What is ‘Rear Kitchen’? (RV FAQs)

With hundreds of different floor plans and models to choose from, finding the perfect RV with the ideal kitchen layout can be a daunting task. One confusing part of searching for an RV is all the jargon for different floor plans. Like the term “rear kitchen”.

What does ‘rear kitchen’ mean in an RV?

An RV with a rear kitchen means that the placement of the kitchen in the floor plan is at the back of the unit near the rear bumper. Most RVs have the kitchen in the middle of the floor plan but a rear kitchen is specifically designed to be at the tail end.

Often rear kitchens are shaped in the “L” form that gives space for cooking as well as a counter for food serving and eating. This allows the RV to appear more spacious and provides a central leisure/living room. 

The article below tells all you need to know about RV kitchens, their pros and cons, and how to install a rear kitchen successfully. Read on!

Why Choose a Rear Kitchen RV Floor Plan

Rear kitchens offer added advantages over the simple kitchens in an RV. These kitchens provide space-saving opportunities and the option to swap from single beds to the usual double beds.

Additionally, they provide the independence to park and cook anywhere you wish to stop for a picnic and watch the sunset.

Rear kitchens offer a complete picnic experience with no headaches of where to park and where to eat multiple times of the day. Different types of back kitchens exist for you to choose from, and these are mentioned below.

Examples of Rear Kitchens for all RV Types

Generally, RVs can have 5 types of rear kitchens. These are mentioned below:

Travel Trailer Rear Kitchen Floor Plan

These come in various sizes and styles, but the most common ones contain the basic requirements of a working kitchen. The general rule with these is the better the kitchen depending on how big the kitchen is, which varies according to the size of your RV and the appliances you can fit therein.

Here’s an example of a travel trailer with a rear kitchen – take a look at the Grand Design Imagine 2250RK.

Fifth Wheel Rear Kitchen Floor Plan

These have the most admirable living space of all kitchen types. Fifth wheels offer extra room and stability. Therefore, RVs with these types of kitchens have all the typical kitchen appliances in whole sizes. This kitchen type is your best option if ample counter space is on your list of RV kitchen must-haves.

Here’s an example of a fifth wheel with a rear kitchen – take a look at the Jayco Eagle 319MLOK.

Class-A RV Rear Kitchen Floor Plan

Class-A RVs usually have fantastic kitchens. They include a standing fridge, stoves, microwaves, and even an oven. They may or may not contain dishwashers, but water sinks are available. For a home-like feeling, Class A kitchens are the go-to options.

In terms of floor plans with a truly rear kitchen, we could not find a single Class-A RV model with this option. If you are able to find one, let us know! In the mean time, you can check out this model by Thor that has a very nice outdoor kitchen near the rear of the vehicle:

 

Class-B RV Rear Kitchen Floor Plan

These include everything necessary for a functional kitchen, except in a smaller size, including a small refrigerator, a stove with two burners, and a single basin sink. These kitchens lack an oven, so cooking is the only option, no baking. 

Here’s an example of a Class-B RV with a rear kitchen – take a look at the Carado Axion.

Class-C RV Rear Kitchen Floor Plan

These are small yet compact and well-functional kitchens. They contain a fully functional refrigerator, double basin sinks, multiple burner stoves, and even a microwave with an oven. The sizes of these appliances can be downgraded according to the size of your RV and the available space therein. 

Here’s an example of a Class-C RV with a rear kitchen – take a look at the Phoenix Cruiser 2400.

The type of kitchen you install in your RV depends on the space available and the length of travel you indulge in with the RV. Therefore, these factors should be well considered and appropriately analyzed before installing a complete kitchen.

Pros and Cons of a Rear Kitchen

Rear kitchens in RVs come with several pros as well as cons. The lists below mention each of these:

Pros

• Rear kitchens save money when on the road as spending on fast foods and restaurants is an added expense. It also offers a healthy alternative to trying out random eateries on the road.

• Rear kitchens add to your RVs’ open spacious outlook and overall aesthetics. Kitchens in RVs placed in the center of the vehicle make the RV look stuffed, with little to no room to walk or breathe freely.

• Rear kitchens with back windows give great views and allow grease and oil in the air to exit the vehicle instead of being trapped in the middle and ruining the pleasant atmosphere indoors.

Cons

• It is impossible to ignore the amount of jostling the kitchen faces on the RV. This makes it exceptionally difficult to ensure the safety of kitchen appliances when on board. For this reason, when bringing devices to the RV for its kitchen, it is an added task to keep an eye on them, especially when on a bumpy track.

• When on the road, ensuring everything is secure and accessible is both an extra, time-consuming process and a headache when unloading and camping.

• If not properly cleaned and ventilated, an onboard kitchen would mean the accumulation of oils, smoke and grease, and other exhausts of a running kitchen. If windows are not placed correctly, the internal air can get dense and unpleasant.

Tips for Appliances in an RV Rear Kitchen

Cooking in an RV kitchen is not easy. Burnt foods and unevenly cooked cakes are a norm therefore you should keep the following in mind for excellent outputs:

• Relighting ovens in the RV is typical and often a requirement. The working condition should be checked regularly, especially when baking for a long time, such as cookies and cakes.

• Baking unevenly can cause burns in some areas of the food item and uncooked regions. To avoid this, a pizza stone should be placed in the rank below the baked item to evenly distribute the oven’s heat.

• Using two burner stoves in the RV is best for efficient cooking and reasonable consumption of gas. More planning is needed for setting up as the number of stoves increases.

• Be careful when choosing a microwave for your RV kitchen. Some take up a lot of currents, and frequent breaker trips can occur. When using high-power appliances, ensure multiple ones are not running simultaneously to avoid inconveniences.

 

Closing Thoughts

Rear kitchens are an added blessing for RV drivers and people looking for long travels with peace and fun. Of course, proper analysis is essential to make the right decisions, but once the right decision has been made, you can have the best road trips without worrying about an empty stomach or any harmful carbs!

 

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(Featured image: forestriverinc.com)

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