I don’t know about you but I do not enjoy cooking in the camper kitchen to begin with but when you add high temps…I’m out!  Between chasing the kids out of the kitchen area, searching for my ingredients and getting the pans warmed up I was already in full on workout sweat mode!

I finally started using my brain and coming up with a few ideas on how I could keep it a bit cooler in the kitchen.

Are you ready to learn about my top ways to keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer?

Read on sister!

Meal Prep

One of the easiest ways is to prep your food in the morning when the temps are cooler outside.

Meal prep is nothing new but doing it to help keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer may be a new idea to some.

If you focus on doing the cooking in the morning you get two great advantages;

1. You can relax in the afternoon because most of your dinner is done
2. You don’t have to worry about that boob sweat as you prep your sweetie’s dinner

I don’t know about you but both of those reasons alone have my vote for early morning cooking!

Now if only I could get my act together and actually put that plan in to action!

Don’t fear though if you are not a morning kind of person, there is still help!

Meet your new best friends – The Crockpot and Instapot

These two are great at helping keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer because they keep the steam/heat inside a lid and once again all your prep is done and your food is just in there cooking itself!

The crockpot is great because you generally just throw all the ingredients in and let it cook for a set period of time.  If you have one of those fancier ones it will even put it on “keep warm” after the cooking period is over.  One of the issues that occasionally may happen is that you overcook the meat and it turns into a mushy mess, depending on the recipe and meat.  The other issue relates to comparing it with the Instapot, you may dirty more dishes with the crockpot.

The instapot is super helpful in that it can do a variety of cooking tasks!  You can saute it, then pressure cook it…think a roast where you want to sear the meat first.  One less dish right there!

It’s great for boiling eggs, making chili, and more!  Some models have options for baking, soups, and homemade yogurt.  You can find the model I currently have here and other RV needs here!  I even have a few accessories to go along with it.

Use your convection oven(newer models) instead of regular oven

I have found that the convection oven puts off a bit less heat than the regular oven in the camper. Both get a bad rap for cooking in a camper though.  The regular oven is so small, a pain to light and it often seems to take forever or burn your item to a crisp!

The convection oven is still on the small side but bigger than the regular oven.  You don’t have to bend down or get on the floor to light it (or light it period)!  It can still be tricky though as it seems that you can’t always go with the same temperature or cooking time as what is called for in a typical home oven.

If that is still too much heat in your kitchen try these options…

Use your fire pit

Fire pits are great because they take the cooking outside.  Sure, you may have a side item or two that you want to do inside but those can be a simple choice or at least something that requires less heat.

There are a lot of great meals out there that can all be done over the fire.  You can seriously cook just about anything over a camp fire!  If you are like me and need help getting creative over a camp fire check out Pinterest for some suggestions.

This one is great for that nostalgia feeling of camping too!  Bonus points because your kids might think you are cool for starting a fire AND cooking over it too.

Checkout my Pinterest Board for more great ideas!

Use your grill

Another great option for cooking outside is a portable grill.  Depending on what type of grill you carry with you will determine how much you can actually cook on it.  We just tote around a little one that could hold a couple steaks or plenty of burgers/dogs for a small gathering.  We like to keep it simple!

A charcoal grill may give you more grilling space than a portable gas one but they are also a bit messier to clean up.  You need a bit more planning as well so you get it lit and heated up before cooking.

I have to admit that grilling is not my go to cooking method.  I love the taste of grilled food but lack the skill and experience in preparing anything on there.  I usually pawn it off on my husband if he will be home at a decent hour.  Which translates in to, we don’t eat off the grill much!

Make salads

If you are not in to grilling or just want to change things up a great dinner option to help keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer is to make a salad!

Salads are one of those things that I loathe to make because in my mind there are so many different steps before you get to eat it.  Plus, I feel like they never compare to some fancy salads I have ordered at restaurants in the past.

In reality though, it’s simple and versatile!  You can keep it simple with just your standard vegetables or add in some different proteins to change it up.  I love adding some bean varieties or some quinoa!

