There’s something liberating about cooking wherever you happen to be.
Parked at a trailhead after a morning hike? Time for a hot lunch. Watching the sunset from a beach overlook? Perfect moment for a fresh-caught fish dinner.
Geotrek’s kitchen setup makes it all possible, whether you’re cooking inside the van or taking advantage of the great outdoors.
Induction Cooking: The Van Life Standard
At Geotrek, we use induction cooking technology, and for good reason.
It’s efficient, safe, and works perfectly with the van’s power system. Depending on your build, you might have a dual burner built into the countertop or a portable single burner that stores in a drawer when you’re on the move.
The beauty of induction is how quickly it heats up and how precisely you can control the temperature. But there’s one catch: your cookware matters. Induction only works with iron-based or stainless steel pans. Look for the “induction safe” symbol when shopping for cookware. It’s the only gear requirement for van cooking, but it’s an important one.
Inside Cooking
Cooking inside the van is all about smart ventilation. The fan should be running in exhaust mode to pull steam and moisture outside. Cracking a window helps too, especially when you’re making something aromatic. The EcoFlow hub powers everything through the AC outlets, so you’ve got reliable energy for meal prep.
Temperature control is key with induction. Starting at medium heat (around 4 or 5 on a 0-10 scale) prevents burning and gives you room to adjust. Most cooktops show both the heat level and the actual temperature in degrees, so you can dial in exactly what your recipe needs. The timer function means you can set it and step outside without worry.
Taking It Outside
This is where van cooking really comes into its own. The Geotrek’s happy hour table transforms any campsite into a proper outdoor kitchen. It’s a three-level setup: the main surface holds your cooktop or air fryer, the second tier organizes utensils and ingredients, and the swing-out lagoon section extends your workspace.
Picture this: you just pulled a fresh trout from a mountain stream. Instead of cooking it inside and dealing with the smell, you’re outside in the fresh air, using the same equipment but with a view. The outlet is right there, so you’ve got power wherever you set up the table.
The same setup works for evening entertaining. Swap the cooktop for a blender, arrange glasses on the middle tier, line up garnishes up top, and you’ve got an outdoor bar. It’s designed for flexibility.
Dual Burner Advantage
The built-in dual burner option gives you more cooking capacity without taking up counter space when you’re not using it. The controls are straightforward: power on, choose front or back burner, set your temperature. Two pots going at once means you can actually cook the way you do at home, just with a better view out the window.
The Road Chef Mindset
Great van cooking isn’t about complicated recipes or fancy techniques. It’s about understanding your equipment and working with what you have. Keep ventilation flowing. Start with lower heat and adjust up. When the weather’s nice, cook outside. When you want to keep the van warm, cook inside.
Every Geotrek comes with detailed guides for the equipment, but the real learning happens on the road. You’ll figure out your favorite setups, your go-to meals, and the best spots to cook along your route.
The freedom to cook anywhere, to eat well while traveling, to share meals with friends in beautiful places, that’s what the Geotrek kitchen is built for. It’s not just about having a stove in a van. It’s about bringing good food and good moments together, wherever the road takes you.
