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What Is The Best Way To Store Pots And Pans In An RV?


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The Best Way to Store Pots and Pans in Your RV

The Best Way to Store Pots and Pans in Your RV

What is the best storage plan for all of the kitchen food and pots and pans I have a Keystone VR1 and wonder what the best plan for all the pots and pans is. I have food storage space, but after I put in the dishes, glasses &, etc., I wonder where to put the pots and pans.

ANSWER: OK, let me start by saying that my wife and I have not had problems in this area; we have managed to make all our limited cooking supplies fit into all the RVs we've had over the years. We figured out early on that we did not need a large set of cooking utensils when RVing.

I would also like to open this question to our visitors and find out how they have solved their RV kitchen Storage Problems. Please click on the "Click here to post comments" link near the bottom of this page and tell us how you have solved your kitchen storage problems.

Important Update A little while after receiving your question, I came across this informative video about pots, pans, and other cooking utensils needed for RVing.



A lot of the cooking utensils mentioned in the video above are available at some excellent prices through Amazon, such as Mini Choppers, Cooking Sets, Silicone Steamers, Toaster Ovens, Immersion Blenders, Crock Pots and Pizza Stones.

Other Options on Storing Pots and Pans in Your RV


There are several ways to store pots and pans in an RV. Depending on the layout and
design of your RV. Some options include:

1. Size and weight: Take into consideration the size and weight of your pots and pans when choosing a storage solution. For example, larger and heavier pots and pans may not be suitable for hanging on a pot rack. Hanging them on a pot rack: This is a good option if you have limited cabinet space and can install a pot rack in your RV.

2. Accessibility: Think about how easy it will be to access your pots and pans when they are stored. You'll want to be able to grab the one you need quickly, so consider the layout and design of your RV when choosing a storage solution.

3. Protection: Ensure your pots and pans are protected from scratches and dings while they are stored. You can use pot and pan organizers or dividers to keep them separated and protect them from damage.


Stackable Pot and Pan Sets

4. Space utilization: Depending on your RV, space could be at a premium, so consider using multi-purpose storage solutions like a stackable pot and pan set that can be nested to save space. Stacking them in a cabinet: You can use pot and pan organizers or dividers to keep them from scratching or nesting together.

5. Using a pull-out cabinet: Some RVs have pull-out cabinets designed for pots and pans.

6. Storing them under the bed: If you have a bed with storage underneath, you can use this space to store your pots and pans.

The best option for you depends on your specific RV and personal preferences.

Comments for What Is The Best Way To Store Pots And Pans In An RV?

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Steamer bags
by: D. Johnson


Steamer Bags

I use steamer bags which are user-friendly and great for the microwave. And I can use one for several different veggies in the same meal. They say they are single-use but I have had great success rinsing and reusing during the same meal. They are inexpensive and make storage solutions a great idea.

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Crock pot/slow cooker
by: Red


12 Volt Crock Pot/Slow Cooker

One thing that you left out was a crock pot/slow cooker that you can plug into your 12 V outlet and be cooking dinner while you are driving down the road. This is better than setting up your RV and then wondering, 'what am I going to fix for dinner'. It is small, enough for two people, so there is not the problem of finding a place in the refrigerator to store leftovers.... It works great and most useful, not big to store in a cabinet.

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Pots and pans
by: Anonymous


Cast Iron Skillets

Camping in tents for years then pop up, then trailer to 5th wheel, we've learned to camp "lean". We use two cast iron skillets, one 8 inch and one 12 inch. We have 2 dutch ovens, a 5 and a 12 qt. We also use a small travel Green Mountain pellet grill which unlike charcoal and campfire to even propane grills and stoves will cook/bake anything and everything.

The cast iron is heavier than all the others but it's versatility for indoor, on the grill or campfire far outlays all the rest. easy to care for, easy to store. a towel or bubble wrap between.

We have a one cup keurig coffee maker and an electric sandwich maker. All fits pretty well in one cupboard. We also have one stone 9X13 pan for pot pies and other casseroles but mainly use the dutch ovens.

Closet floors are often empty and a good place to store those larger pots and bottled water.

