The basics of campsite cooking
Cooking in an RV can be great fun, but isn’t always easy. You have little space to work with and might have fewer appliances and tools at your disposal compared to when you are cooking at home. That doesn’t mean you can’t cook great food while staying in an RV though. You just need the right appliances, a little bit of planning and a bunch of go-to recipes for on the road. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to get the most out of your RV cooking.
RV refrigerators: 12V compressor or absorption refrigerator?
When getting a refrigerator for your RV, you can choose between two different cooling systems: compressor and absorption.
12-volt compressor refrigerator
The compressor refrigerator is the most well-known option. This is the type of refrigerator you probably also use at home. The compressor turns chemical gas into a cooling liquid, which is pumped into the cabinet. This gives a cooling effect inside the refrigerator. Compressor fridges for usage in RVs are designed to absorb the heavy vibrations on the road and work on a 12V DC power supply (instead of 230V on which the typical compressor fridge ad home runs).
The compressor refrigerator for RVs runs on the 12V DC battery of your vehicle. Want to travel off the grid for multiple days? Then we advise you to look at power options with additional batteries and solar panels on your vehicle. Compressor fridges cool down quickly and perform perfectly at high ambient temperatures up to 43°C.
Absorption refrigerator
The absorption refrigerator differs from the fridge you would use at home. An absorption fridge uses a heat source generated by a gas burner or electrical heating to drive the cooling system. The cooling effect inside the fridge is caused by a physical reaction. There are no moving parts in this process.
Absorption refrigerators for RVs are three-way refrigerators, meaning that they operate on three different power sources:
230V AC: the refrigerator is powered by the mains
12V DC: the refrigerator is powered from the battery of your vehicle
Gas: the refrigerator is powered by the gas connection of a gas bottle
The multiple power sources make the absorption refrigerator perfect for people who like to go off-grid for an extended period of time. The cooling performance of absorption refrigerators is somewhat lower than its compressor counterpart: an absorption fridge performs best in temperatures ranging from 10 to 32°C.
Discover our cooling products
T2000 series
Our 12V refrigerators provide a home-like feeling with their efficient cooling performance, quickly reaching desired temperatures.
- Automatic temperature control
- Large fridge volume in a slim design
- Quiet operation and increased energy efficiency
Accessories
Bottle retainer
The bottle retainer can be placed anywhere in the door bin of the refrigerator to prevent the bottles from moving while driving. They are available in white and compatible with any Thetford refrigerator.
Shelf food retainer
The shelf food retainer can be clicked on the wired shelves of your Thetford refrigerator. Flip the retainer up while driving to avoid the things inside the refrigerator fall. Flip the retainer down once you arrive to your destination to have better access to the shelves. The shelf food retainer is available in white and compatible with all the current Thetford absorption refrigerators as well as with some older models.
Slide-out box
The slide-out box with guiding cover is a great addition to your fridge. Install the box to better organize the contents of your fridge. The box is a perfect place for your breakfast items. You can easily take the box with contents out of the fridge in one go and put it on the breakfast table. The box and the guiding cover have to be ordered separately.
- Available for 420mm and 525mm wide fridges
- Available in grey transparent, white and translucent blue
N4000 series
Discover the ultimate in silent, efficient, and versatile refrigeration for your RV with absorption fridges. Enjoy the freedom of cool food and drinks on the go, powered by a range of energy sources; 12V, gas, and AC electricity.
- Automatic power source selection
- Completely silent
- Large fridge volume in a slim design
Accessories
Vent Absorption Refrigerators
Thetford ventilation grills give a nice finish to the ventilation opening on the outside of your camper or caravan. An opening is necessary to keep your absorption refrigerator operating properly. Our vents are available in different colors to best suit your vehicle: white, light grey, dark grey and black.
- Size 186x483mm for table-top fridges
- Size 257x432mm for slim fridges
- Size 281x533mm for large fridges
Vent cover Absorption Refrigerators
A vent cover is ideal for storage or during cleaning. A well designed cover that can be placed over the ventilation register. This cover protects your refrigerator from cold air and ensures its continued optimal performance. A vent cover is ideal during winter if the temperature is below 6 ºC, during storage or during cleaning. Our vent covers are available in different colors to best suit your vehicle: white, light grey, dark grey and black.
- Size 186x483mm for table-top fridges
- Size 257x432mm for slim fridges
- Size 281x533mm for large fridges
Battery pack N4000
A battery pack for stand alone operation of your Thetford N4000-E refrigerator with LED control panel. Not for touch control models.
