Essential cookware
One of the best things about a campervan is having a kitchen, as you can enjoy a cuppa and knock up a tasty meal, wherever you are in the world. For some, it’s the simple pleasures like beans on toast or a tinned curry – something easy that requires minimal fuss at the end of a busy day. For others, it’s all about sampling local produce – filleting freshly caught fish and making a gourmet salad is all part of the adventure! Whichever camp you fall into, there are some camping kitchen essentials you won’t want to leave home without. This starts with mugs and glasses. Avoid taking regular ones from home, as ceramic and glass are heavy and breakable. Instead, opt for melamine or tin mugs for tea and coffee. If you frequently grab a hot beverage from the petrol station when you’re travelling, buy a reusable cup. This is not only much better for the environment as there’s no rubbish, but you can use it when camping, too. The same goes for cold drinks. Rather than buying drinks in single-use bottles, buy refillable drinks bottles that you can also take out with you on day trips. For the campsite, get a set of stackable beakers, which will take up minimal space in a cupboard. If you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, choose polycarbonate glasses, which look and feel the part but are virtually unbreakable.
Melamine has been a campervanner’s best friend for decades, as it’s lightweight and hardwearing. Invest in a dinner set and you’ll have it for years to come. Sets are typically two-person or four-person and include dinner and side plates, breakfast bowls and mugs.
When it comes to cutlery, don’t be tempted to bring knives and forks from home. Put them in a drawer and the rattling will drive you crazy when you’re on the road. Storing exposed blades in a drawer or box is also dangerous, as it can lead to injuries. Instead, buy a cutlery roll or picnic set. This is a rollable pouch or a zipped soft case that contains all the cutlery you’ll need for dinner, while bigger sets may include other essential accessories such as a bottle opener, corkscrew and chopping board. You’ll also want to get a couple of chopping knives with blade covers, a mini cheese grater, a vegetable peeler, a stirring/serving spoon and a spatula. Another great invention is silicone, which lends itself to all manner of collapsible kitchen accessories, from colanders, pots and kettles to washing-up bowls, draining boards and storage containers. In our experience, silicone doesn’t hold up well to heat over time, so avoid kettles and pots, which are prone to splitting. Instead, opt for a metal camping kettle, a couple of good-quality regular non-stick pots and a frying pan.
Do get a collapsible washing-up bowl and a selection of storage containers. These take up minimum space in the campervan when not in use and are very versatile. Storage containers are perfect for the fridge as well as for dry items like teabags and rice, and can also be used for lunch boxes. Wax wraps are also a great alternative to cling film and tin foil, as they are reusable.
Finally, it’s important to keep rubbish to a minimum when camping. If you’re wild camping or the site you’re staying at doesn’t have recycling bins for plastic, glass, carboard, etc, take your rubbish home. Never buy single-use paper or plastic cups, plates and cutlery. Similarly, avoid disposable barbecues. Many campsites prohibit the use of them, as they burn the grass. Instead, get a compact folding barbecue and a bag of charcoal.