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Storing pots
by: Anderson Pam

I use my dish towels in between each one,and store them inside the oven til we arrive at the campsite. I've hung a wooden dowel by two hooks from the ceiling as a pot rack. After we dock and set up the campsite I hang them up by large plant hooks from a garden center.

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Here's how to store the lids
by: WackyPup

Great article! I have come up with a way to store the pan Lids that is simple and you can easily find the right one. Let me know what you think. https://wackypup.blogspot.com/2015/04/starting-small.html

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Good Ideas From All
by: Anonymous

All of the comments are good. The bottom line is that you don't need a gourmet chef's kitchen in an RV.

Bubble wrap is the best liner for stacking pans and we keep oversized items (pot for corn, etc.) in a plastic bin in the back of our truck. It is amazing what you DO NOT need when you don't have it!

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Minimize!
by: Anonymous

We have a 12" non stick skillet, a 10" cast iron shower, a 1 qt sauce pan and a 3 qt sauce pan.

They all stack nicely, with a towel between the skillets to protect the nonstick surface. These 4 pans have been sufficient for our family of 4 for a decade of camping.

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Simple RV Kitchen
by: Anonymous

I agree about finding decent nesting pots with lids at a store selling used items. I added a lid for the frying pan and one simple ceramic tray for heating or cooking things in the microwave. I also carry a couple of very small oven pans. I carry a couple of different size food storage containers for leftovers.

It truly is easiest to have a separate set for the RV. We only load and unload food, clothing and medical supplies. Add the coffee pot and we're good to go.

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StorIng pots and pans
by: Anonymous

buy a vertical plastic coated wire pan/lid rack.. You "file" each skillet or lid vertically.

This keeps the items separate. If you have two small lids for one slot or to separate pans I use bubble wrap that I get in mailings. This system makes it easy to get out the skillet or lid you need without taking out the whole pile. Sauce pans are nested again with bubble wrap. After a few trips analyze if you used an item and how often. That way you can add or purge items you need.

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Going to broaden to cooking in general.
by: Anonymous

My husband and I are full timers. We live in a Keystone Passport. Weight and cupboard space are a constant concern but we have our reasons for not wanting to go bigger.

I bought a small two cup coffee maker, a small two cup food processor, a small 1 litre crock pot, a small rice cooker, a regular electric fry pan and a large countertop oven (toaster oven) with a rotisserie. For pots, well most everything cooks right in the electric appliance. I do have one small pot and one large with a tight fitting lid, aluminum, so they are lighter and a plastic box filled with an assortment of silicon bake ware (super light) one regular cast iron frypan for when we do not have electric. I have a small roaster pan and a small broiling pan which fit into my electric oven. I cook for two. I can handle everything, even a small turkey. Everything except the roasting pan and oven, fit in the space under my kitchen sink. The roasting pan is light so it goes up high next to the dish towels which I keep in a large clear plastic box. The oven stays on the back corner of the counter even when we travel. The trick is to cook small. Cut the typical recipe down to fit the small containers. If we have company, we cook outdoors.

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Pot & Pans!
by: Anonymous

You don't need to bring your entire kitchen! Nesting, light weight pans, with bubble wraps between, do the trick for almost everything needed.

We cut down on almost everything and don't bring large containers for food either (Just bring what you need in smaller containers or zip-type bags. For special needs like the large pot for corn or the griddle, we pack items into a plastic tub and store them in our vehicle until we need them. We even had room for most of the food we'd need for a 7000 mile, 5-week trip, by planning ahead. You can too!

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Camping Pots and Pans
by: Anonymous

I use camping pots and pans - the pots share a common handle and the pans have folding handles. Works great for us. All our pots and pans fit neatly in a drawer under the oven.

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Nesting Pots/Pans are the BEST!
by: Anonymous

Hello - as full timers in our 7th year, there are a few things we found early on, that I wouldn't want to be without. The Fagor Nesting Cookware Set (with removable handles) is one of those! It used to be sold at Camping World
icon. They clean up beautifully, cook evenly, and take up only the space of the one, largest, pot! I store them inside the oven, with coffee filters between them (they are engineered to fit very neatly together with the lids on, so there's no room to put anything fancy or thick between them). Here's a link to the set on Amazon (there are some other sets pictured below that seem to be similar). Expensive, but well worth it!

