Here is the definitive list of Campervan Essentials that you will find in the Vanlife Eats campervan Kitchen.
Cooking in a campervan can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it comes with unique challenges—limited space, weight restrictions, and the need for durability. Since 2018, we’ve been living and cooking full-time in our van, and we’ve tried everything from lightweight camping store cookware to heavy-duty professional equipment. After spending countless hours (and pounds!) testing different gadgets and equipmet, we’ve found the perfect balance: lightweight, durable, and practical gear tailored for campervan kitchens.
Here’s our definitive list of campervan kitchen essentials that will elevate your vanlife culinary adventures and save you a ton of money!
Top Campervan Kitchen Essentials (click the links to purchase)
- Omnia Stove Top Oven – Perfect for baking and roasting without a full oven.
- Ridge Monkey XL Sandwich Toaster – Great for pressed sandwiches and so much more.
- BergHOFF Multifunction Pan – Covers all bases from frying to baking. Use code: VAN15 for discount!
- Silicone Steamer Mat – Ideal for dumplings and steaming veg.
- Savernake Knives – One high-quality knife goes a long way.
- Corelle Plates – Lightweight, durable, and space-saving.
- Piranha Manual Blender – Quick blending without needing power. Use code: vanlifeeats for discount!
- Waeco Dometic CRX50 Fridge – Keeps ingredients fresh in a compact, efficient way.
- Bamboo Worktop – A sturdy, eco-friendly prep surface.
- Wooden Chopping Board & Wooden Spoon, Collapsible Mixing Bowl – Handy basics that make cooking a breeze.
- Pastry Board – Great for pasta and bread dough and keeps mess minimal.
- Dumpling and Pasta Cutting Kit – We love making dumplings, ravioli and empanadas!
- RidgeMonkey Cutlery – I know it may feel like just a cutlery set but this set feels great to use and is very durable. We never thought we’d have a favourite tea spoon!
- Magnetic Glasses – Silwy magnetic glasses that hang from our van ceiling. Love these!
- Wonderbag Thermal Cooking – A real game changer for slow cooking and prepping ahead. We often use this when we are out exploring for the day!
Best outdoor cooking essentials (click the links to purchase)
- Cobb Grill – An amazing portable outdoor BBQ solution
- Campingaz Stovetop – Great for when we need to take our pans outside
- Blackstone Griddle – We love using this hotplate
- Winnerwell Firepit and Cast Iron Pot – The best outdoor cooking experience over an open fire
- Ooni Pizza Oven – Pizza is often on the menu, and this portable pizza oven is stored in the van garage, ready to set up
- Flamers Firelighters – Natural fire lighters that make lighting a BBQ or fire so easy!
Why Choosing the Right Campervan Kitchen Essentials Matters
When we first started our campervan journey, we bought lightweight pots and pans from a camping store. It seemed like a great idea at first, but within weeks, they were tarnished, dented, and completely unusable. Frustrated, we tried heavy-duty professional equipment—but while it performed well, it was bulky, heavy, and impractical for a small campervan kitchen.
After years of trial and error, we found the middle ground: lightweight, durable, stackable, and space-efficient equipment that’s designed for frequent use.
Now, we’re sharing our curated list to save you time, money, and frustration. These tools make cooking in a campervan easier, more enjoyable, and produce better results.
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Happy cooking, and may your campervan meals be as adventurous as your travels!
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