saves space, and makes the gadget you need closer at hand.
Lightweight – Look for RV kitchen accessories made from materials that are lighter-weight than their standard counterparts. Think plastic, silicone, or aluminum over glass or ceramic.
Space-saving – Believe it or not, there are a lot of really cool collapsible kitchen accessories out there! It can be big when you need it, and break down small for storage when you’re done. We’ve pulled together the best ones in the list below to save you the searching!
Durable (not fragile) – Besides being heavier, glass and ceramic are also fragile. When you’re in and out of the RV or driving down the road, you don’t need all of your dishware and wine glasses breaking.
Doesn’t take up much counter space – If you have a counter-top appliance you love, you might be able to find a smaller version. Look for ways to attach other items to walls or otherwise get them off the counter itself. Otherwise, you’re going to end up moving them a million times!
Functionality – Most importantly, it has to get a food preparation job done, and done well.
33 Must-Have RV Kitchen Accessories
We’ve compiled a list of RV kitchen accessories that fit these criteria. Most of these we have had personal experience with over our years of full-time RV living:
1. Collapsible Kettle
The collapsible kettle is personally one of my favorite RV kitchen gadgets. I use this kettle every single day, often multiple times. When it’s not in use, it collapses down and easily stores in a cabinet or drawer. This model also works with induction cooktops (see item #4).
- Designed for camping and hiking, collapsible and easy to use as...
- Perfect for long hikes and extended camping expeditions. Fits...
- Durable and basically indestructible. You can twist and turn this...
2. Instant Pot
While large and clunky, the Instant Pot is a perfect RV kitchen accessory because of its multi-purpose functionality. It is a rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pot, and more all in one – eliminating the need to bring multiple large single-function appliances!
Not only does it combine functions, but performs them better than the very instruments it replaces. It makes pressure cooking easy – which speeds up cook time and saves energy.
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker,...
- QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING: 13 customizable Smart Programs for...
- COOK FAST OR SLOW: Pressure cook delicious one-pot meals up to...
3. Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
Instead of having a separate Air Fryer, just add the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid to your arsenal! Yes, it is big and clunky, but not as big as getting a whole separate unit. This not only turns your Instant Pot into an Air Fryer, but we have also baked bread with this! It is much more energy efficient than our convection oven for small baking needs.
- Turn your instant pot into an air fryer: With one quick switch,...
- Easy to use: The detachable air fryer lid for Instant Pot is easy...
- Advanced safety: Overheat protection, automatic shutoff and more
4. Portable Induction Cooktop
Most RV ranges are propane. When you are hooked up to electricity, you have to continue to use propane, unless you have an electric cooking element like this one.
We’ve been using a countertop induction cooktop for years and love how fast and easy it is. It also is easier to clean than wiping down between the stovetop rails. When we are making big meals, it gives us an extra burner anywhere we have an electric plug.
- Duxtop Induction Cooktop uses 120V 15 amp electrical outlet -...
- Digital control panel. Built-in count-down digital timer with 1...
- With no open flame or heating element, food does not burn-on the...
5. Magic Bullet
Blender, coffee grinder, and smoothie machine all in one. It’s also small and the containers double as cups!
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1)...
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more....
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like...
6. No-spill ice cube tray
Have you ever filled your ice tray and then moved your RV? Water can slosh all over the place and create a big frozen mess in your RV freezer. This ice cube tray is simply designed to keep from spilling before it freezes. Since you don’t have to get this tray level, you can be a bit more creative with your freezer packing practices, too.
- Silicone lid seals water into Tray before freezing
- Sealed lid allows for stacking and angled storage in freezer
- Comfortable handle for a firm grip while filling or carrying
7. Knives with Sheaths
“With sheaths” is important. If you have knives loose in a drawer that is shaken up while going down the road, the last thing you want is to reach in there and accidentally cut yourself on a misplaced knife. These knives are also multi-purpose, serving as cutting knives or steak knives.
- QUALITY and PRECISION: These high-quality stainless steel blades...
- EASY TO USE: Nonstick ceramic coating makes is easy to slice your...
- COLOR CODING: Color coding reduces the risk of cross-use during...
8. Adjustable Cupboard Bars
We consider these as required RV accessories. After arriving at your campsite, the next step is to go around to all the cabinets and make sure items that shifted don’t come flying out. These adjustable cupboard bars save you from that chore, and from whenever you forget and get dive-bombed by the olive oil.
Tip: these also work great in residential-style fridges that don’t come with the RV fridge ridges or bars to keep the pickles from spilling out onto the floor. (Speaking from experience)
- Extendable length - twist the rod to adjust the length from 15.7"...
- Spring action - the tension rod with spring loaded inside,...
- Good structure - the tension rod ends with grommets so that the...
