Thinking of heading off on the open road with your caravan or camper? You’re not alone! The UK caravanning industry grew by more than 3% between 2015 and 2020. Around one-third of that growth has taken place this year, as more and more holidaymakers opt for ‘staycations’ in light of the pandemic.
According to Visit Britain, the average length of a domestic holiday in the UK is three nights, which means that you’re probably going to need to fire up the burners at some point during your trip. After all, you can’t survive on the local fish & chips alone! So, what are some good tips for cooking on the road
1. Consider Your Kitchen Options
You can’t whip up fabulous on-the-road meals without a fabulous on-the-road kitchen. But what does ‘fabulous’ really mean in this scenario? You’ll find that some caravans have full-on pull-out pantries which look incredible, but they can take up a lot of space, especially in a smaller mobile home. Instead, it’s best to focus on the three core features of any good kitchen: storage cupboards (with fully closable, high-quality kitchen doors to keep the local wildlife at bay), a burner or hotplate, and some sort of cooling appliance. For short trips, you may be able to get away with a portable fridge, but for longer journeys, it’s worth making space for a permanent fridge or icebox. Even if you go all-electric, a small gas bottle is great for BBQs.
2. Personalise Your Space
A kitchen is no longer just a place for cooking; it’s a space where you can really show off your personality through your culinary skills, and it’s easier to get creative in a space that’s truly ‘yours’. Just because your caravan kitchen is simple doesn’t mean it has to be basic. You can personalise your space in many different ways. However, it’s best not to play around with the overall layout. Caravan kitchens are usually positioned over the wheel, for better weight distribution, and opposite a door for improved ventilation and safety. Instead, focus your efforts on design aspects, such as your kitchen doors. Made to measure kitchen doors are ideal for caravans with sizings that aren’t quite standard. Upgrading your kitchen doors in a used camper or caravan can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your home-from-home.
3. Keep it Simple
Recent research by Tesco, as part of their Food Love Stories campaign, shows that 40% of Brits feel more passionate about cooking since lockdown started. More than 75% want to keep cooking from scratch as lives return to normal. However, one of the best pieces of advice for caravanners is to keep it simple, and leave the really elaborate dishes for home. Planning simple meals in advance means that there’s no need to pack the awning away and head off to the local shops every day. One-pot meals such as pasta, chilli, and fajitas significantly minimise the amount of washing up you’ll be faced with, leaving you with more time to enjoy the local scenery, and to really kick back and relax.
If you’re thinking of upgrading the kitchen doors and panels in your caravan or camper, give us a call today for further information.