What’s great about salads too, is that you can prep most of the ingredients days before making the salad OR make several different salads ready to eat in just a few hours.

I love the majority of recipes found here!

Well, there you have it…my top ways to keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer!

Do you use these methods now?  Do you have other suggestions not listed?  Comment below and let me know what works best for you!

As always, thanks for reading

-Katie

How about an RV?! Sounds simple enough, right?  It can be but first check out these 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

Continue reading to find out what those questions are and how it will affect your decision.

10 questions to consider before buying an RV

1.What type of RV should I get?

There are a variety of different types of RVs to choose from; The motorhome which allows you to drive and live in the same space.  These can also be broken down into Class A, Class B, and Class C.

There are travel trailers that are pulled behind a vehicle attached to a hitch at the bumper.

Fifth wheels are pulled behind a pickup truck and attached at a hitch in the bed of the truck.

Finally, a few other types, like the van and bus conversions, not as popular but still great options depending on your situation.

Learn more about the different types of RVs here, https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types

2.Will you be staying in it full time?

If you plan on staying in your trailer for the majority of the year there are a few features you may want to consider.

The top 2, in my opinion, being a bigger fridge and storage.  These two are my necessities in a trailer that we will spend a lot of time in.

I am not a big fan of going to the grocery store every couple of days so I like to have more fridge space.  Plus, my two littles eat like they are teenagers already!!

Lots of storage is great for being able to rotate your clothing in seasons as well as toys if you have kids.

Having lots of storage inside and out means you can bring a few more of your favorite things and also have space to store the tools and necessary RV items.

Our current camper has the most storage I have seen in a fifth wheel to date.  We found this one in 2017.  It is a Grand Design Solitude 375RES.  It has a middle kitchen and elevated bedroom in the front and elevated living in the back.

In the kitchen, there is a pantry as well as wall and bottom cabinets.  The elevated living room in the back allows for more basement storage with a slide-out tray in the middle.  Seriously, SO much storage!!!

3.Will you be traveling to cold climates?

If you think you might be spending lots of time in colder climates you may want to check out the insulation packages for the trailers.

Many claim to be 4 seasons but I can tell you from experience that our 2007 Forest River Flagstaff with the rear kitchen was NOT!

It was our first job in the camper in northern Missouri.  We had bought the 4-season camper because we were unsure of where we would be.

I believe it was November. It had gotten pretty cold, quickly. After the first real cold night we had (maybe high 20s) we woke up the next morning with our pillows frozen to the walls!

In the camping industries defense, most are meant just for a weekend or a week or two trips and not long term.  So, when they say 4 seasons you could handle it in mild winters or for a weekend.

4.If considering a travel trailer or fifth wheel, how much can I tow?

This question really depends on the vehicle you have to tow.  Usually, a diesel dually will give you the most towing power but there are many full-size pick-ups that can handle the load as well.  Some travel trailers and fifth wheels can be pulled by a light truck (F150 or Chevy 1500).  This is what we initially started out with, an F150 pulling a Forest River Flagstaff lite(not in the picture below)

5.What is my budget?

RVs range anywhere from really small pull behinds around $20,000 brand new and go up to as much as $500,000+ if you look at motorhomes.

We have always bought brand new but I have to say that I would recommend buying used and an older model!  You lose SO much money buying brand new.  There are plenty of trailers out there that have been well taken care of or just didn’t sell the first year on the market.

Consider the time of year you buy as well if you are buying from a dealership.  It is better to buy towards the end of the camping season (Oct-Dec).  Most places aren’t wanting to have to store older inventory through the winter so they may discount them to get em’ sold!

After you answer the above, check out these questions to consider before buying an RV;

6.How often do we cook?

The kitchens in most trailers are not big. The industry is changing a bit in order to get a bigger kitchen but in doing that you sacrifice space elsewhere.

So, you have to be honest with yourself.  How often do you really cook?  Do you need that oven or can you make do with a stovetop and convection microwave?

Speaking of ovens, how awkward are those?!  Who wants to get down on the floor to light the pilot??  Am I right?