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where to put the pots and pans
by: Cheryl Lewis

i keep my large frying pans, pizza pan and smaller sauce pots in my oven lined between each pan with bubble wrap; I store my other pots stacking into each other in bottom cupboard lined with bubble wrap or paper towel; my corelle dishes are stakced on wire racks lined with shelving liner so they won't slide and to separate large & small plates and bowls; my cups/mugs hang on hooks; I store other plastic containers and my crock pot & blener under kitchen table benches. you can purchase collapsible strainers that fold flat i keep that with my cutting boards under my sink where i keep my dish drainer; the important part is to keep something between each pot or pan to prevent banging (noises) and damage (breakage).

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Pots and Pan Storage
by: dnewton58

I found a flat plastic container that would fit in the storage area under one of the table benches. Then you can just slide it in and out and have easy access to all your pots and pans.

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how to store pots and pans in a keystone vr1
by: Terri

hi. i also have a keystone vr1, and i know EXACTLY what you mean about limited storage for your pots and pans. mine has the kitchen sink in the corner closest to the bathroom, and what i did was, i went to the hardware store, and got some of those small hooks that screw into the walls, that need no back support, i screwed them into the walls underneath the sink. (there is quite alot of storage space under the sink in mine), and the hooks are exactly the size to hang my pots and pans on. as someone else said though, you may need to lighten your pots and pans, to what you absolutely need in an rv, or travel trailer.

i have a large and a small pan, and a large and small pot, and your big pots for boiling crawfish, etc... will fit nicely on the floor behind the drawers. and you can only use 3 of them at a time, anyways, so i went through my pots and pans, and what i didnt need, i gave to my daughter, and when im not on the road, i live close to my daughter, so they are always there if i need them. LOL!

i hope this helps, it has worked for me.
best of luck!

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Comments From The Everything About RVing Facebook Fan Page.
by: RVing Al

Here are some great comments we received on this topic on the Everything About RVing Facebook Fan Page:

Dale Paris: under the bench in the booth

Kristie Carlson: In a cupboard

Ruth E Espinoza: very carefully

Virginia Hays: In the back of our pantry-with either towels or pot holders between them so they don't make noise

Carol Luetjen: in the bottom drawer under stove w/webbed drawer liner between or bubble wrap

Susan Baron: mine are in the cabinet, with paper plates in between to keep my nonstick pans from scratching

Pat Veldhouse: I use Rubbermaid shelf liner underneath everything to keep in place and paper towels between pans, glass dishes.

Sherry Noblit Straisinger: We have a 5th w/rear kitchen, items in the very back tend to bounce around alot, keep lightweight unbreakables in those cabinets. Pots and pans, in bottom cabinets toward center of trailer stacked with non-slip foam shelf liner in between, less bounce there.

Also heavy items like crock pots, electric skillets etc. cut strips of foam shelf liner to place between appliance and lid to keep from breaking. Knock on wood, 5 years, so far nothing broken.

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Rare earth magnets
by: Fulgrim Wolfborn

Drill a hole in the shelf, insert magnet, and presto! Instant foundation for nesting.

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Nest them
by: Fred Wishnie

We're full timers so need a complete kitchen. We have no problem storing 3 frying pans and 3 sauce pans along with 2 pots. They all nest and we use paper plates as separators.

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One fits into the other.
by: abacusblack.

First you must decide how many people are in the r.v. most of the time. If it is two then you only need two pots,(a soup pot with a lid only big enough for a serving of 2 or 3 for soup/stew/pasta or boiling eggs.

A small saucepan for sauces, single servings of the above mentioned foods or heating small portions of left overs.

The same for saute pans, one larger pan for breakfast and a smaller saute pan for just two items.

place paper towels in the bottom of the larger pot and place the smaller one inside. place pots and lids into large zip lock bag. Same with saute pans. You can store anywhere without worrying about the pots and pans messing anything or becoming separated.

Mine are stored under the sink with the pans on edge and the pots beside them.

I have a class B Motorhome.

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