Are you embarking on an RV trip? The open road, scenic views, and the freedom to explore are unparalleled. But what truly elevates the experience is the joy of outdoor cooking. Imagine sizzling steaks under the stars or pancakes with a sunrise view. However, to make these culinary dreams come true, you need the right gear for outdoor cooking on your RV trip. Essential Gear for Every RV Chef Firstly, let's talk about the foundation. Every RV chef needs a reliable portable grill or stove. Compact yet powerful, it's your ticket to delicious meals. Next, consider investing in a cookware set. Opt for non-stick, easy-to-clean, and stackable options. They save space and reduce cleaning time. Lastly, a durable utensil set is a must. Choose heat-resistant and multi-purpose tools. They'll serve you well, whether you're flipping burgers or stirring soup. Choosing the Right Fuel Source Fuel choice can make or break your cooking experience. Propane is a favorite among many. It's convenient, efficient, and perfect for quick meals. On the other hand, charcoal offers a classic camping feel. It imparts a unique flavor that's hard to resist. Lastly, there's wood. It provides a natural, smoky flavor and creates a cozy ambiance. Each has its merits, so choose based on your preference and the meal you're planning. Gear to Keep You and Your RV Safe Safety can't be stressed enough. Always have a fire extinguisher on hand. Know its workings inside out. It's a lifesaver in emergencies. Additionally, invest in heat-resistant gloves. They protect your hands, ensuring you cook with confidence. Lastly, a fireproof mat is invaluable. It shields the ground and your RV from stray embers or accidental spills. Remember, safety always comes first. Additional Gear for Gourmet RV Cooking For those who love gourmet meals, a portable spice rack is a game-changer for outdoor cooking on your RV trip. It keeps seasonings organized, ensuring your dishes pack a punch. Collapsible food storage is another must-have. It's space-saving and perfect for storing leftovers. Speaking of space, an outdoor prep table offers a dedicated area for food prep. It's a luxury that makes a world of difference. In the midst of all this, don't forget about absolutely essential RV tools. These tools, ranging from multi-purpose knives to portable blenders, can elevate your cooking game. Solutions for Storing Perishables Perishables need special attention. A portable refrigerator is ideal. It's dedicated to outdoor cooking and ensures your ingredients stay fresh. For shorter excursions, insulated cooler bags work wonders. They're lightweight and keep food chilled for hours. Interestingly, moving to a new residence is similar to prepping for an RV trip. You prioritize packing essentials and ensure everything has its place. Just as you'd pack dishes and utensils when moving homes, you'd do the same for an RV trip, but with a focus on compactness and utility. Tools for a Tidy Cooking Space Post-cooking cleanup is crucial. Start with a biodegradable soap. It's eco-friendly and effective. A collapsible sink simplifies dishwashing. It's convenient and space-saving. And always have trash and recycling bags on hand. Leave no trace behind, respecting nature's beauty. After a hearty meal, it's also a good practice to clean the RV fridge. Regular cleaning ensures hygiene and extends the fridge's lifespan. RV Care and Maintenance Beyond cooking, your RV needs regular care and attention. RV awning care and maintenance are paramount to ensure the longevity of your vehicle. Regular checks, timely repairs, and thorough cleaning are not just about aesthetics but about safety and functionality. By adhering to a consistent maintenance routine, you ensure your RV remains your reliable travel companion. After all, a well-maintained RV promises countless memorable trips, both in culinary adventures and the journeys you embark upon. Cutting-Edge Gear for the Modern RV Chef In the ever-evolving world of RV travel, there's always something new on the horizon. For those who love to stay ahead of the curve, there are some innovative gear options to consider. Solar-powered ovens harness the sun's energy, offering an eco-friendly cooking solution. They're perfect for baking and slow-cooking, all while reducing your carbon footprint. Then there's the digital meat thermometer with Bluetooth. Sync it to your smartphone and get real-time updates on your meat's temperature, ensuring perfectly cooked dishes every time. And for those who love a touch of tech, smart grills come with preset cooking modes and can be controlled via apps. These gadgets enhance convenience and add a touch of modernity to your outdoor RV cooking experience. Conclusion on the Best Gear for Outdoor Cooking on Your RV Trip Gearing up for outdoor cooking is more than just packing a stove and some food. It's about preparation, safety, and enhancing the experience. With the right gear for outdoor cooking on your RV trip, every meal becomes a cherished memory. So, gear up, hit the road, and let the culinary adventures begin! Zula Fain, a seasoned traveler, and culinary enthusiast, has spent over a decade exploring the highways and byways of America in her trusty RV. Born and raised in New Jersey, she began her adventures with Ryder Relocations NJ, a company known for assisting families in moving and settling into their new homes. Zula's unique experiences with relocating families gave her insights into the importance of making any space feel like home, be it a new residence or a mobile RV.

