
For: Checking fridge temperatures
AcuRite 00986M Wireless Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer
Two wireless sensors and one display that show current, high and low temperatures with an out-of-range alarm.

Compared on published specs and manufacturer documentation, with sources. No sponsored fluff.
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For: Checking fridge temperatures
Two wireless sensors and one display that show current, high and low temperatures with an out-of-range alarm.

For: Small vans, low power draw
A smaller step down from the BougeRV 30 qt: 21 quarts, compressor cooling and a low-voltage cutoff at a budget price. Alpicool publishes no rated wattage or ventilation clearance, so plan with margin.

For: Exposed, bolt-down mounting
A 60-liter single-zone fridge-freezer with a 304 stainless body and lid, a weatherproof control panel, a 4-digit PIN lock and threaded inserts for bolting down.

For: Weekend trips, first builds
A light, compact 30-quart compressor fridge-freezer at a budget price. No app and not a Secop, but a sensible budget pick for weekend trips and first builds.

For: CFX5 35 pull-out access
Dometic's own pull-out slide for its 35 and 45 size class, listed as fitting the CFX5 35, CFX5 45 and comparable legacy CFX3 models, with a 220 lb (100 kg) load rating, a latching mechanism and a dust cover.

For: Simple single-zone 45L
A roomy, simple 45L Dometic with a low rated efficiency figure for its Australian model, but a step down from the CFX3 and CFX5 in display and app features, at a premium price.

For: 36L single-zone with Wi-Fi
The CFX5 35's predecessor: a 36L single-zone VMSO3 fridge with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi app control, the same footprint as the CFX5 and a lower published US energy figure. Amazon stock is limited, so check the listing.

For: Premium compact single zone
The smallest CFX5: 25 litres with the same app, color display and VMSO 3.5 compressor as the CFX5 35, in a box 22.4 inches long.

For: Quiet 35L with app control
The CFX3 35's successor adds vacuum insulated panels, a quieter VMSO 3.5 compressor, and a weatherproof color display. The premium 35L pick, if the price fits.

For: Large single zone with ice
A 55-litre single-zone CFX5 with a built-in ice maker, app control and a reversible lid.

For: Large dual-zone fridge-freezer
A 75-liter dual-zone CFX5 with two lids, a 45 L and a 30 L zone, vacuum insulated panels and app control.

For: Built-in upright galley fridge
A front-opening upright compressor fridge built into cabinetry, with door shelves, two crispers and a removable 4.4 L frozen compartment for pre-frozen food.

For: Compact dual-zone cooling
A compact 20-litre fridge-freezer with a removable divider for two separately set zones, a Secop compressor and app control, at 27.5 lb.

For: Wheeled 40L, narrow bays
A 40L single-zone Secop fridge with wheels, a reversible lid and Bluetooth app at a mid-range price. Same footprint as the old JP30 Pro, 10 liters more inside.

For: Steel-cased 35L single zone
The value 35L option: a Secop compressor, solid insulation and simple controls for considerably less than the Dometic CFX5 35, without an app.

For: Steel-cased 45L single zone
The 45-litre version of the VL35 ProS: same footprint, Secop compressor, steel case and lid that opens from either side, 2.4 inches taller.

For: Full-time dual-zone cooling
True dual zone at a mid-range price: 60L, two lids and setpoints, Secop compressor and a steel cabinet. Heavy and power-hungry, but strong value for families.

For: Table light for cooking
A 500-lumen rechargeable lantern with warm 2700K and cool 5700K whites and published CRI 90 colour rendering, which helps when you judge food by colour after dark.

For: Small hanging light, USB-C
A 98-gram, palm-sized lantern that charges by USB-C and hangs from its built-in bungee. BioLite rates it at 150 lumens for 5 hours or 5 lumens for 40 hours, IPX4, with warm-white dimming and colour modes.

For: Awning and campsite ambience
A 44-foot, 20-bulb warm-white string light that runs from a detachable 14.8 Wh hub you charge by USB-C or its built-in solar panel. BioLite rates it at up to 140 lumens, 40 hours on low and 8 on high, IPX4.

