Cooking in Your RV: Making Great Meals in a Small Space
- Lee Burbank
- Dec 10, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 13
Cooking in an RV is one of those subjects that new full-timers worry about more than seasoned travelers. We get it. Living full time in your RV means performing all the tasks of everyday living, just in smaller quarters and often with different appliances. Many people tell us they’re nervous about cooking in a convection/microwave combo, especially if they’ve never owned one before.
We felt the same way at first, and that’s why we wanted to share our own experiences, tips, and the tools that help us cook comfortably in a compact kitchen.
Getting Comfortable With the Convection/Microwave Oven
We’ve frequently heard from people new to full-timing that they’re afraid of cooking in their RV because they’re not used to using a convection/microwave oven. As a result, we thought we’d start with our experience with this combo appliance. We’re hoping this encourages subscribers to chime in with questions and comments about their own meals and setups.
Sharp Convection/Microwave Oven
First off, we should confess that neither of us started out as great or very experienced cooks. We are newly pescatarian, so learning new recipes became part of the adventure. What we are good at is following instructions and staying organized, and that turns out to be the secret to cooking well in a small space.
Here’s what we’ve learned using our convection/microwave oven:
Because it’s a convection oven, it cooks with moving air. The more air that can circulate around and under the pan, the better it works.
We always place the pan on one of the metal racks, usually the lowest one, so air gets underneath.
Recipes claim convection cooks faster than a traditional oven, but our experience hasn’t matched that. We set the timer for five minutes less, check doneness, and usually end up cooking the extra five.
Preheating is important. It can take a long time to reach 450°F, so we often give it 20 minutes and then begin cooking — planning to add time as needed.
The only real limitation is the size of the dish. We’ve baked casseroles, pies, cakes, pizza, cookies, and even loaves of bread. Yesterday we made a double-layer carrot cake. It turned out amazing. We cooked the layers one at a time, because only one pan fits at once.
If someone like us can successfully cook in an RV, you can too.
The Real Challenge: Space
A small kitchen isn’t a problem — unless you’re unprepared. Organization is the biggest factor in whether cooking feels enjoyable or stressful.
Here’s how we manage tight space:
Set Up Before You Start
We take all the spices out at once, measure what we need into small bowls or cappuccino cups, and line them up in recipe order.
We combine spices that get added at the same time.
Everything goes back into the storage rack before any cooking begins.
Clean As You Go
This is probably the most important lesson. With only a sliver of counter space, things pile up fast. If we have two items in the sink, we wash, dry, and put them away immediately.
Protect Your Surfaces
Because our induction cooktop sits under a cover, crumbs and flour kept falling into the gaps. After experimenting, we found a silicone cooktop mat that covers the vents and crevices. Nothing sticks to it, and as a bonus it has measuring circles for pie crust. Yes — you can make pies in the combo oven.
Recommended product:
Tools That Make RV Cooking Easier
We’ve learned that the right accessories save time, simplify prep, and reduce clutter. Here are the ones that genuinely help in a small RV kitchen.
Compact, Multi-Use Tools
Space-Saving Prep Gear
Magnetic spice tinsThese can attach to the fridge side or a metal strip, freeing up valuable cabinet space.
Small ingredient prep cupsIdeal for measuring spices, sauces, or chopped aromatics before cooking.
Must-Have RV Cooking Add-Ons
Compact under-cabinet LED lightsRV kitchens are often dim. Good lighting makes cooking far less frustrating.
Unique Ways to Work Around Limited Space
Over time we’ve picked up some habits that keep the kitchen running smoothly:
Prep everything at the dinette or a portable outdoor table when counter space is scarce.
Keep one “active zone” clear at all times, even if it means shuffling ingredients back and forth.
Use the sink as extra counter space by placing a cutting board over it.
Cook in stages when making big recipes — especially if you’re baking in the convection/microwave oven.
Move cooking outdoors when weather allows. A portable grill or Blackstone griddle can completely change your meal routine.
Recommended products:
Final Thoughts: You Can Absolutely Cook in Your RV
Cooking in an RV doesn’t require fancy skills. It mostly requires staying organized, choosing the right tools, and being willing to experiment. The combo convection/microwave oven is one of the most versatile appliances in the RV, and once you get comfortable with it, you may be surprised by what you can make.
We hope this gives you some encouragement to start experimenting. If we can make great meals in a tiny kitchen, you can too.
Do you have questions, experiences, or tips of your own? We’d love to hear them. Become a member, and get in touch!
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