I wasn't sure where to post this question, so please forgive me if this is the wrong forum.
My husband cannot have/use a microwave in his company truck and is limited with cooking/cooling devices for his meals. Many places he stops to unload there is no microwave or the place is so nasty, you wouldn't want to touch it with a 10' pole. Right now he's using a big ole' cooler with ice to keep his food chilled (PITA) and at times, messy and a small, plug-in cooler that doubles as a warming device (another PITA). Although these items work, we are looking into other devices that may work better.
We, (like most), are limited in our budget and eating truck stop &/or fast food 3 x's a day is not budget-friendly nor healthy, either. I prepare meals (pot roast, chili, casseroles, etc.) and freeze single-serve portions using plastic containers &/or food-saver bags so that he can throw the items in his warming cooler and eat. However, the warmer takes HOURS to heat to just about room temp and obviously is not very enjoyable. I want him to eat good meals while away from home, any suggestions/recommendations?
"Cooking" & Cooling Device Suggestions?
Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by WV_Daddys_Girl, Jan 28, 2013.
Page 1 of 2
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
I use a lunch box cooker, cost 25-30 bucks at the truckstops. Plugs into the 12 volt plugs. I've cooked hamburgers, sausages, baked potatoes ect. It gets up to 300-350 degrees. Reheats food great. I set up my food in it a couple of hours before I stop for the night and let it cook while I'm driving.
WV_Daddys_Girl Thanks this. -
-
WV_Daddys_Girl Thanks this.
-
there are many different brands of lunch box cookers...you can find them in any truck stop. also good is getting a small 12v refrigerator type cooler. walmart sells them, tho many times a particular walmart will not have any. (12v means you can plug it into the cig lighter) you can find them online...there is a wide variety. you can buy a cooler for around $100 give or take, or you can spend $800 and get one thats actually more like a real refrigerator/freezer. ive only ever gone the cheap route, so i cant tell you much about those expensive ones.
WV_Daddys_Girl Thanks this. -
WV_Daddys_Girl Thanks this.
-
Thanks y'all! I'm going to look into those. Anything to make it a little easier. I can barely lift that cooler up when it's loaded with food, drinks & ice. And thanks for the idea of aluminum foil - much cheaper than those tin pans and probably easier to work with, too.
-
I would say to you Madam, to start putting the food in those little aluminum meat-loaf-pans. They cook good in the lunch-box heater as do canned-goods.
Tell him to put abput a 1/2" of water in the heater, peel the lable off the can, and drop it in. Let it roll around for 30 mins while hes going down the road, and have a pair of gloves handy. It's gonna be HOT and he can eat it outa the can. Needs a can opener too for the CBRD stuff etc.
Did you say "potroast"? Yes Mam!WV_Daddys_Girl Thanks this. -
-
I use an Engel freezer set at 14 degrees to keep it from running constantly along with a Tracker 12volt lunch warmer purchased from awdirect.com. The Tracker will last longer than the others and I also keep a spare for when it's needed. Meals are placed in individual disposable baking tins and are then frozen. To warm each meal, I simply place the container in the warmer with a small amount of water. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour for it to be steaming hot. The freezer is costly but it's well the price. Also, the latch for the warmer will often break but the warmer will continue to work just fine.
Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you need more info.WV_Daddys_Girl Thanks this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 2