For N4000-E, N414x-E+ models
Ventilator kit for refrigerators N3000-N4000 series
Ventilator kit for perfect cooling. The fridge ventilator improves air circulation around the refrigerator and improves the airflow over the condenser, temperature control and maximization of the total cooling capacity. Even in environments with high temperatures, the Thetford fridge will keep food fresh, tasty and cool.
Slide-out box
The slide-out box with guiding cover is a great addition to your fridge. Install the box to better organize the contents of your fridge. The box is a perfect place for your breakfast items. You can easily take the box with contents out of the fridge in one go and put it on the breakfast table. The box and the guiding cover have to be ordered separately.
- Available for 420mm and 525mm wide fridges
- Available in grey transparent, white and translucent blue
Bottle retainer
The bottle retainer can be placed anywhere in the door bin of the refrigerator to prevent the bottles from moving while driving. They are available in white and compatible with any Thetford refrigerator.
Shelf food retainer
The shelf food retainer can be clicked on the wired shelves of your Thetford refrigerator. Flip the retainer up while driving to avoid the things inside the refrigerator fall. Flip the retainer down once you arrive to your destination to have better access to the shelves. The shelf food retainer is available in white and compatible with all the current Thetford absorption refrigerators as well as with some older models.
Cooking hardware
RV cookers
Want to get the very best cooking experience? A compact but fully equipped kitchen for on the road? Getting a high-quality cooker for your RV is a great starting point. The cookers in our collection offer everything you need to cook a great meal and come in different compact shapes and sizes.
Ranging from fully equipped cookers with built-in ovens to smaller grill & hob combination cooktops and from gas burners to dual fuel cooktops: our collection offers it all. With a great range of possibilities, you are free to pick the RV cooker that best suits your cooking needs and perfectly fits into the space that you have available in your vehicle.
Cookers
K1520
The K1520 cooker offers options with gas or dual fuel electric options and increased grilling space for family cooking. This lightweight cooker combines the best of home cooking with the convenience of cooking on the go. The K1520 is approximately 10% lighter than similar cookers on the market.
- Includes grill pan kit and two oven shelves
- Gas or dual fuel version available (gas and electric)
- Lightweight design
K1540
The Thetford K1540 Mini Grill is a compact and stylish cooker designed for use in larger caravans, motorhomes, and campervans, combining a grill and hob functionality. The automatic gas shut-off for a safe and easy start to your cooking. The cooker has a sleek glass lid, allowing for an easy installation and a smart fit in your caravan or motorhome. The black design adds to its aesthetic appeal, and you can even grill with the lid closed over the hobs.
- Automatic lid gas shutoff
- Powerful gas burners
- Integrated grill, grill pan kit included
Caprice
Upgrade your cooking game on the road with Thetford’s Caprice 3 Burner caravan cooker. This compact and stylish unit combines an oven, grill, and hob for versatile cooking options. Its solid construction and five standard control knobs ensure reliability, while its ample size provides enough space for cooking a variety of meals for the whole family. Enjoy hassle-free cooking with the included multi-functional pan, detachable handle, and trivet. Perfect for caravans, motorhomes, boats, and campervans.
Triplex Cooker
Enjoy a versatile cooking experience with the Triplex. A combination stove, grill and oven, featuring solid and welded construction that eliminates rattling. Get the best of all worlds with a durable, lightweight and easy-to-clean design.
RV hobs
Hobs are the perfect solution for those who do like to cook in their RV but do not have enough space to fit in a full cooker. The RV hobs in our collection come in countless shapes and sizes: from a small three-pit hob that fits on every countertop to a full-sized high-quality 4-pit hob that offers a top of the world cooking experience.
Hobs
Topline 160
The Topline 160 series comprises recessed glass cooktops that come equipped with a glass lid to cover the hob burners, providing maximum utilization of the worktop space, giving the kitchen a clean appearance. The Topline 165 is a flush-mounted two-burner hob with a modern, clean look. The Topline 169 is a stylish three-burner hob that is flush-mounted and that gives the kitchen a sleek, clean, and modern appearance.
Basic Triangular 330
The stylish and durable 330 series is not the only option for your kitchen. You can also opt for the sleek and easy-to-clean rectangular stainless steel hob, complete with detachable pan rests. Pair this hob with the matching rectangular Basic Line 33 bowl for a cohesive look. Choose between a cast iron version or a wired version to suit your needs and preferences.
- Stainless steel material
- Efficient use of space
- Matching bowl available to complete kitchen layout
Topline 900
Cook up a storm in your vehicle with the hobs from the Topline 900 series. With strong ceramic glass and a sleek, flat frameless design, this series delivers the top of the world cooking experience. Choose from single, double, or triple burner options, each offering modern looks and flexible cooking options.
