Tag Archives: RV Kitchen

RV Kitchen Cleaning 101

21 Tuesday Mar 2023

Posted by in RV Information, RV Newbie, Tips & Tricks

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Cleaning Your RV’s Kitchen Area

As an RVer, you know the kitchen area is one of the most important spaces in your home on the road. It’s where you cook, eat, and gather with loved ones, so keeping it clean and well-maintained is essential. While regular cleaning is necessary, deep cleaning your RV kitchen area periodically ensures a healthy and pleasant living environment. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks to help you deep clean your RV kitchen area.

The Importance of Deep Cleaning Your RV Kitchen

The importance of deep cleaning your RV kitchen area cannot be overstated. Not only does it keep your space clean and organized, but it also promotes a healthy and safe living environment for you and your loved ones. Over time, dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants can accumulate in your kitchen area, which can lead to unpleasant odors, foodborne illness, and other health issues.

Deep cleaning is also a critical part of maintaining the integrity of your RV and ensuring that you catch any potential issues before they become bigger problems. A deep clean can help you identify water leaks, mold or mildew growth, and other types of damage that can cause serious problems down the road. By addressing these issues early on, you can save yourself time, money, and headaches in the long run.

With that said, let’s dive into some tips and tricks to help you deep clean your RV kitchen area.

Clear Out the Clutter

Before you begin deep cleaning your RV kitchen area, it’s essential to clear out any clutter that may have accumulated over time. Start by emptying all of your cabinets, drawers, and pantry shelves. Discard any expired or spoiled food, and donate any items that you no longer need. Once you’ve cleared the clutter, you’ll have more space to work with when cleaning your RV kitchen area.

Clean the Cabinets and Shelves

It’s time to focus on the cabinets and shelves in your RV kitchen area. Begin by wiping down the interior of your cabinets and shelves with a damp cloth or sponge. You can use a mild detergent to remove stubborn stains or dirt. Remember to clean the handles of your cabinets and drawers, as they can accumulate dirt and grease over time.

Scrub the Sink and Countertops

The sink and countertops in your RV kitchen area can accumulate a lot of dirt and grime over time. To clean the sink, start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then scrub the sink with a non-abrasive cleaner and rinse thoroughly.

Use a mild detergent and a non-scratch scrubber for the countertops to remove any dirt or stains. Don’t forget to wipe down the edges of your countertops and sink, as they can collect crumbs and other debris.

Clean the Appliances

Your RV’s kitchen appliances, such as your refrigerator, stove, and microwave, also require periodic deep cleaning. Begin by emptying your refrigerator and wiping down the shelves and interior with a mild detergent. Use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean the door gasket, as this can accumulate dirt and bacteria.

Use a non-abrasive cleaner and a scrubber to remove any grime or food residue from the stove and oven.

For the microwave, place a bowl of water with a few tablespoons of vinegar inside and heat for a few minutes. This will help loosen any food residue and make it easier to wipe down the interior. Remove the turntable and wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth. Use a microwave-safe cleaning solution to remove any stubborn stains.

Scrub the Stove Vent

The stove vent can accumulate grease and dirt over time, which can become a fire hazard. To clean the vent, remove the filter and soak it in warm, soapy water. Scrub the filter with a brush or sponge to remove any grease or dirt, then rinse it thoroughly with water and allow it to air dry. If the vent itself is dirty, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner and a scrubber to remove any grime or residue.

Clean the Floors

Finally, it’s time to clean the floors in your RV kitchen area. Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove any loose dirt and debris. Next, mop the floor with a mild detergent and warm water. If you have stubborn stains, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner and a scrubber to remove them.

