Motorhome Kitchen Organization 101: My Top 10 RV Kitchen must haves

So you may have heard that we bought a Motorhome...and I am quickly learning what that means. Like any new home you move into...setting up the kitchen becomes one of the first priorities. It's no different with a motorhome.

First rules first...when it comes to motorhome kitchen space...

You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!

Seriously.

I should never again complain about my home kitchen being too small.

Ever.

Because after dealing with an RV kitchen, your perspective changes immediately!

You must use every square inch of space judiciously. Think cubic inches here...find a way to use all of them.

So these last few weeks, when the kids get home from school; we have been setting things up together; to make our new home-on-wheels, a home-y functional place to be. They love helping! It's been such a great way to spend time together. Plus, they've been able to offer input on some of the fun and simple decisions. Seeing some of their suggestions implemented, makes them feel great. They truly have been a part of making this space a home, and they are proud of that.

I think it's cute that when we are working in the motorhome, they think we are already on vacation. I can't say I feel quite that way yet, but I do feel the magic once I walk inside. I see it as a place where memories are on the brink of being made. I can't wait to see where our adventures will take us!

As we've been setting up, I found a few do's and don'ts for my space already. I thought it might be helpful to share a few of those things we are learning along the way...

So here's my ultimate top 10 list of "must-haves" to make your RV kitchen a sweet place to live and cook!

But, before I start my list...
You've got to note, there is only one large cupboard in the kitchen of my motorhome. It must house both pots and pans, baking pans, plates bowls and cups, all my spices and some food. The other spaces are the little drawers (emphasis on the word little), the under the sink cabinet, and the really cool pull out (albeit narrow) pantry. So you want to be very wise about how you use the space and what are kitchen must haves.

When we got the motorhome, there wasn't a shelf in this main cupboard. No problem...just add one right? Not quite. The thin walls of this particular cupboard didn't seem like the were built to support the brackets of a second shelf.

So...
In light of that...
the "must have" items on my "Setting up an RV Kitchen" list, may not be what you would think of as must have items.
...here we go.

Must Have item #1
So what's a girl to do to get maximum use out of a single no shelf cupboard. Get inspiration from shoes...yup...that's right! Do you see that 3-shelf metal rack below? It's a shoe rack. I got it from Amazon. And it fits!

Here's the caveat to making it fit. You must build it inside the cupboard. It won't fit if you build it first, then try to put it in. I know, because I tried. Luckily, this particular shelf, is a hinged unit, that is all attached. To assemble it, you must open up the sides, then work your way sliding the shelves down into locking position on the side. No tools or screws necessary...unless you count screwing in the leveling feet with your hands.

Must Have item #2 (might as well be items 3 , 4,  5 and 6 as well!  You will find so many uses for these!)
Now if you know anything about RV's and traveling down the road with loaded shelves, you MUST keep things in place somehow, or everything will be off the shelf when you arrive at your destination.
I'll let you in on my favorite grippy little secret.

So before I built the shelf, I cut up a yoga mat to the exact sizes of each shelf to make a grippy shelf. It's made out of the exact same stuff as the grippy shelf liner, only it's slightly thicker (but still under 1/4 inch.) Some of the thinner cheaper shelf liners bunch up. I had to remove a bunch of it from the motorhome as it was a mess. (You can see it on the shelf above...mine is blue.)

Must Have item #3  (This goes with item 2...you can't have enough. Keep an extra roll on board in case any of your grippy mats ever come loose.)
The best part about using a yoga mat instead of regular grippy cupboard lining, is your color selection is fabulous! You aren't limited to the browns and blacks of regular shelf liner...plus yoga mats seem to be thicker and grippier than the stuff I was finding at my local super market. After cutting the mat down to size, I used some of my favorite super sticky double sided craft tape, and attached the pieces of mat to each shelf. Voila! Super grippy shelves where I don't have to worry about anything moving. Yeah! (by the way...this super sticky double sided tape is clear...the liner is just red...and it comes in multiple widths...including full sheets when you really want to keep something down--that can be often in a motorhome.) Use yoga mats inside all your cupboards and drawers to ensure everything stays put!

After setting up the shelf, I was able to store the lids to my pots and pans on the top shelf, the other shelves hold a pot or a pan or two, neatly stacking bowls (I chose square stacking bowls so they would be even more compact), measuring cups, stacked ziplock containers, a stack of glasses, and a stack of disposable plastic cups...and a some food. Really, it's quite amazing how much I packed in there! Best part...it stays put...it really does when we are chugging down the road.

