33 Essentials RV Kitchen Accessories - The Roving Foley's
RV Kitchen Accessories
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33 Essentials RV Kitchen Accessories

One of the difficulties in becoming a full-time RV family, when you are moving from a home to an RV 5th wheel, travel trailer or motorhome, is that you lose a bunch of kitchen space. Losing all of that kitchen space really hurts at first, but over the months and years, I have found a few RV Kitchen Accessories and Gadgets that have helped me to cook efficiently in my kitchen.

When you have growing kids, being able to cook effectively is important. We simply cannot afford to eat out a lot and besides, I love to cook at home.  This is the RV cookware that I use just about every day and could not live without. All of them do BIG jobs and take up small spaces.  Perfect for mobile living.

Here is our list of must have kitchen items that we recommend you have when starting your RV life.

Don’t Have Time Right Now? See Them All HERE!

RV Kitchen Accessories You MUST Have

1. Measuring Cups:

No set of RV cooking supplies is complete without stackable measuring cups and spoons. I found these cups for our kitchen on Amazon. I have used plastic measuring cups before and I just don’t like them. They get chewed up in the drawer and look all worn out. But having heavy traditional stainless steel cups adds weight, something we always try to avoid.

Stainless Measuring Cups

So I was overjoyed when I found these Bellemain Stainless Steel cups. They really hold up well to daily beatings in the utensil drawer. They are accurate AND they are lightweight which is very important for mobile living. Someone found just the right thickness to keep them lightweight, but also durable. They even double as circle templates for art class. Great set!

Plastic Measuring Cups

If you DO dig plastic measurers, here is a nice set.  It is quite complete as it has about every possible size of measuring cup and spoon and would also work well to round out your set of kitchen gadgets.

2. Stackable Mixing Bowls:

I LOVE my stackable mixing bowls, honestly I pretty much use them every single day for storing fruit or mixing eggs.  They really have become essential kitchen accessories! These are a great set of bowls that can handle being tossed around in an RV – this is important to us RVers.

They are melamine so they will not break, but again are lightweight. My set comes with snap-on airtight lids that won’t let liquid out – even if you turn them upside down.  I have used mine to take dishes to the beach for a picnic, or to carry food to a cook-out. 

The size range is great so they can be used for thawing out large roasts or pork loins or to mix up small quantities of Franks “Super Secret Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce.” (Hint- it has honey, mustard, and BBQ sauce in it- sorry babe).

Stackable Mixing Bowls

This is a great little set of stackable bowls by Joseph Joseph. The set comes with 2 bowls, a  sieve strainer, a colander, and 5 measuring cups. I love that they include a sieve in here that is stackable, that’s a huge space saver in an RV.

3. Cutting Boards:

Cutting boards are essential kitchen tools for RV living. It is really important to have a set that is versatile and lightweight as you will use them inside and out. 

Plastic Cutting Boards

Our favorite Fu Store cutting boards set comes with 4 boards marked and color-coded for vegetables, fish, fruit, and meats. These are a little thicker but we like that. They are still very light and easy to store, I love that each board is labeled for a particular food group.  I need the reminder lol!

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Bamboo Cutting Board

This set is really nice with a bamboo board and seven plastic boards inside. It won’t save a lot of kitchen counter-top space but has a ton of great uses. The boards are super thin.  We love wine and cheese so this bamboo board is perfect for us and again it fits nicely in our 5th wheel. 

4. RV Kitchen Utensils:

Every RV kitchen needs  the best camping utensils. You want to cover all of your bases without having a lot of duplication as space is tight. 

RV Kitchen Utensils

I bought this set when we were moving into our rig, I was pleasantly surprised at the different utensils included in the set.  I never had a tongs in my kitchen at home and now it’s my favorite utensil!  This set has any kitchen utensil you will need in my opinion.

5. Microwave Cover:

If you use the microwave a lot, and chances are that you do if you are living on the road, you must have a plate cover. Such a simple thing that saves SO MUCH time and effort. This is one of those things that you wonder why you didn’t have one 5 years ago. 

Microwave Cover

This microwave cover is freaking awesome, it saves me so much time and clean up, best of all it collapses flat so it can be easily stored.

6. Cast Iron Cooking:

There is nothing like cooking on cast iron. I know we are always harping on things being lightweight and not adding too much to the overall weight of your rv, but when it comes to cooking outdoors, you want to be cooking with cast iron!

Cast Iron Pan

This Lodge cast iron skillet is one of the must-have RV kitchen essential. A cast iron skillet cooks more evenly and lasts forever. It is also safe to use over a campfire or on the grill.  Do keep in mind they are heavier than regular pans.

7. Collapsible Strainer:

I like that I can fit all my vegetables and fruits in one strainer to wash them!

