Outfitting a Vehicle Kitchen
Contemplating what to pack in your vehicle kitchen and how to organize it all? In this article, we go over What, How to Choose, and Where for all the things wanted and needed in a kitchen on the go. We’ve also sprinkled in some guidance based on what has worked well in our mobile kitchen over the years and what hasn’t.
Planning What To Pack
Let’s say you already have a fixed amount of empty kitchen storage space, or you are planning your space and need to calculate how much capacity you will need. You’ll want to inventory all of the cookware, serveware, utensils and gadgets, seasonings and oils you would ideally keep in your kitchen. Seem overwhelming? One approach to bring focus to it all is to envision what it is you really want to cook while on trail. What are the tools you would need to make those amazing camp meals you dream of? Among all of those meals, do they share common cookware and prep tools? The more your kitchen items can multitask, the more streamlined your kitchen will be. Read on to get more in depth into each category of kitchen items you’ll be planning for.
camp Cookware
These are the heavy lifters of any kitchen, but they don’t necessarily need to be heavy. You will want a carefully selected set from among the range of skillets, pots, Dutch ovens and griddles. From sizes to type, non-stick vs uncoated vs cast iron, there is a wealth of selection available today and that’s where it can all get a bit daunting.
How to Choose Cookware
To narrow down the choices, begin by confirming which size pots and pans are best for your kitchen. Grab some measurements of the possible storage spaces you have for cookware. (See section below on tips on where to pack cookware.) While you’re at it, measure your camp stovetop to see what sizes it can accommodate. Then consider the number of servings you’ll be dishing up and how often you plan to use each item. If you are leaning towards a large pot, embrace it and see how many different ways you can use it - pasta night, stovetop popcorn or chili for a crowd.
When it comes to skillets, 8” and 10” round are standard sizes. While home kitchens often have one of each, if you had to choose just one for your camp kitchen setup, the 10” pan will be much more versatile.
And for those times when you need a quick, individual meal, a small, lightweight pot boils water fast to cook things like soup packets or ramen.
Cookware Materials
Clockwise from top: cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, enamel and carbon steel.
Portable cookware comes in a wide selection of materials to suit your needs. Different materials have unique properties for a desired result when cooking such as heat conductivity for speed, heat retention for long duration cooking and non-stick for things like eggs and pancakes. This is why we recommend creating your own set to include a variety of cookware types to suit your needs. You may decide you need a certain type of pan for your favorite egg breakfast but prefer a different material for your largest pot. See “In Our Experience: Wear and Tear” below for more insight on cookware types.
Where to Pack Cookware
Heavy items are best kept lower to ground level while lightweight items may go into rooftop storage boxes. Also consider how often you use the item. If its daily, you’ll want to have easy access. Things that are seldom used can go in harder to reach places.
Always be sure to secure your cookware in the vehicle to prevent heavy, free flying objects in the case of an accident. Locking drawers, cabinets and gear boxes are all designed to safely hold gear like this so that it does not become a hazard.
In Our Experience: Wear and Tear
Pre-seasoned carbon steel pans offer an alternative to non-stick coatings.
When shopping for cookware, some of the most accessible and popular choices out there include a non-stick coating. We’ve discovered the hard way that any cookware that functions with a coating such as ceramic or Teflon will be prone to wear. We found that after several years of use, despite keeping cloth sandwiched in between the layers of our nested cookware set, the nonstick coating wore off due to friction in some places. Length of use was also a culprit.
By the final days of our set’s usefulness, our most frequently used pan was frustratingly not non-stick any more. We were ready to upgrade and ideally would pass along used camping gear. Two of the pieces in the set were in great shape, but the two that weren’t rendered the whole set undesirable. Unfortunately, sets like this are most likely destined for the dump. At best, they can be recycled at scrap metal facilities or sent off to companies such as TerraCycle. But if you’re like us and wish to avoid disposable cookware going forward, opt for materials such as uncoated stainless steel or cast iron cookware, good for over a lifetime.
camp Serveware
A shallow bowl/plate works well for a multitude of meals.
The design of plates and bowls you choose can really make a difference when saving space. Dinnerware can get quite bulky but there are many stackable plate and bowl designs out there as well. Consider the width and depth of your storage area where plates will stack and base your dinner plate size on that. (See “Where To Pack Plates and Bowls below for tips.) Surprisingly, you may only need one plate and bowl per person. The difference is this- in a home, dirty plates may collect in the sink or dishwasher until it’s full, necessitating more plates in the cupboard. When cooking on the go, however, we most often wash our plates directly after meals. This means you can naturally be more minimal in your vehicle kitchen.
Make your plates multitask. That is, choose a wide, shallow bowl instead of a completely flat one. This means it can work for either sandwiches or for soupier meals like chili. Pieces that multitask are definitely winners. But this doesn’t mean you should leave out a deep bowl shape as well for soup and cereal. We have never regretted having a set of these, one for each person. Go for streamlined shapes, think straight sides and stackable, for the most space efficiency.
Where To Pack Plates and Bowls
A hodge-podge collection of vintage, light-weight backpacking, and cast iron pieces which are able to stack into one another.
Here’s where another advantage to building your own cookware set vs buying a kit comes in. If you are strategic, you can nest your plates and bowls into the upside-down lid of your largest pot or pan. Or try the example in the photo above and nest plates into the skillet. Because we aimed for the same diameter with each piece we chose, dutch oven, skillet and plates, they all nest well together. Just keep in mind that some pieces like cast iron and carbon steel can rust if wet plates are making contact, a layer of paper towel in between can prevent this.
In Our Experience: serveware Materials
Classic cereal bowls in easy to maintain stainless steel.
