In an RV kitchen, every item has to justify its existence. Counter space is precious, storage is limited, and anything that only does one job gets left at the next Goodwill. After years of full-time RV living and cooking three meals a day for a family of five, these are the seven things that earn their spot.
1. Instant Pot Duo
The Instant Pot replaced our slow cooker, rice cooker, and a stockpot. Soups, stews, rice, beans, even yogurt — it does everything and uses less propane than the stovetop. This is the single most-used appliance in our RV.
2. Cast Iron Skillet
A Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet handles breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pancakes, seared chicken, cornbread, even pizza. It goes from stovetop to oven and gets better with every use. Virtually indestructible.
3. Collapsible Dish Rack
A collapsible dish rack that folds flat when not in use. No dishwasher in an RV means hand-washing everything, and wet dishes need somewhere to dry.
4. Magnetic Spice Rack
Magnetic spice tins stuck to the inside of a cabinet door. Zero counter space used, spices stay put during travel.
5. Silicone Baking Mats
Silicone baking mats replaced parchment paper and aluminum foil. They roll up, take no space, and work for everything from cookies to roasting vegetables.
6. Electric Kettle
A compact electric kettle for morning coffee, tea, instant oatmeal, and quick-boil pasta water. Faster than the stovetop and doesn't burn propane.
7. Nesting Mixing Bowls with Lids
Nesting bowls that stack into each other and double as storage containers with their lids. Mixing, serving, storing leftovers — three jobs, one set of bowls.
The Rule
If it doesn't do at least two jobs, it doesn't come in the RV. Every item on this list has survived thousands of miles and hundreds of meals.
Keep Reading
- Our RV Setup: What We Drive, What We Changed, What We Would Do Differently
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- How We Get Fast Internet Everywhere in Our RV
- Best Gear for Raising Kids in an RV (Ages 2-8)
🎒 Curious what gear we use? Check out our complete gear guide — every product tested over 200+ nights on the road.
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