Additional Tips to Keep in Mind

  • Clean the overhead vents and fans to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated. This can improve the air quality in your RV and prevent any potential issues with the ventilation system.
  • Remove the floor vent covers and vacuum the inside of the vent to remove any dust, dirt, or debris that may have accumulated. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe down the covers.
  • Wipe down the ceiling, walls, windows, and mirrors with a natural cleaning solution.
  • Vacuum the blinds and curtains to remove any dust or dirt. If necessary, remove them and wash them in the washing machine.
  • Wipe down the window sills and frames with a damp cloth to remove dust or dirt. Use a toothbrush to get into any crevices or corners.
  • Vacuum all the kitchen/dining area upholstery. Use a fabric cleaner to remove any stains or odors.
  • Use natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals, as they can be better for you, the environment, and your RV.
  • Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace them if necessary.
  • Remove the light fixtures and wipe them down. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

Keeping your RV kitchen area clean and well-maintained is essential for a healthy and pleasant living environment. By following these tips and tricks, you can deep clean your RV kitchen area periodically and ensure it’s ready for your next adventure!

About The Author: Natalie Henley

Natalie Henley is a freelance writer and has also been full-time RVing with her husband and pets since 2015. She covers a wide range of topics, including RV lifestyle, RVing tips, DIY projects, RV news, and more. You can follow their adventures and RV-related tips on their blog, henleyshappytrails.com, as well as their YouTube Channel, also called Henley’s Happy Trails. In addition, she writes for various RV-related blogs and marketing outlets and is the co-author of Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It, available on Amazon.

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Tips For Using Your RV Oven

08 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in RV Newbie, RV Safety, Tips & Tricks

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We love having the ability to cook in our motorhome no matter where we may end up parking. That said, it took us a while to get used to our RV oven. Not only is lighting the thing a little bit complicated, but even once we figured out how to light it, we had trouble getting the right temperature and dispersing the heat to avoid burned spots.

Now though, we use our oven on a regular basis. Here are our top tips and tricks for getting the most out of the oven in your RV.

Get an Oven Thermometer

First, I highly recommend grabbing an oven thermometer. You see, weโ€™ve found that the ovens in our RVs rarely meet the temperature we set them to, resulting in prolonged cooking times. An oven thermometer allows you to see exactly how warm your oven is so you can adjust the dial accordingly.

Check the Door

Another common RV oven problem? The door doesnโ€™t shut all the way. If you find that your oven is never coming to temperature, check the door to make sure there isnโ€™t a gap thatโ€™s letting heat escape. If there is, you can solve the problem very easily by leaning something against the oven door to keep it shut tight. We use a simple folding step stool for this, which comes in handy for all sorts of other things too!

Use a Pizza Stone

Perhaps the biggest RV oven complaint is that the heat in these tiny ovens is hard to disperse properly. This leads to hot spots, resulting in food that burns in one spotโ€”usually the middle of the bottomโ€”and is undercooked in other areas. One way to solve this problem is by placing a pizza stone under whatever youโ€™re baking.

โ€ฆor Put In a Muffin Tin

Some people say the pizza stone doesnโ€™t quite do it for them. If you find that the stone isnโ€™t working for you, you might turn to a muffin tin instead. Thatโ€™s right: a regular, cheap muffin tin turned upside down under your baking dish will actually help evenly distribute heat! The end result is food that is cooked evenly throughout.

Turn on the Vent Fan

Obviously, RV ovens are hot, and that heat can spread into the living space of your RV while the oven is doing its thing. This leads to an uncomfortably hot tiny home during the summer months, especially if you canโ€™t run your A/C for any reason.

Not only that, but because RV ovens run on propane, they also release moisture into the air. This leads to issues in the colder months, as the moisture tends to create condensation on the walls.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to both of these problems. Running the vent fan helps get rid of the heat and moisture in the air while the RV oven is running. This trick works equally well when using the RV propane stove. Therefore, you should always run your kitchen vent fan while cooking.

Turn to Other Appliances

Our last tip for using your RV oven? Donโ€™t use your RV oven! While this isnโ€™t always the best option, it is a good option to have. There are a number of small electric kitchen appliances that you can use for baking purposes. When you have access to electricity, it often makes more sense to use one of these instead of the RV oven.

