1. Layout Ideas for a DIY Campervan Kitchen.

Creating the kitchen best suited to your vehicle and your needs definitely requires good planning, which should start even before you touch the work tools.

Understanding how much space you necessarily need, how to access it, how to power your stove, and what accessories you consider essential are all important points that will help you design the right layout for your project.

Before we get into the details of each of these topics (and many more!), I want to leave you with some photos below of Kitchen Ideas for a DIY Van Conversions, which might serve you as inspiration to start figuring out which layout is right for you and stir up the creativity you surely already have in your head 🙂

2. Tips for Designing Your Layout.

Whatever kitchen location, stove, refrigerator, materials or model you choose, I think there are parameters essentially common to all van kitchens that I think you might need to keep in mind.

In this paragraph, I would therefore like to leave you with some useful tips to keep in mind that you may need when planning your kitchen space.

1.1 FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED

Before you start with kitchen design, it is important to make a good wish list and figure out what you want to be able to fit and fit within your project.

Since space in a van is particularly limited (and therefore precious!), every detail counts. Therefore, I recommend that you think from the start not in general, but by already identifying the products you want to include, with clear dimensions from the start (it helps a lot to have a clear drawing even before you start assembling).

Among the things you should be thinking about right now are:

• The Cooker: How many fires do you need? How do you want to arrange them? Keep in mind that an average fire occupies about 30x30cm.

• The Utilities: to power the stove, sink, and refrigerator, you will need water pipes, electrical wiring, and perhaps a place for the gas cylinder. It is important to keep one step in mind for all this in the drafting process. In addition, some equipment (ovens, hot plates, refrigerator etc.) generally needs air intakes to cool down (it is always important to read the instruction manuals to properly install each electrical component in the kitchen).

• The Sink: do you want a recessed or a leaning sink? Concealed when not in use or always visible? A small sink can start from 25x30cm, however, it will be more difficult to use for washing large pots and pans. A very capacious sink can reach 45-50cm or more, however, it will obviously take up more space for other things.

• The Worktop: Depending on how you plan to use your kitchen, you may need a larger or smaller worktop. You could reuse the top of a cabinet, create a mobile one to use when needed, or simply cover the sink with a lid when not in use. The possibilities are many! Keep in mind that a comfortable countertop is normally between 85cm and one meter high (and a slightly taller countertop, can gain you storage space underneath).

• The Fridge: How spacious do you need the fridge to be? How do you want to feed it? What model to choose? How to position it so that it is accessible? On the choice of the Fridge (which I personally consider to be my go-to installation in an RV, because of course of its magical ability to chill beers), I wrote a dedicated article that you can find here Fridge for Camper: Which one to choose? Complete Guide.

• The Stowage Space: think about the space you need to Stow food (the more space you have, the greater your autonomy will be of food, and the less you will have to go to a supermarket to restock); think about the space you want to devote to stowing pots and pans, dishes, glasses, utensils, cutlery, dishcloths, detergents, worlds, recycling collection, other kitchen accessories etc. He thinks the furniture will need to be convenient to access, and have a locking system to use while walking.

• Other Appliances: isn’t a stove enough for you? Are you thinking about an oven? A toaster? A coffee machine? A Microwave? A kettle? Anything you’ll want to take with you certainly needs a space and convenient attachment to the facilities. Knowing from the start what you intend to install will help you set up your kitchen logically.

Once you have “done your homework” and identified everything you want to include, it will be much easier to design the layout of your ideal kitchen.

One piece of advice I can give you to get a good understanding of the spaces you need is to arm yourself with a tape measure, and start measuring the size of the kitchen in your home: this way you will realize visually how much space each thing takes up and what compromises you can make in your design.

2.2 IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLANNING THE RIGHT LAYOUT FOR YOU

In addition to the accessories and spaces to be included, when planning the layout of your truck camper’s kitchen, I also recommend that you keep in mind:

• Ventilation: cooking produces steam and odors that you probably don’t want lingering inside your van for long. Besides avoiding particularly spicy recipes (we once made a chicken curry that stayed with us for 2 days ahah), it is important to locate the stove near a door, window, or possibly a ceiling fan (if you want to learn more, read the guide How to Install a Maxxfan on the Ceiling of Your Van.)