For: Wet camp kitchens
A 400-lumen AAA headlamp rated IPX8, tested at 1.1 m underwater for 30 minutes, with AAAs included and the option of Black Diamond's separately sold BD 1500 rechargeable.

For: Magnetic USB-C task lantern
A compact nine-mode lantern with 360°, forward and down-facing light, red modes, a magnetic top and a retractable hook.

For: USB-powered under-shelf lighting
Four chainable 110-lumen LED lights that run from any USB port, for spreading light along a galley shelf or awning from one power bank, station or 12 V USB socket.

For: Off-grid and emergency light
A 600-lumen warm-white lantern you can charge by USB, from a Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar panel, or with its hand crank.

For: Magnetic warm galley light
An aluminium lantern with a magnet, two hooks and a removable stand, so it can stick to van steel, hang or stand.

For: Light headlamp, three colour temperatures
A 50 g headlamp whose main beam switches between 3000K warm, 4500K neutral and 6500K cool white, with red light, 400 lumens at most and USB-C charging in about 75 minutes.

For: USB-C task light
A 625-lumen hybrid headlamp that charges its CORE battery over USB-C in 3.5 hours and also runs on three AAAs.

For: Full-height camp seating
A big steel-frame quad-fold chair with a 19-inch seat height, an 800 lb rating, a quilted seat, and armrests with cup holders and pockets.

For: Standing-height prep table
An aluminium roll-top whose legs adjust from 27 to 39 inches, so it can be raised to counter height for standing prep and lowered for dining.

For: Flat-stored stainless prep table
A one-piece 44.5 x 29.5 inch stainless steel top on locking aluminium legs that folds to about 2 inches thick, so it stores in a slot rather than a bag.

For: Small stove stand
A small one-piece aluminium table that folds flat to 2 inches thick and weighs 4 lb, with a 60 lb rating and a top GCI describes as heat resistant and safe for a small camp stove.

For: Rocking chair that folds flat
A steel-frame rocking chair that uses spring shocks instead of curved runners, so it rocks on flat ground and folds flat to 5.5 inches thick.

For: Full outdoor cook station
A one-piece folding camp kitchen: a 52-inch-wide frame with a heat-resistant aluminium main top that GCI says is for camp stoves, four fold-out side tables, a lower rack and hooks.

For: Smallest packed seating
An aluminium-pole chair that packs to 14 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches and about 2 lb, with a 320 lb rating and a 5-year warranty.

For: Packable chair with head support
A high-back version of the Helinox pole chair: a 27-inch backrest with a headrest flap, longer legs that put the seat's front edge 18.5 inches up, and a 320 lb rating, at 3 lb 6 oz and an 18.5 x 6 x 4.5 inch packed…

For: Group dining and prep
A full-size roll-top table with an aluminium slat top on a folding steel frame: 47 by 28 inches open, 28 inches high, rated for 70 lb, and packed into a 30 x 9 x 6 inch bag at about 15 lb.

For: Reclining and swinging at camp
A folding steel-frame chair whose suspended seat swings and auto-reclines when you lean back, with a padded headrest and two cup holders.

For: Espresso and filter, one grinder
A full-size, all-round hand grinder with an external dial of 100 clicks per rotation at 20 microns per click, a heptagonal steel conical burr and a 35-40 g magnetic catch cup.

For: Hand-grinding one or two cups
A 365g steel-burr hand grinder that nests inside an AeroPress, with a 30-click numbered dial and no glass to break. Excellent for one or two pour-over cups, but it holds only 15–20g.

For: One-cup travel coffee
A compact one-cup brewer that suits van life well: a brew of a minute or two, a plastic body with no glass to break, and cleanup that is mostly a rinse. A sensible first piece of coffee gear for a small kitchen.

For: Strong stovetop coffee, gas hobs
The Italian stovetop classic, made since 1933. Brews about 250 ml of strong coffee in around 5 minutes with no electricity on gas or electric hobs (induction only with Bialetti's adapter plate).