Some of our favorite small kitchen appliances to use in place of the oven include:

That said, absolutely any air fryer, countertop oven, or toaster oven should do the trick just fine.

Hopefully, these tips help you get some baking done in your RV so you can have cakes, casseroles, and all of those other delicious baked goods you enjoy at home while out on the road. What will you bake first?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her sonโ€™s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

5 Must-Have RV Kitchen Appliances

12 Thursday Aug 2021

Posted by in Tips & Tricks

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Iโ€™ve mentioned before that I think one of the biggest benefits of RV travel is the ability to cook literally anywhere you land. Weโ€™ve made dinner in Walmart parking lots and at the top of a mountain outside of Yellowstone National Park. Weโ€™ve whipped up a delicious lunch sitting outside of a movie theater and in the middle of the desert. This truly is an incredible perk, and one we take advantage of every single day.

When weโ€™re boondocking, we tend to use our propane stovetop and oven to cook in our RV. However, when weโ€™re in campgrounds with hookups, we much prefer to cook using the electricity that is included in our camping fees and save our propane for when we really need it. Not only does this save us money, it also makes cooking much simpler, cuts down on the amount of moisture weโ€™re putting into the air, and helps keep the temperature of our RV down.

In order to cook with electricity and take advantage of all these benefits, we use a few different small kitchen appliances. The following are our top small kitchen appliances for an RV, and theyโ€™re items we think every RVer should consider investing in.

Instant Pot Duo

First, we highly recommend an Instant Pot. These are incredibly popular with RVers, and once you use one youโ€™ll probably understand why.

Not only does the pressure cooking feature on these appliances make cooking a quick and easy processโ€”much appreciated after a long day of exploringโ€”it has a number of other features as well. Instant Pots can also be slow cookers, yogurt makers, rice cookers, and a number of other things, making them an incredible and versatile addition to your tiny RV kitchen that really does earn its place in the cabinet.

Instant Pot Vortex Mini Air Fryer

We also own and love an Instant Pot air fryer. The version we have is the Vortex Mini which is the perfect size for both storing in our RV and using our small amount of counter space. That said, it is limited in terms of how much it can cook at a time, so those cooking for more than a few people might want to consider the larger version.

We love to make fried potatoes and sweet potato fries in our air fryer, but we also use it for baking. Weโ€™ve made cinnamon rolls and biscuits in it, and have plans to try muffins. We find that our air fryer is much faster than our oven and it cooks much more evenly.

DeLonghi Dedica Espresso Machine

Okay, Iโ€™ll admit that this one is a bit unusual. That said, our DeLonghi Dedica espresso machine and the burr grinder that sits beside it are the two small appliances we use every single day without fail. We love our coffee, and have found that with a couple of easy modifications, this grinder and budget espresso machine actually make very good espresso.

In fact, itโ€™s so good that we often find ourselves feeling disappointed when we purchase espresso beverages from coffee shops.

We love that the Dedica didnโ€™t cost us an arm and a leg. We also really appreciate its small footprint and the fact that itโ€™s lightweight. Itโ€™s also nice that the machine tends to stay put on the counter during travel (we are brainstorming better options though). I highly recommend this machine for RV travel, and Iโ€™m not sure we would be quite as happy on our adventures without it.

George Foreman Grill

Yes, most people prefer to grill outside, and I totally understand the appeal of that. That said, our George Foreman grill has been a staple small appliance in our RV since we started and I donโ€™t see that changing anytime soon.

We love that this little grill cooks meat quickly and with very little effort on our part, and we often end up putting it to use on the busiest days when weโ€™re too tired to do much else. The non-stick plates are easy to wipe off, making cleaning up after dinner a breezeโ€”even when water and tank space are limitedโ€”making this an ideal boondocking cooking method.

hOmeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker

Admittedly, we donโ€™t have this particular appliance just yet. Itโ€™s high on my wishlist, but counter space in our RV is so limited I really donโ€™t know where we would keep it. That said, if you do have the counter space to spare, this is an appliance you might want to consider.

