Everything You Need To Know About Caravan Kitchens and Cooking Equipment

Your caravan kitchen needs to function as a real kitchen, not a decorative one. You’ll cook in it two to three times a day for months. It needs to handle breakfast, lunch, dinner, meal prep, and the washing up that follows. Understanding what comes standard, what’s optional, and what actually matters for daily cooking helps you evaluate kitchens when comparing vans and identify what to upgrade or add once you’ve bought one.

Cooktop

Most Australian caravans come with a gas cooktop: 3 or 4 burners running on LPG. Gas is the standard because it works anywhere (no power required), heats quickly, and is simple to use. A 3-burner is sufficient for most couples. A 4-burner gives more flexibility for families or anyone who regularly cooks multi-dish meals.

Induction cooktops are appearing in some newer caravans. They’re efficient, easy to clean, and precise. The trade-off is that they require 240V power (mains hookup or a large inverter and battery setup), which limits their use off-grid. Some travellers carry a portable induction plate as a supplement to the gas cooktop.

Oven

Ovens divide Big Lappers into two camps: those who use them constantly and those who never open them. If you bake bread, roast meat, or cook casseroles at home, you’ll want an oven on the road. If you don’t cook that way at home, you won’t start on the road. Most caravan ovens are compact gas ovens that work well but have quirks: hot spots, uneven heating, and a learning curve. Some people replace the oven with extra storage if they know they won’t use it.

A camp oven or Weber is an alternative for outdoor roasting and baking that doesn’t consume internal van space or gas while parked.

Fridge

The fridge is arguably the most important kitchen appliance. It determines how long you can go between grocery shops and how much fresh food you can carry. Two main types dominate the caravan market:

Compressor fridge: Works like a home fridge but runs on 12V power. Efficient, reliable, and cools consistently regardless of ambient temperature. The preferred option for Big Lap travel because it handles Australian heat well and runs from your battery system.

3-way fridge (absorption): Runs on 12V, 240V, or gas. Common in older caravans and some new budget models. Works well in moderate temperatures but struggles in extreme heat (above 35°C). Less efficient on 12V than a compressor fridge. If your caravan has a 3-way fridge and you’ll be travelling through hot climates, consider upgrading to a compressor model.

Size: 150L is the minimum for a couple doing regular town visits. 180 to 220L is more comfortable and allows longer gaps between shops. Families need 200L+ or supplement with a portable 12V fridge/freezer in the car.

Microwave

A microwave requires 240V power (either mains hookup or a large inverter). It’s convenient for reheating leftovers and quick meals but not essential. Many Big Lappers remove the microwave after a few months to save weight and reclaim bench or storage space. If you’re primarily free camping, a microwave sits unused most of the time.

Other Kitchen Equipment

Rangehood / exhaust fan: Essential. Cooking in a closed caravan without ventilation fills the space with smoke, steam, and smells that linger in soft furnishings. A 12V rangehood or a window above the cooktop is necessary.

Sink: A deep, single-bowl sink is more practical than a double bowl in a caravan. You need depth to fill pots and wash dishes. Double bowls sound useful but each side is too small to be functional.

Water filter: Not standard but highly recommended. Regional water quality varies across Australia. A basic carbon filter on the kitchen tap improves taste and removes sediment. Dedicated water filter systems are covered in our gear guides.