What's in your van kitchen!

[vanbrat]

Minivan life taught me you don't need much of anything to cook nice "guy" friendly meals. Mostly heat and serve and cooking ie boiling noodles, and frying an egg or toasting bread on top of your egg in the pan.. is very simple and easy with just a few basic tools.

Since going back to an apartment I have continued to keep the bare basic items. It makes it so my dishes NEVER get overwhelming because I don't own enough dishes to be overwhelming!

I started my travels carrying around more thinking I would use them... but after a few months I started to shed more and more knowing their was always a dollar store or a big box store to buy a new one if I truly needed it again...

less truly is more!

I have done the bare basics too and there are times when I still do. But I like to cook and if I have what I know I will use it is even more enjoyable. I don't like to cook in a tiny van kitchen, so I have made the back of my van into a much easier set up. With the bigger table outside and the 'stuff' microwave and water jugs and tools etc. inside like an "L" shaped set up. I have made crab cakes, grilled steaks, salmon, made some tiny for 2, tuna, chicken, Beef casseroles, fruit cobblers, muffins, dutch babies, cupcakes, and full on from scratch chicken pot pies. Most of the time the hardest part is getting hubby to stop early enough for me to have time to do the cooking. I always start out with a few things precooked.
One of the many reasons I like to travel is to find new stuff to cook and cook with.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Mine is pretty simple;
2 burner Coleman style propane stove
camping wok
Ikea $12 saucepan
bunch of spices
some plastic plates and bowls from Walmart
paring knife with sheath
Opinel folding knife (small but very sharp!)
nylon camping flatware
nylon turner
couple wood spoons
It basically all fits in a large gray tote bin with the propane stove riding on top.
Just built a cabinet with little sliding drawer last week so I'm transferring stuff to that and using the tote bin for potatoes, onions, and other pantry staples.

In addition I have a little organizer with my Aeropress, filters, coffee and a couple mugs.

 

[Ripper238]

Some impressive lists. I am a minimalist and do Mountain house meals that only need water and one pot meals usually. Cant forget the sandwiches!

MSR multi fuel stove
Med size pot
Titanium long spork
Long silicone spoon
Knife large
Titanium Med cup
Wash basin
Dish soap
Small pot scrubber/Sponge
Paper plates
Rolls of paper towels

Pretty much covers all that I need.

 

[CosmickGold]

I read about van kitchens before purchasing an empty van, and decided not to have one (no frig and no stove). My food is all un-spoilable and to be eaten as is. That includes peanut butter, Kraft Olive Oil Mayonaise, lots of Spirulina/Chlorella tablets, Oat Meal, Fat-Free Powdered Milk, ground Pecans, Cocoa powder, and of course lots of vitamins and minerals.

 

[vanbrat]

I read about van kitchens before purchasing an empty van, and decided not to have one (no frig and no stove). My food is all un-spoilable and to be eaten as is. That includes peanut butter, Kraft Olive Oil Mayonaise, lots of Spirulina/Chlorella tablets, Oat Meal, Fat-Free Powdered Milk, ground Pecans, Cocoa powder, and of course lots of vitamins and minerals.

What works for you is right for you. I will never judge that. But for me what I keep saying is I LIKE to cook so that is what works for me.

We did a couple of cross country trips in cars and by the end of the trips I never wanted to see the inside of a Denny's or McD's again. That is hubby's idea of road tripping. Get from point A to point B as fast as you can and don't even think about stopping early for anything. By cross country I mean west coast to east coast in 5 days Canada border to Mexican border in one straight through drive.

Now we are retired and can go slow and do things can be more fun and enjoyable.

Next cross country is going to go really slow western WA to Key west in 4 weeks. Back in 2 weeks.

 

[Burbanlife]

Pic is worth a thousand words so they say, here is my rear minivan kitchen

 

[CosmickGold]

. . . . what I keep saying is I LIKE to cook so that is what works for me. . . .

Oops. I didn't mean to be brushing off your stated preference. I was just answering your question: "so now what do you carry?"

I carry two each of spoons, forks, knives, bowls, and plastic water glasses. But just as you LIKE to cook, I LIKE to wash! I've always had a thing for "splashing in the water".

So where a kitchen could have gone, I instead mounted this clothes washing machine in my van, along with 60 hooks in rows on my ceiling for hanging clothes after they spin, dried by the wind from my fan mounted high in the back wall. The experience really "makes my day", and gives me a sincere smile.

 

[vanbrat]

Oops. I didn't mean to be brushing off your stated preference. I was just answering your question: "so now what do you carry?"

I carry two each of spoons, forks, knives, bowls, and plastic water glasses. But just as you LIKE to cook, I LIKE to wash! I've always had a thing for "splashing in the water".

So where a kitchen could have gone, I instead mounted this clothes washing machine in my van, along with 60 hooks in rows on my ceiling for hanging clothes after they spin, dried by the wind from my fan mounted high in the back wall. The experience really "makes my day", and gives me a sincere smile.
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So, if ever we are next to each other at a campground I'll cook, and you can wash. I don't mind having a big day of laundry once in awhile but not as happy as it sounds like you are. How about a nice cheesy homemade mac and cheese and homemade applesauce and some green salad and a BBQed chicken dinner. Finished off with some fresh made cobblers and ice cream. Oh yea some drinks after dinner homemade pear liquor with ginger beer and lots of ice.

Now that is what I call a good camp dinner.

