Top 10 Motorhome Kitchen Appliances

Motorhome life is full of excitement and adventure – as a motorhome owner, you should certainly know about that! After all, not many things can compare to the feeling when you can simply drive off into the sunset and camp far away from people, united with nature. However, such trips also mean you won’t have access to many amenities that could make your life easier. That’s why you should carefully plan what you’ll add to your motorhome inventory, especially when it comes to cooking meals while camping or on the road.

When you’re travelling in a motorhome, your space is quite limited, but it doesn’t mean your cooking options are too! On the contrary, you can cook whatever your heart desires, provided you take all the essential items with you. This article will give you an overview of some of the best motorhome kitchen cooking equipment you can buy. If you want to get inspired and find out which kitchen appliances you should take on your next camping adventure with you, keep on reading.

Before You Buy

When you start looking for motorhome gadgets and appliances, you’ll quickly notice that the market is overflowing with options. It’s safe to assume that you’d love to equip your motorhome with the best products possible, and the number of choices might confuse you. How can you pick the things you need and not regret your decision later? There are three principles you should take into consideration: size, utility, and cost. Read on to learn more about them!

Size

As a motorhome owner, you must be able to arrange your space in a smart, effective way. After all, your living space will be quite limited, even though the most luxurious models can give you that homey feel. Still, a motorhome life means limited space, and you have to plan accordingly.
When it comes to motorhome kitchen ideas, these are almost endless. You can find inspiration online for larger and smaller kitchens, and your fellow camper friends might share their piece of advice with you. However, you should take into account the space you have, and make use of your motorhome kitchen cabinets, worktops, and other places you can use to store things.

A good rule of thumb is to look for motorhome kitchen accessories that are tall and thin. Collapsible items are also a great solution that can help you save space. Also, it’s better to purchase full-size products instead of their miniature versions. You may be tempted to buy smaller models, but these are never as efficient as their normal counterparts. When it comes to motorhome cooking, full-size models mean faster processing time, which also translates to lower energy cost.

Utility

You may find many motorhome kitchen accessories you’ll consider useful. However, if you see an item and think that it may come in handy “one day,” then you probably shouldn’t buy it. Sure, many gadgets could make your motorhome life easier and better, but what’s the point in buying them if you’re “maybe” going to use them?

A good rule of thumb is to buy accessories that you really need, not the ones that only seem practical. Your camper friends, experts, or bloggers might rave about some products. Without a doubt, a rice cooker or a slow cooker would make a great addition to your motorhome kitchen. Still, if you don’t like rice or you don’t enjoy soups, stews and, then you shouldn’t spend your money on them. The same goes for any other gadget you might want to buy for your motorhome kitchen. Purchase only the things you know you’ll be using for sure; otherwise, you’ll end up cluttering your small space.

Cost

This one is pretty straightforward, and it’s connected with the other two principles – don’t overspend on your motorhome kitchen gadgets. Some items can be really expensive, and it won’t always mean that you’re buying better products. Also, you should think about buying products that will fit and fill your motorhome kitchen space, not clutter it. Additionally, you should only buy the appliances you need, or you’ll end up spending a lot of money on big, useless items that won’t make your camping adventure any better.

The best thing you can do is to set up a budget and stick to it. It’s especially important if you’re just about to buy and equip your first motorhome – this means you’ll have to spend a lot of money on the basics and on the vehicle itself. That’s where the costs might add up pretty fast, and you may even realize you need to downsize or put away some purchases for later. However, if you budget your purchases and come up with a smart plan, you’re likely to be satisfied with your decisions. This way, you’ll know what’s your limit, and on which items you can splurge more money if you have some wiggle room left.

Ultimately, think about the purpose of your motorhome. Are you going to commit full-time to motorhome living, or do you want to use your vehicle for a couple of camping adventures during the year? It’s a big investment nonetheless, but you may consider purchasing more expensive products you know will be of better quality and will last you longer, especially if you want to live full time in your motorhome.

1. Coffee Maker

Many people love to start their day with a cup of coffee, and we can probably all agree that instant coffee is fine – but why drink it when you can buy a coffee maker? It’s a must if morning coffee is what you need to wake up and proceed with the challenges of your day.

Your choices are almost endless here: you can buy a traditional drip-brew coffee machine, a single-cup automatic coffee maker, a cafetiere or an manual AeroPress to satisfy your habit. In a motorhome you really need to save your counter space, opt for tall, thin models – there are plenty of those on the market! Don’t forget about high-quality coffee beans / ground coffee unless you chose a machine which uses coffee pods and capsules.

