cooking in the truck for newnies

Heavy duty aluminum foil, cheaper than pans

 

A lot of starter companies don't allow inverters and will not install one. I figured it would cost me over $200 for a 2,000w inverter, so I went to TSC and paid $200 for a 2,000w power generator. It straps onto my catwalk and runs about 8 hours on a gallon of gasoline. It also has 12v output so I connect it to my bats to keep them charged as well. I keep a 2 gal gas can strapped on there as well. Just make sure you have clearance or you will not be hqappy the first tight turn you make.

 

My most used appliance is my kettle/water heater. Use it for coffee, tea, soup, and oatmeal.

Its only 750 watts. Most are 1000w+. But it works great with my 1000w inverter.

Second appliance for me is a 750w microwave.

I don't use a fridge, just a cooler.

 

Let me throw my .02 into the mix. These things are what I carry with me. You don't need to get everything all at once. Alot of these items are just to make my life a little easier while I'm away from the house. Granted, I'm only away for 5 days at a time, but I've found after all these years these thing make life alot easier, and cost effective while living in my sardine can for the 5 days I'm gone.

Dorm Fridge
Coffee maker
Toaster
2000 watt inverter
Assorted can foods (soups, sardines etc.)
Assorted dry foods (cereal, oat meal, grits, crackers, cookies etc.)
Fruit, vegetables, cheese, lunch meat.
Packaged salad
Travel coffee mug
Eating utensils
Cereal/Soup bowl
Paper towels
Roll of toilette paper for those emergency deuces on an off ramp, or for late night forays into a rest area. Then after dumping realizing your stranded with no A/S/S paper.
Baby wipes, to use after your done
Napkins
Paper towels
Plastic bags from Walmart to use as a garbage bag.

Then remember to throw the full garbage bag into a garbage can, not out your window. If there's anything that fry's my A/S/S it's some of these slobs I see messing up these places I have to visit.

Learn to do all your shopping for whatever you need at a Walmart or even at the house when you get home. It's much cheaper then buying things in a truck stop convenience store.

One last thing, minimally get a small broom, or even a chargeable electric mini vac. I need a clean truck to work and live in. The last thing I want is dirt/dust in bed with me, or even in whatever food I prepare in the truck.

As time goes by, and you get settled into your new career, you can start cooking homemade meals at home and put into single serving Tupperware to heat in your microwave.

These things are just a small look into what I do that makes my 5 days away from the house just a little more comfortable. These things don't need to be gotten all at once. Get them as time and money allows.

I recommend the extended warranty on the microwave though. I bought mine through Walmart and it broke 14 months later. I got home and brought it back and got a brand new one.

Money wise, it's all about discipline. I left my house last Monday with $50 in my pocket. I came home Saturday at noon with $41 in my pocket, without taking an advance. I use my points on my points card for free coffee, always shower with my free showers and don't spend a dime on any games. I do occasionally eat a meal in a restaurant just to listen to truck driver stories and get out of my truck.

You will find that as time goes by you will learn what makes you comfortable while away from home. Take whatever advice given here that you find useful and forget the rest. I've been at this for 31 years and I'm glad to pass along the things that make it bearable on the road for me.

I would have to say that if you went out and purchased everything at once you would spend about $300. But like a lot of folks have said here, you would recoup that in savings in one month. Good luck in your new career, be safe, learn and most important, ask questions. Contrary to popular belief, there's a few of us "Old Timers" that enjoy helping out a new driver with some of our knowledge!

 

For me personally, tupperware and a pressure cooker. I can make large quantities of good, healthy and hearty stew in the pressure cooker and store it in the tupperware and in a freezer. It helps to have a microwave to heat it up in but in worst case scenarios ... and back in the days before microwaves in trucks, we used the engine block as we drove down the road.

May not be the most practical solution, but it is quick and inexpensive ... and sometimes, when you get the spices right, pretty danged good too!

 

How do you do the pressure cooker in the truck? Or is that used at home for food on the truck?

 

Microwaves? Aluminum pans? Doesn't anyone ever read any of the dozens of reports and studies that show this stuff is killing you? Microwaves modify a food's enzymes and creates carcinogens and aluminum can be toxic in excessive amounts and even in small amounts if it is deposited in the brain. Many of the symptoms of aluminum toxicity mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity.
There are MANY better and healthier alternatives. Remember when you were a kid and they said "You are what you eat"? It's STILL true!

 

THE LUNCH BOX !!!! god I luv that sucker, grab left overs from steak ,chicken , throw in with some water seasonings maybe noodles. you can cook 1/2 chicken in 30 minutes, with vegs .best $20 I spent.only problem ,driving and smelling it cook.lol hours are up and dinner is ready !!!!! have it in the 12 volt cooler all ready, stop for 2 min to throw in box and go.

 

Tackle box stove is what you need fella.It can be had @ most truckstops for 30 bucks(if your lucky you'll get it on sale for 20 bucks).If you already have a cooler you can heatup all your leftovers with it.I heated up chunky soup &a few slices of bread & chips you got a meal.Most anything frozen can be cooked up in this.Just bring plenty of foil & loaf pans. Ding this really saved me a lot of money out on the road. I only ate fast food a couple times as i brought most of my food.I hope this helps you out.

 

Microwave and toaster. I'm too lazy to use cookers and crockpots. I also carry a grill and charcoal during the warm months.