• The Passage: If you plan to travel with other people, make sure that the kitchen layout is functional to let other people pass if they wish (for example, without a removable countertop obstructing the passage).

• Accessibility for Maintenance: nothing is eternal, and over time everything can break down, regardless of how well a job was done. Therefore, it is important to think of your kitchen with accessibility in mind: in the event of a breakdown, everything should ideally be replaceable without having to spend hours disassembling and reassembling half of the RV.

• Lights and Lighting: cooking well requires light, which is why it is important to think carefully about the arrangement of any spotlights or under-shelf lights. Take care that light reaches all sides of the kitchen and the various drawers, even when these are open(avoid shelves, doors or decorations creating annoying areas of shadow around the work area).

Now that you’ve got a more or less clear idea of all the things to keep in mind when designing your kitchen layout, in the next chapters I’ll talk in detail about each component you might be interested in for your project.

Before I got around to choosing and composing the entire kitchen of my VW Crafter in fact, I did an abnormal amount of research on everything related to RV kitchens.

In this article, I want to leave you everything I have learned so that it will not be lost but put to good use 🙂

Let’s continue!

3. Choosing the Cooker for Your Camper: Gas

Choosing the power supply for your RV/Campervan’s stove will certainly affect its use, initial cost, and cost of operation.

The first option we see, are gas stoves.

RV gas stoves run on LPG (primarily propane) gas and are commonly used on almost all factory RVs.

Gas is normally stowed in cylinders (to be changed when finished, as at home) and in some cases in tanks placed underneath the van.

Below, I leave you with an analysis of the Pros and cons of gas stoves.

PROS AND CONS OF GAS STOVES IN CAMPERVAN/RVS

Personally, if we’re talking about stationary stoves, I would only advise you to use gas in your vehicle in case it already has a certified gas system installed (so if you’re re-commissioning a factory camper or replacing an old stove).

On the other hand, if you are converting a van from scratch, I think the gas route is outdated (high maintenance cost, need to go to refuel, open flame etc.) and other gas-free solutions (diesel or electric) are both more convenient and safer.

Different discussion, however, is for smaller portable (cartridge) stoves: in this case, for those who make more occasional use of the stove or love hiking, a cartridge stove may be the fastest and cheapest solution for cooking wherever you are (also for emergency backup works great!).

Below, I leave you with four examples of the most popular gas stoves on the market:

4. Choosing the Cooker for your Campervan: Diesel (Diesel Fuel)

The diesel (gasoline) stove for RVs is a relatively modern and still underused technology that uses diesel fuel in the vehicle’s fuel tank as its fuel supply.

Drawing directly from the tank, these types of stoves have an almost unlimited range: as long as there is gasoline in the tank, there is energy for cooking.

The combustion also does not release any exhaust gases inside the vehicle (it burns air from outside and releases it to the outside of the RV).

Below, I leave you with an analysis of the Pros and cons of diesel stoves:

PROS AND CONS OF A DIESEL CAMPER STOVE

Personally, I think diesel stoves are the best option to make sure you have a working stove wherever you are (in the end, it is very difficult to run out of fuel), at any altitude and at any temperature.

In the case of my van, having already invested in a very large electrical system (both in terms of solar and batteries and charging systems), I preferred to install an induction cooktop that as an initial cost certainly costs less and operates at virtually zero cost (thanks to solar power).

That said, I have long considered the diesel option, and if I had not at the time already invested in a very large electrical system, I probably would have gone with a diesel stove.

In fact, from my point of view, the diesel cooking is much more practical and safe than a gas system. Obviously, given the very high initial cost, this type of stove is suitable for those who plan full-time or near-full-time use of their vehicle; whereas it may be a cost that is perhaps too exaggerated for vacational use only.

Below, I show you the only two diesel stove options I have found that I consider competitive in terms of quality/price:

5. Choosing the stove for your Camper: Induction Cooker

The third stove option we see is the more modern and environmentally friendly option that more and more DIY RV enthusiasts are choosing to adopt: electric.

When we talk about electric hotplates, it should be pointed out that there are two types: induction hotplates and glass-ceramic hotplates .