The hOmeLabs Chill Pill creates plenty of ice for the average family and only takes 8โ€“10 minutes to do so. Having one will save you precious freezer space and help ensure you always have ice for those iced espresso drinks or the beer or soda you drink around the fire in the evenings.

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About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her sonโ€™s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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Kitchen Interior Design Ideas For Your RV

16 Tuesday Mar 2021

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Kitchen Interior Design Ideas For Your RV

11% ofย households in America own an RV, and over 25 million people go on vacation in one every year. When you own your RV, it means that you can change the interior design to suit your needs and your lifestyle. RV kitchen interior designs donโ€™t have to be basic, and there are plenty of ways you can bring a touch of class to your RV. It is a good idea, however, to pick a stylistic theme for your dรฉcor in order to give your RV a unique character. Whether you go for shabby chic, industrial, arts and crafts, or even Hollywood glam, with a few changes, you can make your RV kitchen a special place thatย you will love spending time in.ย 

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

Often sitting at eye level, your kitchen cabinets are one of the first things you notice when you walk in. It is worth getting cabinets updated – you donโ€™t need to change the actual cupboardsย if they are in good repair: you can simply change the doors or give them a coat of varnish or paint. This will give a modern, luxury feel to your RV. Glossy paint is perfect if you are looking to give your RV a sleek, industrial look – you can go for bright, bold colors, or even a statement print. Sanding down your doors to bare wood can give your cabinets a natural feel, or you can use chalk paints if you are going for a bohemian style. If the kitchen cabinets in your RV are made from chipboard, you might want to think about replacing the doors for something more hardwearing, such as solid wood to give your RV kitchen a luxury feel.ย 

Replacing The Kitchen Worktop

Replacing or treatingย the worktop in your kitchen is another good way of giving it an update without ripping the entire kitchen out. You will need to be extra careful when you’re removing the worktop, and keep a note of the types of screws that are used to attach it. There are different screws for different purposes, and the ones needed to hold a worktop up will be heavy-duty. You donโ€™t have to replace your kitchen worktop with Formica – using different materials will give your kitchen a luxury feel. You can go for bamboo, stainless steel, a natural tree slice, or even reclaimed wood. Just make sure that your kitchen worktop is varnished and treated if necessary so that it is functional as well as beautiful.ย 

A Tile Backsplash

A tile backsplash is an excellent way of adding color and character to your RV kitchen. You can choose something that ties in with your theme and color palette. Regular ceramic tiles are an easy way to create a backsplash, or you could create a mosaic from broken ceramic tiles for a rustic look. Pebbles and sea-glass are other good materials to make a mosaic from – just make sure that you measure your space carefully before you begin applying materials, or create your mosaic on a separate panel. Thin slices of wooden logs that have been oiled or waxed can be placed on the walls for a natural look. You could also make an effective backsplash using thin branches or bamboo affixed to the wall, either horizontally or vertically. Another good idea is to have a Perspex backsplash made up using photos that are treasured, perhaps of friends or family.ย 

The kitchen is the heart of your RV and can be a real statement area. Choose a theme for your kitchen, and you’ll be sure to have a space that is unique and stylish.ย 

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10 Must-Have Items For Your RV Kitchen

16 Wednesday Sep 2020

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10 Must-Have Items For Your RV Kitchen

Image from harvesthosts.com

Although some of us would like to stock our RV cabinets and drawers with every cooking gadget and dish imaginable, many RVs donโ€™t provide the space or storage to do so.ย  Instead, we each have to take a step back and decide what needs to stay.ย  Sometimes this includes being a little creative and innovative in our decision-making.

