7 Best Compact RV Ranges For Van Conversions That Nomads Swear By

You’ve spent weeks insulating, wiring, and framing, and now you’re staring at the empty space that will become your kitchen. This single decision—which stove to install—will define how you cook, eat, and live on the road more than almost any other. Choosing the right range isn’t just about boiling water; it’s about creating a functional heart for your mobile home.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Choosing the Right Range for Your Van Build

The first and most critical decision you’ll make is your fuel source: propane or electric. This choice has a domino effect on your entire van build. Propane is the off-grid champion, offering powerful, reliable heat without touching your battery bank, but it requires a properly vented locker, managing tank refills, and dealing with the extra moisture it puts into the air.

Going all-electric with an induction cooktop is sleek, safe, and avoids carrying a combustible gas. However, it’s a power-hungry path. You’re not just buying a cooktop; you’re committing to a robust electrical system with a large lithium battery bank, a high-wattage inverter, and enough solar to replenish it all. Don’t underestimate the demand—a single burner can pull over 1500 watts, draining batteries fast.

Beyond fuel, consider your cooking style. Do you just need to boil water for coffee and rehydrate meals? A simple two-burner will do. Do you dream of baking sourdough or roasting vegetables after a long hike? Then a full range with an oven is on your list, but be prepared to sacrifice a huge chunk of cabinet space. The best range is the one that honestly matches how you intend to live, not the one that looks best on Instagram.

Dometic Drop-In: The Van Life Workhorse

If you see a simple, reliable cooktop in a van conversion, there’s a good chance it’s a Dometic. These drop-in units are the gold standard for a reason: they are built for the road, they are incredibly simple, and they just work. There are no fancy electronics to fail or glass tops to shatter on a rough forest service road.

Most builders opt for the two-burner model. It provides enough space to have a pan and a pot going at once without dominating your limited counter space. Installation is straightforward—cut a hole, drop it in, and connect the propane line. The low-profile design and integrated cover on some models mean you get that valuable counter space back when it’s not in use.

The real beauty of the Dometic is its predictability. It sips propane, the cast iron grates are sturdy enough for heavy pots, and it’s easy to clean. It’s not the flashiest option, but when you’re tired and hungry in the middle of nowhere, you don’t want flashy; you want a flame, now. It’s the definition of a workhorse appliance.

Furrion 2-in-1: Compact Oven and Cooktop

For many nomads, giving up an oven is the hardest part of moving into a van. The Furrion 17" range is the most common solution. This single appliance combines a three-burner cooktop with a small propane oven, opening up a world of culinary possibilities from baking fresh bread to cooking a frozen pizza on a rainy day.

Make no mistake, this is a significant commitment of space. You’re dedicating an entire lower cabinet, about 17 inches wide and 20 inches deep, to this one appliance. But for those who genuinely love to cook, the tradeoff is worth it. The three burners offer more flexibility than a standard two-burner, and the oven, while small, is surprisingly capable once you learn its quirks.

RV ovens are notorious for hot spots, so using a pizza stone on the bottom rack is a common trick to help distribute heat more evenly. It takes some practice, but the reward is a level of comfort and normalcy that can be hard to find on the road. It turns your van from a place you sleep into a place you can truly call home.

Suburban Elite Cooktop: Rugged and Reliable

Suburban is another legacy name in the RV world, and their cooktops are known for being tough as nails. Often seen as a direct competitor to Dometic, Suburban cooktops are a favorite among builders who prioritize durability and raw power over sleek aesthetics. They feel substantial and are built to handle the bumps and vibrations of constant travel.

One of the key features many nomads love is that Suburban models often include one higher-output burner. This "power burner" can bring a large pot of water to a boil significantly faster than its counterparts. When you’re trying to conserve propane or just get your morning coffee made quickly, that extra BTU output makes a real difference.

Like the Dometic, the Suburban is a simple, no-frills propane appliance. It’s a drop-in unit that is easy to install and even easier to use. If your build philosophy is centered around proven, rugged components that can take a beating, the Suburban cooktop is a top contender that will never let you down.

