Why Tic Tac boxes and a 4.5cm kettle are the secret to caravan cooking – and the deadly mistake to avoid
TIC TAC boxes, air fryers and a kettle so small it can fit in your pocket aren’t the first things which spring to mind when you think ‘caravanning holiday’.
But here in our new Best of British travel series, I’ll be revealing the unexpected gadgets, hacks and tips which will make cooking meals on wheels easy – as well as the easiest recipes to whip up in a tiny kitchen.
As The Sun’s Head of Travel I’ve been enjoying caravan and camping holidays since I was five years old – that’s nearly 50 years – and have cooked up a storm for my kids for decades. So I’ve learned a few things along the way…
The Mary Poppins Kettle
With a limited amount of storage space, making sure your kitchen equipment is as space-saving as possible is an essential. Look for collapsible items – such as a washing up bowl and sieve.
This Outwell kettle, £39.99, is collapsible to just 4.5cm despite holding 1.5 litres when expanded, or this toaster is handy as it works on low-wattage.
Saucepans that stack into each other with a detachable handle to use with each are also very useful – or go for stainless steel pans like the from the Liberty 18-piece cookware set (£52.99), that can be used on gas or electric and heat up quickly, great for saving energy.
For measuring or weighing, I find a plastic measuring jug or cup with multiple measures is best, and it doubles up as a handy storage container for cooking utensils once we’re on site and set up.
15p Plates
You don’t want to waste weight – or risk breakages – by using standard crockery in a caravan.
I’ve invested in some melamine plates, cups and bowls, but I want to make things easy when it comes to washing up.
A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon and are perfect for most meals and avoid the need to wash up.
This handy pouch for the cutlery (£10.99) takes up far less space than a normal cutlery drawer and are also great for picnics.
A cool box is great for storing extra drinks and snacks for the journey too – and comes in very handy once on site for picnics and days at the beach.
Fry Fry Fry
Air Fryers are all the rage right now and rightly so – a quick, easy way to prepare all kinds of food.
If you do have space, an air fryer will definitely help cut down on washing up, especially if you use either silicone or disposable liners.
Try to find the most compact air fryer – there’s a great small one in Aldi’s middle aisle right now for just £35, that could be stored in lockers under a bed or sofa.
If you’re caravanning a lot in the spring and autumn, a small slow-cooker is also great for whipping up a casserole, stew or curry while you’re out enjoying the day.
Tic Tac Top Hack
I have a handy box full of stock cubes, seasonings and spices that I can keep in the caravan. I decant often-used spices and herbs into smaller containers, I’ve used tic-tac boxes but you can get creative!
You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got pasta and rice, as well as tinned items such as baked beans, tinned tomatoes and soups, great for quick and easy lunches.
Spray oils are also good as they take up a lot less space and can be used on pans and the airfryer.
It’s always an idea to try to plan what meals you’ll be knocking up in advance and make sure you do a big shop before you set off – campsite shops are often more expensive and if you’re somewhere remote, you may not have access to shops at all hours.
Prep, Prep, Prep
PREP your first meal in advance – you want something quick and easy when you’ve been on the road and are setting up.
Bolognese always works a treat – I batch cook and freeze in small batches then can pop a couple in the fridge when we set off. They’re normally defrosted by the time we get on site.
Of course you could always knock up a veggie version or go for something like a ratatouille if you’re vegan.
Combined with some spaghetti and a dash of parmesan you’ve got a warm, filling meal and have used just two saucepans.
Exclusive Caravan and Motorhome Club discount for Sun readers
The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains:
“The Caravan and Motorhome Club membership gives holidaymakers access to over 2,700 quality campsites across the UK and Europe with special offers.
“Sun readers can bag an exclusive 10 per cent discount on a membership (normally £63 per year) if they purchase before Monday [May 27] at camc.com/camcthesun.”
Where Never To Cook
While caravans are ventilated and designed for cooking, you should never attempt to cook in a confined space like a tent or awning.
Using a barbecue or even a gas stove in such an unventilated space is highly dangerous with the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.