Of all the great debates in the RV community—gas vs. diesel, boondocking vs. full-hookups, s’mores vs. just the marshmallows—few are as genuinely divisive as the chore of cleaning up after a meal. The simple question of “how do you handle the dishes?” can reveal a person’s entire camping philosophy, from the ultra-minimalist to the glamp-erific luxury seeker.
We recently posed this very question to our dedicated readers, turning our newsletter into a battlefield for suds and sanitation. The results are in, and they paint a beautifully clear, if not slightly predictable, picture of life on the road.
A huge thank you to everyone who voted; if you missed this round, make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter so you can have your voice heard in our next poll and be a part of the results!
The People Have Spoken: A Sudsy Census
Without further ado, here is the official breakdown of your dishwashing destinies:
| Method | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Built-in Dishwasher | 16% |
| Hand Washing | 84% |
| Disposable Dishes | 0% |
| Portable Dishwasher | 0% |
The Reigning Champion: The Humble Sponge
Let’s all pour one out (preferably into a gray tank) for the undisputed king of RV kitchen cleanup: good, old-fashioned, hand washing. A staggering 84% of you are out there, bravely facing a stack of greasy plates with nothing but a bottle of Dawn and a dream.
This is the way of the warrior, the minimalist who sees a sink not as a chore station, but as a testament to their self-reliance. You’ve perfected the water-conserving “spray, scrub, rinse” technique that would bring a tear to a park ranger’s eye. You know the intimate joy of finding a leftover bean from last night’s chili and the profound sadness of dropping the one good sponge into a puddle at the foot of your chair. You are the backbone of the RV world, and we salute you.
The High-Rollers and Their Glamorous Machines
To the elite 16% who clicked “Built-in Dishwasher,” we see you living your best life in your rolling palaces. You’re not just camping; you’re curating an experience. While the rest of us are debating whose turn it is to scrub the pasta pot, you’re simply pressing a button and walking away to enjoy the sunset. We imagine you sipping a glass of wine, listening to the gentle hum of your Bosch instead of the sound of bickering over who didn’t scrape their plate properly. We’re not jealous.
Okay, we’re a little jealous. Your method is the dream, the beacon of luxury we all point to when trying to convince our spouses that, yes, we do need to upgrade to a bigger rig.
The Ghosts of Polls Past: The Zero Percent Club
And then we have our two absolute zeros: disposable dishes and portable dishwashers. To the zero people who voted for disposable dishes: we get it. While the idea is tempting, the reality is a trunk full of crumpled paper plates and a lingering guilt over your carbon footprint roughly the size of your rig itself. It seems our readers have too much class (and too little trash space) for that life.
As for the portable dishwasher, it appears this option exists in a theoretical realm, much like a unicorn or a quiet neighbor at 7 a.m. who doesn’t slam their door. The concept is brilliant—all the convenience without the commitment of a built-in! The reality, however, is likely finding a place to store a unit the size of a small ottoman that you then have to wrestle out and hook up every time you want to clean two plates and a fork. It seems the consensus is that if you’re going to do dishes, you’re either going all-in on luxury or embracing the scrub. There is no middle ground.
Conclusion: Why the Suds Supreme Reigns
So, why did the results land with such a definitive splash in favor of hand washing? We believe it comes down to a combination of practicality, culture, and the very nature of RVing itself. Most RVs, especially travel trailers and older models, simply aren’t equipped with a built-in dishwasher; it’s a feature primarily found in the largest, most modern Class A’s and fifth-wheels.
Therefore, for the vast majority of RVers, hand washing isn’t a choice—it’s the only option. Beyond practicality, there’s a cultural element of self-sufficiency and conservation. RVers are inherently aware of their water usage and waste, and hand washing provides the most control over both. It’s a mindful ritual that connects you to the resources you’re using.
Finally, let’s be honest: for many, the act of washing dishes outside while looking at a mountain view is infinitely preferable to doing it at home. It’s not a chore; it’s part of the adventure. The results aren’t just about cleaning plates—they’re a perfect reflection of the realistic, resourceful, and hands-on spirit that defines the RV community.
