What Kitchen Appliances Should I Take On The Big Lap?

The temptation to pack every kitchen appliance you own is strong. Air fryer, bread maker, sandwich press, blender, slow cooker, rice cooker, espresso machine… they all sound essential when you’re standing in your home kitchen imagining life on the road. The reality check hits when you open your caravan cupboards and realise there’s physically no room for half of them, and even if there were, most need 240V power you might not have.

This guide cuts through the noise and separates the appliances that genuinely earn their place from the ones that stay home.

The Test Every Appliance Must Pass

Before packing any appliance, ask three questions. First: will I use this at least twice a week? If it’s a “sometimes” appliance, it doesn’t justify the space. Second: can I achieve the same result with something I already have? A pot on the stove replaces a slow cooker for most recipes. Third: does my power setup support it? A 1,200W appliance needs either mains power or a substantial inverter and battery bank to run off-grid.

The appliances below are ranked by how universally useful they are across different travel styles and power setups.

The Must-Haves

Kettle (Stovetop or 12V)

You’ll boil water multiple times a day: tea, coffee, cooking, cleaning. A stovetop whistling kettle ($20 to $40) works on gas, needs zero electricity, and is virtually indestructible. If you have reliable power, a small electric kettle (1L, around $20 to $40) is faster and more convenient. A 12V kettle ($40 to $80) works off your house battery but takes 20 to 30 minutes to boil, which tests the patience. The stovetop kettle is the safest all-conditions choice.

Toasted Sandwich Press

Ask any Big Lapper what their most-used appliance is and the sandwich press comes up more than anything else. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and even quick dinners. Toasted sandwiches, jaffle-style pockets, quesadillas, grilled cheese, and even makeshift paninis. A compact sandwich press ($25 to $60) takes up minimal space and draws around 700 to 1,000W, making it manageable on a modest inverter or mains power. The Sunbeam Compact Café Grill or similar flat-plate press doubles as a grill for bacon, eggs, and small items.

Stick Blender

Soups, smoothies, sauces, baby food, pancake batter, and protein shakes. A stick blender ($30 to $80) does it all, takes up almost no space (it fits in a utensil drawer), and draws minimal power (200 to 400W). It replaces a full-size blender and a food processor for most caravan needs. Look for one with a whisk attachment for extra versatility.

The Strong Contenders

Slow Cooker / Pressure Cooker

A slow cooker is brilliant for families. Throw ingredients in before you leave camp in the morning, secure the lid, and dinner’s ready when you arrive at the next stop. Tough cuts of meat become tender, soups make themselves, and you barely use any gas. The downside is size: even a “compact” slow cooker takes up significant cupboard space. A pressure cooker achieves similar results in less time but requires more attention. Instant Pot-style multi-cookers do both but are bulky. Around $40 to $150 depending on type. Draws 200 to 300W.

NutriBullet or Personal Blender

If smoothies and protein shakes are part of your routine, a NutriBullet ($70 to $120) or similar personal blender does the job faster and more effectively than a stick blender for drinks specifically. The cups double as drinking containers. Compact enough to store easily. Draws 600 to 900W, so needs mains power or an inverter.

Electric Frypan

An electric frypan with a lid essentially gives you a second cooktop, an oven substitute, and a roasting pan in one. You can bake, roast, stir-fry, and slow cook in it. Particularly useful if your van doesn’t have an oven or if you want to cook outside without using the BBQ. Sunbeam and Kambrook make compact models. Around $50 to $100. Draws 1,200 to 1,500W, so mains power or a large inverter only.

The “Maybe” List

Air Fryer

Air fryers have become enormously popular with Big Lappers, and they do produce excellent results: crispy chips, roasted vegetables, reheated leftovers, even baked goods. The problem is size (they’re bulky), weight (3 to 5kg), and power draw (1,400 to 1,800W, so mains-only for most setups). If you cook at powered sites regularly and have the cupboard space, an air fryer earns its place. If you free camp frequently and space is tight, it’s hard to justify. A compact 3.5L model is the maximum size worth considering. Around $60 to $150.

Rice Cooker

If your family eats rice three or more times a week, a small rice cooker ($25 to $50) is worth the space. Perfect rice every time with zero attention. Otherwise, a saucepan with a lid does the same job. Small 3-cup models are sufficient for families and take up minimal space.

Bread Maker

Fresh bread in the van sounds amazing, and it is. But bread makers are bulky, heavy, draw significant power, and the novelty wears off faster than you’d expect. Most travellers who start with a bread maker end up ditching it within a few months in favour of buying bread in town or making damper. If you’re a committed baker, carry on. Otherwise, skip it.

Leave These At Home

Microwave: Already fitted in most vans. If yours doesn’t have one, they’re heavy, bulky, and draw 800 to 1,200W. Use the oven, stove, or sandwich press instead.

Full-size blender/food processor: Replaced by a stick blender for 95% of caravan tasks. Too big, too heavy.

Toaster: Replaced by the sandwich press grill plate or a $5 stovetop toaster that sits on the gas burner.

Stand mixer: You’re in a caravan, not a bakery. If you bake regularly, a hand mixer ($20 to $40) takes up a fraction of the space.