In this process, itโ€™s crucial to think about what items you typically use when preparing meals, the versatility of a kitchen tool, and how much storage space is available.ย  Itโ€™s also important to take into consideration that your RV kitchen is mobile, so there is a matter of securing items. Plus, many RVers use propane to cook; ensuring the safety of all occupants is very important. The following is a list of kitchen essentials to help you get started setting up your RV kitchen!

Instant Pot

The Instant Pot hasn’t lagged in popularity even after its introduction ten years ago.ย  If you still haven’t become a part of the ever-growing global fanbase and haven’t purchased a model of your own, you may be missing out on some serious cooking.

Instapot

Image from instantpot.com.

The makers of Instant Pot boast of its versatility, claiming that this multi-cooker takes the place of at least 6 appliances. ย Settings include pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, warming, sauteing, and even yogurt making. The company combines the love of the cuisine with technology in each model intending to create good-for-you, scrumptious meals in a quicker, user-friendly manner.

From an RVerโ€™s standpoint, there are many benefits to having one in your kitchen. Since it is a pressure cooker, less water is needed than traditional cooking.ย  It is energy-efficient, preparing food 10 times faster and using up to 70% less energy.ย  The Instant Pot comes in a variety of capacities, so finding one that fits your traveling crewโ€™s needs and RV space is a cinch. Also, if you are at a loss with meal ideas, donโ€™t sweat it!ย  The Instant Pot app, cookbooks, and user blogs are sure to spark up a meal plan or ten!

Spice Rack Storage

Storing spices in a cabinet seems like a reasonable option, but it can quickly turn into a rummaging game every time you want to cook. It’s hard to see and easily grab what you need inside of a cabinet that is stuffed with randomly placed jars of spices and seasonings.

Spice Rack Storage

Image from pinterest.com.

Ashley Mann of RVinspiration.com suggests these creative spice rack options to โ€œsave storage space in your cabinets and keep your spices, herbs, and seasonings organized and handy.โ€ She mentions attaching spice clips to the inside of cabinet doors, mounting spice shelves, purchasing a spice caddy, or opting for magnetic spice containers to store these ingredients.

Cutting Board and Strainer Combo

When counter space is limited in a kitchen, sometimes utilizing the sink area is the next best thing. For those of us that strive to prepare and cook fresh produce daily, juggling between a cutting board and a strainer can be cumbersome and messy.ย  A combo over-the-sink cutting board and strainer can be just the trick to preparing fruits and vegetables.ย  There are quite a few variations on this kitchen product, including the size and type of material used for the cutting board.

Strainers

Image from whatsgoinoninthekitchen.com.

Water Filtration System

Consuming clean drinking water is not only essential for your bodyโ€™s health and well-being, but it is also important for the continued functions of your RVโ€™s internal systems–plumbing and other adjoining equipment. There are plenty of contaminants that you can be exposed to once you hook-up to water sources.

Water Filter System

Image of Berkey Water Filter System by rv-insight.com.

You could carry around cases of water bottles, but that would certainly be impractical on many levels. Instead, consider installing a water filtration system. There are many top-rated filtration products available. One highly sought after system is the Berkey Water Filter System. It sits on your countertop. This gravity-fed purification system requires no electricity to operate, thus it is great for boondocking. The sophisticated filtration system eliminates 99% of viruses and pathogenic bacteria for safe drinking and cooking water. The company has been around for 15 years and in the process created a variety of products to meet the unique requests of customers.

If you are limited on counter space in your RV and are looking for a filtration system that attaches to your water system equipment, consider these five water filters recommended by freshwatersystems.com. In addition to mentioning the benefits of each product, they discuss what aspects to look for in a filtration system to best fit the needs of you and your traveling crew.

Cast Iron Pan

A cast-iron pan is one of those kitchen tools that keeps on giving or rather seasoning the more it is used.ย  They can be used on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, and over the campfire. It is a rather heavy kitchen item, but its practicality, durability, and versatility outshine this minute attribute.

Cast Iron

Image from rei.com.