For those of you that do cook a majority of your meals, check out a few of these trailers…

https://www.rvingplanet.com/blog/top-5-best-fifth-wheels-with-front-kitchen/

I would also suggest

Grand Design Solitude 375RES (our current model)

Keystone Montana 3820FK

7.How much time do we plan to spend inside?

Think about how much time you will be spending inside your trailer.  Will you be spending most of it in the living room?  Kitchen?  Will everyone be there at the same time?

In most trailers, your biggest areas are your living room and bedroom.  If you will be inside a lot you will want more space that allows you to convert areas to function for multiple activities.  Think pull out couches or tables that convert to other sleeping areas.

8.How much storage do we need?

If you are like a good majority of the country, you have a lot of stuff!  Moving into about 200 sq. ft is NOT going to accommodate ALL of that stuff.  But it can hold quite a bit.  So, make sure you take into consideration how much storage, both inside and outside, you will need to hold your items.

Need help deciding what you might want to have in your RV?  Check out my post here for some ideas.

9.How old are your kids, if you have them?  Don’t forget about those pets too!

Accommodating babies and toddlers is way different than accommodating teenagers.  They need privacy and take up more space physically.

Most people with children, no matter the age, opt for trailers that offer a bunkhouse and a half bath, a toy hauler (has a “garage”), or something with a mid-bunk room. This gives a bit more privacy to your kids and a place to close the door on clutter and some noise.

10.Will your family grow in the near future?

Same as above, think about how your family might look in the future and what kind of setup you may need. Not that you can’t sell your current and upgrade to a different layout but wouldn’t it be nice to have something that would last!

There you have it!  My initial 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

I know there are a ton more factors to consider when buying an RV.  This was just a list to get your mind going and really think about what is important to your family for this purchase.

If you have already purchased, what was your biggest deciding factor in choosing your trailer?

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

Maybe you have done this before and maybe you haven’t, either way, it can be easy to overlook items that can make your life easier while on the road.  We often have more than we really need in a traditional type of home so, when it comes time to downsize for our home on wheels we don’t know where to start.

That’s where I can come in! Keep on reading for my top 10 must-haves for living in an RV full time.  (This is not a complete list, just some of the necessities.)

*Disclaimer – I am not affiliated with any of the products listed below.  These are just items that have worked for my family.

1. Anything that is multi-purpose and organizes

   

Most trailers are short on space, both inside and out.  You have to make the best of what you have for storage.  That’s where items like crock pots and instant pots for the kitchen are great to have on hand.  For both the crockpot and instant pot you can often just have the one dirty dish for many meals.  Most instant pots allow you to prepare multiple things for dinners, desserts, and even yogurt (depending on the model).  Check out my favorite instant pot here.

For organizing, over the door hangers are great for getting more out of your space.  Most come with multiple pockets for storing things like kid’s clothes, diapers, wipes, or toiletries for the bathroom.  Collapsible or nesting dishes are great for taking up less space too!

Command hooks are great for hanging your kitchen utensils instead of taking up counter space.  They also work well for extra lighting, hanging pictures and smaller shelves.  I have yet to have them rip off any of the wallpaper either!  Just make sure you do it with a little patience!!

2. A good toolset

A good toolset is a necessity.  You can buy a new RV and you will still need to do some work on it.  After everything moves and shifts on your drive out to your location things can get loose or in some cases, come completely off.  Having tools handy can save you from a big headache during setup.

For a comprehensive list of tools to carry, check out ReserveAmerica

3. Comfortable mattress

   

    

We have yet to find a mattress that is comfortable for full time sleeping.  Most RV mattresses are designed for occasional use.  Our trailer has been upgraded three times, increasing in quality of the trailer and the mattress still sucks!  We have a sleep number at home, which we love, but we were hoping to not have to spend as much to replace our RV mattress.  We are currently contemplating one of those mattresses that come in the mail.

Not sure which one yet, let me know if you have any recommendations below!!

4. Totes for packing

Did I mention you are limited on space?

