Maya Larsen
Six years full-time in a Sprinter 144, formerly a mechanical engineer at a renewable energy startup. Maya runs every power-system test on this site with a Victron BMV-712 shunt and writes the deep technical reviews. If a number is in a Maya review, she measured it twice.
Reviews by Maya
All reviews
Dometic CFX3 35 Powered Cooler
Iceco VL35 ProS 12V Fridge Freezer
Whynter FM-45G 45-Quart Dual Zone Portable Fridge Freezer
Costway 30Qt 12V Portable Compressor Refrigerator
Alpicool C20 12V Portable Compressor Fridge
Dometic CFX3 45 Powered Cooler
Iceco JP30 Pro 12V Fridge Freezer
Whynter FM-62DZ 62-Quart Dual Zone Fridge Freezer
FoodSaver VS0160 Compact Vacuum Sealer
Frigidaire EFIC189 Countertop Ice Maker
Guides by Maya
All guides
The Complete Van Life 12V Fridge Guide (2026)
The definitive resource on 12V compression refrigeration for van life — how they work, how to size them, how to power them, and the 8 fridges we've tested at every price tier. Every review and guide in one place.
The Complete Van Life Cooktop Guide (2026)
Every fuel type, every product tier, every trade-off — the definitive guide to choosing a portable cooktop for van life. Induction, butane, propane, multi-fuel, with 9 products compared.
The Complete Van Life Cookware Guide (2026)
Nesting sets, cast iron, stainless, titanium — the definitive guide to cookware for small-space van kitchens. 9 cooksets reviewed, plus the two-pan kit that covers every meal.
The Complete Van Life Water Filtration Guide (2026)
Gravity pitchers, inline RV filters, pocket purifiers, emergency straws — every approach to clean water in a van, and the 6 filters we've actually tested across contaminant profiles and use cases.
The Complete Van Kitchen Storage Guide (2026)
Hard cases, weathertight bins, slide-out drawers, magnetic racks — the definitive guide to organizing a van galley. 6 storage systems tested, plus the modular approach that survives washboard roads.
The Complete Van Life Solar Cooking Guide (2026)
Can you really cook with the sun from a van? The definitive guide to tube cookers, box ovens, and hybrid solar-electric systems — 4 products compared, with honest notes on what actually works.
The Complete Van Life Coffee Guide (2026)
Pour-over, AeroPress, moka pot, espresso, French press — the definitive guide to making coffee on the road. 8 coffee tools tested, with the one-gear-list-for-one-morning-ritual recommendation.
The Complete Van Kitchen Knives & Prep Guide (2026)
The two-knife rule, the mandoline question, the cutting board debate — the definitive guide to knives and prep tools for van kitchens. 5 tools tested, plus safe storage and sharpening for life on the road.
Best Portable Cooktops for Van Life (2026)
The top 5 portable cooktops for van life, ranked by fuel type and price tier. Induction, butane, propane — every editor's pick with real power numbers, boil times, and the trade-offs that matter.
Best Van Life Cookware Sets (2026)
The 5 best cookware sets for van life in 2026, from $60 weekender kits to $400 marine-grade nested sets. Every option tested on real van builds with real cooking loads.
Best Water Filters for Van Life (2026)
The 5 water filters every van dweller should consider — from $40 backup filters to $200 premium inline systems. Ranked by contaminant coverage, daily use, and honest budget.
Best Van Kitchen Storage Solutions (2026)
Pantry bins, slide-out drawers, magnetic spice racks, rugged hard cases — the 5 storage products every van kitchen should consider in 2026, with real-world use case tests.
Best Coffee Gear for Van Life (2026)
The 6 coffee tools we carry in our van kitchens in 2026 — from a $45 AeroPress to a $100 portable espresso press. Ranked by real-world daily use and taste ceiling.
Best Van Kitchen Knives and Prep Tools (2026)
The 5 prep tools every van kitchen should own in 2026 — from a $22 Opinel folding knife to a $55 heirloom maple cutting board. Tested across real daily-use conditions.
Winter Van Kitchen Essentials: Gear Guide for Sub-Freezing Cooking (2026)
The gear that keeps a van kitchen functional when temperatures drop below freezing — cold-rated butane, insulated cookware, freeze-proof water systems, and the backup heat sources that actually work.
Summer Van Kitchen Survival Guide: Cooking in 100°F Heat (2026)
How to cook real meals in a van when the interior hits 110°F — solar cooking, outdoor prep zones, heat-shedding gear, and the workflow changes that keep the cabin livable in peak summer.
How to Choose the Right 12V Fridge for Your Van
Compression vs thermoelectric, sizing your battery around the fridge, and the specs that actually matter. The 12V fridge decides every other power choice in your build.
How to Size Your Van Kitchen Power Budget
A worked example of sizing a lithium battery and solar array around a realistic kitchen load — fridge, induction cooktop, water pump, and lights.
Induction vs Butane vs Propane: Which Wins in a Van?
An honest head-to-head of the three main van cooktop fuel sources — with real power, cost, and cold-weather numbers.
Cold-Weather Van Cooking: Gear & Power Strategy
Why induction falls apart below freezing, why butane underperforms in cold, and the winter cooking setup that actually works.
Choosing a Battery Bank for Your Van Kitchen
How to size, spec, and install a lithium battery bank for a van kitchen running fridge, induction, and water pump. Includes 100Ah, 200Ah, and 300Ah build comparisons.
Van Cooking Safety: Carbon Monoxide, Fire, and Burns
The three safety risks every van cook needs to manage — CO from propane and butane, fire from grease and fabric, and burns from tight quarters. With the gear and habits that prevent each one.
Best Cooktop for Van Life: Complete Buyer's Guide (2026)
Every cooktop type ranked for van life — induction, butane, propane, multi-fuel — with the editor's pick at each price tier. Ten products tested, real boil times, real power numbers.
Van Cookware Materials: Cast Iron vs Carbon Steel vs Stainless vs Titanium
The five cookware materials van dwellers actually choose between — cast iron, carbon steel, tri-ply stainless, hard-anodized nonstick, and titanium — with the two-pan kit recommendation that covers every cooking task.
Best 12V Fridge by Budget: Under $300, Under $700, Under $1500
The top-pick van fridge at three price tiers, with the head-to-head comparison and the upgrade path. Includes the entry-level Costway, the value Iceco, and the premium Dometic CFX3.