When we bought our fifth wheel, it didn’t come with a built-in outdoor kitchen – and at first, that sounds like a bummer. But after years of RVing and lots of real-world camping, it turned out to be one of the best things about our setup.
We’ve had an RV with a built-in outdoor kitchen before, and while it worked well, the limitations add up quickly. We now set up our outdoor kitchen at every campsite, and honestly, I like this way better. It’s flexible, works in most situations, and makes cooking feel like part of the camping experience instead of just another RV activity.
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In the video below, I walk through our outdoor kitchen setup and explain why we like to cook this way when we’re RVing. You may see a short video ad play before the walkthrough loads.
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Why We Shouldn’t Miss the Built-In Outdoor Kitchen
Years ago, we had a small trailer with an outdoor kitchen built in. It had a two-burner stove, a small sink, and a pull-out counter, and at first it seemed really simple. He just opened the hatch and started cooking.
But over time, the downsides became hard to ignore.
The stove was fixed on one side, so there was no way to adjust the air. Some days we cooked in the sun, and other times we were huddled under the wagon awning trying to stay cool. The counter was small and narrow, making actual food preparation frustrating. The sink was more like a shallow basin than something really useful.
My least favorite was cooking near the rig. Between the grease splatter and the smell of food, it wasn’t something I enjoyed every day.
Our current setup solves all those problems by giving us flexibility.
How To Set Up Our Outdoor RV Kitchen
Instead of cooking near the trailer, we set up our outdoor kitchen on the other side of the camper. The fire pit and chairs usually sit between the RV and the kitchen area, giving us a place to spread out and relax.
This layout makes cooking feel purposeful. It’s not fast, and it doesn’t feel like we’re cornered just to get food. Depending on the campsite, we can adjust our setup for wind direction, shade, and view.
That flexibility alone is a big reason why we can’t miss a built-in outdoor kitchen.
Our Prep and Cooking Gear
We use folding tables to have space to prepare and hold our cooking utensils. One table usually holds our Blackstone, and the other holds a propane camp stove and tabletop grill. Depending on what we are doing, we can use one, two, or all three.
We also keep a full size trash can near the kitchen. That may sound like a small thing, but it makes cleaning up faster and prevents trash from piling up around the campsite.
Nothing about this setup is fancy – but everything has a purpose.
Why We Keep Water in the Kitchen
One of the most important parts of our outdoor kitchen is the water jug. We keep it near the cooking area so we can wash our hands while cooking and wash the dishes before they go inside the RV.
A quick scrubbing outside removes food and grease before the dishes hit the sink inside the trailer. That helps save space in our gray tank and keeps house cleaning quick and easy. When dishes go inside, they usually just need a quick wash with soap and water.
This one habit makes a big difference when we are gossiping or living somewhere without communication.
Shade, Mats, and Comfortable Outdoor Living
Everything in our outdoor kitchen sits under a shade canopy. That helps a ton when we’re camping in the heat of summer, and it’s just as helpful when we’re dealing with the rain.
We also put RV mats under the kitchen area. They make cleaning easy and help keep dust and dirt under control, especially when we’re boondocking. A small addition that makes the whole place more comfortable to work in.
To avoid getting in and out of the RV all the time, I use a carrying tray to bring food and dishes from the inside to the outdoor kitchen. That keeps everything organized and saves a lot of back and forth.
Our Propane and Storage Strategy
For cooking fuel, we use a 20-pound propane tank instead of the little green one-pound bottles. It’s very reliable, durable, and works best for the type of cooking we do.
Everything in our outdoor kitchen has a place – dishes, oil, spices, fuel, torches, paper towels. Set up the kitchen with both the direction of the wind and the ideas in mind. It’s practical, functional, and easy to set up no matter where we camp.
Cooking and Eating Out Most of the Time
I love cooking outside, not just because it keeps the heat and smell out of the rig, but because of the views. When we’re boondocking, our outdoor kitchen often faces open spaces that you can’t enjoy inside an RV.
We eat out a lot too. Why look at a campsite through a window when you can enjoy it face to face?
If the weather is cold or rainy, we will still cook outside and bring food to eat. That gives us the best of both worlds.
Important Outdoor Cooking Safety Tip
If you are camping in bear country, do not leave cooking utensils, food, or food waste outside. Not only is it unsafe – it’s illegal in some areas. Always follow local laws and take wildlife safety seriously.
If You Don’t Have An Outdoor Kitchen Built In
If your RV doesn’t have a built-in outdoor kitchen, don’t worry. You can build something that works even better – like we did.
The flexible setup allows you to adapt to each campsite, control where and how you cook, and make outdoor dining a real part of your camping experience.