Induction hotplates work by generating heat through magnetic fields, while glass-ceramic hotplates produce heat by heating an electrical resistance.

Induction cooktops are faster and more energy efficient than a thermoelectric hotplate, and between the two options they come out as clear winners on all fronts. Therefore, in this paragraph I will not cover the topic of glass-ceramic further (it is an option dominated by induction), but I will focus on the best option: induction.

Having said that, let us now look at the pros and cons of an induction hotplate:

PROS AND CONS OF AN INDUCTION CAMPER STOVE

The advantages of induction are many and unquestionable: modern, stylish, clean, sustainable, economical.

Obviously, however, to support an induction hob, a proportioned electrical system is required (batteries, solar panels, inverter etc.) and that yes, it can have a significant cost.

If you are interested in learning how to understand how much power you might need, how to build a Do-It-Yourself electrical system, and all the components you might need, I recommend reading the in-depth article Complete Guide to a DIY Van Electrical System (with Diagram!).

Below, I show you 2 models of RVinduction hotplates that I personally bought and can recommend that you consider for your kitchen:

6. The Fridge and Freezer in the Camper.

The Fridge is one of those accessories that more than many others helps to turn your RV/Van into a real home on wheels and definitely, one of those accessories that cannot be missing in properly-built campervan.

To help you choose the right refrigerator for your RV’s kitchen, I have written an in-depth article dedicated to this topic that I recommend you read:

7. Ovens

Once you have chosen the essentials (stove and refrigerator), you can think about the optional appliances.

Depending on the space available in your vehicle, your budget, and your preferences, you may want to include some of these comfort extras in your design, or skip them and cross them out directly.

An oven or electric stove, certainly fall into the category of optional accessories: you can live without them, but having them opens up different cooking possibilities (grilling, boiling, gratin, etc.). Of course, to install them inside your vehicle, you need to compromise space that could be used in other ways.

Below, you will find the best models of gas ovens and electric cookers for campers:

RV OVENS

ELECTRIC COOKERS FOR CAMPERS

8. Microwave, Micro-Oven and Kettle

In addition to ovens, other smaller RV/Van appliance options may include microwaves, micro ovens, or kettles.

Each of these devices certainly can be useful in saving us time and labor in preparing our on-the-road meals.

Having said that, however, it is important to note that since electricity is a scarce commodity on an RV (and not infinite as it is at home!), it is important in case you want to include these types of appliances in your design, Choose energy-efficient models with as low a power rating (in watts) as possible.

By doing so, you will subject your batteries to less stress and be able to use your devices longer.

Of course, this argument does not apply if you plan to cook regularly attached to the grid (in this case, you can choose the apparatuses you like best, not caring about their consumption 😉 ).

Below, find examples of kitchen appliances suitable for a van or RV (low power rating) with a standard electrical system (with an Inverter of at least 1000-1500Watts):

SECONDARY APPLIANCES FOR AN RV KITCHEN

9. The Sink

If there is one thing you can be sure you will use every day, many times a day, it is the sink!

The sink in the van is used for washing up, preparing food, making coffee, washing dishes, and leaving behind things you don’t feel like washing at the moment 😉 In short, it is one of the essential components of an Campervan’s water system!

If you are interested in finding out all the components of a van’s water system and how to connect them together, I recommend the Do-It-Yourself Van Water System Guide – With Diagram 🙂

In addition to a practical accessory, the sink is also a furniture component, always in sight.

For all these reasons, it is important to choose the right sink for your needs, spacious enough to allow you to work with ease, but at the same time not too bulky to consume too much valuable space.

Lastly, the choice of sink is also a matter of style, so it is very subjective and personal: depending on the feeling you want to give your van, you could go for different materials and different shapes.

9.1 CHOOSE THE SINK

Below, I leave you with a list of 5 types of RV sinks (completely different from each other) that might inspire you to choose the right one for you:

• Deante – Techno Satin Sink: extremely compact stainless steel space-saving sink (38x38x15cm, with 28x28cm bowl). This sink is one of the smallest on the market, and is suitable for camper vans of small size where space is really vital.

