Once we purchased our fifth wheel, it didn’t include a built-in out of doors kitchen — and at first, that felt like a draw back. However after years of RV journey and plenty of real-world cooking at camp, it turned out to be the most effective issues about our setup.
We’ve owned an RV with a built-in out of doors kitchen earlier than, and whereas it was handy, the restrictions added up quick. Now we arrange our personal out of doors kitchen at each campsite, and truthfully, I like this method a lot better. It’s versatile, works in additional circumstances, and makes cooking really feel like a part of the tenting expertise as an alternative of simply one other RV chore.
Video Walkthrough
Within the video beneath, I stroll by our actual out of doors kitchen setup and clarify why we choose cooking this fashion when RVing. You might even see a brief video advert play earlier than the walkthrough hundreds.
See all of our favourite RV gear, devices and must-have objects we actually use. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Which means I earn a small fee with no further value to you. Try our Amazon retailer right here.
Why We Don’t Miss a Constructed-In Out of doors Kitchen
Years in the past, we had a smaller bumper-pull trailer with a built-in out of doors kitchen. It had a two-burner range, a small sink, and a pull-out counter, and at first it appeared actually handy. You simply opened a hatch and began cooking.
However over time, the downsides turned exhausting to disregard.
The range was fastened in a single route, so there was no method to regulate for wind. Some days we have been cooking in full solar, and different occasions we have been crammed beneath the trailer awning attempting to remain cool. The counter was small and flimsy, which made actual meals prep irritating. The sink was extra like a shallow basin than one thing really helpful.
What I disliked most was cooking proper towards the facet of the rig. Between grease splatter and meals smells, it simply wasn’t one thing I loved coping with day after day.
Our present setup solves all of these issues by giving us flexibility.
How We Set Up Our Out of doors RV Kitchen
As an alternative of cooking proper subsequent to the trailer, we set our out of doors kitchen up throughout the campsite. The hearth pit and chairs normally sit between the RV and the kitchen space, which provides us room to unfold out and chill out.
This structure makes cooking really feel intentional. It’s not rushed, and it doesn’t really feel like we’re squeezed right into a nook simply to get a meal completed. Relying on the campsite, we are able to regulate our setup for wind route, shade, and views.
That flexibility alone is a large purpose we don’t miss a built-in out of doors kitchen.
Our Prep House and Cooking Gear
We use folding tables for prep area and to carry our cooking gear. One desk normally holds our Blackstone, and the opposite holds a propane camp range and a tabletop grill. Relying on what we’re making, we might use one, two, or all three.
We additionally hold a full-size trash can proper subsequent to the kitchen. Which may sound like a small factor, nevertheless it makes cleanup sooner and retains trash from piling up across the campsite.
Nothing about this setup is fancy — however the whole lot has a goal.
I would like “5 Secrets and techniques To Profitable Tenting Journeys” plus weekly tenting ideas & recipes.
Why We Preserve Water on the Kitchen
One of the crucial vital components of our out of doors kitchen is the water jug. We hold it proper subsequent to the cooking space so we are able to wash our arms whereas cooking and pre-wash dishes earlier than they go contained in the RV.
Doing a fast scrub exterior removes meals and grease earlier than dishes ever hit the sink contained in the trailer. That helps save area in our grey tank and retains indoor cleanup fast and easy. When dishes come inside, they normally simply want a quick soapy wash and a rinse.
This one behavior makes a giant distinction after we’re boondocking or staying someplace with out hookups.
Shade, Mats, and Staying Snug Exterior
Every thing in our out of doors kitchen stays beneath a shade cover. That helps a ton after we’re tenting in summer time warmth, and it’s simply as helpful after we’re coping with rain.
We additionally put down RV mats beneath the kitchen space. They make cleanup simpler and assist hold mud and filth beneath management, particularly after we’re boondocking. It’s a small addition that makes the entire area really feel extra comfy to work in.
To keep away from working out and in of the RV continuously, I take advantage of a carrying tray to convey meals and utensils from inside to the out of doors kitchen. That retains the whole lot organized and saves plenty of back-and-forth.
Our Propane and Storage Technique
For cooking gasoline, we use a full-size 20-pound propane tank as an alternative of the small one-pound inexperienced bottles. It’s extra dependable, lasts for much longer, and works higher for the type of cooking we do.
Every thing in our out of doors kitchen has a spot — utensils, oil, seasonings, gasoline, flashlights, paper towels. We set the kitchen up with each wind route and views in thoughts. It’s sensible, environment friendly, and straightforward to regulate regardless of the place we’re tenting.
Cooking and Consuming Exterior A lot of the Time
I like cooking exterior, not simply because it retains warmth and smells out of the rig, however due to the views. Once we’re boondocking, our out of doors kitchen usually faces wide-open surroundings that you just simply can’t respect from contained in the RV.
We eat exterior more often than not too. Why have a look at a campsite by a window when you possibly can take pleasure in it nose to nose?
If the climate turns chilly or wet, we’ll nonetheless prepare dinner exterior after which convey the meals in to eat. That offers us the perfect of each worlds.
One Necessary Security Tip for Out of doors Cooking
If you happen to’re tenting in bear nation, don’t depart cooking gear, meals, or meals waste exterior. It’s not simply unsafe — it’s unlawful in some areas. All the time observe native guidelines and take wildlife security significantly.
If You Don’t Have a Constructed-In Out of doors Kitchen
In case your RV doesn’t have a built-in out of doors kitchen, don’t fear. You’ll be able to construct one thing that works even higher — similar to we did.
A versatile setup helps you to adapt to every campsite, management the place and the way you prepare dinner, and make out of doors meals an actual a part of your tenting expertise.