Collapsible Strainer

Another wonderful product that saves space in your camper kitchen. The handles slide out to provide a platform to hang it over the sink- hands-free operation. Then the whole thing flattens out for easy storage. 

Stackable Strainer

If the above strainer is too big for your motorhome, these might work instead.  I have a pair of these also, I’ve had them for years.  I use them when I don’t need the bigger strainer.  They fit easily in my cabinet.

8. Space Saving Knife Holder:

Someone was thinking of tiny living spaces when they came up with these genius RV kitchen accessories!

Space Saving Knife Holder

Friends of ours use this space saving knife holder and it works beautifully.    This steel wall mounted knife holder will save you a ton of space.  Space is always at a premium in an traveling kitchen so why not use the walls? 

9. Camper Dishes:

One of the first things we purchased was a set of melamine dishes, I love that I don’t have to worry about them breaking on RV travel day. Lightweight is key with all of your camper kitchen accessories. 

Camper Dishes

With all of the shaking and jostling, it is smart to use RV kitchen accessories that are as close to indestructible as possible. These melamine dishes are just the ticket and come in many colors.

10. Acrylic Tumblers:

Same applies to your glasses. RV glasses take a good deal of pounding so get a set that will be safe indoors or outdoors and you won’t have to worry about them.

Acrylic Tumblers

We purchased this set of acrylic glasses for ourselves and so far they have survived!  They are nice looking, affordable, and fit nicely in our cabinet.

Stainless Tumblers

These cups are perfect to use around the campground when the kids are running around.  They ensure that we always have cold water when we need it.  I purchased one of these for everyone, I love that it came with a straw.

11. Acrylic Wine Glasses:

We love nothing more than having a glass of wine at the weekend, we have tried several glasses and these are our favorite by far.  If you love wine as much as we do, try using a wine aerator, it enhances the flavor of the wine in a big way!  Trust me.

Acrylic Wine Glasses

We love drinking wine from actual wine glasses. These glasses are stackable and we never have to worry about them on travel day.  They can literally be thrown anywhere and they will be fine.  We prefer stemless because they won’t get blown over by the wind :).

12. Dish Drying Rack:

This is an awesome accessory to have in your RV kitchen. This collapsible dish drying rack fits nicely in your sink so you can dry your dishes off the countertops.

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Dish Drying Rack

A space saving dish rack will fit over the sink and hold all of your kitchen gadgets and dishes, while not taking up counter space.  This Prepworks unit includes a wash basin and works great.

13. Space Saving Pots and Pans:

Although we now live in a tiny home, we still use pots and pans when cooking but I don’t have a lot of room to store them and that’s why I love these stackable pots and pans. 

Space Saving Pots and Pans

We love these stackable pots and pans.  A great set of pans is a necessity in any RV. A space saving set from Calphalon that nests together is a HUGE bonus! 

Tiny RV Kitchen Essentials

14. Magic Bullet:

We LOVE smoothies. A bag of frozen fruit medley, some yogurt, a bit of milk and it’s “Happy Days” in the Foley camp. The kids always get excited about smoothies and it is a great way to get a TON of nutrition into them without the usual WAH-WAH that comes with nutritious foods. I also use the Bullet for dicing up veggies and making homemade hummus.

Magic Bullet

Then there is, of course, the rare “margarita night” with hubby.  Those always end well! For many smaller campers or travel trailers, where space is really at a premium, the smaller “Bullet” is an awesome space saver.


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Nutri Bullet

If you are looking for a LARGER MARGARITA, Nutri-Bullet makes a larger blender size as well. This works great for larger fifth wheels or motorhomes where there is a bit more organizational space.

15. Kettle:

Many people are coffee drinkers. We drink tea here so a coffee maker is not a priority in our RV kitchen. That being said, we did start our adventures with a Keurig. It made a nice cup of tea, it was just too big for the rig. 

With very little counter space, it didn’t make sense (although I did hang onto it for almost a year!).  Besides, those little K Cups can get kind of expensive. So we went back to tea bags!

Stainless Kettle

I love my Hamilton Beach electric kettle. This is a nice little kitchen gadget. It heats up just enough water for 2 LARGE sized cups of tea. It is lightweight and the heating base is separate from the pot, so you can just pick it up and move around without having to unplug.

Coffee Maker

For those of you who are coffee drinkers, here is the best selling Classic Keurig. It is a nice size and does not take up too much space, and of course the K-Cups make a perfect cup every time. 

16. Slow Cooker:

The crock pot sits at the top of our most used RV cooking supplies. I know, I know. So many of you are using Instant Pot. I don’t know why I can’t get on board with those but we did get one a while back. I hated it! I couldn’t figure out how to use it, I did try I promise, but alas, we weren’t meant to be. We love our crock pot dump and go recipes! 