For: Pour-over on shore power
A pour-over kettle for vans with shore power or a large inverter. Gooseneck spout for a controlled pour, 1 L capacity, 1-degree temperature control and a 60-minute hold, but it needs 1200 W at 120 V AC and Bonavita's…

For: Brewing and drinking in one mug
A 16 oz vacuum-insulated travel mug with a built-in press. ESPRO says it brews 12 oz with its dual micro-filter in place, weighs 9.6 oz, accepts paper filters, and stops extraction after you plunge.

For: Lever espresso with pressure gauge
A manual lever espresso maker that folds into a 9.5 x 5.25 x 4 in case. Flair rates it for 6-9 bar with a built-in pressure gauge, a 12-18 g dose and a 45 ml yield, and its thin-walled cylinder needs no preheating.

For: Backup single-cup pour-over
An inexpensive backup pour-over that fits in a glove box. Folds flat, weighs almost nothing, and clips onto a cup or thermos for a single-serving pour-over without paper filters.

For: Pour-over with a gooseneck kettle
A widely used pour-over cone. The porcelain Hario V60 02 brews 1-4 cups and gives fine control over extraction, which suits a fixed, padded spot in a van and an owner with a gooseneck kettle, scale and burr grinder.

For: Pour-over without an inverter
A stainless stovetop gooseneck kettle with no electronics, so it needs no inverter. Hario rates it at 1.2 L total and 800 ml practical capacity, and the Amazon listing says it works on induction (IH), gas and electric.

For: Repeatable pour-over and espresso
A slim coffee scale and timer that weighs to 2,000 g, in 0.1 g steps up to 200 g, which covers bean doses and espresso shots. It runs on two AAA batteries, so there's nothing to charge, and it's 29 mm thin for a drawer.

For: Iced coffee without heat
A no-power, no-fuel way to make iced coffee in a hot van: 175 g of coarse coffee and 24 oz of water steep for 12 to 24 hours and drain themselves into a glass carafe as 16 oz of concentrate, which OXO says makes 5 to 7…

For: Coffee for several, no glass
A French press with no glass to break. Stanley says the vacuum-insulated stainless body keeps coffee hot for 4 hours after brewing, it brews 48 oz at once, and it is backed by Stanley's lifetime warranty.

For: Manual espresso, no power
Manual espresso in a van. Wacaco rates it at 18 bar, it pulls a double shot in about 30 seconds, fits in a coat pocket, and needs no electricity. A premium option for espresso in a small space.

For: Acidic sauces, no seasoning
A premium tri-ply stainless pan (steel-aluminum-steel) that is induction compatible, responds quickly to heat changes, handles acidic sauces and needs no seasoning. Lighter than cast iron, but it costs considerably more.

For: Nonstick on induction
A 10-inch nonstick pan with a stainless steel mesh in the surface and a full-cap stainless base.

For: Induction searing, quicker response
A 3 mm carbon steel fry pan with a beeswax finish and no synthetic coating, made in France.

For: Gas-stove cook kit for four
Two 18/8 stainless pots, a 9" fry pan and dinnerware for four, nested into an 8.4" sack. Durable stainless with a lifetime warranty for gas stoves, but plastic dishes, one clip-on gripper, and not for induction.

For: Light 4-person kit (gas)
The current version of GSI's nesting 4-person kit, with a ceramic nonstick coating instead of the old PTFE. Complete and compact, but no induction, a heat-sensitive coating, and a higher price than the stainless Glacier.

For: Braising, baking, one-pot meals
A 5-quart cast iron Dutch oven for roasting, baking bread and simmering stews. With no coating to wear off it is hard to damage in normal use.

For: Searing on any cooktop
A versatile first pan for a van kitchen. Pre-seasoned cast iron with no coating to wear off, induction-compatible, hard to damage in normal use, and inexpensive.