Not a fan of doing dishes after a meal? These skillets require minimal maintenance after each use.ย  A brief rinse in water, a quick brush using a scouring pad, and sitting it over a small flame to dry usually does the trick.ย  Some folks wipe it down with a bit of oil afterward.

Tension Rods/ Shelf Liners

Your kitchen is on wheels, so regardless if you are on the road every week or every season, at some point, your kitchen supplies will be bouncing and sliding about unless there is some form of restraint to keep them in place. This is where tension rods and non-slip shelf liners come into play.

Tension Rods

Image from pinterest.com.

Tension rods are usually used in the RV refrigerator and freezer to keep food and containers from falling out every time the door is opened. They can also be used in cabinets for perishables, really any items that you want to prevent from falling. RV road trips can get pretty bumpy, and if rods are not situated an innocent snack attack could end up with a broken glass jar of pickles splattered all over the floor.

Before stocking up any cabinets or drawers with items, line all bases and shelves with non-slip liners. Not all shelf liners are created equal. There are a variety of options, but the main goal is to keep dishes and food items in place and not sliding around. Brandon Burk of baysiderv.com helps narrow down your search by detailing some top-notch shelf liners for RVs, including the pros and cons of each.

Collapsible and Nesting Cookware

Innovative kitchen products on the market today take the guesswork out of storing functional cookware in an RVs limited cabinets and drawers. If you are a big fan of Tetris, then investing in collapsible and nesting cookware will be quite an enjoyable venture.ย  Mix-matched bowls and measuring spoons have to go.

Nesting Cookware

Image from Amazon.com.

A simple online search for either collapsible or nesting cookware will produce an entire gamut of cooking essentials like mixing bowls, measuring cups, and pots and pans sets. If collapsible items catch your attention, there are collapsible tea kettles and dish drying racks also. The possibilities appear endless.

Compact Blenders

Emulsion Blender

Image from rvinspiration.com.

Small, lightweight, portable blenders like stick and personal blenders are examples of the type of appliances that wouldnโ€™t take much room tucked away in an RV kitchen cabinet or drawer. Besides their size, they are a very versatile cooking tool that comes with various attachments to dice, emulsify, shred, mince. In the market for an RV-friendly blender, check out these recommendations from thrivecuisine.com.

Refrigerator-Freezer Thermometer

Compared to residential refrigerators, RV refrigerators have a completely separate mechanism that allows it to cool.ย  Residential refrigerators use a compressor and blow cold air into the unit.ย  The air circulates around, cooling all items evenly.

In contrast, an RV fridge cools down by a process called absorption.ย  Basically, the fridge relies on chemistry and gravity to cool the metal blades in the fridge. Warm air slowly rises and is cooled down by those blades located at the top of the unitโ€™s interior.ย  That cool air falls, and the process continues, slowly cycling up and down.ย  Simply opening the door to the fridge could disrupt the entire process and cause cool air to quickly escape.

Many RV owners will stick a portable fan inside to help speed airflow and cooling.ย  An easy way to make sure your RV fridge is staying in the sweet spot of 34 to 36 degrees and your freezer between 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit is to mount a thermometer inside each. Check the temperature periodically to make sure your food is not in danger of spoiling.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

In a special report by Tennesseeโ€™s Department of Health, representatives discussed the hazards of carbon monoxide in recreational vehicles. โ€œIn campers and RVs, items that emit carbon monoxide include built-in or portable generators, gas-powered heaters, gas ranges or ovens, portable camp stoves and gas water heaters. The carbon monoxide emitted can build up in enclosed, semi-enclosed or poorly-ventilated spaces, poisoning people and animals who breathe it.โ€

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Many RVers use propane to cook.ย  Burning propane on a range stove produces carbon monoxide, so proper ventilation must be utilized when cooking.ย  An overhead range fan usually does the trick.ย  However, if the ventilation or propane system is malfunctioning, a carbon monoxide detector can help detect elevated levels of the poisonous gas.

