The All-In-One Kitchen You Can Buy For Your Van/camper Life

Van living can be an amazing experience, but it can also be quite frustrating. Even the most minimal of people may find themselves tight on space as they try to fit in all the necessities. If cooking and a functional kitchen isn't something you're willing to give up in your quest to travel around in a camper, then a modular set-up, like the Nomad Kitchen, might be exactly what you're looking for. 

They're a bit costly, usually upwards of $1,000, which is pretty steep when van life is more expensive than many people expect. But it can be worth it for those who want to make sure they have a meal prep station readily available at any point of their trip. Looking at photos of a Nomad Kitchen setup, you might be worried that it is a permanent installation, but it's not. Though it is sturdy, you can move it out of your vehicle when needed, or even swap between vehicles. 

The best part is that everything you need to cook is in one place. All you have to do is slide out your kit from the back of your van or camper, and then you're ready to get started. It's also a great tool if you're looking to make camping life as easy as possible. They take just a couple of seconds to pull out and jump right into cooking. Like in a standard kitchen, you can even plan out a few make-ahead meals on your station before heading out towards your next adventure.

If you've lived in a van for any length of time, you know it's not easy to cook inside of one. It often involves a lot of unpacking and setting up before you can even get started in making a meal. While it's a good idea to follow the 3-3-3 rule for road trips, sometimes things get in the way and you get to a destination much later than you expected. After a long drive, it's sometimes too much effort to actually make anything to eat. It may also feel like a lot of work to cook if you are in a cramped or public space where getting out and setting up to cook isn't entirely feasible. A pre-made kitchen can come in handy in these cases.

Of course, this isn't the perfect answer for everyone. They take up a lot of essential space, and someone who makes more simple meals might not benefit from a tool like this. Additionally, though the kitchen can slide out so it's outside instead of in the back of your van, you do have to keep your back hatch or door open unless you are in a truck.

If you're cooking fragrant foods, there's a very good chance the odor will get into your van, making your towels, clothes, and sheets smell like that meal. If you are sensitive to smells, getting a small grill or hotplate you can use outside while keeping your van locked up tight might be a better option. The same is true if you're looking to use the back of your vehicle for extra storage space or an area to sleep. While these kitchens are convenient, they do take up more room than you may want them to, especially when you're already tight on space.