For: Induction-ready nesting cookware
Marine-grade nesting cookware designed for boat galleys. A 5 qt stock pot, three sauce pans and a 10" sauté pan, with lids and two removable handles, nested into less than half a cubic foot.

For: Solo stainless pot
A 1.6 L stainless pot with a lid that the folding handle holds shut for transport. MSR's all-stainless build has no coating to wear out. MSR doesn't list induction compatibility, so check with a magnet.

For: Collapsible pot for induction
The X-Pot's successor fixes its biggest flaw: a three-ply stainless base that works on induction. Collapses to 2.5 in with a lockable lid, but it's over twice as heavy and not for campfires.

For: Ultralight solo or duo cooking
The lightest cookware set on this site: a 4-piece titanium set of two pots whose lids double as small frying pans, at 11.6 oz.

For: Induction kit for two
A cook-and-eat kit for two built around an 8.75-inch tri-ply 18/8 stainless fry pan with a fold-and-lock handle.

For: Nonstick with detachable handles
Aluminium pans with T-fal's Platinum PTFE nonstick coating and an induction base, plus two detachable handles. Remove the handles and the pans stack. T-fal lists the set at 11.07 lb and 13.0 x 13.0 x 7.1 in stacked.

For: Induction rice, pasta and soup
A 3-quart tri-ply saucepan with an aluminium core between two layers of 18/10 stainless steel.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Outdoor wood-fuel cooking
A wood-burning camp stove that generates electricity from fire. Burn sticks, pinecones and other biomass to cook a meal while charging a phone from the built-in 3W thermoelectric generator. Outdoor use only.
Outdoor use onlyFor: High-output outdoor propane cooking
A higher-output two-burner propane stove: Camp Chef rates each burner at 20,000 BTU, with matchless ignition on both. Its manual says outdoor use only and not in or on recreational vehicles.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Regulated outdoor propane, two burners
Coleman's regulated Triton+ two-burner with InstaStart push-button ignition, rated at 22,000 BTU across two adjustable burners. Coleman labels it for outdoor use only and not for RV use.

For: Induction with a large inverter
A budget induction hob with 1800W maximum output and 15 power levels. Induction puts heat straight into the pan, but at full power it needs a large inverter and battery bank, so check your system before you buy.

For: Two-pan induction cooking
Two induction zones on one 120 V outlet, sharing a single 1,800 W supply: the left zone reaches 1,800 W and the right 1,000 W, and together they never exceed 1,800 W.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Backup butane burner (outdoors)
A budget single-burner butane stove for a backup or outdoor second burner. No electricity, piezo ignition with a safety shut-off and a carry case.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Compact outdoor propane two-burner
A compact two-burner propane stove, 18.3 x 12.9 x 3.8 inches, with piezo ignition, wraparound windscreens and a lifetime warranty.
Outdoor use onlyFor: High-output outdoor butane
Iwatani's 15,000 BTU/h butane cassette stove, CSA-listed as commercial foodservice equipment.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Outdoor butane cooking
Iwatani's current 12,000 BTU cassette stove adds a built-in windbreaker and lever-free magnetic canister lock over the ZA-3HP. A well-built butane option that costs considerably more than the ZA-3HP.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Fast outdoor boiling
An integrated canister stove built to boil water fast: Jetboil rates it at two minutes per half-litre, and the burner and a 100 g canister pack inside the 1-litre pot.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Compact two-burner outdoor cooking
A two-burner propane stove that folds and packs with its own 5 L pot and 10-inch fry pan into a 10.3 x 7.2-inch bag. Each burner is rated at 10,000 BTU/h with fine simmer control.
Outdoor use onlyFor: Van-and-backpacking canister stove
An ultralight canister stove that weighs 2.6 ounces and, by MSR's rating, boils a liter in 3.5 minutes on IsoPro fuel.

For: Precise low-heat induction
Nuwave's PIC Gold, now sold as the Gold Precision: 1,500 W with 900 and 600 W settings and 100–575°F temperature control. The lower-wattage modes make it easier on a smaller inverter.

