Perhaps you’ve been there: a darting deer with a death wish forces you to brake suddenly, and crash! All of your kitchen utensils jump, tip, or fly into the air and flop off the counter onto who-knows-where on the floor.
We all need and use kitchen utensils. The trouble is that many RV kitchens offer very little storage space for them. Let’s look at ways to solve this common problem.
First things first
It doesn’t take long before RV drawers become jammed with random kitchen tools and gadgets. This can turn simple meal prep into a veritable scavenger hunt.
Many RVers eventually realize they do not need nearly as many utensils as they originally packed. A few well-chosen cooking utensils often outperform drawers full of gadgets that rarely get used.
Take a few minutes to check your RV’s arsenal of kitchen utensils. Ask yourself questions like these:
- How many spatulas do I really use at a time?
- Could we do without two ice cream scoops?
- Would a fork scramble breakfast eggs just as well as that whisk?
Pare down the utensils by removing duplicates. Also consider what kinds of food you actually prepare when RVing. (For example: Our muffin tins noisily toured much of the country over the past several years. They banged and clattered together, irritating us for mile after noisy mile. Care to guess how many times I’ve made muffins? Zero. It’s safe to say that the muffin tins will return to our stix-n-brix home.)
Organize by purpose
Once you’ve pared down your RV’s kitchen utensils, you’re ready to organize them. Function matters more than size when organizing utensils in an RV. Instead of grouping items by length or shape, it’s usually easier to organize by activity.
Keep grilling tools together (perhaps stored with the grill). Check out these storage bags, boxes, and containers. They come in a variety of sizes and will keep all of your grilling utensils clean and together.
All of your baking supplies and utensils should be stored together when possible. Be realistic. If you and your travel buddy really enjoy visiting local bakeries, perhaps baking utensils aren’t necessary at all!
Everyday cooking utensils are best placed closest to the stovetop. This system makes cooking faster and helps avoid digging through crowded drawers.
Utensil holder
A countertop utensil holder can work well for the tools you use every day. Containers keep spatulas, tongs, and wooden spoons upright and easy to grab while cooking. Choosing a divided container helps prevent everything from becoming tangled together.
Matte finishes and weighted bottoms are especially useful in RVs because they help minimize sliding during travel. A bit of museum putty will also help the container stay in place. (I usually move the countertop utensil container to a lower cabinet on RV travel days.)
Mesh storage
Many RVers quickly discover that anything left loose on the counter can become airborne on rough roads. That is where flexible mesh storage nets come in handy. Stretchable cargo-style mesh organizers can be mounted on the wall next to the stove or inside a nearby cabinet door. These nets help keep lightweight utensils contained while freeing up valuable drawer space.
Staying organized
Keeping drawers organized without creating a “junk drawer” is another important tip for utensil organization. In a small RV kitchen, every item needs a dedicated location. Drawer dividers and small baskets can create storage zones for different utensils.
Some of the best RV storage systems cost very little. Many RVers repurpose household items they already own rather than buy expensive organizers. Empty food containers can separate utensils inside drawers, while cut-to-fit shoeboxes work surprisingly well as custom dividers.
One of the most important habits for long-term organization success is simply putting things back where they belong immediately after washing them. In a small RV, clutter builds quickly. When every utensil has a designated home, cleanup becomes easier, and the kitchen stays functional even during extended trips. Periodically removing duplicate gadgets and rarely used tools also helps prevent overcrowding.
Hint: Make sure everyone traveling with you knows and understands how you’ve organized so they can put things back into their proper space, as well.
Travel days
Travel days require an entirely different mindset. Even well-organized RV kitchens can turn into disasters if items are not secured before driving. Unsecured utensils can become projectiles on bumpy roads. At the very least, metal utensils (like my muffin tins) can rattle during travel and irritate even the calmest motorhome driver.
Use dishcloths, potholders, or kitchen towels to dampen the clattering noise. Or simply remove the utensil container and place it in a lower cabinet on travel days.
Bottom line
With the right storage containers, a few clever organizing tricks, and a travel-day routine, even the smallest RV kitchen can stay tidy, functional, and ready for life on the road.
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RVDT2921
The sink has a dish mat. The cooking utensil open canister is put in the sink during travel. The mat cushions the container and helps keep it from sliding in the sink.
Thank you for the suggestions and discussion, Gail. We must cook less, or travel less than you. In any case, all kitchen utensils stay in a kitchen drawer until needed and return there after washing. Have a great day and safe travels!