How do you do the cleaning (dishes etc) that require running water?

Rookie driver here, on my second week solo.

I've been doing okay figuring out most of the logistics of being on the road, but there are a few things that i can't figure out

1. The guy who left the truck for me, has the fridge smell something awful despite it having no visible stains. I want to clean the inside by using baking soda and soap, and to do that i need to dilute with water. I have a bucket but where can i easily get hot running water for a mop-sized bucket (not exactly going to fit in a truck stop bathroom sink) that is also truck accessible?

2. I want to start making food on the road rather than just buying expensive truck stop food all the time, but again, running water -- how do you do dishes? Do you just use the food-safe cleaning wipes I see when I Google search this? And are there any products like a drying rack that is going to withstand being on the road and not destroy my utensils? (They’re mostly plastic, just so you know — I’m not that dumb lol)

3. What's your favorite electric cooking griddle / frying pan that's compact but durable and good for carrying on the truck?

Feel free to drop Amazon links if you have any recommended products

 

A small George Forman grill.

Dawn dish spray soap, paper towels, & gallon of water.

You have to think like a minimalist. You have a dorm sized fridge, and barely any room to play. Less is more

 

Ah, the curiosity of youth. Simplify, man,,, 1st, paper plates, even here at home, I never use dishes. While in the truck, you may have to adjust your eating habits, and eat things out of the cooler, like fruit, sandwich stuff, and probably better for you anyway. I strongly recommend buying food at a grocery store. If water is needed, a gallon jug should be good enough. Not many trucks have a microwave, but that's all I use here at home. We used to warm moms sandwiches up on the exhaust manifold, but I realize, that's not an option today. Oh, stay away from any "wipes" except for your rear end. Lot of chemicals in those I wouldn't want on my dishes, even so called "safe ones".

 

https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-...argid=pla-1015428349176&region_id=674469&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Biodegradable dish soap and refill gallon jugs for your water. You can get a tea kettle with different temperature settings if you don't want to use boiling water. You can get a water container with a spigot on it if you want running water to rinse with instead of soaking. If you use silicone utensils and they start to smell like soap, bake them in an oven on your time off.

 

Heat water in your microwave if you have one.

I take prepared and frozen home cooked meals. Heat and serve on paper/plastic using plastic utensils. Used to carry a 2 cubic foot freezer. Now i have a fridge/freezer since I have the room.

 

1. Microwave or electric kettle, or some truck stops often have hot water only spigots or sinks with both near their coffee area; filling up a bucket might look awkward… you could use one of those super duper large mugs.

2. A wash basin isn’t needed for dishes; wiping down dishes with just a wet paper towel is usually enough. Occasionally I sanitize with vinegar as well. For pots and pans, just add a lil soap to help break down food residue.

3. Check out air fryers

For “running” water, I’ve got a 3gal jug (used to use 5gal) with a battery powered pump in my “closet”; I’ve also got a basin next to it that I can move to dump. I mostly just use it for rinsing a few items where having a little “pressure” helps. I can add a picture with my setup later.

 

I have been using at the new office (still waiting for running water in the kitchen area) a 1.5 liter water bottle with the cap drilled with small holes in it so I don't have to throw water away. I fill it up in the bathroom which has running water but it is too small to clean dishes in.

 

Think out side the box- like dual use and easy to clean . I use a hard plastic fork and spoon set from cabellas that i've had forever , spoon for instant coffee , soups and puddings. You can also use it to spread pbj , mayo, mustard etc.
Like was said by others , stop at supermarket and get what you need - bread , canned stuff like chili and tuna and salt and pepper.
You'll figure it out .
I also use heavy duty tupperware and they also do double duty . Food storage and then as a plate or bowl.
As far as water , a case of bottle water always, you can clean and drink and fill a radiator if ness.
Lots of ways if you think it out.
Also every truck stop i stop at has a least a small sink and micro wave , so take your stuff in with you to quickly clean and start all over again

 

Paper towels and wet wipe dishes till I get home.

 

Another idea is stainless steel dishware that can fit in a pressure cooker. Just wipe or scrub the big stuff off, then toss it in there. It heats up the water, the steam sterilizes everything, and makes cleanup really easy. Plus it dries really fast since it's so hot when it comes out. It also uses very little water.

The downside is you won't be able to microwave food on it.