cooking in the truck

I've had my Burton digital cooker heat to a full boil. A Crock-Pot on High will also boil water.

 

This one is similar to the one I have.

 

I was looking at that Burton digital cooker. How long have you had it and what is the range of temperatures that it will cook? I'm thinking of getting that instead of a crock pot.

 

You can set 100-350 by 25 degree increments. The degrees are approximate; mine will hold a simmer at 225.

While I use my Burton a lot more frequently than my Crock Pot, it doesn't replace it. Some things simply don't fit in the Burton, like those mutant monster chicken leg quarters that my local store sometimes has for 79c/lb. A few of those and a bag of sauerkraut makes a couple of delicious meals. I can't boil the homemade hot sausage that the local farmer's market sells; the links are too long. The Burton is great, however, for boiling a few hot dogs for lunch. (And yes, boiling is the proper way to cook a hot dog!) It also works well for heating canned food, and pot pies just fit in it.

FYI, you can get a Crock Pot in the local thrift store for $5-$10. The older ones, with the nonremovable crock, are less likely to burn your food if you are delayed in shutting it off.

 

A lunch box stove may be what you are looking for. They get pretty decent temp of about 300F and are 12v. There are recipes all over. I think it could be used to heat the water for the MRE or you can add the dehydrated MRE to the aluminum pan with water and cook til hydrated and heated thoroughly.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00030DLEE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1401037140&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

Forgot to add that I just posted the Amazon link but you can find these in just about any truck stop. The pans the sell at truck stops are jacked up in price. You can pick up at the dollar store or Walmart for much less.

 

This kettle works a treat!
http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Water-Heater-Kettle-Car/dp/B000AXOQEI

Not exactly cheap, but it boils water in a reasonable amount of time. If this doesn't work ....you can always buy a JetBoil. They are expensive...over 100 dollars and use small propane tanks....enough to last approximately one hour....but I've used t in Iraq...I've used it in Afghanistan....and I assure you, it is a quality made product that will last you a life time. It's not a problem doing it outside since like the name suggest...JetBoil...it WILL boil your water in around ONE MINUTE and I speak from experience with it! see www.jetboil.com I have the SOL system....What's most fantastic is that once you have finished boiling your water, the entire thing comes apart and fits inside the 1L container making it very easy to stow....since space is at a premium! Finally, since it IS a propane system, best done outside but...under 2 minutes for a full litre of scorching hot water!

 

You can buy a small butane stove on amazon for under 30. The refills are cheap if you buy them by the dozen at amazon, 2 bucks each, 5 at some of the truck stops. I can bring a small tea kettle or pot of water to a boil in about 5 minutes. I maybe use 2 to 3 cans of fuel a month.
You can also buy a good quality thermos, preheat it properly, and fill it with hot water tap at the truck stop coffee makers, free. If you preheat the thermos, (putting some hot water in first) the water is stays hot for 12 to 24 hours.
If you want boiling water, you'll have to go with a gas stove.
None of the 12v stuff I've used over the years worked well, or lasted long. The lunchbox stove is ok, but doesn't get hot enough.

 

a video speaks 10,000 words....here is a JetBoil review!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipCJgKAvBqY

 

How feasible is it to carry a small folding table, in order to cook outside the truck?

I really wouldn't want to start "infusing" smells into my small living quarters.

 

Speaking of MREs, I have an MRE heater that works well. It is an insulated pouch with a heating element that plugs right into a 12 volt outlet. About five minutes I have a heated MRE. BUT the catch is to use an MRE or something like it, not a pouch meal that the plastic will melt.

I have a Svea, a couple colemans and some german made gas stove. I would never use them in the truck but outside of it.