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.
Kitchen Fixtures & Fittings
Most kitchen fixtures are fixed during manufacturing, but there’s still choice. When building new, you can often select cooktop type, oven configuration, fridge size, and sink style. When buying used, you can evaluate what’s already installed and plan upgrades or modifications. Understanding your options helps you make informed decisions either way.
Cooktop
Most Australian caravans come with a gas cooktop inside: 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, and some people are now choosing them specifically to create more bench space. 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.
~$450
External cooktops are another option. Some travellers prefer cooking outside to keep heat, smells, and steam out of the caravan. A portable gas stove on the annexe table or a built-in outdoor kitchen gives you flexibility to cook inside or out depending on weather and circumstances.
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. 3-in-1 systems are becoming popular – these combine oven, grill, and cooktop in one unit, saving space and offering more cooking options in a compact footprint. Some people replace the oven with extra storage if they know they won’t use it.
~$850
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.
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. Look for stainless steel construction and a good tap with adequate clearance above the sink.
Slide Out Pantry vs No Pantry
A slide-out pantry maximises storage in narrow kitchen spaces, giving you easy access to items at the back without unpacking everything in front. The trade-off is cost and complexity – more moving parts that can break or bind up. A fixed pantry with good internal organisation can work just as well and costs less. Your choice depends on how much you value the convenience versus mechanical simplicity.
External Cooking Options
Outdoor cooking keeps heat and cooking smells outside, extends your living space, and gives you options when the weather is good. Three main approaches dominate external cooking for Big Lappers.
BBQs
A portable gas BBQ is standard equipment for most Big Lap travellers. It handles everything from breakfast bacon to dinner steaks, works in any weather, and sets up quickly. Weber Q models dominate the caravan market because they’re compact, reliable, and built to travel.
~$399
Campfire Cooking
A camp oven or cast iron cookware opens up traditional campfire cooking: damper, roasts, stews, and anything you’d cook in a slow oven at home. Campfire cooking takes more time and planning than gas cooking, but many find it relaxing and rewarding. It’s also free fuel when firewood is available and permitted.
Outdoor Kitchens
Some caravans feature slide-out outdoor kitchens with sink, cooktop, and prep space built into the exterior wall. These are elaborate setups that essentially give you a second kitchen outside. They’re popular with families and long-term travellers who want maximum cooking flexibility, but they add cost, weight, and complexity.
Additional Options
12V Ovens
Portable 12V ovens run directly from your battery system without needing 240V power or gas. They’re slower than conventional ovens and draw significant power, but they work anywhere your batteries do. Popular with free campers who want oven cooking without the power limitations of conventional ovens.
~$299
Portable Fridges
A portable 12V fridge/freezer supplements your main caravan fridge or provides backup cooling. Popular as car fridges for day trips, extra freezer space, or backup when the main fridge is being serviced. They run from 12V and most can switch between fridge and freezer modes.
~$1,349
- Gas cooktops are standard and work everywhere. Induction cooktops create more bench space but need 240V power.
- Only get an oven if you bake or roast at home. 3-in-1 systems save space by combining oven, grill, and cooktop.
- A compressor fridge is the best option for Australian heat. Minimum 150L for a couple, 200L+ for families.
- External cooking options like BBQs and campfire cooking extend your capabilities and keep heat outside.
- 12V ovens and portable fridges offer additional flexibility for off-grid cooking and food storage.
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