For: Low-profile 55-liter passive cooler
A one-piece rotomolded 54-liter cooler with one-handed rubber latches, a deep-freeze lid seal and an included basket.

For: Compact bear-certified cooler
A compact, narrow rotomolded cooler with 2 inches of insulation, silicone gaskets, stainless-hardware draw latches, IGBC bear-resistant certification and a 10-year warranty listed.

For: Sealed multi-day soft cooler
A 32-quart soft cooler with all-welded seams, a TPU-laminated 840D shell and a welded waterproof zipper, plus a vacuum valve to pull air from the walls.

For: Rolling big loads at camp
A 70-quart, 112-can wheeled cooler with 10-inch never-flat wheels, a locking steel telescoping handle, a butler tray and a lockable dry compartment.

For: Large groups and long trips
A 72-quart hard cooler with two inches of polyurethane foam, a freezer-grade gasket, a lockable stainless hasp and a lifetime guarantee.

For: Most space per pound
An injection-molded hard cooler that RTIC says is more than 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers of the same size: 76 cans or 51 lb of ice at 21 lb empty, with an up-to-7-days ice claim under RTIC's published cooling…

For: Carrying lunch away from camp
A backpack-style soft cooler with a magnetic MagShield opening, closed-cell foam and an RF-welded leakproof liner.

For: Carry-out and drinks cooler
A 6.8 lb soft tote cooler with a welded leakproof liner, magnetic closure plus buckles, and room for 42 cans or 32 lb of ice.

For: Rolling a loaded cooler
A rotomolded hard cooler on solid wheels with a retractable handle, built for car campers who move a loaded cooler from the vehicle to a picnic table or campsite.

For: Bear country weekend trips
A rotomolded hard cooler with up to 3 inches of polyurethane, rubber T-latches and IGBC bear-resistant approval when locked with padlocks, in a footprint close to a 35-liter 12V fridge.

For: Spare water that packs flat
A 1-litre soft bottle that weighs under 2 oz and rolls up when it's empty, so a spare litre of water capacity takes almost no drawer space.

For: All-day cold water
A double-wall vacuum insulated bottle that Hydro Flask rates to keep water cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. The wide mouth fits ice cubes, the powder coat prevents condensation, and it is backed by a lifetime warranty.

For: Insulated bottle, swappable caps
An insulated wide-mouth bottle from a B Corp, Climate Neutral certified maker, shipped with a straw Twist Cap for cold water and compatible with every TKWide cap.

For: Sipping water while driving
A 24 oz insulated bottle with a lid that lets you sip through a built-in straw or tilt and swig from a wider spout. Owala rates it at 24 hours cold and calls the locking push-button lid leak-proof.

For: Hot drinks for several people
A 48 oz vacuum bottle with a twist-and-pour stopper, an insulated lid cup and a collapsible handle, built to keep a morning's coffee, tea or broth hot all day for two or more.

For: Cup-holder sipping while driving
A flip-straw insulated tumbler built for car cup holders, for cold water on driving days. The 2.0 adds a removable spout and replaceable seal.

For: Hot meals away from the stove
A 16 oz wide-mouth vacuum food jar that Thermos says keeps food hot up to 10 hours and cold up to 24, with a Dura-Guard pressure relief stopper and a stow-away spoon.

For: Wine and cocktails outdoors
A stemless, vacuum-insulated 10 oz cup with a ceramic lining, sized for wine or a cocktail at camp. It's low and slim enough for a camp chair's cupholder and won't shatter like glass.

For: Camp coffee while parked
The current Rambler 14 oz mug adds a ceramic lining for cleaner-tasting coffee and a base that nests for storage. Vacuum insulation keeps parked-van mornings hot, but it won't fit cupholders or seal.

For: Shared cold water at camp
A 64 oz vacuum-insulated stainless jug that holds a day's drinking water for one person, or a shared cold-water supply at camp.

For: Hot coffee while driving
A slim 16 oz travel mug with a locking flip-open lid, about 9 oz empty. Zojirushi states its test conditions: water starting at 203°F in a 68°F room is 158°F after six hours.