Slow Cooker

Maybe I’m just old-fashioned. I love my Crock Pot.  It is all wrong- it is heavy, bulky, takes up WAY too much room in my cabinet- but I use it ALL of the time! We like to shop at Sams Club and Walmart once a month to gear up for our travels to more remote places.

Slow Cooker Liners

I never knew these existed.  WHAT!!!!!  Since discovering Slow Cooker liner bags, the cleanup has become a breeze.  

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Insta Pot

Here’s the Instant Pot that everyone loves, who doesn’t want to come home and have a meal on the table in minutes, with one of these you can do that!  

I just checked and this Instant Pot has over 5000 5 star reviews, maybe I need to give it another go!

17. RV Water Filter:

RV Water Filter

Even though this is an outdoor gadget, the water you are concerned about is what is coming out of your kitchen faucet for drinking and cooking. Ensure fresh clean water with an in-line filter by Camco.  This is a must-have plumbing accessory.

RV Accessories- Kitchen Storage Ideas

Living on the road means you have very little storage space.  With only a few drawers available in the typical travel trailer of fifth wheel, organization is very important, so drawer organizers are necessary rv accessories. Here are some of the best drawer organizers we have found.

18. Drawer Organization Ideas:

Plastic Drawer Organizer

These work well if you’re trying to keep things organized in the kitchen, make sure they will fit before purchasing though. 

Bamboo Drawer Separators

These are really cool bamboo separators so you can do a custom job on your drawer if you need some odd sized separations.

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Bamboo Drawer Organizer

This is another option for you, this top rated Bellamain Bamboo set expands to fit the silverware drawer exactly. Very cool design!

19. Hanging Organizer:

I recommend this my my fellow RVers all the time.  This is such a space saver and it holds a lot more than I thought it would.  WE have had ours for over three years now and it works great.This is absolutely one of our favorite RV kitchen accessories. 

Hanging Organizer

This over the door storage unit is a priceless organizational accessory. We use it to store all of our snacks, crackers, potato chips, granola bars, etc. They all go into this easy storage. Since it hangs on 2 hooks over the door, it can also be easily moved onto a kids bunk for travel days and then hung back up upon arrival. The amount it holds is amazing so it is fantastic for expanding the kitchen pantry a bit.

20. Garbage Holder:

One of the big space issues in a tiny kitchen is there is very little space for the garbage can. They are so big in relation to the rest of the kitchen, but full-timing you don’t really use any LESS garbage.   There are some good options out there that will help save some space.

Hanging Garbage Holder

This InterDesign wire frame holder is lightweight and stylish. It hangs on the inside of a cabinet door so it takes up very little space.  This is perfect if there is just two of you in the RV.

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Slimline Garbage Holder

Here’s a really nice skinny unit from SimpleHuman.  We have a trash can similar to this one that fits at the end of our kitchen island.

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Wire Garbage Holder

For a REALLY small storage space, this YouCopia unit will hold plastic shopping bags.

RV Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

21. Dutch Oven:

Small Dutch Oven

Lodge 4 Qt Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven is a portable camp stove pot that’s ideal for campfire cooking. It features a flanged lid for hot coals and inverts for use as a griddle. The integral legs allow the oven to sit perfectly over hot coals. Bail handle for use with tripod. The flanged lid holds hot coals and inverts for as griddle. A must have for any camping kitchen!

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Large Dutch Oven

This Lodge 8 Qt Dutch Oven is a staple if you plan to cook outdoors. Fire up a big old pan of campfire beans and watch the neighbors wander over. Lodge is the best name in cast iron and the only name we buy. There is nothing like a nice Dutch Oven Dump Cake to finish off a great day at the campsite. 

22. Camping Table:

For a good outdoor eating set up, you will need a sturdy folding table.  Even large RV outdoor kitchens are limited in space for your kitchen gadgets and accessories. So a sturdy table that folds away for transport, is worth it’s weight in gold. 

Camping Table

This folding camping table is just the right thing for added space in the outdoor kitchen. It comes in several sizes for any campsite and can also be used as a small eating table when needed.


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Foldable Camping Picnic Table

We have used this portable folding picnic table for over three years now and love it.  It fits all of us at mealtimes and the kids can use it for arts and crafts. Then it folds into a case for storage. It is not the most sturdy thing on the planet, but it has held up really well for us. 

23. Grill:

Outdoor RV living equals grilling. A good grill is the backbone of any camping kitchen and the Coleman Road Trip line provides the perfect RV cooking platform. Whether you are in a motorhome, 5th wheel, or even a pop-up camper, there is a Coleman sized right for you.

Portable Propane Grill

This Coleman grill is really great for camping. It has a large cooking surface and folds up small for easy transport. This is the grill we use and love.  We’ve had it for over two years now with no complaints.  

