Small Space, Big Flavours
Cooking in a van doesn’t mean compromising on delicious meals. At The Van Club, we’ve gathered wisdom from countless members who create mouth-watering dishes in their compact mobile kitchens. Whether you’re touring the Scottish Highlands or parked at one of our community rallies, preparing proper meals can make all the difference to your travel experience.
Living the van life means embracing clever solutions, and nowhere is this more important than in your cooking space. Our community members have shared brilliant ways to organise, cook, and enjoy fantastic food without the luxury of a full-sized kitchen.
Essential Equipment for Your Van Kitchen
Starting with the basics, we’ve found that multipurpose items are absolute gold in compact kitchens. Rather than packing single-use gadgets, look for items that can perform multiple functions:
- A good quality cast iron skillet
- Perfect for everything from morning eggs to evening stir-fries, and can go straight from stove to campfire
- Stackable pots and pans with removable handles – Saving precious storage space while providing full cooking functionality
- Collapsible items
- From colanders to measuring cups, these space-savers are brilliant for van life
- Pressure cooker or multi-cooker
- For quick, fuel-efficient cooking that can handle anything from stews to cakes
Many of our Van Club members swear by nesting cookware sets specifically designed for camping and caravanning. These typically include pots, pans, and sometimes even kettles that stack together, taking up minimal space when stored.
Clever Storage Solutions
Storage is perhaps the biggest challenge in van kitchens. Our community has developed some ingenious approaches:
Magnetic storage works brilliantly in vans. Metal knife strips, spice tins with magnets, and utensil holders that stick to metal surfaces make use of vertical space that would otherwise go unused.
Door and wall organisers can transform empty spaces into functional storage. Slim pocket organisers on the inside of cupboard doors can hold spices, utensils, or cleaning supplies.
Custom drawer dividers prevent your items from sliding about whilst driving. We’ve seen members use everything from purpose-built dividers to egg cartons for organising smaller items.
One particularly clever solution we’ve spotted at our meet-ups involves hanging storage nets from the ceiling, perfect for fruit, vegetables, or bread that doesn’t need refrigeration but requires air circulation.
Smart Food Planning
Planning meals for van life requires a different approach than home cooking. At The Van Club, we encourage members to share their food planning strategies during our events.
One-pot wonders are universally popular among our community. Dishes like pasta, curries, and hearty stews that require minimal washing up afterwards are perfect for compact living. Our family events often feature recipe swaps where members share their favourite one-pot meals.
Prep ahead when possible. Chopping vegetables or marinating meat before setting off can save valuable time and counter space later. Some organised members portion and freeze meals before trips, especially for longer journeys.
Consider cooking in batches to create leftovers for the next day’s lunch or dinner. This approach saves on gas and water – both precious commodities in van life.
Water and Washing Up Efficiency
Water conservation is critical in van life, particularly for those without large onboard tanks. Our seasoned van enthusiasts have developed efficient systems for washing up:
Two-bowl system – One for washing with biodegradable soap, one for rinsing. This uses significantly less water than running water methods.
Spray bottles filled with soapy water can be used to pre-clean dishes, reducing the amount of water needed for soaking.
Microfibre cloths and squeegees are fantastic for wiping down surfaces with minimal water usage.
For those truly short on water, biodegradable cleaning wipes can be useful in a pinch, though we always encourage environmentally friendly options whenever possible.
Cooking Without a Full Kitchen
Some of our members have vans with limited or no built-in kitchen facilities. This hasn’t stopped them from creating amazing meals:
Portable induction hobs are increasingly popular, offering efficient cooking without open flames, perfect for indoor use in vans.
Camping stoves remain reliable classics, with modern versions offering impressive heat control. Many of our rally sites provide dedicated cooking areas where these can be used safely outdoors.
12V slow cookers are brilliant for preparing meals while driving – arrive at your destination with dinner ready to serve!
Thermal cookers work like slow cookers but require no power once heated, making them perfect for off-grid adventures.
Community Meal Sharing
One of the most joyful aspects of our Van Club gatherings is the community meals. Members bring dishes prepared in their compact kitchens, showcasing what’s possible with limited space.
These shared meals go beyond simple dining – they’re opportunities to exchange tips, recipes, and stories. We’ve seen everything from gourmet three-course meals to artisan bread baked in tiny ovens.
The camaraderie built around food is central to our community spirit. There’s something magical about sitting together under the stars, enjoying meals created in our mobile homes.
Resources for Van Cooks
We maintain a recipe collection specifically adapted for small-space cooking, contributed by our members. These recipes focus on:
- Limited ingredients
- Minimal equipment
- Energy efficiency
- Reduced water usage
Beyond recipes, we share supplier recommendations for space-saving kitchen equipment, local food sourcing during travels, and storage solutions tested by our community.
Our online forums allow members to ask cooking questions and receive advice from experienced van chefs. From troubleshooting temperamental gas stoves to sourcing ingredients in remote locations, our community is always ready to help.
By joining The Van Club, you’re connecting with a wealth of knowledge about van cooking and so much more. Our community continues to grow, bringing together passionate individuals who love the freedom of the open road and the comfort of home-cooked meals wherever they roam.
Ready to upgrade your van cooking game and join a supportive community of fellow adventurers? Visit The Van Club website to become part of our growing family of van enthusiasts across the UK.