cooking in the truck

Thoroughly enjoyable thread, I have to say, although the more time I spend on these forums, the truer the old saying becomes that "Opinions are like a-holes..."

As for me, the only reason I'm wanting to get into trucking is to GAIN weight! (I'm 5'11" 140#)

Seriously though, I know, starting out (at least while with a trainer and maybe even beyond that) I will have to scratch by on "2 for 2 and a Mountain Dew" which is no biggie, since that's what I do a lot right now anyways! (unemployed and that UI check doesn't stretch too far after rent and child support come out--and I live right across the street from a Speedway)

I don't care about a coffee pot, because I only need that first cuppa in the morning, and I'm not one of those really particular types, so TSC is good enough for me!

I'm very intrigued by crock pot cooking and believe that when I can afford it, that's the way I will go, but my real question comes down to the whole inverter issue.

Keep in mind I have no mechanical/electrical knowledge so please bear with me...

When discussing these "larger" inverters (1000 +?) are these things the kind that can plug into a cigarette lighter outlet, or are they all "wired" to the truck's batteries? (this would kill the ability to "hide" them, if forbidden, I would imagine)

If an inverter is wired to the battery, no matter what the usage (assuming within rating) would it really matter if the truck is running? (down the road, not idling)

When discussing APUs with inverters, do these things have (what look like) regular (110) outlets?

Because I'll be getting into this, without two nickles to rub together, I want to make use of whatever items I already own: I have one large and one small Igloo (ice-based) cooler, I have a regular (I think 4qt) crock pot (in storage--although I have 'kitchen privileges" here, I could never be arsed to break it out) and I have one inverter (though it's sitting in the back of my brother's van ATM)

Here's what I have:
http://www.shopping.com/Advent-Jensen-JP30-300-Watt-Power-Inverter/info

It even came with an extra cord (that I've never used--I would only use the inverter in my security vehicle while parked somewhere, to run my laptop, so I plugged it into the cigarette lighter) that appears to be for connecting it to the battery, but as you'll see, the wire is so short, I can't imagine it reaching a regular car battery, let alone one in a truck!


(sorry for the crappy pic and the margin-f***)


My question for this is what would I be able to reasonably power with this thing, besides my laptop, which I already know will work. Much as I want to get into crock pot cooking, I'm not averse to using one of those lunchbox or Burton things...Oh, and I have no ability to cook, so I've been C/Ping like h*** since I hit this thread (for recipes)

 

It's not too difficult. A little googling and you will figure it out.

You knew the answer to this already right ? I don't blame you for wishing but no. You do need them hardwired with some decent sized wire straight to the battery or a full 12 volt power source. I think if you seach this thread you may find more on this. You should be able to hide them with enough ingenuity. A large guage power cable could be fitted with good crimp on connectors that you could attach and remove as needed.

The issue is not only the total power available. It is the very small gauge of the wires that run to the lighter socket and the (usually) 15 amp fuse to protect those wires from frying.

Yes.

Your laptop and your cell etc. are all you can reasonably expect from this.

Good luck. I would look around on Ebay or pawnshops and try to find a larger inverter for cheap or try some of the other ideas on this thread which suggest some handy lighter based coffee makers and crocks.

 

i have a crockpot i use in the winter months and i carry a little coleman gas grill for the summer months.

 

Cigarette lighter outlets (12v) are only good for 150 watts. No matter what the rating is on your inverter, if you plug it into the 12v outlet, you are good for 150 watts.

A 12v crock pot generally costs between $30-$40, and it is designed for vehicle use. An ordinary household crock pot is not. I've used both, and I much prefer the 12v variety. Trying to plug an ordinary crock pot into an inverter which is plugged into a 12v outlet didn't work for me. I blew a couple of perfectly good inverters trying.

 

Mister Ection one thing that is the greatest to keep on hand is a good tub of baby wipes, they can be used to keep cleaned up between showers.

Also I have washed out a few items of clothes in the shower while showering. If you can find a small bag that will hold water add the clothes to it, small amount of detergeant and they can soak for a few minutes while you bathe. This is for the times you don't have time to do laundry and need a shirt or underclothes mostly. Rinse well and hang in truck to dry.

I kept a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of papertowels (the ones that can be torn in half sheets same money sometimes), the window cleaner can be used to spray cooking dishes and utensils and wipe out. Means you don't have to keep as much water around for washing dishes.

If you stop at a rest area take in dirty dishes there too to rinse out. Some areas do not have potable water though so be careful if you get extra water from places like this, saves having to buy all the time.



For those of you who have a microwave you can spray a little bit of coating spray (Pam, etc) on a saucer, crack egg into it and stir (make sure you break the yolk so it doesn't explode), cook for a minute or so (may have to stir a little) and if you have a way to toast bread that is even better. Get the already pre-cooked bacon and heat for 10sec or so, add cheese to sandwich and mayo or whatever and you have a great cheap meal.

You can also make scrambled eggs this way, just stir more often, use a bowl if you have one, add a little milk or water and spices, stir, and don't over cook.

 

You might want to check the list of ingredients on a bottle of Windex before you decide you want to mix it with something you eat... even if it is just residue.

For gosh sakes... what is it with having a gallon of water around? Use a little drinking water to clean up dishes with... BFD. 89-cents a gallon at Walmart.

 

If you're looking for a quick easy way to take care of cleaning a few small dishes, here's what I do.

Take two small squirt bottles (make sure they never had anything in them ... Windex or otherwise (ammonia exposure over and extended period is hazzardous))

First Bottle (Marked SOAP): Mix a half bottle of water with four to six drops of your favorite dish liquid. Mix well. Then add more water to remove foam and fill the bottle. --->BTW this mixture will also help you identify air leaks on the rig. Spray it on any air hose and if you see bubbles ... you have a leak.

Second Bottle (Marked RINSE): Fill the bottle with water leaving about an inch or so of space at the top. To that either add commercial dish washing sterilizer or a cap full of bleach. The bleach at that level is about as dangerous as a swimming pool ... but to be safe don't sterilize right before you eat ... the bleach shouldn't leave much if any residue. The commercial dish washing sterilizer can be purchased from your local restaurant supply house and is designed to be harmless to humans and the dishes can be used right away.

YES, it's important to mark the bottles ... or at least color code them ... you only have to experience dinner mixed with soap residue once to see the importance of this step ... trust me.

It doesn't take much to clean the dishes as long as it's done right away. And you can use paper towels to scrub them. When rinsing be generous, bleach is cheep in most places. Just spray off all visual evidence of soap, then wipe down with paper towels to dry.

I used this method all the time with no adverse effects, and no mess from a tub of forgotten dishwater.

Just my two cents ... I know, but it's been a while since I posted on this thread so I'm making up for lost time.

 

OOps I guess I forgot to put in to wipe it off with a little water afterward. Me bad, but the window cleaner helps to cut some of the residue.

 

This sounds like a good idea also, thanks for the info.

 

I've been scouring the net for a good, small on truck coffee maker.
I really like a good cup of joe first thing so any suggestions on
Joe on the Go will be appreciated.

One luxury I affored myself is Starbucks. But I doubt I can find one every morning.