The Heart of a Home

A kitchen has often been referred to as โ€œthe heart of a home.โ€ย  Ensure that your RV kitchen is where life and activity thrive by stocking up with these must-haves. Together they help provide practical, functional, space-saving, and safe options so you and your traveling bunch can enjoy cooking as much as RVing!

About The Author: Natalie Henley and her husband, Levi, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years.ย  They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.ย  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.ย  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote โ€œSeasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.โ€ You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com.

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5 Super Easy RV Upgrades

28 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

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5 Easy RV UpgradesCamping season is officially upon us. This means youโ€™ve probably pulled your rig out of storage and gotten it all spruced up and ready to hit the road. Maybe you resealed it, and you likely did a nice cleaning too. However, in some cases, this just doesnโ€™t seem like enough. This is because sometimes an RV upgrade is in order.

Unfortunately, in many cases, RV upgrades mean a lot of time, money, and effort. Donโ€™t worry though! If youโ€™re feeling like your RV needs some upgrades but donโ€™t want to put in a ton of effort or time before your next camping trip, there are options.

Below are some of my favorite quick and easy upgrades that make a huge difference without a huge investment of time or energy.

Kitchen Backsplash

Have you ever noticed that RV kitchens donโ€™t include a backsplash? This is probably due in part to cost, but also to save on weight. That said, if youโ€™d like to have a backsplash, you can definitely have one. Moreover, it doesnโ€™t have to cost a lot, or add much weight at all, or even require a bunch of work.

RV Backsplash

To create a super simple DIY RV kitchen backsplash, simply invest in a set of the peel-and-stick tiles sold in most hardware stores. Peel them, stick them to the wall behind your sink and stove, and voilร , you have a good looking backsplash that cleans off nicely.

Improved Showerhead

Thereโ€™s no denying the fact that stock RV shower heads are pretty terrible. They donโ€™t give even water pressure, they often twist in odd directions, and they tend to use way too much water, meaning you run out of hot waterโ€”or water in general, if youโ€™re using your fresh water tankโ€”before your shower ends.

RV Shower Head

To fix this issue, just change out the showerhead. I highly recommend the Oxygenics RV shower head, which gives awesome water pressure without using much water at all. It does this by incorporating air into the stream, making it feel stronger than it actually is.

Comfy Mattress

RV mattresses are another common complaint. Sure, theyโ€™re lightweight, but at what cost? Flimsy stock mattresses are thin and uncomfortable, and the fact that theyโ€™re usually sitting on nothing more than a piece of plywood doesnโ€™t help matters.

Fortunately, itโ€™s totally possible to change out your mattress.

RV Bed

Changing your RV mattress is as simple as measuring your current mattress, finding another mattress of the same size to go in its place, and switching the sleeping space out. If you canโ€™t find one that is exactly the right size, getting something a couple of inches off usually isnโ€™t a problem. If you go with a foam mattress, you can also choose to cut it to size.

I should note that getting a mattress of any size through an RV door can be difficult. For this reason, you may want to purchase a rolled foam mattress and open it inside the rig.

New Shades

Most new RVs come equipped with awesome pull-down โ€œday and nightโ€ shades. If you have these window coverings, keep them. This is not something you want to change.

That said, those with older rigs may not have such luxuries. These individuals often find that the blinds that came in their campers are less than adequate, or simply falling apart. This is where replacement shades come into play.

RV Shades

Pretty much any shades will do the job just fine. That said, my family really likes these shades from IKEA. They pull up and down incredibly easily, come in numerous sizesโ€”making it easy to find a shade for every RV window, even the small onesโ€”and are very lightweight. I also found them super easy to hang up, and they didnโ€™t tear up our walls at all.

Cabinet Shelves

The final item on my list of super helpful yet simple RV upgrades is cabinet shelves. Far too many RVs donโ€™t come with shelves in the cabinets. This makes organizing difficult and finding anything even more so. Why not add some shelves and save yourself a bit of frustration?