For: Quieter drawers and cabinets
A cushioned, non-adhesive foamed-PVC liner with an open scrim that cuts to size with scissors.

For: Stackable overland storage
A single polypropylene storage box with a water- and dust-resistant lid that nests when stacked. Sized for roof racks, drawers and overland setups.

For: Pantry dry-goods bins
A budget pantry system: six identical 19-quart latching bins with gasketed lids, suited to dry goods and spare kitchen gear. Measure your cabinet first; each bin is 17.5 x 11.8 x 7.9 inches outside.

For: Fridge leftovers, nests when empty
Five rectangular containers from 8 to 101 fl oz with lockable lids, which nest into one 9.75 x 6.5 x 8 in box when empty.

For: Spices on a steel surface
Four magnetic shelves, 24 4-oz glass shaker jars and 216 labels at a modest price. Great value, but in a van it needs a steel plate to mount on and a strap or closed cabinet to keep jars put.

For: Quiet, scratch-free stacked pans
Three molded silicone protectors for 8, 10 and 12-inch frying pans that stop stacked pans knocking and scratching.

For: Grocery run to the fridge
A grocery tote with freezable gel built into the walls and base that PackIt says keeps groceries chilled "for hours" without ice. Useful for the drive between the grocery store and the van fridge.

For: Electronics and knife storage
Pelican's top-loading Protector case with foam, which Pelican certifies IP67 and backs with a lifetime guarantee. More than a pantry needs, but a good fit for electronics, documents or knife storage.

For: Wheeled bulk storage
A wheeled 108-quart polypropylene trunk (Plano model 191900) with padlock-ready latches and a textured lid that grips gear stacked on top.

For: Latched dry-goods storage
Three 3.35-litre rectangular containers with built-in seals and four locking clips per lid. Sistema lists each at 255 x 175 x 117 mm (10.0 x 6.9 x 4.6 in) and 265.7 g.

For: Keeping cabinet doors shut
A positive-locking marine latch that latches itself when the door closes and opens only when you pull the flush knob, so contents leaning on a van cabinet door or drawer front don't open it.

For: Flexible fridge and freezer storage
Four platinum food-grade silicone bags with Stasher's Pinch-Loc seal: one half-gallon (64 oz), two sandwich (28 oz) and one snack (12 oz) bag.

For: Waterproof gear storage
A premium waterproof gear case for kitchen kit, with modular dividers and a stackable lid. More than a pantry needs, but a good fit for gear that has to stay dry and protected.

For: Fast, uniform vegetable slicing
An affordable Japanese mandoline widely used by professional cooks. It makes paper-thin radishes, uniform potato slices for gratins and julienned carrots much faster than a knife, and it packs into a drawer.

For: Light board for small counters
A quarter-inch paper-composite board that weighs under a pound by the listing, needs no oiling and tolerates water, which Epicurean backs by calling it dishwasher safe and maintenance free.

For: Draining pasta, storing flat
A 3.6-quart platinum-cured silicone colander with an embedded steel rim, rated to 425°F, that folds flat for storage.

For: Sharpening without water
A compact rolling sharpener: a diamond disc and a stainless honing disc on one roller, plus a magnetic angle block with fixed 15 and 20 degree sides.

For: Main prep board, one counter
A 1.5-inch, reversible edge-grain hard maple board sized for a van galley.

For: Enclosing knives in a drawer
A two-tier bamboo in-drawer knife block, the storage method our knife guides rank most secure for a moving van.

For: Cleaning cast iron
A stainless chainmail scrubber with a silicone core for cleaning cast iron. It lifts stuck food with hot water and leaves seasoning largely intact; Lodge says a little mild soap is fine.

For: Vegetable prep on small counters
A thin, light, Japanese-made santoku: MAC lists a 6.75 in blade, 2.0 mm thickness and 5.4 oz.