Must Have item #4

I love to cook, so finding storage for my spices was imperative. I was so excited when I found this 27 spice-rack-drawer thing by YouCopia. I have one shelf on the bottom that I leave open for holding medication when we travel.

What I do wish, is that I had seen this one first...the bottom drawer houses measuring cups and spoons...now how cool is that! That's just the kind of thing you need to organize an RV.

Must Have item #5

Since I didn't want the space above my spice rack to be wasted, I found this great little plate rack to set on top of it. I had to cut another piece of my yoga mat and attach it to the top of my spice drawers to make sure it wouldn't slide off during travel, and it works like a charm. Those green things rolled up are PVC placemats to prevent cups and dishes from sliding while eating on the road. Cutting a yoga mat into placemats would work really well too! 

After putting these two things in the cupboard,  I was left with one other tall skinny space...perfect for those flimsy cutting mats and a few trivets and a collapsible bowl set. 

Must Have item #6

Here's my collapsible bowl set...and my collapsible colander/strainer...takes up way less space to store. Collapsible is really the only way to go on some of these bigger items. 

Must Have items #7 and 8

In addition to lack of cupboard space, counter space is at a minimum! Here are my thoughts on that...convert your sink and your oven to countertops (when not in use of course.) They make cutting board sink covers, and matching stove covers. Many of them are universal...meaning, they'll fit your sink or stove. I also found the PERFECT fitting dish drainer...and in a cute color no less! Wha Hoo! 

You don't want to have a dish drainer sitting on your counter when you are driving...might slip off around a bend, so this in-sink one, is ideal. I was so excited when I measured my sink and found that this one was going to sit in my sink perfectly! Yeah! (Please note...this may be the only time I have ever shouted "wha hoo, and yeah" when it had to do with hand-washing dishes.) 

Must Have item #9

Another handy little thing that is great when you are eating down the road...a table caddy so your salt and pepper and napkins don't go flying! I stock mine with lemon packets too because sometimes water just needs to taste a little better. There's also space for toothpicks, a pen and a pencil and a notepad. You will want to stick yoga mat to the bottom to keep it put. (You can also use the thinner liner that comes with some of these.)  

Must Have item #10

Get a Thermal Cooker! I can't stress this one enough. (I wish I got it before my IKEA pots and pans set...it replaces everything but the fry pan.) Even though you don't know what a Thermal Cooker is yet, yes...you need one. 

Trust me. You really really do...even if you don't have an RV or motorhome...this is something you can take on the run...think hot meal picnics, hot chili while tailgating...and so much more. 

From a practicality standpoint, think energy efficient, think crock pot without a plug, think money saver, and think time saver. It's all these things in one! Prep your food in the morning, bring it to a boil, seal it in the thermal cooker...forget about it while it cooks all day--without electricity. Then eat a hot meal when you are done for the day. You can take it anywhere you go. You don't need to run the generator or use electricity after you've done your initial boil...it cooks all day in there...vacuum sealed...on it's own. Read what other's are saying about it.

I like the Saratoga Jacks Thermal Cooker. It comes in two sizes, a 5.5 liter and a 7L size...get the one right for your family. What I like about the Saratoga Jacks thermal cooker is that it has two pots in it. You can cook your cornbread and chili at the same time. You can cook your pork roast and cook apples for applesauce at the same time...it's a really really cool concept. I'll share my menu plan from our trip in a future post! 

Okay...I mainly hit on some of my necessary finds for my little kitchen above. Now for a few of my selfishly indulgent kitchen finds...they aren't must-haves by any means...just fun things to have.

I've been wanting to get an Aluminum tumbler and pitcher sets ever since I found out they started making them again. I used to drink out of my Grandma's Aluminum tumblers when when I was a little girl. The colors were so bright and fun. There is nothing like sipping cold drinks on the back porch out of an aluminum cup on a hot summer day. I just couldn't justify getting the set because I had plenty of cups and glasses at home already. So when we got the RV...I knew I wanted to get this set to add a little splash of color and fun to our travels. Not only are these just the prettiest looking retro cups, but they stack super tight. Just what I need! I also thought it would be one of those things the kids could look forward to. They were so excited when they arrived...I might have prepped them a bit with over reminiscing about my memories of drinking from a cold aluminum cup. 

Also...when I saw these nordic ware party trays (that are microwave safe) had to have them...no worries about going down the road and someone's food running into another food on their plate. These are great! This item got the kid's vote too! 

a dutch oven...something about camping and wanting to make a dump peach cobbler.  Yum! Okay...so this one is a space taker...that's why it is not on my must have list. It's more of a fun item that will come with me on certain trips.

