Welcome to our ultimate guide to the best campervan ovens on the market! If you’re looking for a built-in oven or just want something lightweight and easy you can cook with outside, our expert blog post will help you make the best decision for finding a great oven for your van!
A campervan oven may not be a necessity for most van lifers, but it’s a luxury appliance that allows you to cook up amazing meals while traveling off the grid.
While some people swear by a simple single burner stove or portable cooktop, an oven allows you to cook delicious meals in your van like casseroles, roasts and bread just as you would have at home.
If you’re looking to outfit your van conversion with the best camping oven, then you’ve come to the right place.
By the end of this article, you’ll know everything about the different types of camping ovens and which one you should buy for your van build.
PRODUCT | WHAT WE LIKE | THINGS TO CONSIDER | |
 DOMETIC RV RANGE OVEN 3-BURNER EDITOR'S CHOICE |
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 THETFORD COOKTOP MODEL NO. XR17200 |
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 CAMP CHEF OUTDOOR OVEN |
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 OMNIA OVEN |
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 GOSUN FUSION SOLAR OVEN |
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The Best Campervan Ovens
Price, efficiency, and safety are all features that are crucial to consider when purchasing a camping oven. With those factors in mind, we put together this list of the best van ovens and stovetops.
Dometic RV Range Oven 3-Burner
Dometic is a reputable brand known for producing high-quality van and RV appliances, including this three-burner indoor oven. It hooks directly up to your van’s propane or gas tank and features a powerful 9,000 BTU front burner, two 6,500 BTU rear burners, and an interior oven area.
Besides having the ability to cook multiple dishes at once, this campervan oven is also incredibly easy to clean. All you have to do is pop off the top grill and wipe the bottom surface clean.
The oven also comes with special clips that keep it secure in your kitchen, so you won’t have that annoying rattling sound while you’re driving.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| * Durable van life brand * Easy to clean * Efficient 3 burner system | * Heavy (58 pounds) * Not portable |
Thetford Cooktop Model No. XR17200
If you want the power of a normal size oven without the bulky weight and space of one, then look no further than this 17-inch camping stove. It’s the perfect size for small van builds or tiny homes while still featuring both a 2 burner cooktop 6,500 BTU and 9,000 BTU) and a gas oven (7,100 BTU).
You’re also protected by the flame-failure shut off feature and a sealed cast iron burner grate, which are beneficial safety features you’ll want while cooking indoors. For this reason, it’s one of the best small camping ovens for van life living.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| * Compact size * Added safety features * Slide-in installation | * Heavy for its size (56 pounds) |
Camp Chef Outdoor Oven
As one of the most popular propane camping ovens for van lifers, the Camp Chef Outdoor Oven is a great addition to your kitchen set up. This oven/two-burner stove combo is made from stainless steel and has two 7,500 BTU burners and a 3,000 BTU oven. It also has two oven racks, both of which can fit a normal 9×13 baking pan.
And if you plan on cooking indoors, you’ll be happy to know that you can install this stove inside your van kitchen.
It does require a few modifications such as proper ventilation and air space, fire barriers, and a secure propane tank holder, but it’s a small price to pay to have the ability to cook inside your campervan.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| * Lightweight (37 pounds) * Option for indoor or outdoor use * Affordable price point | * Requires proper ventilation * Indoor installation requires modifications |
Omnia Oven
With the portable Omnia Oven, you can cook a wide array of foods just with your normal campervan stovetop! You don’t need to install a huge appliance or waste valuable space inside your small van to enjoy the best pizzas, brownies, cakes, and breads that taste like they were cooked in a normal oven.
This oven has great reviews from many van life travelers due to its compact size and ease of use. It only requires a single burner and can be cooked inside your van or outside while camping.
The only downside is that you’re limited to one meal at a time, although this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re only traveling with one or two people.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| * Small and compact * Easy to use * Doesn’t require permanent installation * Foods taste like they were cooked in a normal oven | * Only able to cook one type of meal at a time * High price point for a single pot |
GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven
The portable GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven is the best alternative to use instead of a campervan propane oven. Instead of using gas, it is powered by the sun (or eclectic 12v charge), giving you the option to steam, roast, bake, or fry a variety of delicious meals.
And at just 16 pounds, it’s a compact stainless steel device that can be easily transported or stored anywhere you go.
It’s also a great choice for large groups or families since you’ll be able to heat up meals for four to six people.
The biggest downside is the price, which might deter non-full-time van life travelers. However, it’s a great cooking device and a cool alternative to the typical two-burner style van stove.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| * Uses solar or electric power * Great for large groups * Variety of cooking settings | * High price point |
Choosing the Best Oven for a Campervan
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Before purchasing a camping stove, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you plan on cooking indoors or outdoors.
Indoor stoves are incredibly convenient since you’ll be able to cook in any weather condition right from the comfort of your van. Many of them look just like the stoves you have in your home.
However, they tend to be a permanent solution and often require proper ventilation (if it uses a propane tank), which can make them more time consuming and expensive to install.
Outdoor stoves are portable and relatively easy to use. It’s a practical choice if you’re traveling during the summer or spending a few days camping outdoors.
Cooking outside your campervan is also considered safer than if you would cook indoors since you have fresh air and ventilation. But adding a roof vent fan can help in this situation.
Propane vs. Electric
A propane stove is the most common type of oven you’ll find in the van life community. Propane is relatively affordable and easy to find at most gas stations or hardware stores, so it’s a practical option for long-distance or full-time travelers.
The biggest downside to using a propane cooker is that it requires proper ventilation, which can be tricky in a compact campervan.
Although most campervan or RV ovens use propane, it is possible to find some models that rely on solar power or electric 12v outlets.
Because no gas is used, these types of stoves are better suited for the indoors, although prolonged operation can drain your van battery over time so you’ll want to invest in a quality battery bank for your van. Unfortunately, electric stoves are more expensive compared to propane ones, so it’s not a great option if you’re on a tight budget.
Size/Amount of Space
One of the biggest concerns most van lifers have about purchasing a oven is space. The truth is, a campervan oven can take up a lot of space, which isn’t ideal for small RVs or vans.
However, there are several alternatives to large indoor oven models, like portable stovetops and compact Dutch ovens. So don’t worry – even if space is limited in your van, there are still other options that allow you to cook meals on the road.
Settings and Temperature Range
Most ovens come with adjustable settings so you can set your desired temperature for cooking. However, one of the biggest complaints about having an oven in your van is the reliability of the temperature control.
Sometimes, the temperature can be wildly different than what shows on the knob, so it’s helpful to have an oven-safe thermometer to measure the real temperature inside.
Cleaning
As with any other appliance, a campervan oven also has to be cleaned regularly. But unlike an oven you find at home, a van oven usually doesn’t come with a self-cleaning mode.
That’s why it’s important to buy an oven that can be easily wiped down with soap and water. The longer you go without cleaning, the stinkier and smokier your campervan oven will get.
Ventilation
Because most ovens require propane, it’s crucial that you have sufficient ventilation in your camper van if you plan on cooking inside. While a cracked window does help circulate airflow out of your van, you might also consider installing a roof vent to push odors and potential dangerous emissions outside.
If it’s not an option to properly ventilate your van, then you should only purchase a cooking oven that can be used outdoors.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As with any household or van build, it’s important to install a carbon monoxide detector for extra protection.
Ovens that operate for long periods of time run the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide emissions, so you’ll want a detector to make sure you stay safe while cooking in your campervan kitchen.
This is a great option because it is a dual carbon monoxide and smoke detector, perfect for your campervan kitchen.
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