For: Folding knife for picnics, trail
A French folding knife made since 1890: a 3.28-inch Sandvik 12C27 stainless blade, beechwood handle and Virobloc ring that locks the blade open or closed. This listing includes a faux-leather sheath.

For: Herbs, packaging, light poultry
The inexpensive kitchen tool that quietly does three jobs a knife would do badly in a cramped van galley — snipping herbs directly into a pot, spatchcocking a chicken, and opening stubborn clamshell packages without…

For: Checking meat doneness
A fold-out instant-read thermometer that ThermoWorks rates at about one second and ±0.5°F in key temperature ranges, with IP67 sealing, a NIST-traceable certificate and a five-year warranty.

For: Primary galley knife
A stamped Swiss chef knife common in commercial kitchens. A modest price for a 7.9-inch high-carbon stainless blade that is easy to resharpen, and the textured Fibrox handle grips even with wet hands.

For: Peeling and trimming in the galley
A forged, full-tang fixed-blade paring knife from Solingen with a 3.5-inch blade at 58 HRC and a 14-degree edge, per WÜSTHOF.

For: Cold-weather and solar setups
A 1,056 Wh LiFePO4 station rated for 1,800 W continuous, enough for the Duxtop 9100MC at full power with no headroom, for about 30–32 minutes per charge by our estimate.

For: Expandable induction-capable station
A 2,048 Wh LiFePO4 station rated for 2,400 W continuous, so it runs the Duxtop 9100MC with about 600 W of headroom, for roughly 58–61 minutes at full power per charge by our estimate.

For: All-DC fridge and devices
A 288 Wh LiFePO4 battery with no inverter: a 12 V, 10 A car socket, four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports in a 6.2 lb box.

For: Induction cooking, large solar
A 2,073.6 Wh LiFePO4 station rated for 2,600 W continuous, so it runs the Duxtop 9100MC with about 800 W of headroom, for roughly 53–62 minutes at full power per charge by our estimates.

For: Induction cooking with headroom
A 2,048 Wh LiFePO4 station rated for 2,400 W continuous, so it runs the Duxtop 9100MC at full power with 600 W of headroom, for about 58–61 minutes per charge by our estimate.

For: 1,800 W induction plus fridge
A 1,024 Wh LiFePO4 station whose 1,800 W continuous rating reaches the Duxtop 9100MC's full power, with no headroom, for about 29–31 minutes per charge by our estimate.

For: 12 V fridge, expandable later
A 286 Wh LiFePO4 station at about 10.4 lb with a 12.6 V, 10 A car socket, so it runs a typical 35 L 12 V fridge for about 14–19 hours by our estimate.

For: Fridge plus PIC Gold cooking
The lightest 1 kWh station here at 23.8 lb, with 1,070 Wh of LiFePO4 capacity and a 10 A car port for a 12 V fridge.

For: Lighter induction-capable station
The lightest station we cover that runs the Duxtop 9100MC with headroom: 2,000 W continuous and 1,536 Wh of LiFePO4 at about 32 lb, for roughly 44–46 minutes of full-power cooking per charge by our estimate.

For: 12 V fridge on short trips
A 512 Wh, 12.6 lb LiFePO4 station sized for a 12 V compressor fridge and devices, not cooking: its 500 W AC rating is below every induction cooktop setting on this site.

For: Soups and sauces on an inverter
A 280 W, 15-speed stick blender with a trigger grip, an 8-inch stainless shaft, a 42 oz jug, a 25 oz chopping bowl and a whisk that store as one stack.

For: Vacuum-sealing fridge and freezer food
A compact vacuum sealer with dry and moist settings that stores upright. It keeps cheese and dry goods fresh longer and helps prevent freezer burn, which makes freezer-zone meal prep practical in a van fridge.

For: Ice on shore power
A countertop ice maker rated for 26 lb of ice a day at 105 W, made under the Frigidaire license by Curtis International.

For: Crisping on a big inverter
A 2-quart air fryer that crisps, bakes, roasts and reheats for one or two people.

