We’ve all gotta eat!
One thing we all have in common is food. It fuels us. It’s our gasoline if you will … 🙄
Find out everything you need to know about cooking, storing, and eating food in a van on the road.
DIRECTORY
Water
Kitchen Supplies
Where To Find Food
Seasonings
How To Cook
Where To Find Microwaves
Where To Wash Dishes
SVL Cookbook Coming Soon!
-included will be recipes, the easiest foods to store on the road, and how to use the heat of your car to cook!
You can also find a list of our must-have kitchen essentials here.
Essential kitchen supplies
If you want to save money on the road, it’s important to make your own meals. Cooking in your van can be a bit more work, but once you figure it out it will be well worth it.
Below, you’ll find a list of items to complete your van life kitchen.
Camp Stove:
Use carefully. Use outdoors as much as possible. If using indoors make sure you have plenty of ventilation.
Cookware
Wok:
A wise man once told me “If you’re going to have only one pan in your kitchen, have a wok.” I have found that using a wok to cook all your meals is very convenient. The sides are tall so it is less messy, and there is plenty of room to cook a large or small meal. I have cooked pasta, soup, reheated pizza, and much more all in my wok!
Pot:
It is nice to have a pot to boil water for tea or pasta. You can use your wok for that but sometimes you’ll need to use 2 cookware to get the job done.
Utensils:
(Silicone & Heat Resistant) I recommend because you can get all the food off which makes cleaning a lot easier, also it won’t scrape your pans.
Break-proof Tupperware:
(use as plates/bowls) Make sure they can fit in your fridge or cooler.
Silverware:
Many people opt for Bamboo. Make sure that you clean your bamboo properly. Personally, I’m lazy and don’t want to care for my bamboo so I use a silicone spoon and a nice set of gold silverware I came across.
Cups:
I prefer to use lidded, non-breakable cups, but I also have some fun cups for special occasions.
Finding Food
Where to find food if you have no options:
→ Homeless shelters/ Food Banks:
There are plenty of places to find food for free. If you have the time or resources, help out as much as you can by volunteering or donating.
Find one in your local area.
→ Govt. Assistance: Food Stamps
Fast Food:
Cheap and accessible. Often offers free wifi.
Grocery store:
Usually have a bakery or already-cooked foods section. You can often find discount shelves full of baked or dry goods. Watch for sales & store member discounts. A few stores offer discounts on gas with your purchase points such as Kroger and associates.
Tip: If you go a later at night, some stores have discounted food such as Whole Foods.
Also, a great option for restrooms when you need them. I usually have a running list of items I need in order of importance & get them throughout the day when I need to use the restroom.
TIPS:
The key to keeping a minimal kitchen is buying items you can mix and match then season differently.
Buy at bulk stores & refill jars to be more environmentally friendly.
Seasonings
Seasonings are one of the most important ingredients to keeping your food interesting. It allows you to use the same bases (rice, beans, meats, veggies) in multiple ways and not get bored.
Best seasonings to have on hand:
Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Tumeric, Italian Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Chili Powder, Crushed Red Pepper, Parsley, Basil, Paprika, Rosemary, Thyme, Cumin, Dill, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Coriander, & of course, Sage.
Where To Cook Your Food
If you have the option to buy something & cook it in your car you can use a camp stove. There are many options for a cooking device, so it’s really up to you what you’re comfortable using. I find a camp stove is the best option for me because I can cook wherever is most convenient at the time and I like knowing I can always warm something up whenever I need to.
Make sure you read the instructions carefully and use it in ventilated areas such as a park or campsite.
Parks often have public grills or fire pits that you are free to use during open hours. Make sure you know the site’s rules and always clean up when you’re done. I have made INCREDIBLE meals using a fire pit, a couple of camping pots, and tin foil.
Microwaves
If you don’t have a stove or park available or need to heat something up quickly there are a few places that offer microwaves to the public. Please be considerate and try to purchase something at these kind establishments so we can all continue to utilize their facilities.
Convenience stores
Grocery Store
→Meijer
→Kroger
→Fred Meyers
→Natural food stores
→Whole foods
Truckstop
Gas stations
→7/11
→Stop & Go
College / Student Unions
How to Wash Your Dishes
Where to clean dishes
→ Park bathroom sinks. Go during slow times
→ Gym (be discreet, make sure all food is removed & just a final rinse clean)
→ In your vehicle. If you have a water source and a basin you can wash your dishes in your vehicle or at a park. Ensure you have a safe place to dump your greywater.
Use natural safe soaps such as Dr. Bronners. Bring a sponge or washcloth.