We love to EAT. We try to offset that with our love of outdoor activities, but the food continues to hold a strong lead in our lives. We love the magical feeling of the first bite as you realize that you have just bitten into something wonderful. We are on a constant quest for good restaurants, spectacular recipes, and of course great campfire meals. It is always so disappointing to waste a meal on something that does not live up to expectations. When we are camping our focus is finding the best outdoor recipes and creations. Everyday cooking can be the same at home or in the camper, but there is really something amazing about outdoor camping meals. Maybe the fun? Maybe more adventurous? Sometimes we go classic with hamburgers and hotdogs and other times we go for the more creative ‘melt in your mouth’ meal. When we go out in the RV, we always bring the Grill, Griddle, and of course the campfire. Here are a couple of our favorite ideas for your next trip. Buffalo Turkey Bleu Cheese Smash Burger We blend ground turkey, Franks Hot Wing Sauce, and Bleu Cheese in a bowl. We create round balls to place on the griddle. Then we smash them down as they cook. Although the exact amount of the ingredients is up to your taste, I have two recommendations. The first is use a strong bleu cheese and the second is to use just enough hot sauce to create the right consistency. If you are looking for heat, you can add more sauce after the burger cooks. We decided to give this a try during our camping trip to Tomoka State Park and I cannot say enough about this burger. Something about the sizzle of the burnt cheese from the griddle seals the deal for me. If you are not a turkey burger fan, I have no doubt this would be good with ground beef. If you use a grill instead of the griddle, make the patty less wet so it does not ‘melt’ through the grill. Chicken with Rice and Vegetables This has become a staple for us when camping. It is easy and we can vary the vegetables and sauce depending on what we feel like at the time. One of our favorite combinations includes, cooking the chicken on the griddle, then adding in the pre-cooked rice, snap peas, peas, carrots, and edamame. When the dish is almost finished, we add the teriyaki sauce. This is always a favorite because it is light, healthy, and tastes griddle good! A variation we use substitutes in orange sauce, peppers, and onions. Griddle Breakfast My favorite breakfast is eggs, ham, and potatoes. My mouth starts watering the second my ears hear the sizzling of the eggs cooking on the flattop. The eggs and ham are self-explanatory and could be substituted for your favorites. My advice on the potatoes is to cut them in small pieces, add peppers and onions, and use Montreal Steak seasoning as the secret ingredient to spice them up a bit. Cornell Chicken If you have not had Cornell Chicken, you need to put this on your list immediately. It is easy, delicious, and has a smell that will waft across the campground creating jealous campers everywhere. This has been a recipe staple in my family my whole life. The chicken marinade is 2C cider vinegar, 1C vegetable oil, 1 egg, 3tbs salt, 1tbs poultry seasoning, and ½tsp ground black pepper for about 3 pounds of chicken. Most recipes will suggest leaving the chicken in the marinade for at least 4 hours and as many as 12 hours. I suggest about 6-8 hours. Grill your chicken low and slow for the best results. This is one of my favorite ways to eat grilled chicken and the simple recipe will wow your friends and family. S’mores Everyone loves S’mores. My favorite is the original gram crackers, Hershey’s chocolate, and a big ‘burnt to a crisp over a campfire’ marshmallow. My husband prefers switching out the traditional chocolate bar for a Reece’s Cup and roasting the marshmallow until golden brown. We have tried chocolate filled marshmallows, different types of chocolate, and anything new we find. We recently had a chef friend suggest we try saltines instead of gram crackers. Now that was a mouth-watering treat that we suggest everyone try. Here is my pro-tip for you - Never end a campfire without a s’mores. In full disclosure, my husband is the cook in this family and the one making these dishes reality. I am a really great taste tester. I hope you try out some of our favorite ideas. We love following fellow RVers on Instagram, Facebook, and you tube videos to find new ideas for cooking outside. It is where some of the best ideas are found!

