When you picture life on the road in a caravan, you might imagine squeezing all the comforts of home into a tiny space: a fridge humming in the corner, a washing machine tucked away, and, of course, an oven ready to bake up a storm.
But is an oven really a must-have for caravan living, or is it just taking up precious space and money?
This is the question that’s dividing the caravan community, with passionate arguments on both sides.
For some, the oven is a non-negotiable, a symbol of home and comfort. For others, it’s an unnecessary burden—especially when you’re counting every kilo and every dollar.
Meet Kat Sobczyk, a mum of three who, along with her husband Stuart, has been crisscrossing Australia for the past two and a half years.
In that time, they’ve owned four different vans, each one a lesson in what’s essential and what’s just extra weight. When they started out, they did what most of us would: they bought a van with an oven.
But it didn’t take long for them to realise it was more hassle than help.
‘We had three young kids and we needed to cook quickly, but the oven was so slow,’ Kat said. ‘Plus, we spend 90 per cent of our time off grid, so we were constantly chasing gas bottles. We like to be remote, and we’ve had to pay up to $97 for one in some places.’
That’s right—nearly a hundred bucks for a gas bottle, just to keep the oven running. For a family living on the road, that’s a significant and, frankly, annoying expense.
So, when it came time to upgrade their van, the oven was the first thing to go. In its place? A simple stovetop and an air fryer.
The result: a whopping 38 kilos saved in weight, more storage space, and the ability to run everything off solar power—no more gas bottles required.
Kat, who shares her family’s adventures on social media at @retreating_into_the_sunshine, says the switch has been a game-changer.
‘We have a $54 induction cooktop from Kmart. It’s given us more bench space, and you can use it outside,’ she says.
The air fryer is another favourite, letting her cook dinner without being stuck inside the van and missing out on sunsets or conversations around the campfire.
And there’s another bonus: no more turning the van into a sauna every time you cook.
‘I get it in winter—it’s nice, but not on a hot day. The van is pretty well insulated, so it would be hard to cool it down afterwards, too,’ Kat explains.
But what about those days when the sun isn’t shining and the solar panels aren’t pulling their weight? The Sobczyks have a backup plan: their trusty gas Weber BBQ.
With a simple trivet, it transforms into an oven, perfect for baking everything from birthday cakes to bread. ‘You just make them like you would in an oven,’ Kat says.
And they’re not alone. Other caravan enthusiasts swear by their BBQs, with one woman declaring, ‘The Webers do everything! We love doing pizzas in ours.’ Another adds, ‘Whatever you can do in an oven can be done in a Ziggy [BBQ].’
For the full camping experience, the Sobczyks have also embraced the humble camp oven, cooking over an open fire. ‘You get this authentic camping fire vibe. We’ve made zucchini slice and apple crumble on it, and the kids love it,’ Kat says.
Of course, not everyone is ready to ditch the oven. Kat admits her posts on the subject get mixed reactions. Some people can’t imagine caravan life without one, insisting it makes the van feel like home, especially on rainy days.
Others see it as a waste of space and weight, preferring to cook outside or use modern gadgets like air fryers.
One Facebook commenter summed up the pro-oven camp: ‘Love our oven. I wouldn’t be without. I don’t want BBQ or stuff that is BBQ-flavoured every day, and love it on rainy days. Plus, you can still use it as storage space.’
But plenty of others agree with Kat: ‘I’ve never used the oven once!! I don’t like cooking in the van at all!! I cook everything outside on the BBQ, or air fryer, or on the gas cooker, or in camp kitchens,’ said one camper.
Another added, ‘We had one [an oven] and didn’t use it often as it wasn’t great. We have just got our new van, no oven. Plan to use the Weber and possibly look at an air fryer if I miss the oven. I wanted the extra storage space.’
So, what’s the verdict? Like so many things in life, it comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.
For the Sobczyks, ditching the oven has meant more freedom, less expense, and a lighter, more flexible van. For others, the oven is a little slice of home they’re not willing to give up.
If you’re considering a caravan adventure, it’s worth thinking about what you really need—and what you can live without.
Could you save money, space, and hassle by swapping out the oven for a BBQ, air fryer, or induction cooktop? Or does the thought of baking without an oven fill you with dread?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Are you team oven, or do you prefer to cook outside and keep things simple? Have you found any clever caravan cooking hacks that make life on the road easier? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below—let’s get the conversation cooking!
Also read: ‘Silent caravan killer’: How a tiny leak turned into a $6,000 disaster