Since we will use our microwave a lot, I got a a Nordic Ware microwave  grill and spatter cover. The spatter cover goes easily over their plates for warming things up too! 

And so you don't have to find a place to put a full sized muffin tin...get some of these reusable silicone muffin cups that you just put on a baking sheet, or in a cake pan. You can even put paper liners to reduce the mess in the silicone cups after baking. My 9x13 cake pan is my cookie sheet, and cake pan, and becomes my muffin pan when I put these on top--don't put one of each in your motorhome kitchen. One pan does triple duty! 

Other Stuff to Stock:
Grab what you can from your home kitchen--but remember to only grab things you will really use. Think, smaller is better when it comes to choosing items for the RV.

Do you have two can openers in your home kitchen? Put one in the RV (Choose the smaller of the two...if it works. Get a new one if it's that old one that's been sitting at the back of the drawer that only works half the time, but you feel too guilty to throw it away.)

Do you have a drawer in your home kitchen filled with an old mismatched compilation of flatware that still works, that you didn't want to replace yet? Well, move it to the RV, and get a new set for your home kitchen. That's what we did. We found a sweet set from Costco, at a great price. All the random ones went into the RV, and now our home kitchen is upgraded with the new set! Bonus!

Scour the cupboards in your home kitchen for doubles of anything, so you can take the extra one for your motor home. Do you have an extra set of measuring cups and spoons, a plate set that isn't being used, and other necessary items in your home? You might be surprised at what you already have so you don't have to buy something new. Blushing...but I rounded up 5 whisks from my the drawers in my kitchen. Really...I only need two at home. I snatched the smallest one for the RV, and the other two are going out for donation. Stocking up your RV is a great way to open up space in your home kitchen. Yeah!

Get some paper plates and cups and plasticware to stash somewhere in the RV, for times when you are trying to conserve the water in your tank...or when you just need a quick bite on the road and don't want to do dishes while you are trucking along. I still like eating off of regular dishes when I can, but paper certainly does come in handy in many situations. (This "pop a plate" thing-y could be a great way to keep a stack of paper plates in the RV.)

Paper towels are a must too! (I mounted a "pop a towel" right by the sink.)

A good way to know if you have what you need in the kitchen before you go on a trip...Possibly try to prepare a meal in your RV before you go...a dry run, if you will. You might be surprised at what you turn to look for and can't find, then know, "I've got to get one of those in the kitchen before we go." If not...there's often a Walmart along the way. (by the way...did you know you can stay in the parking lot overnight free at most Walmarts? You'll need to check each Walmart's policy before setting up camp. Don't set up your awnings or put out both slides... keep it simple, then move on when you are ready to go in the morning.)

I know I already said it, but it's worth mentioning again...do not forget to stock the RV with a good can opener. Just sayin' ;)

What you don't need:

Things I thought I needed for the kitchen but didn't. You don't need this stuff...and if you think you do...know exactly where you are going to put it before buying it. EXACTLY where. I thought I knew where I was putting these things, and it turns out I just didn't have the space to put them in.

Didn't need a magnetic knife bar. (simply not a safe idea...what if we got in a wreck and the knives went flying...what was I thinking on this purchase? Clearly, I wasn't.)

Didn't need a Cabinet Door lid rack. (where would I put it...there's only one cupboard door in the kitchen big enough for this...didn't want to waste it on lids as it would take up too much space on the inside of the cabinet.)

Didn't need a Saran Wrap/Tin foil/zip lock storage rack. (same reason as above.)

Okay...I'll have a few more lists for you in the future. My husband is starting one right now...everything you never knew you needed before you bought a motorhome. So many gadgets and gizmos...

Ummm...So we bought a Motorhome! ...Now What?

Initial thoughts:
A few months back, my husband and I had a wild-hair idea. We started talking about the idea of renting a Motorhome to take the kiddos on a road trip. They haven't experienced road tripping much. The farthest we have ever traveled in a car together is a 6 hour trip to Boise, Idaho. We usually fly wherever we go because my husband is an airline pilot, and we travel non-rev/standby (free or cheap.) That's how we all flew to Paris a few years ago.

Road tripping...just isn't something we've done much of.

Bringing the kids in on the process:
We weren't sure how the kids would go for the idea, but when we told them what we were thinking, they FREAKED OUT (in a good way.) My daughter Sydney, wouldn't stop talking about it. Every day she would wake up and say, "are we going to plan our trip?" When can I start packing? etc. etc.

The kids started throwing out suggestions of where we could go, or where we should go. Yellowstone, California, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Moab, Oregon coast, Washington coast, Texas to visit cousins, and lots of other cool ideas. In fact, the more ideas suggested, the more places I wanted to go, and was having a hard time narrowing it down to one trip.