For: Jerky, dried fruit, shore power
A 5-tray food dehydrator for beef jerky, dried fruit, vegetable chips and herb blends, for less than buying them ready-made.

For: Smoothies on a large inverter
A compact 900W blender for smoothies, sauces and cold soups in a van kitchen. It handles frozen fruit and greens with enough liquid, and the twist-on cups double as drinking containers.

For: Stovetop baking without an oven
A stovetop oven that bakes bread, pizza, cinnamon rolls and casseroles on a gas, electric or camp-stove burner, with no electricity or built-in oven needed. Omnia says it does not work on induction.

For: Rice on a small inverter
A simple one-switch rice cooker rated 120 V / 300 W, one of the lowest-wattage cookers a van inverter can run. It cooks up to 3 Zojirushi cups of raw rice, about 6 to 9 cups cooked.

For: Vacuum storage without an inverter
A handheld rechargeable vacuum pump that seals reusable zip bags and containers through built-in valves and stops on its own.

For: Fast cooking in strong sun
A vacuum-tube solar cooker rated to 550°F. GoSun says it cooks a meal for two in about 20 to 30 minutes of strong sun, with no power draw, propane or butane.

For: Slow pot meals in sun
A fold-flat panel cooker that reflects sun onto a dark pot. A peer-reviewed study cited by its maker measured about 87 W of cooking power, and Haines says it can boil a quart of water in as little as 40 minutes.

For: Solo one-pot solar meals
An 8 oz soft solar oven that folds to 2 x 11 x 13 inches, with one collapsible pot, a trivet and a thermometer.

For: Flat-packing slow solar oven
The soft-sided solar oven. Collapses flat for storage, cooks slow-roasted meals on long sunny stops.

For: Filtered water at a 12V tap
A single-cartridge under-sink filter certified by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401, with published reductions for chlorine, lead, cysts, PFOA/PFOS and VOCs.

For: Filtering campground hose water
A three-canister RV filter that sits between the campground hose and your fresh-water inlet.

For: Travel and untreated water
A bottle-style purifier that Grayl rates to remove viruses, bacteria and protozoa and to reduce many chemicals, heavy metals and microplastics, in one eight-second press with no pumping, power or tablets.

For: Fast-flow squeeze bottle filter
A 1-litre soft flask with Katadyn's 0.1-micron hollow-fibre filter, which Katadyn says removes bacteria, protozoa and microplastics at up to 2 L/min. It does not remove viruses.

For: Filtering treated tap water
A two-stage gravity pitcher filter and a sensible replacement for the delisted Berkey.

For: Collapsible spare water
A collapsible 10-litre water bag made of 1,000-denier fabric with a food-grade polyurethane lining and a 3-in-1 cap. MSR lists it at 10 oz and 12.5 x 23 in, and says it handles freezing and boiling liquids.

For: Group gravity filtering at camp
A 4-litre gravity filter with a 0.2-micron hollow-fibre element that Platypus says meets EPA/NSF guidelines for bacteria and protozoa, and removes particulates and microplastics.

For: Gravity tap water, no pump
A 7-gallon rigid jug with a hideaway spigot that stores in the cap, so you get running water by gravity with no pump, hose or wiring.

For: Pocket backup filter
A pocket-size backup filter. Sawyer rates its 0.1-micron absolute hollow fibre to remove 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa, but it does not claim virus removal and has no carbon stage for chemicals or…

For: Fresh-water jug storage
A narrow, military-pattern 20-litre water can made from food-grade, BPA-free polyethylene, with a carry handle, a pour spout and a separate breather.

For: Two-bin dishwashing
A 10-litre, seam-sealed nylon wash basin with a steel-wire rim that packs to roughly the size of a deck of cards.

For: Pressurised 12V van tap
A 12 V, four-chamber diaphragm pump with a pressure switch and internal by-pass, made for multi-fixture RV fresh-water systems.

For: No-wiring jug sinks
A self-priming, foot-operated galley pump with 1/2-inch hose connections that delivers water only while you press it.