• Dometic – Sink with Faucet and Glass Lid.– Another space-saving sink that can be closed and turned into a countertop if needed. Size 40x42cm.

• Dometic – Sink with Integrated Cooktop and Glass Lid– An upgrade from the previous model where in addition to the sink and glass lid, we also find a two-burner (gas) stove, all enclosed in the 60x45cm area

• Cecipa – XL Recessed Sink with Soap Holder. – If you want to break away from classic RV designs (which are often really aesthetically hideous), the options are really endless. This is the sink I installed on my camper van: a really big and spacious (45x50x35cm) black stainless steel, flush-mounted sink. Personally, I find these types of sinks more practical and aesthetically much more pleasing than their predecessors; of course, space is needed to install them (it is not a space saver like previous models).

• ECD – Countertop Sink– The sink does not have to be recessed into a cabinet, but can also simply be fixed on it. Countertop sinks are a type of sink with a contemporary and modern design, and it is no longer as uncommon as it once was to see them installed even in DIY camper vans.

9.2 CHOOSE THE TAP

Once you have chosen the sink you like best, it will be time to choose a faucet (assuming this is not already included with the sink-most often it is not).

In choosing a kitchen faucet for your RV, I recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it compatible with your chosen sink? If it is not, already you can discard it and look elsewhere.

• Is it solid and easy to clean? Aesthetics are important, but the quality of materials in the long run is much more so.

• Can it be firmly fixed so as to resist vibration? You don’t want to install anything too fragile.

• Is it easy to install? If a faucet is sold already with the entire installation kit, it probably is.

• Is the water jet easily adjustable? To avoid wasting water, I recommend a faucet with a mixer.

That being said, the world is full of faucets: there are all shapes and sizes of them. Below I leave you with only 3 types of example faucets, which I personally find particularly functional and aesthetic fora Do-It-Yourself camper, and which I might recommend:

10. The Kitchen Furniture

Once you have chosen everything you want to include in your RV/Campervan kitchen, it is finally time to design all the cabinets and turn the project into reality.

To do this, there are various solutions, suitable for everyone (depending on your time and budget): there are those who buy ready-made furniture, those who repurpose it, those who commission custom-made furniture, and those who create it from scratch (like us).

Since each project is different both in terms of materials and style, I thought below I would simply show you what I used to build my kitchen so that you can help you study how to put yours together.

10.1 WHAT I USED TO BUILD MY DIY CAMPER’S KITCHEN

As materials to create our kitchen we used:

• 1.9cm white melamine-faced wood panels for cabinet walls: Melamine-faced wood is one of the least expensive plywoods on the market and is what home kitchens are commonly constructed from. Simply put, it is a chipboard wood coated on the edges with some synthetic material and a special resin (melamine) that makes it waterproof and easy to clean. Once we had drawn the entire kitchen with a 3D modeling program (Rhino) and took the curvatures of the walls with cardboard templates, we had custom panels cut and ennobled by a local carpenter and assembled them on site.

• Worktops (and table) made of 3.5cm Laminated Wood: Laminated wood is wood composed of several wooden planks (lamellas) pressed and glued together. Once treated, it becomes totally waterproof and gives a very “homey” and modern visual effect.

To bring it all together, we used as tools:

• Wood glue
• Drill Driver with Hinge Cutter
• Wood screws

While as other assembly components we used:

These are all the materials and accessories we used to build our kitchen cabinets. I hope this information will be helpful for you to create one that suits your needs and is tailored for you 🙂

In the next paragraph, to conclude, I want to show you instead all the extra equipment we use for cooking.

11. Equipment for Cooking in the Camper

As a final point, I want to show you some accessories and tools you might need to complete your kitchen on wheels that I personally found very useful.

As with most components of a camper van, when choosing accessories, it is advisable to favor space-saving solutions: in the end, any space saved is extra space you can use for other things! 🙂

Recommended Camper Kitchen Accessories:

• Anti-Noise Travel Dish Holder

• Space-Saving Folding Dish Drainer

• Multifunctional Folding Chopping Board with Colander

• Stackable Nonstick Pots with Removable Handle

• Spice Rack Shelves

• Scottex roll holder