9. Collapsible Dish Drying Rack
Most RVs have to do dishes by hand, and that means needing a drying rack. This one collapses down for easy storage.
- Store and organize dinnerware and glassware while drying...
- Flexible material allows dish rack to collapse flat to save space...
- Can be used with a drying mat or drain board
10. Collapsible Mixing Bowl
Mixing bowls take up a lot of space in an RV, and can be difficult to maneuver around. This one collapses down to stay out of the way when not in use.
- CAPACITY 3 Quart
- INTEGRATED Pour Spout. GENEROUS Easy-Grasp Rim – NON-SLIP Base
- LOW PROFILE STORAGE - collapses to 2 inches for compact storage.
11. Collapsible Salad Spinner
Bonus: This one doubles as another collapsible mixing bowl!
- The patented design of this innovative collapsible salad spinner...
- The internal basket and external bowl collapses to almost half...
- The non-skid base makes spinning stable and easy
12. Squish Colander
Thanks to these collapsible colanders, we can store these in a slender drawer instead of taking up coveted real estate in a taller cabinet.
- Colander for quick washing: pasta, spaghetti, potatoes,...
- Package Dimensions: 23.114 H x 5.334 L x 13.716 W (centimetres)
- Package Weight: 0.454 kilograms
13. Collapsible Measuring Cups & Spoons
These nesting RV kitchen accessories make it so you don’t have to live with minimal denominations of measuring tools. You can still have them all!
- 1) SIZE ACCURACY - Baking and cooking requires spot on...
- 2) EXTREMLY DURABLE AND LONG LASTING - Perfect set of 8 BPA FREE...
- 3) AN ULTIMATE SPACE SAVER - Collapsible cups do not take up much...
14. Space-Saving Prep Tools
Think of the big versions of these tools, and then check out how small and space-saving they can be!
- 🖤[5 PC KITCHEN TOOLS SET]: Set includes 1 grater for cheeses,...
- 🖤[DURABLE & COMFORTABLE]: Made of strong and durable ABS...
- 🖤[SPACE SAVING STORAGE - TWO WAYS]: The space saving design...
15. Adjustable Cutlery Tray
Specially made for smaller RV drawers, this tray will expand to fit whatever size drawer you want your cutlery in.
- Sized to fit RV drawers
- Adjusts from 9" to 13" x 1.75" tall
- Easy to use and store
16. Collapsible Funnel
We went years without a funnel due to space in our utensil drawer. We no longer have to, and we find all kinds of uses for this thing!
- ★ FOOD GRADE MATERIAL: 100% food grade silicone funnel for...
- ★ ASSORTED SIZES & COLORS: 2pcs Large funnel and 2pcs Small...
- ★ SPACE SAVER IN KITCHEN: Foldable design, expand to use,...
17. Collapsible Leftover Containers
While we love the glass Pyrex and Anchor leftover containers, they are extremely heavy and take up a lot of space. These silicone containers get the job done just as well, and take up a fraction of the space in the drawer.
- VALUE SET CONTAIN DIFFERENT SIZE - Set of 4 silicone collapsible...
- SAFE MATERIAL WITH PREMIUM QUALITY - The food storage box is made...
- PRACTICAL DESIGN FOR DAILY NEEDS - The collapsible design shrink...
18. Square Pantry Storage Containers
RV pantry space is precious, so don’t waste space with cylindrical and uneven-height containers! These square, stacking containers will help you get the most out of your limited pantry real estate.
- Unparalleled Kitchen Organization - Keep your pantry organized...
- All Possible Sizes - 2 extra tall kitchen containers (2.5qtz...
- Freshness Preserved - The 4-hinge locking system of these pantry...
19. Collapsible Cutting Board/Wash Tub
Another one of the collapsible RV kitchen accessories that has multiple functions. We told you there were some cool ones!
- ✔ Bonus Knife & Knife Slot: we take your using experience into...
- ✔ 3-in-1 Multi-function: this vegetable washing basket has 3...
- ✔ Space Saving Portable Design: folding desige makes it easier...
20. Plate Rack
Plate racks keep your plates and shallow bowls from sliding around during travel. They also save space and easily grab your desired dishware.
- Holds plates vertically
- Made of durable chrome
- No mounting or installation required
21. Travel Spice Rack
Compact and space-saving. If you’re RVing on the weekends, you don’t have to skimp on the spices! If you’re RVing full-time, you don’t have to sacrifice the space to cylindrical spice containers.
- Sliding Open Design - Gently slip, you can pour out the spices....
- Portable Design - Set of 6 spice containers with a tray, compact...
- Airtight Seasoning Box - Keeps your spices fresh, odor-free and...