 

[CosmickGold]

So, if ever we are next to each other at a campground I'll cook, and you can wash. I don't mind having a big day of laundry once in awhile but not as happy as it sounds like you are. How about a nice cheesy homemade mac and cheese and homemade applesauce and some green salad and a BBQed chicken dinner. Finished off with some fresh made cobblers and ice cream. Oh yea some drinks after dinner homemade pear liquor with ginger beer and lots of ice.

Now that is what I call a good camp dinner.

Hahahaha! Delightful!
That's a great plan! Hope it happens! What a wonderful way to spend the day that will be!

 

[vanbrat]

Pic is worth a thousand words so they say, here is my rear minivan kitchen

A good place to cook something yummy

 

[ohbejoyful]

So, if ever we are next to each other at a campground I'll cook, and you can wash. I don't mind having a big day of laundry once in awhile but not as happy as it sounds like you are. How about a nice cheesy homemade mac and cheese and homemade applesauce and some green salad and a BBQed chicken dinner. Finished off with some fresh made cobblers and ice cream. Oh yea some drinks after dinner homemade pear liquor with ginger beer and lots of ice.

Now that is what I call a good camp dinner.

You’re inspiring me! What is your recipe for homemade pear liquor?

 

[ohbejoyful]

Oops. I didn't mean to be brushing off your stated preference. I was just answering your question: "so now what do you carry?"

I carry two each of spoons, forks, knives, bowls, and plastic water glasses. But just as you LIKE to cook, I LIKE to wash! I've always had a thing for "splashing in the water".

So where a kitchen could have gone, I instead mounted this clothes washing machine in my van, along with 60 hooks in rows on my ceiling for hanging clothes after they spin, dried by the wind from my fan mounted high in the back wall. The experience really "makes my day", and gives me a sincere smile.
View attachment 31421View attachment 31422

That's impressive! How much water and electricity does it use for a single load?

 

[CosmickGold]

That's impressive! How much water and electricity does it use for a single load?

I chose my clothes washer because its washing motor is rated at 300 watts while all the others are rated at 400 watts; while the spin motor is rated at only 150 watts. The water amount is up to you, anything from 1/2 gallon up to 5 gallons (or so). Water needs depend on how much clothing you put in at a time to be covered. You will need enough water for your clothes to rotate from top to bottom as well as side to side to get them clean.

I do a lot of clothes at once like I'm on an assembly line. I move clothes from the spinner to a basket waiting on the right, then move clothes from the washer to the spinner, then pour the water that has drained from the spinner back into the washer, then move clothes from the basket on the left to the washer. Then repeat that process all again for the next batch.

After all clothes are washed, it's time to empty out the soapy wash water and repeat the whole process again with clean rinse water. But this time I don't use the basket on the right, instead hanging clothes pulled out of the spinner onto the 60 little hooks I have mounted on the ceiling. The fan you can see high in the back wall, blows outside air across all the hanging clothes to dry them.

Since the day I moved into my van years ago, I have NEVER gone to a laundromat. Washing inside the van is fun!

HINT: Your clothes will seem as dry after spinning 3 minutes as they do at 5 minutes. But SPIN THEM FOR THE FULL TIME! They will then finish drying on the hooks 10 times faster!

 

[vanbrat]

You’re inspiring me! What is your recipe for homemade pear liquor?

I will have to look it up, but basically it is fresh pears cinnamon stick piece ginger slice cloves and some nutmeg chunks. A bit of simple syrup and vodka. Let everything sit undisturbed for 6 weeks and then strain away all the pear pieces and spices and let sit for another 6+ weeks before tasting. The longer it sits after straining the better...... Be aware the alcohol level goes way way up. Best IMO with ice and ginger beer, but also with ginger ale. There are a lot of recipes online. Which is where I found this one. I like pear stuff better then blackberry or peach which is what I have tried so far.

 

[Burbanlife]

Now that sounds gooooood

 

[WanderingRose]

Yum! Pear liqueur!

I have made cranberry liqueur several times, never pear, but that sounds really yummy.

 

[JDub]

I had Pear Scrumpy (cider) in England when I was there in the Cotswolds in the 80's - I learned the HARD way to not imbibe too much! (My head STILL starts hurting when I think of THAT particular hangover...

 

[vanbrat]

Yum! Pear liqueur!

I have made cranberry liqueur several times, never pear, but that sounds really yummy.

Hummmm I will have to try cranberry, haven't tried that one yet.

 

[ohbejoyful]

I will have to look it up, but basically it is fresh pears cinnamon stick piece ginger slice cloves and some nutmeg chunks. A bit of simple syrup and vodka. Let everything sit undisturbed for 6 weeks and then strain away all the pear pieces and spices and let sit for another 6+ weeks before tasting. The longer it sits after straining the better...... Be aware the alcohol level goes way way up. Best IMO with ice and ginger beer, but also with ginger ale. There are a lot of recipes online. Which is where I found this one. I like pear stuff better then blackberry or peach which is what I have tried so far.

OK, yum to that. I've done something similar with green walnuts (vin de noix), so this sounds very doable.

I love to bake, and I had a Dometic propane oven installed. I need to get smaller pans, so I can experiment with cakes, tarts, etc. I have my lovely Kitchenaid sitting in storage, and I think I can bring it along.

 

[WanderingRose]

I have an 8” Lodge Dutch Oven, the kind with legs, that I’ve carried since I cooked every day for a husband, and am going to do some experimenting roasting meats in there with charcoal.

Like turkey and chicken pieces.

That should work, right?