RV Cabinet Shelves

Shelves such as these are perfect. You can buy as many or as few as you need, and they can even be stacked. You might also consider a lazy Susan if you happen to have a very deep cabinet.

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her sonโ€™s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics,ย Chelseaย and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to seeย manyย more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog,ย Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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Six Reasons to Try RV Cooking with a Pressure Cooker

24 Friday Jun 2016

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Pressure CookerGadgets come and go but there’s one that will never fade into culinary history: the pressure cooker. Even for vegetarians like me, RV cooking with a pressure cooker is always easy as pie.

Invented in 1679 by a French physicist, there’s a reason why pressure cookers haven’t disappeared from kitchens. They’re:

  • Sturdy and can take a lot of abuse
  • Versatile enough for all types of cooking
  • Safer than ever before.

This appliance has received a bad rap through the ages because of people who didn’t use them with care. The good news is that pressure cooker explosions are a thing of the past. Manufacturers put safety mechanisms in place that make them almost impossible to blow up. Use a pressure cooker as you would any other potentially dangerous kitchen appliance and you’ll never need to call 911.

Unlike some other RV appliances that have learning curves, such as convection ovens, getting the knack of this handy device is practically effortless. Check out these six reasons why you need to try RV cooking with a pressure cooker.

Pressure cookers aren’t just for meat eaters

pressure cooked veggiesIf you think pressure cookers are just like crock pots, think again. Pressure cookers do so much more than cook meat and make stews. Once I received mine I tried pressure cooking recipes for everything from pasta to steamed veggies, beans to fish and even hard boiling eggs. If you can think of a food you want to make in a pressure cooker, odds are good that someone has already tried it and posted the recipe online.

You’ll save space in your RV kitchen

My six quart pressure cooker is ideal for my 27′ fifth wheel’s galley. It’s large enough to make popcorn but not so big that won’t fit in my cramped cupboards. Most come with steamer baskets, so you can ditch your old steamer and colander. Eventually you’ll discover that it’s the only large pot you need to carry.

Pressure cookers are a boondocker’s best friend

Do you love to dry camp? If so, you’ll be amazed at how little water is necessary for RV cooking with a pressure cooker. Before I got my mine, I wouldn’t dare make water-intensive dishes like pasta or cook dry beans. But after learning how to cook with a pressure cooker, I discovered that foods hardly need any water at all to cook inside the pressurized environment.

You’ll have less humidity in your RV

humidity gaugeSpeaking of boiling water: since all of the cooking is done inside a pressurized environment, your rig won’t turn into a sauna when you use this appliance. The only time it releases steam into the RV is when cooking time ends and you open the release valve. To minimize RV humidity during this process, just open your door and aim the valve opening outside.

High altitude cooking is effortless

If you enjoy high altitude RV camping in the mountains like I do, you’ll love how the pressure cooker enables you to cook your favorite foods wherever your rig is parked. As a vegetarian I eat a lot of legumes and now I no longer carry heavy cans of beans on the road. My pressure cooker allows me to cook unsoaked dry beans in as few as 35 minutes and soaked ones in about 15.

Pressure cookers save fuel

I use a traditional pressure cooker, which I feel is more compact and space-efficient than the โ€œAs Seen On TVโ€ electric ones that are popping up at RV shows around the country. But no matter which one you choose, you’ll save on utility costs because both can cook meals in a fraction of the time it takes conventional pots and pans.

I was full-timing for eight years before my mother gave me a pressure cooker for Christmas and now I don’t know how I ever lived without it. I hope that my experience inspires you to try one in your own travels, so you won’t have to wait nearly as long to discover the magic of RV cooking with a pressure cooker.

About the Author:

Rene Agredano, a Coach-Net member since 2015, is a self-employed full-time RVer who enjoys writing, jewelry design and animal advocacy. Her adventures with a three-legged dog and husband Jim are chronicled atย LiveWorkDream.com

 

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