22. Govino Wine Glasses
One of the best solutions for RVers out there – wine “glasses” that don’t break! We’ve gone through our fair share of wine glasses and have learned that it’s really not worth the work of cleaning up shards when this is a perfectly acceptable solution. We also like the insulated wine cups as mentioned in #27.
- The Govino Go Anywhere Wine Glass Performs Better Than Plastic,...
- Designed For Fine Wine, Govino Glasses Also Serve As A Great...
- Leave Them At Home Or Bring Your Govino Anywhere. To The Beach,...
23. Insulated Chaser Mug
Traveling through hot weather just isn’t as bad when you’ve got a reliably cold drink to sip!
- The orca chaser stainless steel tumbler has a double-walled...
- Tritan polymer lid with silicone gasket creates a leak-proof seal
- Condensation free grip retains ice or heat
24. Contigo Auto-Seal Travel Mug
Never spill your coffee again! These Contigo mugs close and stay closed – perfect for the weekend or full-time traveler.
- Our lids are sealed: Autoseal technology is Leak and spill proof...
- For the long Haul - Drinks stay hot up to 7 hours and cold up to...
- Lend a hand easy one handed drinking with the push of a button;...
25. Tervis Insulated Tumblers
They don’t break easily and they keep your drink cold. When you’re chasing 70 degrees or higher, this is a must-have RV kitchen accessory.
- Tervis tumblers feature double-wall insulated construction that...
- Strong, impact resistant BPA-free material means these tumblers...
- Most tumblers are microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe for...
26. Insulated Coffee Mug
We love our insulated coffee mugs that keep our drinks warmer for longer. Bonus: they are lighter than ceramic coffee mugs and don’t break!
- Vacuum Insulated Technology: SUNWILL coffee mugs are with double...
- Powder Coated Premium 18/8 Stainless Steel: The insulated coffee...
- BPA Free Press-in Lid: The eco-friendly lid is completely BPA...
27. Insulated Wine Tumbler
Insulated wine tumblers are awesome for RV life because they are durable, are multi-purpose (not just for wine!) and are stylish.
- The Vacuum Wine Tumbler with Insulated Double-Wall Technology to...
- Premium Material: Made from high-quality 18/8 of 304 Grade...
- BPA-Free Lid & Straw Friendly: Eco-friendly lid with extra gasket...
28. Collapsible Pourover Coffee Maker
For RVers who drink one or two cups of coffee a day, you might not need a whole coffee pot taking up space on your limited counter space. Pourover coffee makers are not only a more compact solution, but this one collapses down even further!
- BREW COFFEE ON THE GO, ANYWHERE: Expanding, collapsing silicone...
- REDUCE OVERFILLING: The Java Drip brews fresh cups of drip coffee...
- COMPACT AND DURABLE: The Gourmet Pour Over Java Set's clever,...
29. One-Cup Keurig Coffee Maker
Okay, so maybe you’re not a pour-over type of person. You can still get away with a smaller, more compact coffee maker like the one-cup Keurig Coffee Maker.
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently...
- FITS ANYWHERE: Less than 5 inches wide, perfect for small spaces
- YOUR PERFECT AMOUNT: Brew any cup size between 6-12oz with Keurig...
Outdoor RV Kitchen Accessories
Let’s talk about some of the outdoor RV kitchen accessories! If you’re looking for the great camp food experiences, here are the gadgets you’re going to want to get:
30. Dutch Oven for Camping
You might also want to pick up a copy of The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook for some great recipe ideas!
- Yellowstone National Park Commemorative Edition
- True Seasoned Finish cast iron Dutch oven and Built-in...
- 12" diameter
31. Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
Who can go camping without roasting a marshmallow?!
- HIGHEST QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL & SCALDING RESISTANT WOODEN...
- SAFE FOR KIDS - Campfire hot dog sticks have a telescopic design,...
- SMORES MAKER ESSENTIALS - You can enjoy delicious food with...
32. Camp Cookers
Great for making sandwiches and personal pies over the fire. Who knew cooking could be so much fun?
- Cast iron cooker with two-part hinge and 27-inch handle; can be...
- Great for toasting sandwiches, grilling meat, and cooking...
- Affordable, essential gear for car camping, RV trailers, motor...
33. “Life is Better at the Campsite” Apron
If you’re going to be working over a campfire, you’re at risk of getting dirty. Grab one of these cute camp-themed aprons to stay clean and crisp in your cooking efforts!
- Protects Clothing: Great for baking, cooking and grilling
- Unique Design: RV-patterned apron—perfect for RV enthusiasts
- Fit: One size fits all
Make Your Kitchen Functional and Fun With These RV Kitchen Accessories
While the challenges of preparing food in an RV can been daunting, we hope these recommendations help you find ways to fully utilize your RV kitchen. We’re a big fan of innovative RV kitchen accessories, so if you find others that work for you, we’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!
Happy RV Cooking!
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