Totes are great for storing things in your “basement” storage or under your bed.  They keep things dry, in case of a leak, and they keep little creepy crawlies out!!  We like to pack our clothes in seasons.  We keep 1-2 seasons for wearing (depending on space) and the other 2 are in totes in the basement.  Same with extra winter gear that you don’t need every day.

If you have kids, it works great for toy storage or outdoor play toys too!

We put just about everything we don’t use all the time in to a tote and in the basement.  What is great too is that they stack together when they are not in use, to take up less space.

Speaking of space, I need to mention item #4.5…Space bags!  Have you seen these yet?  They are AMAZING at shrinking down bulky items and storing them.  All you need is the bag and a vacuum to suck the excess air out.

5. Dehumidifier

Moisture in your RV is the worst!  It often builds up during the winter when you are cooking and heating the inside but it is oh so cold outside!  If not handled it can lead to mold and lots of damage.  Moisture is most noticeable on your skylights (think, raindrops keep falling on my head) and on your windows. Having a good dehumidifier can help greatly in keeping excess moisture managed.

6. Portable heater/fans

RVs are notorious for being drafty.  Make sure you take into consideration the R-value for your RV if you will be using it during the winter.  Generally, the higher the R number, the better.  The number of slides affects the ability to retain heat as well.  Most areas around the slides are not as well insulated and that little rubber flap doesn’t do much to keep it all in. Portable heaters are great for keeping you warmer in addition to a fireplace.

Same thing for hotter climates, where a fan can be your best friend.  Try to find shaded spots to park so your A/C doesn’t have to work as hard as well as some fans to help move cooler air around inside.  We have found that the simple desktop fans or an air purifier with a fan option work the best for us.

7. Water filters/softeners

Water filters and water softeners are a necessity because you just never know what kind of water you will be getting.  Filters help make your water safer to drink.  We often have one for the outside connection as well as a Brita filtered pitcher inside. A softener will help keep that hard, staining water at bay.

8. Grill

There are a few reasons to take a grill with you if you are not already equipped with one on your RV.

-It gets hot cooking inside in the summer

It doesn’t take long for your RV to heat up in the summer.  From the heat outside to the heat conducted from your burners and/or oven, it can make you feel like you are in an oven!  Not to mention all those things create more moisture inside (see #5 dehumidifier).

-Minimal cooking space in the kitchen

Most of the stovetops only come with about 3 tiny burners that do not accommodate our pots and pans as well as they do at home.  If you’re trying to sauté some meat, while boiling potatoes you may not have room to throw on those veggies to boil or steam.

-Grilled food tastes good!

In my opinion, you just can’t go wrong with grilled food!  It adds a lot of extra flavor to whatever you are cooking.  I find that it can add some depth to a unique dish that is traditionally prepared inside.  The grill isn’t just for meat!!

9. WIFI/cell phone booster

As you travel, you are bound to be set up somewhere that your cell carrier doesn’t have enough towers to give you the strong signal you are used to receiving.  Having a cell phone booster can help get you back up to speed.

The same goes for WIFI. Some campgrounds offer free WIFI but many do not.  Leaving you to rely on your cell phone for the internet.  Have a MiFi or WIFI booster allows you to give your cell a break or even just get signal wherever you may be.  We have Verizon and their MiFi has helped us out a lot more

10. TV stick or own satellite

Living in an RV full time is different from just taking it out camping.  So, if you are a TV person than you may want to buy a TV stick like Amazon, Roku, or Apple TV to get your favorite programming.  Although many campgrounds provide TV connection, they do not always offer a big selection of programs.

Many that travel choose to invest in a satellite through Dish or DirecTV to get whatever programs they choose.  They may have this provider at home already and it is just an extension of their home programming or it is separate.  Either way, it is a bit more of a cost compared to the TV sticks and the options they offer.

Well, there you have it! My top 10 must-haves for living in an RV full time.  I hope you found it helpful!  Remember, these are just a handful of gadgets and items that can make living in an RV full time a bit easier.

Let me know below what your top 10 items are when you are traveling full time in an RV!!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie