RV Kitchen Hacks: Getting the Very Most out of Limited Space

RV camping embodies the freedom to roam the vast, exhilarating spaces Australia has to offer and escape from the stresses of life for a few beautiful moments. Nobody wants to restrict themselves to simple, boring food on holiday, and it’s an excellent opportunity to bring along all your favourite food, snacks, and treats. But there’s a problem, namely the lack of space. 

Although modern RVs can be spacious and have innovative storage designs, family trips can soon fill all that available space with everything from BBQ sauces and condiments to the kids' favourite snacks. Luckily, at RV Parts Express, we’re masters at eeking every little bit of space out of our RVs, and we have some advice and tips to share. 

Prioritising Your Choices and Eliminating Unnecessary Items

We’ve all seen the latest gadgets and kitchen tools and been enticed by shiny new utensils, but are you really going to use that cocktail shaker or fondue set? If you’re struggling to decide what items to discard, make a rudimentary list of meal ideas and plan what items you’ll need to prepare them. If you’re taking a BBQ, those tongs and rotisserie forks may need to take precedence over less useful items. 

Ditch the Packaging

Most foodstuffs come in oversized bags and boxes that take up space unnecessarily. If you are taking cereals, recycle the cardboard box and stash the bag instead. If it’s still not optimised because of the air inside, make a small hole in the corner, squeeze out the air, and put a clip or peg in place to prevent more entering. Alternatively, transfer the whole lot into a stackable container or tub. They come in a dizzying array of shapes and sizes, so pick the ones that maximise space and stack them together if possible. 

Stick to a Mentality of ‘One In and One Out’

Unless your spanking new item is something you don’t already have, the best way to keep items to a minimum is to decide you will only allow something in if something else goes out. Try applying this tactic before purchasing your new products on a whim. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I going to use this more than once, or is it a gimmick?
• Do I already have something that performs a similar function or can be used to achieve similar results?
• Will I remove that from the RV if the new-fangled object comes in?
• Is the new item going to be problematic in terms of size and storage?

Choose Space-Saving Kitchenware

Ideally, as much kitchenware as you can find that either collapses or nests inside a larger item, the better. Think how much space five bowls take up if stored individually versus being nested inside each other. This concept applies to many items, including: 

• Pans 
• Cookware (mixing bowls etc)
• Measuring cups 
• Beakers and plastic glasses 
• Plates and bowls

Square containers are best for maximising space, as rounded ones cannot be stored effectively and lose potential space through rounded edges. 

Organising and Optimising Shelf/Cabinet Space

The shelves in RV pantries can often be quite deep. This is great for adding extra storage space, but items can be awkward and frustrating to access, especially those at the back. Consider installing deep wire shelves that pull out on runners for maximum access. Alternatively, use plastic tubs and other storage bins that slide out whenever necessary. If your cabinets have space on top, don’t waste it. Stash flat items like tortilla wraps and thin boxes up there and hang things from the sides (if they won’t cause an obstruction) in netting or even shoe hangers!

Smart Food-Storage Solutions

With some imagination and a comprehensive collection of options like the one at RV Parts Express, there are lots of ways to optimise your storage and make the best of every opportunity, including:

• Vertical organisers

While bespoke, camping-oriented vertical organisers are readily available, it is also possible to use a good old-fashioned drying rack to a similar effect. Wide, flat objects occupy lots of horizontal space in cupboards and cabinets and can be annoying to access if other items are stored on top by necessity. Some items that are perfect for vertical storage include:

• Frying pans 
• Baking trays
• Plates
• Pan and other lids 

Storing flat items upright beside each other minimises the chance of breakages and prevents them from sliding around and causing mayhem in cupboards.

• Don’t Forget About the Oven

Empty ovens are relatively spacious and can temporarily store all kinds of items. It is essential to remember they’re there and remove them before turning it on to cook a roast dinner, of course.

• Vacuum Sealing and Bag Storage

Choose bags over rigid boxes if possible, as their flexibility makes them significantly easier to put into unusual spaces. Be prepared to transfer items into new containers and bags before setting off if it makes them easier to store. It is also a great idea to vacuum-seal any perishables, keeping the air away from them and reducing their size simultaneously! 

• Making Use of Walls and Countertops

Although cluttered countertops are the stuff of nightmares to some cooks, there’s no reason that unused corners and nooks can’t be home to frequently used items. However, bear in mind that they must be safely secured when the RV is set to move if you don’t want kitchen items thrown all over the floor. Mounted storage options can be found that hang over cabinet doors and secure to the walls, offering baskets for fruit and other items you want easy access to.

• Tip - Magnetic and Velcro strips are also an effective way to secure things to vertical surfaces and create additional space.

Hanging Racks for Stemmed Glasses

If you enjoy the odd glass of wine and dislike the sensation of drinking it from plastic, glasses can be challenging to carry safely. Not so if you have a raised cabinet with an exposed bottom surface. Simply install a rack, similar to those we’ve all seen in bars, that holds the glass upside-down by the stem, and you're good to go!

Don’t Try to Take Everything with You

Unless you’re heading directly into the most isolated reaches of Australia, you’ll come across convenience and grocery stores along the way. Why carry six litres of milk from home if you can take one and buy more as you go? Stick to staples and favourite foods you will unlikely find on your travels, and don’t sweat the rest. You can pick up supplies on the move. 

Have a Fixed Cleaning Schedule 

Making small, regular inroads into keeping your RV clean and clutter-free is more satisfying and sustainable than allowing it to descend into chaos and being forced to tackle a much bigger job. Devise a system of your choosing and make it clear that nobody is exempt from helping out. 

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place

We’re all capable of letting things get out of hand and messy when we’re otherwise occupied enjoying our relaxing holiday. Throw kids into this equation, and the capacity for clutter and madness is magnified exponentially. However, having predetermined, designated places for almost everything imaginable is a great way to prevent too much disorder. With some forethought, planning, and innovative storage ideas, it is easy to implement and follow the rule whereby nothing is left out once you’ve finished using it. 

Share Tips and Pick Up Others from Fellow RV Users

Although part of the joy of an RV trip is the sense of isolation and distance from crowds, there is also a thriving community of enthusiasts to turn to when you’re bored of soaking up incredible, silent vistas. Speak to your neighbours when you use RV camping sites and ask for good ideas and devices you can implement in your own vehicle. 

Many busy online forums and sites also facilitate chatting with other RV users and travellers. You can find advice on everything from the best places to visit and when to how muffin trays can be used to store hard-boiled eggs. Don’t forget, the RV Parts Express website is also a mine of useful products and concepts you can use to your advantage when attempting to organise your RV and have it running like a well-oiled machine, both under the bonnet and in the galley!

Conclusion

Planning, ditching unnecessary packaging and items, and utilising innovative storage ideas and solutions are the keys to maximising your RV's storage capacity. Don’t let any space go to waste as you use even the smallest spaces, and do your best to stay organised. Any system is only as good as people’s willingness to stick by it, so decide the best system for your circumstances, find a suitable place for everything, and don’t let things get too mixed up!

Remember, nothing is set in stone, and if you adapt elements of your storage or develop new ones on the fly, that’s all part of the experience. You can only learn what works and doesn't through trial and error and testing your carefully considered system in the wild. 

Contact Us

If you want to discuss our innovative storage solutions and products at RV Parts Express or any other aspects of RV life, please don’t hesitate to contact us. With everything from collapsible dish drainers and plastic egg carriers (if you dislike the muffin tray idea) to hot-pot/BBQ combo skillets, you’re sure to find inspiration among our premium products and a renewed enthusiasm for your next trip! Our experienced team never tires of discussing their passion for all things camping-related and will give you all the advice, guidance, and information you need.