RV ovens
From fresh-baked or toasted bread in the morning to homemade pizza in the evening: RV ovens help you to enjoy your camping trip to the fullest.
When you are looking for an RV oven, you’ll have multiple options:
A combination of an oven and grill
An oven with a separate grill built-in
Both types of ovens run on either gas or a combination of gas and 12V. The ovens in our collection come in different sizes and match the sizes of our fridges, making it easier to build your RV kitchen cohesively.
Ovens and grills
420 series
The 420 oven, for caravans and motorhomes, suits smaller kitchens thanks to its 420mm width. This high quality and versatile oven can be installed under a worktop, at chest height or mounted above Thetford slim fridges (all Thetford fridges that are 418 mm wide).
525 series
The 525 oven is designed to fit in. Its elegant jet-black design, minimalist controls and slim 525 mm profile ensure it elevates the appearance of any campervan, caravan, motorhome or marine kitchen. The width and design are made to suit Thetford’s latest fridges, with the same colour scheme and uniform dimensions. It also has a removable fascia that makes it easy to fit and maintain.
Duplex
Enjoy delicious meals wherever you travel with the high-quality Duplex oven and grill. Made with easy-to-clean stainless steel, this combination oven and grill is the perfect addition to your caravan kitchen.The Duplex runs on LPG gas and features two burners for the oven and grill, with a sleek black smoke exterior.
Midi Prima 3
Upgrade your cooking experience with this premium oven and grill. The Midi Prima is available in two models, the slim MK3 or the standard width MK4, ensuring there’s a solution for every kitchen. Get ready to enjoy stress-free and delicious cooking with the Midi Prima.
Midi Prima 4
Upgrade your cooking experience with this premium oven and grill. The Midi Prima is available in two models, the slim MK3 or the standard width MK4, ensuring there’s a solution for every kitchen. Get ready to enjoy stress-free and delicious cooking with the Midi Prima.
RV sinks
Your RV kitchen isn’t complete without a sink. From cleaning up after cooking to brushing your teeth at night: a sink is a must-have for every RV. Whether you have a small campervan or a large caravan, you fill for sure find the right sink in our collection. All of our sinks are made of high-quality materials and the bowls come in different sizes and shapes, making them perfect for any type of RV.
Discover our rinsing products
Basic Rectangular
The Serie 34 is a rectangular stainless steel bowl that matches the Basic Line 345 hob and includes tap and drainage cutouts, as well as a hinged glass lid for additional workspace.
- Proven quality and ergonomic design
- Easy to clean stainless steel bowls
- Option to match with matching hobs for a cohesive look
Basic Round
The years have proven the quality and ergonomic design of Thetford’s sink range. With stainless steel bowls for easy cleaning and the option to pair them with matching hobs, your kitchen will be both functional and stylish. The Serie 30 is a round stainless steel bowl with a black glass lid to complement your kitchen.
- Proven quality and ergonomic design
- Easy to clean stainless steel bowls
- Option to match with matching hobs for a cohesive look
Basic Triangular
The Serie 33 features triangular stainless steel bowls, perfectly matching the Basic Line 330 hob, and comes in left and right versions.
- Proven quality and ergonomic design
- Easy to clean stainless steel bowls
- Option to match with matching hobs for a cohesive look
Argent bowl
The Argent series offers a range of stainless steel sinks and bowls in various sizes and configurations, equipped with a hinged heat-resistant glass lid. When you choose the sink with integrated drainer, you can opt for the drainer on the left or right side, depending on the layout of your kitchen.
- Range of stainless steel sinks and bowls in various sizes and configurations
- Equipped with hinged heat-resistant glass lid
- Available with drainer on left or right side, to fit kitchen layout
Accessories
Kitchen Centre
To upgrade your Argent Bowl into a beautiful space saver. It contains a chopping board, drainage rack, drainer, lid retainer, a plastic bowl, a rack plate and template for bonding.
Argent sink
The Argent series offers a range of stainless steel sinks and bowls in various sizes and configurations, equipped with a hinged heat-resistant glass lid. When you choose the sink with integrated drainer, you can opt for the drainer on the left or right side, depending on the layout of your kitchen.
- Range of stainless steel sinks and bowls in various sizes and configurations
- Equipped with hinged heat-resistant glass lid
- Available with drainer on left or right side, to fit kitchen layout
Accessories
Kitchen Centre
To upgrade your Argent Bowl into a beautiful space saver. It contains a chopping board, drainage rack, drainer, lid retainer, a plastic bowl, a rack plate and template for bonding.