Gathering Info:
We talked to a few motorhome-savvy friends and asked them thoughts about renting a motorhome. It's not cheap to do, and we wanted to make sure that we were making a good decision. After all, we could just fly somewhere, rent a car, and stay in hotels--but in the end...we just wanted the experience of "home on the road."

One of our friends, who sells used motorhomes, suggested that we buy one; then sell it in a few years after we were done "adventuring." It was a crazy thought, as we had just joked the week before, "who buys a motorhome when you can rent...imagine having to take care of a second home." Well, that brief thought of sanity went in, and then fleeted quickly.

Shopping:
We started casually "browsing" our local online classified source: KSL.com. (Waaaay better than Craigslist, thanks to our local TV station who provides this service! Thanks, KSL!!!) There were tons of motorhomes to look at.

We browsed a few RV lots in Draper/Sandy area, and another small one in American Fork. We looked at a few other used ones. At the lot in AF, we came across an incredibly reasonably priced Coachman Mirada 35DS entry-level Class-A that fit our family's needs. It had bunk beds (for our two little ones), a walk around queen (for Jon and I), a sleeper sofa (for our emerging-teen son), and a dinette that folds into a queen--that we will never have to break down into a bed. It was near perfect for us...not too old 2007, maintained well, and gas powered which made it much more affordable that the super sweet diesel class A's (that just wasn't in our budget.)

The buying process:
So we got it. Little did we know that the process was a like a combination of buying a home and a car. I should have seen that coming. Did you know that motorhome owners paid property tax on their motorhome? Did you know that interest on a motorhome is tax deductible because it is virtually a house payment? We didn't. We are oh so green to this! Lots to learn...lots to learn...

The BIG 35 foot Surprise:
So we parked the big thing right in front of the house, so the kids would see it when they came home from school that day. That was fun! My little Sydney cried happy tears and did a squeal better than any I've ever heard on Christmas morning. Colin, couldn't wipe the grin off of his face...and well...Talon, who had had a bad day at school, let's just say it took him a little longer to get into the excited mode...but he got there...eventually.

Where to stash 35 feet of Big awesomeness...
The neighbors haven't complained yet...it sat in front of our house for 4 days...as we cleaned it, and prepped it for it's first trip. Eventually, we got it tucked into it's new home, on the side of our house, behind the double gate. We never, in a million years, thought that we'd make use of the "RV parking" that our house happened to come with. It's a miracle that Jonathan and I are still speaking after the stressful nail-biting scenario of me directing him back between the house and the fence. Missing the roofline of the house and not bashing any fences (most importantly, not landing in the neighbor's pool), and not running over anything important during the process. Go us! Looks like we may need someone to come pour a little cement for us and cut our curb out on the side to make getting it in there an easier process so it can be a straight shot back instead of the winding process that it was. Man...I almost had a heart attack at 41, it was beating so fast! (my hands sweat just thinking about it!)

Another realization...outfitting it: 
Basically, buying stuff for an RV, is like setting up a small apartment. We made a trip to IKEA the first night (in the motorhome no less...LOL...because the kids wanted a ride) and stocked it with a few things. We've been on Amazon.com keeping them in business the last few weeks...as we realized there are so many RV specific things we can't live without--more about that later.

Decorating it:
Honestly, that's a thought for another day. All I can say...is that so many RV interiors are in poor bland taste. This one fits that bill...but at least it wasn't attacked by mauve and powder blue...my nemesis color combo. I hope to make some cozy quilts for it, and dress it up a bit to give it some of our family's style. It may be a while before I can get to that.

If you want to see an AWESOME series of articles on redoing an RV...check out Carina Gardner's blog. I can only dream of doing something like this to mine. (minus the sweet aqua and white polka dotted exterior. That fit's her cute retro trailer waaaaay better than it would ever fit my huge 35 foot beast. I love the cute-ness she worked into her Glamper, but there are just certain things you couldn't get away with when we are talking a 35 foot length...polka dots is just one of them.)

Speaking of Carina's Glamper...if you are local here in Utah, and you want to see it in real life...and meet some fun designers...please come visit us on "Carina's Glamper Tour!" Click here for details. 

Family Bonding:
This has been (and continues to be) a fun project for our family, as we need something to do together that would help us escape work. With Jon gone more than half the week, and me working from home, it can get pretty crazy around here. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my work...but the problem is that I love it almost too much most days. Here's the thing though, I LOVE my family more, (way more!) and need to show that in the quality time I spend with them. My kiddos won't be little forever. I'm already reaching to stop the clock!

This was a great idea!