The joy of cooking in nature and enjoying meals with your loved ones while on the road in your campervan can’t be matched. But cooking in a campervan can be daunting for those who are new to the concept. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 5 easy tips to help you cook like a pro in your campervan.
If you’ve recently bought a campervan from us, or you’ve planned to hire a campervan with us, keep reading to master the art of campervan cooking and enjoy delicious meals no matter where you are!
Our 5 campervan cooking tips
Cooking in a campervan offers the freedom to get creative with your meals and explore new recipes, as well as providing a great way to enjoy better and healthier food. With the convenience of a campervan kitchen, you can stop and eat whenever and wherever you desire, saving money on eating out.
Whether you’re making a flavourful curry or stew, or cooking a delicious hearty breakfast, campervan cooking allows you to create tasty dishes on the road. So, remember to enjoy cooking in a campervan and savour the flavour of your travels.
1. Ensure you have the essential campervan cooking equipment
When it comes to campervan cooking, having the essential equipment is key to creating delicious meals on the go. It allows for more freedom and ensures you have everything you need to prepare your meals. Some essential campervan cooking equipment includes:
- A portable gas stove or grill for outdoor cooking
- A reliable cooler or fridge for storing perishable food and keeping it fresh
- Basic cooking utensils such as knives, chopping board and pots and pans
- Melamine crockery and cutlery to avoid any breakages
2. Plan and prep your meals before your trip
Planning and prepping your meals ahead of time is crucial for successful campervan cooking. By doing so, you can save time and ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients to hand. It’s best to opt for simple and easy-to-make meals that require minimal prep and cooking time. This way, you can spend more time enjoying your road trip and less time in the campervan kitchen. Proper meal planning and preparation will make your campervan cooking experience hassle-free and allow you to enjoy delicious meals while on the go.
Some ways you can prepare before your trip are cutting up food before you leave, and if you use reusable containers to store your prepped ingredients, you can use them for leftovers. Not only does this provide easy access to ingredients when needed, it also makes assembling meals a breeze and helps to reduce waste. You could also consider opting for easy and versatile ingredients like canned foods and pre-cooked rice or pasta for example. These items are convenient to use and require minimal preparation.
3. Keep your campervan kitchen clean
It’s important to keep your kitchen clean and organised when cooking in a campervan as you’re working with a limited space. One way to stay organised is by using simple and versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes. This helps minimise the number of ingredients you need to bring along on your trip. In addition, keeping a clean campervan kitchen ensures that you can easily find what you need and reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Some tips to keeping your campervan kitchen clean is to wipe down surfaces with disinfectant wipes after each use. It’s also worth keeping a small dustpan and brush on hand to help you quickly clean up any spills or messes. To make clean-up even easier, you could line your surfaces with non-stick liners before cooking. It’s also important to make sure to clean your campervan cooking equipment thoroughly to prevent buildup of food.
4. Be prepared to adapt your cooking to different locations and weathers
Adding flexibility to your campervan cooking routine is crucial for ensuring successful and enjoyable meals on your road trip. Whether you’re travelling at home or abroad, taking into account your location and the weather is important.
For example, you may find yourself in a location that has a high altitude, so you’ll need to adjust your cooking times and temperatures to ensure food is cooked properly. Boiling water will take longer and food may cook faster due to the thinner air. Campers should experiment with different cooking methods and recipes to find what works best for them in high altitudes.
When cooking in cold weather conditions for example, you’ll want to plan for warm, hearty meals like soups and stews that can help keep you warm while cooking and eating. Investing in a good quality portable stove or hot plate that is suitable for cold weather conditions is also essential. And, be sure to bring along plenty of warm clothing to keep you cosy while cooking outdoors!
With some practice and experimentation, campervan cooks can conquer the challenges of cooking in unpredictable weather conditions.
5. Keep your meals simple
Keeping your meals simple is key to campervan cooking. By using easy-to-store and cook ingredients like pasta, rice, and canned food, you can ensure that cooking your meals is as hassle-free as possible. Stocking up on convenient options allows you to save space in your campervan fridge. Plus they can be packed away in your cupboard or pantry for easy cooking on the road.
Additionally, using herbs and spices adds flavour to your meals and can also be used in multiple meals, keeping the complexities of cooking to a minimum. Consider sticking to basic recipes like one-pot meals, that can save you time and effort.
Ready to try campervan cooking for yourself?
There’s no doubt the key to successful campervan cooking is about preparation, adaptability, and simplicity. With the right equipment and effective meal planning, you can enjoy delicious meals on the road. We hope our campervan cooking tips allow you to have a culinary adventure while exploring the great outdoors!
If you’re ready to try out cooking in a campervan, be sure to take a look at the campervans we have for sale here at camper_versions. Want to master campervan cooking first? No problem, you can hire a campervan with us! Get in touch with us to learn more about the campervans we have available and our campervan hire.