First, you buy the camper. Then, you stock the camper. Although this is the fun part, it can seem overwhelming at first. But fear not! We got you. This post is the first in a series about stocking your camper. With these posts, you can easily make your camper comfortable and functional.
How do I stock this tiny kitchen?!
Most campers have extremely limited storage space in the kitchen. It is important to maximize your space by finding things that you will actually use (and use often) and that are multi-functional. When we first bought our camper, we bought a ton of stuff that we didn’t end up using. The biggest surprise was the plates, bowls, and silverware. I thought we’d use them a lot but we tend to gravitate toward disposable plates because it is so much easier. I also found that using real plates, bowls, and silverware created a lot of dishes… And cleaning a lot of dishes uses a lot of water.
Here is a list of the things we have (and actually use) in our kitchen:
Cast Iron Skillet
A cast iron skillet is the perfect multi-function kitchen item. You can use it inside the camper, on the campfire, or on the grill. We use ours all the time. Before you buy one, make sure you know how to take care of it! Never wash it with soap, because that will remove the seasoning. Instead, use water with a stainless steel cast iron cleaner. No matter how you clean the skillet, however, cooking will slowly remove the seasoning. We re-season our skillet every 5-10 uses with Crisco all vegetable shortening. That will keep the skillet non-stick and looking great!
Sauce Pan
A sauce pan with a lid is a must-have if you plan on cooking in your camper. If you plan to exclusively cook on the campfire or on the grill, you may be able to skip this item.
Stockpot / Pasta Pot with Strainer
This is another item you will probably only use while you are cooking inside your camper (or outside on a portable propane stove). We find it very useful for those easy dinners or late night snacks (think mac n’ cheese). Pasta is a perfect, easy go-to campsite dinner!
Dish Drying Rack
A must-have unless you want to hand dry all of your dishes! I am way too lazy for that. Fair warning, this takes up quite a bit of counter space but we find that it is worth it.
Paper Plates and Plastic Flatware
Perfect for quick clean up or dinners with a crowd. Washing dishes uses a lot of water and we find that we run out if we’re doing too many dishes, especially if we’re out for more than two nights.
Paper Towels
Don’t forget paper towels or napkins! Paper towels are useful all over the campsite.
Knives with Cases
If you plan to cook in your camper, good knives are a must have. Is there anything worse than a dull chef’s knife?! Because of the mobile nature of a camper, make sure you get knives with cases! The last thing you need is knives flying around the camper mid-road trip! Although the sharpening case on these knives is nice, you will also have need to sharpen the knives outside the camper from time to time.
Cutting Boards
These cutting boards are easy to store and useful all over the campsite. We use them to serve appetizers, to cut vegetables, or to stage meats for grilling. They are easy to clean and easy to store!
Cooking / Serving Utensils
Another must-have for those mobile chefs out there! If you plan to cook on a campfire, you might also need a metal utensil set. These plastic ones may not be great for that type of heat.
Kettle
We use our kettle every morning to make coffee. This one can be used inside the camper or over the fire. It is the perfect size for two cups of coffee. We initially had a collapsible kettle, but I found that it was unreliable – it leaked and was difficult to get all of the water out. This one takes up more space but is very lightweight.
Grilling Utensils
Don’t forget to take grilling tools if you plan to grill while you’re on the road! A grill brush is necessary if you’re going to use public grills and the metal utensils are necessary for cooking and moving food.
Kitchen Towels
We hang out kitchen towels above the stove. Although you can also use paper towels, these are just as easy and they are cute too!
Measuring Spoons
These small tools are important if you plan to do some serious cooking in the camper. If you plan your meals and pre-measure your ingredients, you can probably skip this item. We try to do that, but we also keep flour, salt, and pepper in the camper. So these come in handy in unexpected ways!
Nesting Mixing Bowls w/ Measuring Cups
These bowls are very useful and take up minimal space. They are easy to store, easy to clean, and the variable sizes and uses are perfect.
Insulated Water Cups
You can also use water bottles instead of cups. I, personally, love having an actual cup at a campsite. It helps me drink more water throughout the day and they are cute!
Insulated Coffee Mugs
These mugs are not breakable and will keep your coffee hot for hours.
Insulated Wine Glasses
These wine glasses aren’t fragile and will keep your wine at the perfect temperature all night long.
Wine opener / Bottle opener
Don’t get stuck without a corkscrew if you plan on bringing a bottle of wine! These small items will save the day if you find yourself with a nice bottle of wine at the campsite.
Lighters
Lighters are necessary all over the campsite. We use them to light the hot water heater, to light the propane stove, and to light campfires. We always have several on hand.
Hand Soap
Liquid hand soap is the best after a long day of being outside. I usually buy ours in the nearest town when we run out. That way, it always reminds me of an adventure!
Dish Soap
If you plan on doing dishes, don’t forget the soap! Make sure you use environmentally friendly soap, especially if you plan on doing dishes outside the camper.
Dishes Set
Although we don’t use our dishes often, we do use them on occasion. If you buy dishes, make sure you get a set that cannot break. You can use plastic plates and bowls, but we prefer the real-feel of this set.
Silverware
Although this is another item we don’t use often, it is an item I’d recommend. We use our flatware much more often than we use our dishes. They are small, easy to store, lightweight, and easy to clean.
