Can You Cook on a Campervan Stove?

One of the lovely bonuses of having a stove in your campervan is that it can also double up as a small cooking surface.

While the main purpose of a stove is to heat the van, many people enjoy using the top of the stove to warm drinks, heat simple meals or cook small dishes while the fire is burning.

It’s a simple and enjoyable way to make the most of the heat the stove is already producing.

Using the top of the stove

The top plate of a stove becomes hot while the fire is burning, which makes it perfect for placing a small pan, kettle or pot.

Many van owners use their stove to make coffee or tea in the morning, warm soup during colder evenings or slowly heat a one-pot meal.

Because the heat is steady rather than intense, cooking on a stove often works best for slower cooking or warming food rather than fast frying.

Simple meals work best

Stoves are perfect for simple cooking.

Things like soups, stews, pasta sauces or beans can all be heated easily using a small pan. Many people also keep a kettle on the stove so they always have hot water ready for drinks.

Some van owners even cook full breakfasts on their stove, although this usually requires a bit more patience and practice.

Use sturdy cookware

Because the stove surface can be quite hot, it’s best to use cookware that sits securely and can handle the heat.

Cast iron pans, small saucepans and sturdy camping kettles tend to work well.

Cooking while heating the van

One of the nice things about cooking on a stove is that you are using the heat that is already being produced.

While the stove is warming the van, it can also gently heat food or drinks at the same time. This makes it a very efficient way to cook when you’re travelling.

Take care around the hot surface

Like any stove, the surface can become very hot during use.

Always take care when placing pans on the stove and avoid overfilling them to prevent spills.

A cosy part of van life

For many people, cooking on a small stove becomes part of the charm of van life.

A warm van, a gentle fire and a hot drink on the stove can make even cold evenings feel comfortable.

Need help choosing the right stove?

If you're planning a campervan build and thinking about adding a stove, feel free to get in touch.

We’re always happy to help answer questions and talk through different setups.