Saving/Spending on the road?

I don't see how you're not making a mess with the tinfoil. Do you eat straight from the lunchbox stove? Guess my mind's just not wrapping around it.

Little 12V lunchbox stoves you can find at truckstops or online. I have a Burton I paid $40 for that gets up to 300 degrees in 30 minutes. Takes about 20 minutes to heat up a can of food. I have it nearby so it's plugged in before I stop for the day. I'll do about 2 cans of food when I stop for the day. And if I have something that takes longer, I'll prep it before I get on the road, have it in the stove and plug it in when I'm an hour or so out from stopping.

 

Indeed sir. Like eating a mini wet sponge...

Basically what I do, is once whatever I'm warming up / cooking is done, I just grab all 4 corners of the foil and dump it into a bowl, plate or whatnot. No leaks, no mess whatsoever, then wad up the foil and pitch it into my trashcan.

Yeah I typically let it run all the time, unless I'm going to use my Webesto in-cab heater (anything that produces heat usually uses Alot of power). If I do unplug it during the night though, it retains it's cold very well.

 

A good size one is 40 quarts. I have the Igloo Chill. They're pretty roomy and say they'll get 20 degrees below the temperature around them. I've had mine freeze my water when it was near the fan. Every place online I see has it for $120. I got mine for $110 at a T/A in August.



Before that I had a Coleman 40 quart whose little fans didn't last more than a couple of months. I solved that problem with installing 2 computer fans (one outside, one inside) and it lasted me almost 3 years before someone stole a whole bunch of stuff off my truck. That's another story though.

 

^^^
That's the exact model I have too, love it.

 

I typically spend ~$100 a week. I got a koolatron cooler a few weeks ago though, so I've cut it a little bit. I don't mind sandwiches and whatnot here and there, but after 3 or 4 days I start to feel like a slave to the truck.

If you eat out, you can get off cheaper, and typically get better food by not eating at truckstops. You can park at or near many restaurants, you just might need to get a bit creative, or go at off times when they are slow.

 

I've got this one;
http://www.my12voltstore.com/Roadpro_12_Volt_Cooler_18_QT_p/rpsf5235.htm

used my truck stop points and knocked off half the price. paid $40. as I said I'm home on weekends so don't need the large one. doesn't kill battery overnight.
those lunch box cookers sure went up in price.lol

 

Highly recommend you listening to Dave Ramsey. It will help you tremendously out there on the road!

 

I've read on here about companies that won't allow inverters so you can't have a fridge or microwave. Can you really eat healthy with just a 12v cooler and the lunchbox stoves and other things like that?