When it came to which material to choose for plates and bowls, we considered the usual options. We really liked the enamel look and came close to pulling the trigger on a set. It’s a pop of color, it’s beautiful and nostalgic but we’ve seen enough dinnerware reviews to safely assume it will eventually chip and rust. Not something we wanted to deal with replacing on trail, let alone the idea of yet another item that would have to be discarded.
Polypropylene is popular and budget friendly but we know from experience that it can scratch when cutting with metal utensils.
We were enticed by the sleek, lightweight titanium offerings but that became a hard no when we realized that lightweight also means heat from hot food is transferring directly through to hands and laps. Fine for some, perhaps, but not so much for our family.
No surprise, we chose a plain stainless steel set for low maintenance, durability and classic style. We are happy to report that they still look as new after a year and half of constant use as they did the day we bought them.
Utensils, Tools and Gadgets
This is where everything else falls into place. Flatware, serving utensils, salt and pepper grinders, skewers, knives, coffee and tea gadgets and items for stovetop baking can all be considered here.
How to Choose Utensils, Tools and Gadgets
This is where it gets personal. Chances are, you only have room for a few of these so what you choose will depend on your unique needs. For our space splurge, we chose a small blender but it could be an immersion blender, mini food processor, mandolin, or simply your favorite chef’s knife that is much more substantial than those camping versions. Then of course there are coffee and tea gadgets. Go ahead and put these items on the list and see how they fit into the overall kitchen. You can always omit them in later planning stages. Maybe something does not initially fit, but you discover that if you get a smaller version of something else on your list, it will.
One tip is to take a bulky item and google that item plus the term camping. For example, “vegetable peeler camping”. Things like collapsible graters and colanders, and mixing bowls are all ripe for switching out. Traditional spatulas can be huge and we found all we need for our camp kitchen is a small backpacking version. The more tools you can find in compact versions, the more space you’ll have for other things.
Where to Pack Utensils and kitchen tools
Molle panel for a rear door cleverly holds a variety of utensils and small bags for kitchen items.
Here is where you can really get creative with your leftover spaces. After everything else has been claimed, look for storage gear that attaches to the vehicle fridge handle or inner door Molle panel, pictured above.
In Our Experience: low tech gadgets
Stovetop gadgets like this baker and Moka pot make fresh cinnamon rolls and espresso on-the-go possible.
This is where the fun of camp cooking really comes in. There is a whole world of specially designed tools for preparing food and drink in unique ways that really shine when used outdoors. These are the things you need to create that particular thing you are craving. They may be items that you use everyday like a certain style of coffee maker or for special times when baking, grilling or blending. Consider what you really enjoy having on a day to day and weekly basis and look for a compact, travel-friendly version of it. Neither of the items pictured above were originally designed for overlanding, but because of their size and simplicity, they function beautifully on trail.
Food Storage Containers
Clear, stackable, airtight containers maximize storage areas.
Using storage containers to organize your large bins or drawers can make a huge difference. They are also highly recommended for use in the fridge for leftovers or storing partially consumed ingredients like cheese, produce or meats. You will want a variety of sizes that stack well together.
How to Choose Storage Containers
Which ones you choose will determine how efficiently you are using your space. Measure the drawer, cabinet or container space you have for storing dry goods like coffee beans, oatmeal and pasta. We also recommend removing outer packaging from snacks and transferring them into storage containers whenever possible. This means food is now protected in a rigid, watertight container while fitting better into the space.
Where to Pack Storage Containers
Small storage containers can be kept in storage drawers next to the vehicle kitchen, but can also go inside larger storage bins that go on the roof or other areas. Plan to keep things like seasonings and oils close at hand while you are cooking. This means giving them prime real-estate in your drawers or cabinets and not letting them get buried behind other things you use less often.
Odds and Ends
Look for clever places to mount S clips to make a paper towel holder using bungee cords.
Last, but not non-essential by any means, are your trash container, paper towel roll and dish towel, pot holder and cutting board storage. And we’re probably still forgetting a few odds and ends so please help us out in the comments below and let us know what we’ve left out.
How To Choose odds and ends
Cloth napkins can be a fun way to add character to your setup.
You know the strategy by now, streamlined and paired down to match the available space.
Even something as small as a kitchen towel can make a difference- the thickness of the fabric you choose for these can begin to add up if you want to take a few with you. Aim for thinner fabrics. Another benefit to thin materials for towels and napkins is that they will dry more quickly.
When it comes to cutting boards, there is a wide range of choices, but a wood that is very durable such as a hardwood will serve you well for years to come.
Where to Pack Odds and Ends
A pet waste bag and expandable trash zipper bag (left) are stowed on Molle panel.
Again, there is lots of room for creativity here. Molle panel is great for attaching small bags and carabiners to hang things from. Another solution we have used many times are sticky-back cable tie mounts. These are great for attaching to window glass and stringing a bungee cord through for hanging things like a paper towel roll (pictured above) or small bags.
Study your unique set up and see how you can leverage the spaces available. Maybe it’s a thin wooden board with elastic bands mounted to it for storing small items. Or maybe a flat surface you can attach Molle panel to.
in our experience: trash bags
It’s also helpful to have a small trash bag nearby the kitchen area that can be easily disposed of in public receptacles or transferred to a larger bag you carry such as a spare tire trash bag. We’ve discovered that pet bag dispensers hang perfectly from Molle panel and are very handy to have in the kitchen (see photo above).The small zippered bag pictured next to the pet bag dispenser actually zippers out into a larger trash pouch that the pet bags go into as liners.
putting it all together
Our hope is that this has provided an overview of everything you might need to pack in your vehicle kitchen. Every vehicle is unique and we have shared what has worked for us and offer it as a jumping off point for ideas on your own rig.
Please check out our articles dedicated to other kitchen essentials not covered here like camp stoves and fridge/coolers.