RV Kitchens can be everything you need when you have the right RV Kitchen essentials. There are so many RV specific recipes and handy space saving tools available to fulltime travelers. Most consider the kitchen one of the most important spaces in their RV. Don’t let the compact space fool you! You can find items that have duel purpose and a small countertop footprint to keep your RV kitchen in order. When choosing what to include in an RV’s kitchen, limit yourself by asking the following questions: “can I live without it?” and “is there a more versatile item that can fill this purpose?” Following these guidelines ensures you have what you need without taking up space with things that you don’t. These are the things I consider essential for the kitchen. Pots and Pans Pots and pans are something that you just can’t do without. But, instead of a full set, choose one or two in sizes that you use most often. Perhaps, merely a skillet and three lidded pans in a range of sizes to accommodate your needs. Choose, preferably, a small set that nests one within the other or even a set of collapsible ones. When they are collapsed and stacked, they are easily stored out of the way to make room for other kitchen essentials. These are fairly easy to find. The outdoor section of any camping store has an array of collapsible wares, as does eBay and Amazon. Related Read: Some of my favorite kitchen tools for the RV Crockpot One of my favorite inventions is the crockpot, also known as the slow cooker. Raised partly on Midwestern potlucks, I’ve seen buffet-style receptions served almost entirely from rows of crockpots. That said, they are extremely handy. You can cook a complete, one-pot meal at your convenience with just a little bit of planning. This is why I consider this to be an RV kitchen essential. Related Read: Slow Cooker Recipes for the RV It takes up less space than other meal preparation methods, so it’s space efficient. It allows you to assemble the ingredients, turn it on, and walk away, so it’s time-efficient. Since it basically consists of one pot and a lid, it’s easy to clean, allowing you to conserve water. Plus, there are so many recipes! Even things that you wouldn’t think could be cooked in a crockpot, with a bit of adaptation, can be. This means that if you really want to minimize, with a good crockpot you may not even need the aforementioned pots and pans, but I digress. Place-settings Another essential for your kitchen is a set of dinnerware, flatware, and “glassware”. Using disposable versions may be handy, but it can get expensive, it fills up your trash, and it isn’t terribly environmentally friendly. Consider, instead, keeping one place-setting for each resident and just washing them after every use. You can always keep some disposable ones on hand for entertaining. Additional Tips Consider using picnic-ware; it’s usually smaller and takes up less space. Use plastic. It is less likely to break in transit. Use lidded cereal/soup bowls to double as containers for leftovers. A Swiss army knife serves many purposes, in the kitchen and out. Organizers Dividers, hangers, and racks—a good system of organizers can benefit every kitchen. Plus, with the limited space, RV galleys require even more coordination than most. Adding racks and drawer organizers makes the most of the interior of your cabinets and reduces the amount of counter space you are using. With utensils, spices, ingredients, and cleaning supplies, etc. the area can quickly become chaotic, especially during travel. In fact, one of the most important but perhaps least obvious reasons to invest in a decent organizational system is to reduce the shifting while your RV is in motion and eliminate things falling out or breaking. There are many products available that keep your dishes and other supplies secure while traveling. Just check out the kitchen section of any RV or camping store. Basically, if it works in a boat, it’ll work in your RV. Vinegar and Baking Soda There are many products on the market that solve niche problems. Really, the only things you need are baking soda and vinegar. These are inexpensive options that can be used for a multitude of things. Diluting vinegar with water creates a great disinfectant and anti-fungal agent that is also a glass and mirror cleaner. It removes pesticides from produce and can be used to soften and add shine to your hair, as well. Baking soda scrubs stains out of porcelain, whitens grout, freshens the refrigerator, and can be used as an inexpensive and effective toothpaste. It can even put out grease fires. In Conclusion Due to the restrictive size of the space, it is important that each item provides the “most bang for its buck”. In other words, it should perform several important functions or one absolutely necessary one while taking up as little space as possible. What is important to have in an RV’s kitchen, however, is highly subjective. So, make a list of what you think is important and pare it down to its essentials. Then add a crockpot.