My Top 5 RV Kitchen Items That I won't leave home without!
- Kim Martinez
- Jun 25
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 29
Creating a sustainable, healthy lifestyle on the road starts with the right kitchen essentials
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love during our RV adventures!
Our 44-foot Class A RV has a pretty good-sized area for "kitchen stuff" compared to smaller trailers – but honestly, I would find room somewhere for all of these items no matter what size RV we had. That's how essential they've become to our travel lifestyle.
RVing for us is about enjoying the outdoors and the joy of traveling and discovering... from our home on wheels. We really enjoy bringing that "home life" feeling into our kitchen because let's face it – when you're living in a small space for months at a time, comfort and functionality matter more than ever.
🎯 Quick Reference: My Top 5 RV Kitchen Essentials
🍟 Air Fryer → Game-changing cooking versatility
🥤 Smoothie Blender → Daily nutrition powerhouse
☕ Coffee Maker → Perfect mornings every day
🥗 Salad Spinner → Healthy eating made effortless
🍞 Wide Slot Toaster → Breakfast efficiency for couples
Read time: 8 minutes | All items work great at home too!
Why RV Kitchen Essentials Matter More Than You Think
After years of RV adventures and plenty of trial and error, I've learned that the right kitchen setup can make or break your travel experience. There's nothing worse than being stuck with inefficient appliances that turn simple meal prep into a frustrating chore – especially when you're eager to get outside and explore!
With a little planning and the right essentials, preparing tasty, healthy food becomes something that makes the travel lifestyle sustainable for the long run. These aren't just appliances; they're the tools that let us maintain our health goals, enjoy varied meals, and spend less time cooking and more time adventuring.
From Trial and Error to Travel Perfection
I'll be honest – we didn't get this right immediately. We've hauled tiny appliances that couldn't handle our needs, dealt with coffee makers that took forever, and struggled with inefficient tools that made healthy eating feel impossible on the road.
But through countless miles and kitchen experiments, we've discovered the five absolute essentials that have transformed our RV cooking experience. These items have earned their permanent spots in our kitchen not just because they work well, but because they make our travel lifestyle better, healthier, and more enjoyable.
Whether you're planning your first RV adventure or you're a seasoned traveler looking to upgrade your kitchen game, these five items will revolutionize how you eat on the road.
So here are my Top 5 Essential Kitchen Appliances & Items:
Price Range: Under $100
Our Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When it comes to RV cooking, an air fryer has become my absolute must-have appliance. As someone who loves fresh fish but struggles to cook it properly in our compact RV kitchen, I used to limit myself to grilling outdoors. That all changed when I discovered how perfectly an air fryer handles fish – even straight from frozen – in under 15 minutes!
Pro tip: Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze. (Check out my detailed guide on using parchment paper in air fryers for the best results!)
After testing numerous models during our RV adventures, I've found my perfect match: the Bella 4 Qt TriZone Air Fryer with EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating. This dual basket design with removable divider has revolutionized our meal prep on the road.
Why This Air Fryer Is Perfect for RV Life:
• Dual-Zone Cooking: The removable center divider lets you cook two different items simultaneously – imagine perfectly timed fish and crispy fries, each at their ideal temperature and cooking time
• Versatile Settings: Six cooking functions (Air Fry, Bake, Reheat, Roast, Dehydrate, Broil) mean this one appliance replaces multiple kitchen tools
• RV-Friendly Size: The compact 3-pound capacity is ideal for couples while fitting perfectly in tight RV storage spaces
• Safe & Easy: The ceramic nonstick coating is a healthier alternative to traditional coatings and makes cleanup effortless
• Style Options: Available in multiple fun colors to match your RV's personalityWhether you're in a smaller camper or planning to use it at home too, this air fryer delivers restaurant-quality results in a fraction of the time. It's transformed how we eat on the road – and honestly, I can't imagine RV life without it!
Price Range: $90-120
Our Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick Verdict: Powerful, reliable, foolproof operation, perfect for daily healthy RV and home living
This year's newest addition to our RV kitchen has become an absolute game-changer for our health and energy levels both on the road and at home! I've discovered the easiest way to pack nutrients into our day: daily smoothies loaded with kale, spinach, organic frozen fruit (blueberries and pineapple are my go-to favorites), coconut water, and protein powder.