Camp Chef Outdoor Oven: Versatile & Portable

Here’s a clever solution you see in a lot of creative builds: the Camp Chef Outdoor Oven. While designed for car camping, its compact form factor and all-in-one design make it a fantastic, flexible option for van life. It features a two-burner cooktop on top and a surprisingly effective oven below, all powered by a 1lb green propane canister.

The biggest advantage is its modularity. Some people build it directly into their galley, creating a permanent range that runs on small, easy-to-find canisters. This decouples it from your main propane system, which can simplify your plumbing and provide a great backup. Others store it in their "garage" and pull it out as needed, preserving counter space and giving them the option to cook outside and avoid heating up the van.

This isn’t a perfectly integrated, flush-mount solution. It’s a pragmatic choice that prioritizes versatility. For the nomad who wants an oven without the permanent space commitment of a Furrion, or who loves the idea of cooking by the campfire one night and in their kitchen the next, the Camp Chef is an unbeatable hybrid.

Greystone 17" Range: Sleek, Modern Design

For van builders who want functionality without sacrificing a modern aesthetic, the Greystone range is a game-changer. It offers the same three-burner and oven combination as the Furrion but wraps it in a package that looks more at home in a high-end tiny house than a traditional RV. It’s the choice for those who want their kitchen to be a visual centerpiece.

Key design features set the Greystone apart. It often includes a flush-mount glass top that folds back to become a backsplash, creating a seamless counter when not in use. Add in details like LED-backlit knobs and a clean stainless steel finish, and you have an appliance that elevates the entire look and feel of your build.

But it’s not just about looks. The Greystone is a solid performer, delivering reliable heat from its burners and oven. It proves that you don’t have to choose between the rugged functionality required for van life and the clean, modern design you want in a home. It’s the best of both worlds.

Dickinson Mediterranean: Efficient Marine Stove

When you want the absolute best in build quality and efficiency, you look to the marine world. The Dickinson Mediterranean stove is a piece of nautical engineering that is perfectly suited for the rigors of van life. Boats and vans share similar challenges: constant vibration, the need for safety in a small space, and a premium on fuel efficiency.

These stoves are built to a higher standard. They are crafted from high-quality stainless steel and are designed to last for decades, not just a few years. A key safety feature is the thermocouple on every burner, which automatically shuts off the gas if the flame goes out—a feature often missing on standard RV cooktops. They are also renowned for being incredibly efficient with propane.

The Dickinson is an investment. It costs significantly more than a standard RV range, but you are paying for peace of mind and long-term reliability. For full-time nomads who cook every single day and plan to be on the road for years, the upfront cost is often justified by the superior safety, durability, and performance.

Duxtop Induction: The All-Electric Option

For the builder committed to a gas-free van, the induction cooktop is the only way to go. A portable, single-burner unit like the Duxtop is the most common entry point. Induction cooking is a marvel of technology: it uses magnetic fields to heat the pan directly, making it incredibly fast, over 90% efficient, and much safer than an open flame.

The benefits are huge. There’s no moisture byproduct, which helps control condensation inside the van. There are no fumes and no risk of carbon monoxide, so you can cook with the doors closed on a cold night. And because the surface itself doesn’t get screaming hot, spills are much easier to clean up.

However, the barrier to entry is your electrical system. An induction cooktop is not a standalone purchase; it’s the final piece of a very powerful electrical puzzle. You need a minimum of a 2000W inverter and a substantial lithium battery bank to handle the high power draw. Many nomads find a single portable burner is the perfect compromise. It can be stored in a drawer, freeing up 100% of your counter space, and brought out only when needed, offering the best of both worlds: a clean, modern cooking experience and maximum usable space.

Ultimately, the "best" range is the one that disappears into your daily routine. It should match your power system, fit your layout, and support the way you want to cook and live. Whether it’s a rugged propane workhorse or a sleek electric unit, choose the appliance that makes your van feel less like a vehicle and more like a home.