24. Camping Stove:

For those who want an open flame, but a little more control than the open fire, a camping stove is just the ticket. All the convenience of the indoor stove, but you can stay outside with everyone else. There are so many models to choose from, but here are a couple of the Best Sellers on Amazon. 

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Tabletop Camping Stove

This 2 Burner Coleman Tabletop Stove  is the number 1 Best Seller at Amazon. The reviews are really good as well. It puts out 20,000 BTU’s and at 21 inches wide, it can hold a couple of good sized pans. The back wind guard hinges down to become a locking cover.

Standing Camping Stove

If you really want to “Big Dog” (or are planning on cooking a really big dog) this Camp Chef 2 burner model is for you. Each burner puts out 30,000 BTU’s and, as part of the Camp Chef Modular System, there are all kinds of accessories you can get to go with it. Propane tank NOT included. 

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Backpackers Camping Stove

For ultimate portability while backpacking or just packing light, these Etekcity Ultralight Portable camp stoves are fantastic. They can hold pots up to 7″ in diameter and fold up small for easy transport in their included carrying case.

25. Propane/ Fuel:

Depending on which type of grill or stove you choose, don’t forget to load up on fuel. Whether propane, or butane, you’ll be cooking with gas!

Propane/ Fuel

Coleman propane canisters are easily ordered right on Amazon. Save yourself the hassles of a trip to the store and just order on line. 

26. Grilling Utensils:

I can’t tell you how many times I find my kitchen tongs outside in the outdoor kitchen lol.  Make sure that hubbie has the proper utensils to cook outside so he’s not using yours!

Grilling Utensils

A good grilling setup is nothing without the grilling utensils. A complete and portable set of RV grill tools is a necessity for any camping trip.  I bought this Home-Complete set for Father’s day one year.  It was a welcome gift! It comes with a carrying case, this keeps everything in one place.  They are stainless steel so they not only look good, but are really durable. 

27. Grilling Gloves:

We just purchased these when we bought our dutch oven and so far they have been well worth the money!

Grilling Gloves

Hot fire and skin don’t mix well. Protect yourself when grilling with flame and heat resistant gloves. These are especially useful when cooking over an open fire, or in the Dutch Oven.

28. Marshmallow Forks:

There is nothing better than having a fire and cooking up some s’mores.  These marshmallow forks make doing that so easy and are so much fun for the kids.

Marshmallow Forks

These extendable marshmallow forks take up only a tiny bit of room, and yet will be one of your most used outdoor  utensils. We have insanely delicious s’mores several times per week.

29. Outdoor Utensil Organizer:

I waited so long to get one of these because I thought it was an unnecessary waste of space.  Boy was I wrong! 

Outdoor Utensil Organizer

I can’t tell you how many times I ran in and out of the rig to get another fork or more napkins.  This silverware caddy is awesome and an absolute essential.  It helps to keep your utensils organized so they are all together when you need them. Your outdoor table will stay neat and clean and the napkins will stay in place.

30. Outdoor Garbage Holder:

Again we waited too long to pick up one of these garbage holders.  They are super useful when you are RV camping.

Collapsible Outdoor Trash Can

Keep your camper area clean with this RV trash can.  The best part is that it folds up nicely and holds a 33 gallon bag.  Live by the campers code and leave no trace behind!

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Outdoor Garbage Bag Holder

Last but not least, this portable garbage can is for your indoor OR outdoor space. It collapses easily for storage and transport during moving days.  They come in very handy for keeping the place clean.

RELATED ARTICLES

So there you have it, our list of 33 RV Kitchen Accessories that we cannot live without. Funny how different that list looks from what it would be in a house! But these 33 items save space, are lightweight, save time and allow us to be out in the great outdoors for more of our time. That is the whole point, right? SO try a few of these in your RV kitchens on your next camping trip.

What RV Kitchen Accessories could you not live without?

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Grainne Foley

Grainne Foley grew up in Ireland and spent summers caravanning around Europe with her family. Now, as a wife and mother of 2, she spent 5 years traveling the USA as a full time RVing family. She is passionate about travel, and helping others who are considering the RV lifestyle. She has created dozens of helpful RVing checklists which are available throughout the website, and has curated hundreds of simple, flavorful meals for families on the go.

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6 thoughts on “33 Essentials RV Kitchen Accessories”

  1. Coleman dishes set is outstanding!!!! It has 4 heavy duty stoneware plates and comes with 4 coffee cups and 4 bowls, which are also the beautiful bright red stoneware color. The set also comes with all your silverware, 4 knives, 4 forks and 4 spoons all in a nice little pouch that rolls up and stows away in your canteen box very nicely! These are a great quality, are easy for me to clean with no running water, and are perfect for what we need. I am not worried about them breaking and they are pretty which is a great bonus!

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