Our Favourite Caravan Accessories
The gear we actually use, honestly reviewed. From the BBQ that changed our campsite cooking to the awning we trust for six weeks away.
Cadac — Our BBQ of Choice
The Cadac Carri Chef 50 — Our Main BBQ
The Cadac Carri Chef 50 is our main BBQ and has been since we started caravanning. It is a 50cm diameter gas BBQ with a dome lid, built-in thermometer, and two-part folding legs with an adjustable foot for uneven ground. It packs 25% smaller than the previous version, which matters enormously when you are working with limited caravan storage.
The QR (Quick Release) coupling makes connecting to the gas bottle fast and secure. The cooking surface is large enough to cook for six people comfortably, and the dome lid turns it into a proper outdoor oven — we have cooked everything from paella to pizza to a full Sunday roast on it.
Price: approximately £250. Discount code CTF15 gives 15% off at cadacuk.com (not valid on sale or Cadac Recycled products).
[PERSONALISE: Add your own verdict on the Carri Chef 50 — how long you have had it, your favourite thing to cook on it, any tips for using it on site.]
The Full Cadac Range
Cadac make a range of gas BBQs for camping and caravanning. Here is the full lineup:
| Model | Size | Price | Best For | Notes |
| Carri Chef 50 BBQ QR | 50cm | £250 | Our BBQ — dome lid, thermometer, QR coupling, folds compact | |
| Carri Chef 40 BBQ QR | 40cm | £200 | Smaller version — ideal for couples or smaller families | |
| Safari Chef 30 LP Deluxe Pro QR | 30cm | £160 | Ultra-compact — perfect for CLs and tight storage | |
| Grillo Chef 2 | 40cm | £180 | Flat-top griddle design — great for breakfast and smash burgers | |
| 1 Cook | 26cm | £80 | Entry-level single-burner — good for solo travellers | |
| 2 Cook 2 Pro Combo | 34cm | £130 | Two cooking zones — griddle and grill combined | |
| 3 Cook 3 Pro | 40cm | £170 | Three zones — the most versatile in the range |
Cadac Accessories — Cooking Surfaces
All Cadac BBQs accept interchangeable cooking surfaces. The Series 50 surfaces compatible with the Carri Chef 50:
- Paella Pan 50 — our most-used accessory. Makes a proper paella for six.
- Pizza Stone Pro 50 — turns the Carri Chef into a pizza oven. Reaches 300°C under the dome.
- BBQ 2 Plancha 50 — half grill, half flat griddle. Brilliant for mixed cooking.
- Chef Pan 50 — deep-sided pan for curries, stews, and pasta sauces.
- Soft Soak 50 — cleaning soak for all Series 50 surfaces.
Cadac Recipes
Campsite Paella (serves 4–6)
Ingredients: 400g paella rice, 1 litre chicken stock, 2 chicken thighs (diced), 200g chorizo (sliced), 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 red pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, pinch of saffron, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Method: Heat olive oil in the Paella Pan 50. Fry the chicken and chorizo until browned. Add onion, garlic, and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add paprika and saffron, stir for 1 minute. Add rice and stir to coat. Add stock, bring to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes without stirring. Leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
[PERSONALISE: Add your own paella story — the first time you made it on the Cadac, the kids’ reaction, any tweaks you make to the recipe.]
Cadac Pizza (serves 2–3)
Ingredients: 1 ready-made pizza base, tomato sauce, mozzarella, toppings of your choice.
Method: Preheat the Pizza Stone Pro under the dome for 10 minutes. Assemble the pizza on the stone. Replace the dome and cook for 8–10 minutes until the base is crisp and the cheese is bubbling.
Full English Breakfast (serves 4)
Use the BBQ 2 Plancha 50. Cook sausages and bacon on the grill side. Cook eggs, mushrooms, and tomatoes on the flat griddle side. Everything cooks simultaneously — no juggling pans.
Campsite Tapas (serves 4)
Chorizo slices, halloumi, padron peppers, and crusty bread on the grill. Serve with aioli and a glass of something cold. Takes 15 minutes and feels like a holiday.
Vegetarian Paella (serves 4)
Replace chicken and chorizo with roasted vegetables (courgette, aubergine, cherry tomatoes) and add a tin of butter beans. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. Just as good.
Discount code: CTF15 — 15% off at cadacuk.com. Not valid on sale or Cadac Recycled products.
Isabella Awnings
Isabella is our awning brand of choice, and we use two different products depending on how long we are away for.
For weekends and trips up to two weeks, we use the Isabella Buddy sides, which attach to our Thule Omnistor awning rail. The Buddy sides clip on in minutes and give us a covered outdoor living space without the commitment of a full awning pitch.
For our six-week summer trip, we use the Isabella Commodore Carbon Fibre Pole Awning with the left annex. The carbon fibre poles make it significantly lighter than traditional steel-pole awnings, and the quality of the fabric and construction is exceptional. The left annex creates an additional room — we use it as a sleeping area for the children or as a dedicated play space.
Isabella awnings are designed to last. They are not the cheapest option on the market, but they are the best, and we have found them to be worth every penny.
[PERSONALISE: Add your own verdict on the Isabella awnings — how long you have had them, how they have performed in different weather, any tips for pitching.]
Thule Omnistor
The Thule Omnistor is a motorised or manual roll-out awning that fixes permanently to the caravan wall. Grant fitted ours himself, which gives us complete confidence in the installation.
For weekends, we use the Omnistor as a standalone sun canopy — it rolls out in seconds and provides immediate shelter from sun or light rain. Combined with the Isabella Buddy sides, it becomes a full outdoor room.
The Omnistor is a premium product and the quality shows. After several years of use, it operates as smoothly as the day it was fitted.
[PERSONALISE: Add your Thule model number and any specific tips for fitting or using it.]
Avtex TV
A good TV makes a significant difference on rainy days and evenings in the van, especially with children. We use an Avtex TV, which is specifically designed for caravan and motorhome use — it runs on 12V as well as 240V mains, which means it works on EHU and on battery power.
The Avtex range includes built-in Freeview and satellite tuners, and the screens are designed to handle the vibration of travel without damage. We have had no issues with ours over multiple seasons.
[PERSONALISE: Add your Avtex model and any tips for aerial positioning or satellite setup.]
Lock n Level
Levelling the caravan is one of those jobs that sounds simple but can take a frustrating amount of time without the right equipment. The Lock n Level system makes it straightforward — the ramps guide you onto the correct level position, and the system locks in place so the caravan cannot roll.
Grant fitted ours and it has saved us significant time on every pitch since. We would not tour without it.
[PERSONALISE: Add any tips for using Lock n Level on different pitch surfaces.]
Other Accessories We Recommend
- Spinning chair — essential for sensory regulation at service stations. Ours goes in the car for every trip.
- Noise-cancelling headphones — for neurodivergent family members in busy environments.
- Aquaroll water carrier — the standard choice for caravan water supply.
- Waste Master — the best waste water solution for touring caravans.
- Fiamma bike rack — carries two bikes on the caravan A-frame.
- Mains hook-up cable (25m) — longer than the standard 10m, essential for some pitches.