The best part? Manny and I stay satisfied well past our normal lunch hour with these protein-packed, nutrient-dense drinks. It's amazing how a simple smoothie can fuel us through hours of driving and exploring – or just our busy days back in Sarasota!
After years of trying different blenders that couldn't handle our daily smoothie routine, I finally found our perfect match: the NutriBullet® Pro+ 1200 Watt Personal Blender with Pulse Function . This powerhouse performs flawlessly whether we're plugged into our RV or using it in our home kitchen.
Why This Blender Works for Both RV & Home Life:
• Foolproof Operation: Fill to the line, twist, and it automatically blends and stops when done – consistent results anywhere
• Powerful Performance: 1200 watts easily crushes ice, frozen fruit, nuts, and leafy greens without struggle
• Space-Efficient: Compact design works perfectly in RV storage and doesn't crowd home countertops
• Dual-Purpose Value: One quality appliance that travels with us and performs at home
• Reliable & Durable: Built to withstand RV travel vibrations and daily home use
• Easy Cleanup: Simple design means quick washing – whether you're conserving RV water or rushing at home
Kim's Pro Tip: We keep the same smoothie routine whether we're home or traveling – consistency is key to maintaining healthy habits on the road!
This blender has transformed our nutrition game everywhere we go, making it incredibly easy to maintain healthy eating habits whether we're exploring new destinations or enjoying life back home in Florida.
#3. Keurig Coffee Maker - Your Perfect Morning Companion
Price Range: $75-85
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick Verdict: Compact, reliable, perfect water capacity, travel-stable design for daily RV coffee perfection
Nothing beats starting our RV mornings with the perfect cup of coffee! After trying traditional coffee pots that slosh around while driving and take up precious counter space, we discovered that a single-serve coffee maker was the game-changer we needed for life on the road.
The individual pods eliminate the mess and waste of leftover coffee, plus we can enjoy variety without committing to a whole pot. But here's our secret: we use reusable pods and filters filled with our favorite ground coffee! This lets us sample amazing local blends (like Maine's incredible blueberry-inspired coffees) while staying economical and eco-friendly.
After testing several sizes and brands, we found our perfect match: the Keurig K-Express Essentials Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker. This compact powerhouse has become an essential part of our daily RV routine.
Why This Coffee Maker Is Perfect for RV Life:
• Generous Water Tank: 36 oz detachable reservoir gives us 3-4 cups each morning before refilling – perfect for couples
• Versatile Brewing: Three cup sizes (6, 8, & 10 oz) let us customize our coffee strength and quantity
• Space-Smart Design: Compact footprint fits perfectly on RV counters – surprisingly, the depth works better than width in most RV layouts
• Travel-Stable: Rides securely on our shelf with non-slip liner during driving days
• Easy Maintenance: Simple design means quick cleaning and reliable performance mile after mile
Kim's Pro Tips:
Add paper liners to your reusable pods for effortless cleanup – just toss the compostable liner and pop in a fresh one! I love CAPMESSO Disposable Coffee Paper Filters
- Use non-slip shelf liner everywhere in your RV kitchen – it keeps appliances secure while driving and protects surfaces. I use Shelf Liner Drawer Liner Non-Slip Mat Shelves - pretty colors, great grip.
- I place both our coffee maker and toaster on the shelf behind our kitchen table with liner underneath – never had either slide off in thousands of miles!
This coffee maker has transformed our morning routine, whether we're watching sunrise over a lake or fueling up before exploring a new town. Great coffee makes every RV adventure better!
Price Range: $29-$35
Our Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick Verdict: Space-saving, dual-purpose, makes healthy eating effortless, perfect for RV + home use
This little kitchen marvel has completely transformed how often we eat fresh salads on the road – and I loved it so much, I bought a second one for our home kitchen and ditched our old bulky spinner!
Before discovering this gem, preparing salads in our RV was honestly a chore. I'd wash the lettuce, then spread out loads of paper towels to dry it – what a waste of time, paper towels, and counter space! The whole process was so tedious that I found myself skipping salads way too often, which wasn't great for our health goals.
