cooking in the truck

I was just about to mention the a/c fridge and inverter option. Depending on whether the inverter is plugged into a 12v receptacle that is switched with the truck key, or not, will decide how it effects your batteries. Either way, you don't want one that runs all the time. The batteries will draw down, usually at the worst possible moment.

 

Yes I have certainly tried the regular store fridge/inverter route but I went through 2 fridges in 6 mths plus with the inverter, it drained the batteries way too quick so you have to keep an eye on that situation. But the reg store fridges are just not designed for trucks and all that constant banging around/vibration on the roads takes its toll. If that arrangement was so good, then the truck manufacturers would have opted for that years ago. As it turns out despite costing more, in the long run you just need to bite the bullet and invest in these AC/DC designed truck fridges. I'm still amazed how little power they use. I'm very happy with the result. But everyone is not like me so they go and try a different route.
Good luck.

 

Surprisingly a real portable cooler uses less juice & is considerably quieter than a thermo-electric. For Several years I've used this model: https://www.engel-usa.com/products/...oading-models/engel-mt17-ac-dc-fridge-freezer.
But due to space constraints I've had to swap it out for this model: http://www.waeco.com/en/3122_420.php. It's quite a bit smaller, but fits better in my truck. It holds about half as much as my old one,but grocery stores are quite plentiful. If this one last me as long as my old one I'll be a happy camper. I've still got 2 old thermo-electrics in my basement that I haven't even bothered with in several years.

 

Yes, those 2 makes are excellent options and I think Waeco is part of Dometic who makes AC units for APUs such as Centramatic, as well as their own coolers. The Engel is pretty big and a bit too wide for my truck. The Truckfridge free stander fits nicely by the passenger seat and the one I have stores a lot of food. But it's taken quite a bit to get used to. I'm still fooling with it and I've had it as low as -11 deg F But the temp seems to rise for awhile when you put food in it to freeze.
As for thermocoolers I've got 3 of them in my garage collecting dust. Those were the days!!
Good luck with your endeavors.
Keep your eye on Truckfridge.com. The makers of their fridge/freezers are considering making a real portable AC unit that will run via a 12V DC current. Called the Cube. This is not like the one where you fill it with water and ice. A totally different technology and by all accounts will be vented via the window. At the moment they only make a 24V version for Europe. Would be very interesting if/when it happens.

 

as long as its your own truck ? I have no problem with it.

 

In the old days long before microwaves. Drivers used a kettle then added water, beef roast, potatoes, veggys, etc. Wire kettle with lid on of course to the top of the engine. I,ve wrapped different things in tin foil , then wired them to the top of the engine. YUM

 

Yes, but trucks no longer run on steam!

 

Never did any campfire cooking, eh? Wrap food in aluminum foil with a little water, seal it up, and throw in coals on bottom of fire. Same deal... just use a hot engine.

 

I've warmed a can of soup on my engine, in the valley between EGR cooler and valve cover, but it really didn't get all that warm. I suppose the valley between the block and oil cooler on a CAT might provide more heat.

 

I am also lookin for a fridge whose got the best