KITCHEN APPLIANCES
STOVE
Propane stoves are the most common way to cook inside a van. They are super easy to use and really compact. They can be stored pretty much anywhere in the kitchen which means no real work in the conversion process needs to made to accommodate them. One less thing to worry about! The propane required for them is also really tiny and can be stored easily. I don’t have personal experience with propane stoves but many of my friends use them and say the propane lasts a pretty long time. So need to worry about running out especially if you buy a few at a time!
Although most people do choose propane because it’s easier during the build and doesn’t take up any power, I have never been a big fan of having propane in the van. This is why I chose an induction cooktop instead which basically works just like an electric stove at home! The single burner doesn’t take up as much power as a lot of people seem to think. I cook on 250 degrees most of the time which uses about 700 Watts and bounces back up as soon as your finished using it. I love the way this stove looks when it’s installed because it’s almost flush with the countertop and just adds a really home-y feeling to the kitchen. If you want to read more about induction, I wrote this article all about it!
SINK AND FAUCET
You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to your sink because it’s really up to the style you’re looking for along with how much space you have for it. My recommendation and personal choice was this inexpensive 15″ x 15″ sink that fits perfectly with the size of the countertop and still is big enough to hold larger dishes.
If you want a farmhouse- style sink, it will definitely cost more but does look beautiful and makes the van feel very much like a home. These sinks are also quite a bit larger than other options so make sure you have ample counter space to spare!
Faucet Options:
Although I don’t have cold and hot water (as the handles may indicate), I chose this Mobile Home faucet for my van because the size was perfect for my sink, and it fit really well for the size of the van. Some faucets look perfect in an actual house but are way too bulky for a van. But this one is made for RVs and vans. My faucet and sink system is connected to a 12V water pump which allows the water to run like in any home. It’s amazing!
If you’re going for a fancier look, this faucet is beautiful and even has a pull- down extension hose. I’ve seen a few people with this faucet and they really do look incredible. The downside with this is that it’s a larger faucet like I mentioned before. It’s really tall so you need to make sure the height will work without looking odd and will work with the upper cabinets you may have above it in the kitchen. It’s also a little more expensive than the previous option, but you may think the appearance is well- worth it!
FRIDGE
Coolers:
If you want a great cooler that doesn’t need any power and also keeps things cold for a long time, Yeti is probably the best choice. Even when it’s hot, ice takes several days to melt so you won’t need to worry about it constantly. If you are on a tighter budget and want a simple cooler that won’t break the bank, this Coleman is a perfect choice. It will also keep ice frozen for a few days and is one of the cheapest options you can find. I actually have one of these up front in the van for driving snacks and drinks!
12V Fridges:
This Dometic 12V electric powered cooler is a very popular choice because Dometic is a trusted brand that works well with the van community. These models are definitely pretty pricey but totally worth it to know that you’re food will always stay cold with no issues. Because they’re 12V, you also won’t need to worry if you’ll have enough power. I’ve seen a lot of people put them on a slide out track in the kitchen to tuck them away when they aren’t in use, as well as store them between the passenger and driver seat. If you have a lower roof van such as a Chevy Express or Ford Econoline, I highly recommend looking at cooler options like this!
MY CHOICE - 110V:
My van has a standard 110V mini fridge by Magic Chef. I did not want to spend a fortune on something as simple as a fridge. I have had the same type of fridge for both builds and never had any problems with powering it. Stays on 24/7 and doesn’t drain my batteries at all. My thinking on this is that I would prefer spending money on a great electrical system that can easily maintain everything I need in the van versus saving on my electrical and spending so much on just the fridge (if that makes sense?). This fridge is super budget- friendly and can store tons of food compared to some of the smaller options. The downside with these are that it does take more critical thinking to figure out if your electrical system will be able to maintain running them versus a 12V fridge that you won’t have to worry about at all.
ACCESSORIES
This water pump is the same that I have used in both vans and it gets the job done perfectly. Having running water in a van seems crazy at first but it’s totally possible and uses for little power. This pump will allow you to run water just like a house. It makes a little noise when the faucet is on but silent when off!
How big you want your fresh water tank is entirely up to you. Some people have 20+ gallons while other have roughly 5. I use a 7 gallon fresh water tank which lasts me about a week. It’s super easy to fill up because it’s not crazy big and lasts as long as I need until getting to a store or somewhere to get more water.
After originally having a different table mount that took up a bunch of legroom, this Lagun mount has been the greatest addition to the van. It allows you to swivel your table in any direction and have all the legroom possible! It’s super easy to install and worth every penny. This has been one of my favorite purchases for the van!
I feel you are missing a lot of details on stove options. Example: Internal Propane tank vs 20lb tank vs the one you illustrate. Internal propane offers many advantages. Heat, Hot Water, Long Use, Fridge.
Also you don’t talk much about fridge type. Dual, 3 way. Pros and Cons. Freezers. Etc. Not clear on how your 110v AC fridge is not a constant drain on your system.
Just FYI – The Lagun link is broken!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this information – you are a life saver!!!
Hey! Do you find that you ever need more than one stovetop? I really like the induction stove, but thats my only reservation. Thanks!
There are induction stove options with, two burners. My dad even got one with different sizes!
Honestly I would think about if you think you will need more than one burner. This creator doesn’t but if you do, then you should do it! Do what works for you!