If we had to recommend a single utensil for the motorhome galley, many of us would say without hesitation: the pressure cooker. It looks like nothing much, but it saves gas, water and time all at once, and it lets you cook virtually anything in a minimal space. If you're not using one in the camper yet, here's why you're going to want one.
It saves gas (and therefore resources)
A pressure cooker cooks far faster (a pulse stew in 20 minutes instead of an hour and a half), which means far less gas used. In a camper, where every cylinder counts and swapping them is a nuisance, that's gold. Less gas also means less dependence and fewer cylinder changes (see gas in the camper).
It saves water
Being a sealed system, it needs less water to cook (the steam doesn't escape), and by using a single pot for complete dishes, you dirty fewer pans and use less water washing up. In a camper, where the tank is limited, saving water is gaining days of runtime (see water in the camper).
It saves time and space
It cooks fast (more time to enjoy the trip) and, by making complete dishes in a single pot, it saves you carrying lots of pans. A good pressure cooker replaces half a cookware set.
It cooks (almost) everything
Pulses, stews, rice dishes, meat, vegetables, stocks, even desserts. With recipes written for a pressure cooker, the repertoire is enormous. It's perfect for the hearty one-pot dishes you crave when travelling.
Tips for using it in the camper
- Choose a good-quality one in a size that suits your hob and your storage.
- Secure it properly when driving (it's heavy) and stow it carefully.
- Follow the safety rules for use and keep the valve clean.
- Pair it with batch cooking (see batch cooking).
In short
The pressure cooker is, for many, the best utensil in the camper galley because it saves gas, water, time and space all at once, and cooks almost anything. The step you can take today: if you don't have one, get a good-quality pressure cooker in a size suited to your camper; you'll notice the gas and water savings from the first stew. Combine it with the camper cooking guide.