Read our guide on choosing a coffee machine for your motorhome.

2. Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot

If you like to cook soups or you’re a fan of slowly cooked stews, then you should definitely buy an appliance for slow cooking. A crock-pot has been a popular option for almost 50 years – it’s a trademark name for a range of slow cookers with ceramic inserts and heating elements on all sides, allowing the heat to be applied evenly. On the other hand, some unbranded slow cookers only have a heating unit at the bottom. This feature requires you to stir your dishes quite often, especially if they contain dairy or low amounts of fluids – otherwise, they may burn or stick to the bottom.

Any of these two appliances would be great additions to your motorhome kitchen. Their ability to cook low and slow is what makes them so popular, and the dishes you can make with them will be tasty and full of flavour. A slow cooker allows for low effort cooking as you can just throw the ingredients in, stir it occasionally and you will have good wholesome food in a few hours time. You can purchase a trademarked item or opt for a non-branded – range of slow cookers that will still do a great job.

3. Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot

These devices come in handy in every kitchen, be it in a regular household or in a motorhome. It’s clear to see why – they really speed up the time it takes for a meal to cook, and they’re multifunctional. In addition to pressure cooking, an instant pot can work as a rice cooker, sauté, warm, steam, and slow cook. If you buy the right model, it can almost do it all!

Pressure cookers are not that advanced, but they’re still frequently used in the kitchen and they cook food much faster with less energy. You can buy an electric pressure cooker, or opt for a model you can put on a stove and call it a day while it works its magic. Keep in mind, though, that the pressure cook feature can be dangerous, so you need to follow the right operating procedures to the letter. Nevertheless, you can cook a wide range of dishes with these appliances, which is why so many people swear by them.

4. Water Purifier

You probably do some planning before you go on a motorhome camping trip. Still, it’s impossible to predict everything, and the beauty of motorhome travels lies in almost absolute freedom – you can hop in and drive for as long as you want, and stop wherever you feel like it – as long as it’s legal! You may have some destination in mind but if you travel a lot, you know that your expectations may differ from reality. This includes the lack of a reliable water source – and we can’t stress enough how important a healthy water supply is!

Without it, there’s no camping, showering, or cooking – it’s simply a must. If you’re travelling with your family or a larger group of people, your water supply might dwindle pretty fast, and you need to replenish it. A water purifier is a must-have accessory that solves every issue related to access to clean water. The filters keep the good minerals in and remove all the bacteria, metals, and other contaminants that can be found in water.

Depending on your available space, you can purchase a small water purifier. However, the bigger ones tend to be more effective and help you get really clean water that also tastes great. Still, regardless, of the size, a water purifier is one of the most important motorhome kitchen accessories you should definitely have at hand.

5. Collapsible Bowls, Measuring Cups, and Colander

When it comes to space-saving solutions, collapsible items are simply unbeatable. They’re easy to store, and you can fit them almost anywhere – not to mention, they come in handy whenever you’re making food in your motorhome kitchen!

A colander and bowls are some of the most frequently used items in the kitchen. You can also buy collapsible measuring cups to get those proportions right and food containers for the leftovers. These accessories are often made of plastic and silicone, which is dishwasher safe and easy to clean if there’s no such appliance in sight. Their design is compact and practical, and when it comes to bowls and colander, manufacturers make sure they fit most motorhome kitchen sink shapes and sizes. These collapsible accessories are simply a must-have!

6. Microwave Oven

Some motorhome kitchens have built-in ovens. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it? Still, our experience and stories told by our fellow motorhome enthusiasts show us one thing – not many people actually use them! Well, maybe except for storing pots and pans inside – that’s a great way to save some space, right? However, a microwave oven seems to be much more popular for regular use – it doubles as storage space, heats and cooks the meals quickly, and can also boil water. If you want to get the most out of your microwave oven, you should consider buying the largest model that would fit in your motorhome kitchen, preferably one which fits your large-size dinner plate. The downside of this is that it would take up a lot of your counter space, and it’s not enough to prepare complete, complex dishes. Still, a microwave oven is a great appliance you can easily buy for your motorhome.

7. Portable Ice Maker

Any season is perfect for motorhome travels, but the majority of people prefer to go motorhome camping in the summer, or at least when the weather is warm and pleasant. Cold drinks can make those trips even better, which is why a portable ice maker is a useful addition to your kitchen equipment.