Small kitchen appliances
The built-in appliances form the base of your RV kitchen. For even more possibilities while cooking on the road, there are also some other appliances you can purchase.
Instant pot
Almost every RV-enthusiast agrees that the instant pot is one of the most used kitchen appliances while cooking on the road. You can use the instant pot to cook rice, make hard-boiled eggs and sauté veggies and even cook meat.
Blender
Do you like a fresh smoothie or fruit cocktail in the morning? In that case, a blender is a must-have in your RV kitchen. You could also use your blender to blend up sauces, chop herbs or even mix a soup. A high-quality blender is a great addition for cooking on the road.
Coffee maker
What’s better than starting your day on the road with a nice cup of coffee in the morning sun? Nothing right? You could go for instant coffee, but we are sure you’ll enjoy your coffee moment much more with some freshly made coffee. That’s why a coffee maker can be a great addition to your RV kitchen. You could opt for a traditional drip brew coffee machine, a single cup automatic coffee maker, a cafetiere or a manual AeroPress. Since you would probably want to save on counter space, it is wise to opt for a tall, thin model.
Water purifier
A water purifier is a must-have for anyone who loves to travel off the grid. Your camping trip turns into a nightmare without a reliable watering source. You obviously need water to stay hydrated, but it is also essential for cooking or cleaning up. When you bring a water purifier, you’ll always have access to clean water. The filters in the purifier keep all the good minerals in and remove all the bacteria, metals and other contaminants in the water.
Tips to make RV cooking more convenient
Cooking in an RV is supposed to be lots of fun. At the same time, it can turn out to be kind of a hassle. Storage space, as well as working space, is very limited and you do not have all the tools you are used to at home at your fingertips. With the right preparation, tricks and knowledge, cooking in your RV will become much easier en way more convenient. The following tips will get you started.
Plan and prep your meals
Going on a short trip? Plan out how many days you’ll be gone and how many meals you’ll be preparing. When you have a meal plan and a grocery list ready, you are sure to have everything you need for some nice meals on the road.
To make cooking in your RV even faster and easier, you can prepare the ingredients beforehand. Chop the vegetables you’d like to use, stir up a ready-to-use sauce or even cook some rice, quinoa or other grains in advance.
Be mindful about RV kitchen space
The kitchen space in your RV is probably much smaller than what you are used to. It is important to use the available space wisely and get creative with it.
By using a stovetop cover or sink inserts, you can easily add counter space for meal prepping. Instead of getting a stovetop or insert, you could also use a cutting board that is large enough to cover your stove or sink.
Another way to save counter space is cleaning up as you cook. Put ingredients away if you’re done using them to keep your cooking space under control. Also, try to aim to use a minimal amount of cookware or reuse utensils so you don’t end up with too much of a mess.
Maximise kitchen storage
To make the best out of cooking in an RV, it is important to be mindful of the way you use your kitchen storage. The small fridge, small drawers and cabinets, and small pantry space make you want to get the most out of the available storage space.
One of the best tips for small kitchens is to store the ingredients you regularly use in smaller amounts that are easily accessible. You can use small containers to contain portions of veggies, nuts and fruits. Also, you can use larger containers for items you buy in bulk, such as rice, pasta or oatmeal.
These compact storage containers are stackable and occupy just a fraction of the space that the original packaging would cost you. The rest of the reserves you can store in areas that you don’t need to access regularly, like under a bench.
Find your go-to RV meals
Having a bunch of go-to meals to cook in your RV makes dinnertime during your camping trip much easier and quicker. You can gather all your ingredients at a local supermarket in no time and can quickly turn up a fresh meal after a long day of exploring.
The go-to meals you’re choosing are a personal choice based on your taste and food preferences. To get you started we share some of our favourite recipes that can easily be made in an RV kitchen.
Buy fresh fruits, veggies and meat on the go
RV fridges are smaller than the fridge you’re used to at home. It can be challenging to fit all ingredients you need for your trip in the fridge at once. Therefore, it can be smart to buy fresh ingredients along the way.
You could visit a local grocery store, but for an even better experience, it can be nice to be on the lookout for local farms along the way. In many countries, you can buy fresh vegetables, fruit and even dairy at outdoor stands. Buying local ingredients can be a great way to incorporate the cuisine of your destination into your camping meals.
Aim for one-skillet meals
One of the biggest disadvantages of cooking in a camper or caravan is the absence of multiple cooking pits. Luckily there are many dishes you can easily make in just one skillet, such as pasta, stir-fries, hamburgers, shakshuka or soup.
