Living and camping in an RV can present some challenges in the kitchen. Through many years of living on the road, we’ve found these clever RV kitchen hacks are just what you need for cooking in your motorhome or camper, storage and cleanup!
This blog article contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
10 RV Kitchen Hacks Make Camping, Cooking and Cleanup More Fun!
Use Plastic Zipper Bags
Since we’ve been RVing, we’ve found that plastic zipper bags are our friend. While yes, the regular Ziploc bags aren’t exactly earth friendly, they do offer convenience and will save water when you’re boondocking or camping off grid.
But, I’m happy to say that there are environmentally friendly biodegradable gallon size zipper bags or biodegradable quart size zipper bags that are made from plant based materials. The only negative is that they’re a little more expensive.
That said, I use those plastic zipper bags for everything from mixing a salad, marinating meats, mixing and kneeding cookie dough, mixing pancake or cake batters, etc.
Let’s not forget those plastic zipper bags can also be used in the bathroom and bedroom as well. If we know we’re not going to get to a laundromat sooner than we’d like, we’d put our smelly clothes inside 2 gallon zipper bags so our RV doesn’t smell like a football locker room.
And speaking of those big 2 gallon zipper bags, Dan keeps a few in his tool kit for his good clean polishing cloths and other supplies see doesn’t want to subject to moisture.
Muffin Mixing Bag
You can find some muffin mixes that come in an envelope type bag rather than a box. Instead of dirtying a bowl, simply add the water or milk and egg right into the pouch and mix with a small spatula. You can also do the same with packages of biscuit mix. However, if the pouch is too small, you could always use a gallon size plastic zipper bag instead.
Cupcake and Muffin Cups
Speaking of muffins, if you have a small RV, instead of keeping a big muffin or cupcake pan, opt for individual silicone cupcake cups. You can either spray the bottom of the silicone with non-stick spray or slip a paper or foil cupcake liner in each silicone cup. Then place all of your silicone muffin cups on a small round pizza pan if using the carousel feature in your convection oven. Or you can place them on a rectangle cookie sheet for your regular oven.
|  Silicone Cupcake Muffin Baking Cups Liners 36 Pack Reusable Non-Stick Cake Molds Sets |
No Messy Baking
Anything I couldn’t stand when baking is cleaning the cookie sheets or baking pans. But, when I was challenged to find a remedy to messy baking dishes or pans, I found parchment paper virtually eliminates messy cleanups. Instead of using non-stick spray, I cut a sheet of parchment paper according to the pan size.
Say No to Paper Plates
Paper plates have become expensive and take up space and weight in your RV. So, instead of trying to pack in stacks of paper plates, just opt for serving your sandwiches and chips on deli paper sheets in diner baskets instead. When you’re finished eating, just wad up the paper and throw away. The paper takes up far less trash space as well.
Kitchen Wraps Storage
Finding a place to store your rolls of aluminum foil, parchment paper, and plastic wrap can leave you scratching your head in your small RV kitchen. We found that the best way to store them is standing them up vertically in a magazine rack! We keep ours in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. They don’t move during driving days yet are easy to reach when prepping, cooking or storing our food.
Keep Your Seasonings and Rubs Dry
We all know that due to condensation and humidity inside RVs, your dried herbs may mold and spice jar contents may harden or become caked. To keep your herbs, powdered spices, dry rubs and seasonings from moisture, try inserting small food grade desi pack inside each storage container. You can also put them in your kitchen storage containers of powdered drink mixes, coffee grounds, flour, sugar and baking powders. They come in 2 gram, 5 gram, 10 gram and 15 gram packet sizes.
RELATED: Spice Rack and Spice Storage Ideas for RVs, Campers and Boats
Eliminate Convection Oven Moisture
One of my biggest pet peeves in our RV kitchen is our convection oven is not vented properly. Therefore, any moisture incurred from baking is left in the oven after removing the food.
So, after wiping the moisture out of our convection microwave, we toss a desiccant pack to absorb any residual moisture while it’s not in use. Don’t forget to remove prior to using your oven again though.
You can also use those same desi packs inside your kitchen drawers to keep moisture out of your silverware utensils, metal pots and pans and your kitchen drawer where you store your placemats, pot holders and clean dishtowels.
RELATED: How to Stop Condensation in Your RV
Use a Multi-Use Wash Basin
We use our collapsible dishpan wash basins for everything from actually washing and rinsing the dishes to loading them up with condiments and grilling supplies for outdoor cooking.
And since they’re portable, they are great for cleaning your messy grill or griddle outside instead of dragging all your dirty stuff inside. That said, you should wipe off excess grease and food prior to washing if you throw your gray water on the ground. The last thing you want is to attract animals to your campsite.
|  |
RELATED: Collapsible Kitchen Gadgets and Storage Containers for RVs
RELATED: Camping in Bear Country? Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life
Load Up a One-Trip
Anytime you camp with your RV, have you ever counted how many times you go in and out of your motorhome or trailer with supplies? You can alleviate how many trips to get your condiments, napkins, plastic silverware and paper plates simply by having a picnic table caddy that carries it all.
 |  |
RELATED: Campsite to Glampsite: 20 Campsite Decorating Ideas
Final Thoughts on RV Kitchen Hacks
When you live or camp in a small RV, you learn to be innovative and mindful of space. But also, it’s imperative find simple ways to conserve space, weight, water usage, trash output. We hope these RV kitchen hacks do just that for your own RV or camper. Because less time you spend inside cleaning allows you more time to spend outdoors enjoying the reason you’re camping!
Other RV Kitchen Hacks and Tips:
AMAZON DISCLOSURE: This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