A portable ice maker will provide you with continuous supply of ice and free up space in your compact leisure freezer. You won’t have to buy bagged ice or store it in your freezer compartment. Keep in mind that some models are noisy and hard to clean, and the best ones tend to be a bit expensive. Still, it’s a great investment if you enjoy having cold drinks at all times.

8. Electric Kettle

What’s good during a cold night or a rainy morning? A cup of hot tea or coffee is one of the first things that spring to mind! You can just sip your hot beverage while you’re driving or sitting outside your motorhome or campervan, admiring nature and breathing in the fresh air.

Sure, you can boil the water over the stove or even over the campfire, if you feel like it. Sometimes, however, you just want hot tea or an instant soup – right now! In this case, an electric kettle would be your best friend. When it comes to motorhome kitchen appliances, it’s one of the most important and inexpensive items you can buy. Additionally, you can find lightweight, compact models that can help you save some counter space.

We advise you don’t get a 3KW rapid boil kettle as most campsites power will trip out with a large current draw. A 1 – 2KW kettle should be ample for boiling water in a timely manor but will allow you to run other mains powered devices at the same time without tripping the power off.

9. Blender

A nice blender is a must for all those who like healthy smoothies and fruit cocktails. And, if you’re seriously into motorhome kitchen gadgets, you may also use it to blend up sauces, or even chop herbs and smaller vegetables quickly and efficiently. If you buy a model with enough power, you get a versatile, multifunctional device. A high-quality blender is one of the best motorhome kitchen gadgets because it can also serve as a food processor and smoothy maker.

Another great thing about it is that you can easily buy a blender that’s slim and tall – which, as you already know, is important since you’re running on limited storage and counter top space. More advanced models come with additional storage jars and chopper bowls for even chopping. The parts are typically dishwasher-safe, and the blades should be easy to remove.

A blender is an amazing gadget for your motorhome kitchen and, by extension, it can make your motorhome experience so much fun! However, you should think your purchase through: you can find awesome low-profile models but some may not have enough power to be truly multifunctional. Also, don’t splurge on a device you’ll end up using rarely, or not at all – some blenders come with many parts to store, which can only clutter your already limited counter space. Some models are hard to clean, which may discourage you from using them. Still, for all those who enjoy motorhome cooking and love healthy foods, a blender is a must-have gadget for their motorhome kitchens.

10. Cast Iron Skillet

Are you looking for a durable pan that you can use in the oven, on the stove, on a grill, or even over the campfire? If that’s the case, then you should get a cast iron skillet for your motorhome kitchen. Campers love making meals in it because it’s a surefire way to prepare an evenly cooked dish that’s full of natural flavours.

Cooking in a cast iron pan is not only about frying! The excellent heat retention allows the food to cook evenly and stay warm for hours, and there are no chemicals or synthetic coatings involved. Cast iron is also relatively easy to clean – you can’t wash it in a dishwasher, but some water, a stainless steel scraper, and some cooking oil will do the job.

Some drawbacks of cast iron pans include the fact that they’re not really storage-friendly. They can get big and heavy, and you’ll have to be careful while handling them because once they get hot, they stay hot. Also, you need to remember about seasoning your cooking pan – a cast iron skillet can be seasoned with cooking oil or coconut oil. However, if you take care of it properly, including seasoning, cleaning, and storage, you get an amazing pan for healthy cooking that can last you forever.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – our top picks of motorhome kitchen accessories and gadgets. Our list is, by no means, exhaustive, and we’re sure other avid campers would find other kitchen appliances they can’t live without during their motorhome or campervan trips – and that’s all right! motorhome living can get wild and unpredictable, so it’s good to have various kitchen appliances, gadgets, and accessories to make it as convenient and stress-free as possible. However, keep in mind that you’re operating on a limited space and as such, you should look for some space-saving solutions so as not to clutter your motorhome kitchen.

That being said, we hope our list helps you determine which motorhome kitchen gadgets and essential appliances should be in your camping inventory. If you’re already a motorhome or campervan owner, chances are you have some kitchen equipment and are looking for items to make your motorhome cooking easier and better. And if you’re just at the beginning of your motorhome adventure, our list should give you an idea of where to start and what to look for. Keep in mind that some motorhome appliances or accessories are more useful to people with specific preferences. As such, don’t buy something you know you won’t use – it’s a waste of space and money. Stay safe and enjoy cooking in your perfectly equipped motorhome kitchen.

Read more on camper equipment in our articles Do You Need Air Conditioning in Your Motorhome? and Internet Access From Your Motorhome!