cooking in the truck

I know of one good one. I had a coleman that I let another driver talk me out of when I went back to a day cab. He offered me more than I paid for it and I had it for several years. I would offer him more for it than what he paid if I could find him again... It worked too good. I would have to unplug it. Would make 2 liter bottles slushy... After I went back OTR I went through a couple colemans. Got mad and bought a igloo and it did better, but never got as cold as I wanted. Then I had to start buying cords for it. It was melting plugs as well. I have a small fridge and it works better than any cooler.

 

is the fridge 110 or 12 volt? just wondering as I was looking at a 110 one today for 119.00 but dont know what it running on an inverter will do to the battery.

 

Fridges don't draw very much power, so it's not going to draw down your battery to any great extent. As notarps wrote, its well worth the investment! If you're going to park the truck for an extended period, empty the fridge and turn it off just to be safe.

 

I have a small 110 CUBE fridge and it works fine on my inverter. I also have a colman 12 volt cooler it works ok but not as good as the mini fridge. I also have a small 110 micro called a half pint and it works on the inverter.

 

I have a very large inverter(4500) and run all my items on 110. They are cheaper to buy and you can pick them up at sears or Walmart and get the waranty. They get beat up in the truck so once a year I take them in and they either make them like new or they give me a new one. Works very well.

 

If your on a buget you can get the cheap inverters at harbor freight tools. I dont know how good they are but they have them in high watts.

 

I've cooked in my truck for years, different times, different ways. How you cook, as in propane stoves, presents a few problems. First frying etc. causes grease accumulation in the cab, must be cleaned constantly and it still builds up in small places that are hard to clean. Second, you will need refrigeration adequate to preserve supplies. You sure don't want to be buying food supplies from the truck stops! I find that hot meals are essential and a microwave is the best answer. Wal Mart has a great selection of pre-cooked meals at good prices that are tasty and fairly good for you. Most do not need to be refrigerated. A George Foreman type sandwich grill is a good choice, use your imagination as to what you can make.
Look at stores like Cabela's Outfitters, on their website they have a link to food and food prep that will help you a lot.

Good Luck!

 

110. It was ran on a converter. I got the fridge at wallyworld. I did not buy the smallest one, but the next size up. Here is a pic of it in my truck.

 

From way back but here's my $.02. Take them to the shower with you. Or, one better, use cast iron and just whipe it out..they are meant for that!

 

Folks, excuse me for saying, but here's what I'd do were I in your shoes...(or sleepers)

I'd avoid cooking IN the truck. I'd only reheat in there.

Since all my cooking would be done outside the truck, I'd get a propane grill and a propane burner. Since I'd reheat IN the truck, I'd get a micorwave. Since I'm talking about reaheating, I'd get some way, in the truck, to freeze food. Seriously, you folks are driving many hours a day, who the heck wants to set up, prep, cook, eat, clean, stow? Forget that..that's what down time is for.

Veggies are best blanched...you won't have that ability on a truck so save yourself that hassle and eat a salad. It's better for you anyway...the raw veg will fuel you up nice. Have that with a stew. Make the stew before you leave home. Learn how to microwave rice. Have your stew over rice.

Every couple of days...how much would you spend eating at flying j? $15+? Go to walmart...or heck, if you can swing it, try to find a butcher shop every once in a while..something with good meat...spend 12 bucks on a fat steak, heat up some rice to go with it, big fat salad, whamo. Another night, find a decent seafood market...grab a nice quarter peice of salmon, same deal. get a variety of dressings to liven up your salad.

When you're home, early in the morning (or when you get up) regal yourself to throwing together 2 or three stews. Freeze them in 12 oz microlite containers (disposable plastic...sams club has them) if you're feeling froggy, make a couple soups. Just last night I made Maryland Crab soup and cajun corn and shrimp chowder and lass than a half hour..everything fresh. I'm a real chef..trained and tried. Stews are awesome, take 20 minutes prepping out 2 stews to throw on the stove, get em cooking, go do laundry while the oven or crock pot does the work for you. Soups the same, and heck, after a long run, quick heating a soup and throwing together a nice sandwich is almost perfect...gets you to the showers and bunk that much faster.

That's what i'd do. I'd have 75% oif my meals planned out, frozen, and on the truck ready to reheat. No dishes, no fuss, a TRULY homecooked meal (as opposed to home reheated from Chef Boyardee or Campbells)

You have no idea the things I've done this way. Coq au Vin, Cassoullet, Gumbo, Ettoufe, Beef Stew, Chicken an d Dumplings, on and on. If you guys and gals would like me to assemble some recipes that make for good stewing and freezing, let me know and Ill try to get some on here.

Then once or twice a week, when you have time or etc, treat yourself to something fresh off the grill.

Microwave your rice

That's how I'd swing it.

Anyone want my ideas on how to get awesome coffee on the road without stopping? not dunking doughnuts awesome, not Starbucks awesome, but that little cafe on main awesome..the one where your truck won't fit. We can do this ON YOUR TRUCK without a coffee maker!

intrigued?