Now? Salad prep is actually enjoyable and happens several times a week! Here's my streamlined process with the COOK WITH COLOR Collapsible Salad Spinner:
My Simple RV Salad Routine:
1. Pop open the spinner and use the strainer basket to wash lettuce directly in the sink
2. Let it drain initially while I get out my cutting board
3. Remove lettuce, place strainer back in the solid bowl
4. Chop lettuce on the board, toss into the spinner
5. Give it a few pulls with the easy string mechanism – perfectly dry lettuce!
6. Empty excess water, dry the bowl, and use it as our serving bowl
7. Add remaining salad ingredients and serve
Why This Spinner Is Perfect for RV Life:
• Space-Saving Design: Collapses flat to fit under or on top of items in any cabinet – no wasted space!
• Dual-Purpose: Functions as both spinner and serving bowl – fewer dishes to wash
• Efficient Process: Cuts salad prep time in half while eliminating paper towel waste
• Easy Operation: Simple string-pull mechanism works smoothly even in tight RV quarters
• Travel-Friendly: Sturdy construction handles the bumps and vibrations of RV life
• Style Options: Available in several attractive colors to match your RV's personality
Kim's Pro Tip: This spinner has made healthy eating on the road so much easier that we now have fresh salads multiple times per week. When kitchen prep is simple and efficient, you naturally make better food choices!
The fact that I immediately bought one for our home kitchen says everything – this isn't just an RV tool, it's a lifestyle upgrade that works everywhere!
#5. Wide Slot Toaster - The Breakfast Game-Changer You Didn't Know You Needed.
Price Range: $75-90
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick Verdict: Space-efficient, handles all bread types, doubles breakfast speed, essential for couples
Sometimes the best RV discoveries happen by accident! I was so focused on saving space that I initially brought the tiniest two-slice toaster I could find. Big mistake! Making breakfast for two people with a slow, narrow toaster was frustrating – especially when we wanted to get on the road early for our adventures.
Then I accidentally left that little toaster at my office between trips and had to grab my newer 4-slice wide slot toaster from our house. What a revelation! It fit in almost the same counter space but completely transformed our breakfast routine.
Now we can toast bagels, English muffins, and thick artisan breads that would never fit in a standard toaster. Plus, making toast for both Manny and me happens all at once instead of in frustrating batches. Game-changer!
The Cuisinart 4 Slice Toaster Oven has become an absolute essential in our RV kitchen setup.
Why a Wide Slot Toaster Is Essential for RV Life:
• Efficiency: Toast for two people simultaneously – no more waiting for second batches
• Versatility: Handles bagels, English muffins, thick artisan breads, and regular bread with ease
• Space Smart: Takes up nearly the same counter space as a 2-slice but delivers double the capacity
• Time Saver: Perfect for those early morning departures when you want breakfast ready fast
• Better Breakfasts: Opens up more breakfast options beyond thin sandwich bread
• Travel Stable: Sits securely on our shelf with non-slip liner during driving days
Kim's Pro Tip: Don't make my initial mistake of prioritizing tiny appliances over functionality! Sometimes spending just a little more counter space gets you dramatically better performance. This toaster rides perfectly on our kitchen shelf with our coffee maker – they're breakfast buddies!
I'll never go back to a two-slice toaster again. When you're living in a small space, every appliance needs to work efficiently, and this one absolutely delivers.
Ready to Transform Your RV Kitchen?
Start with just one item that addresses your biggest cooking challenge. Whether it's slow breakfast prep, struggling to eat healthy on the road, or dealing with inefficient appliances, there's a solution here that will make an immediate difference in your travel experience.
My Recommendation: If you can only choose one, start with the air fryer. It's the most versatile and will completely change how you cook in your RV. Then add the others as your budget allows – each one builds on the others to create the perfect mobile kitchen setup.
Conclusion:
These five kitchen essentials have completely transformed our RV cooking experience, making healthy, delicious meals not just possible but enjoyable on the road. Each item has earned its place through real-world testing across thousands of miles of travel.
Remember, RV life is about freedom and adventure – but that doesn't mean sacrificing the comforts and nutrition that keep you energized for all those amazing experiences ahead. Invest in the right kitchen tools, and you'll find that eating well on the road becomes second nature.
What's your must-have RV kitchen item? Share your favorites in the comments below – I'm always looking for new ways to improve our mobile kitchen setup!
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