Microwave vs. Air Fryer vs. Toaster Oven

Get the cheap Walmart microwave. I have one in my truck and one in my camper. They are pretty bulletproof, small and you won't find one cheaper.

Mainstays 0.7 Cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven, 700 Watts, Black - Walmart.com

I have a toaster oven in my truck but I'd definitely recommend an air fryer instead. Same wattage so any decent inverter won't care.
Air fryers are a lot more versatile than a toaster oven. I do all sorts of stuff in mine at home that I would usually use a toaster oven for, like toasted bread etc.

 

Unless you know that you have enough clearance for heat dissipation, stick with a microwave. They are extremely unlikely to start a fire for anything other than electrical problems. The other two choices often have cases that get extremely hot.

 

Just remember, a smaller wattage microwave takes longer to heat/cook foods than a 1100 watt home microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.

 

First thing you need to do is to make sure you have a proper inverter/APU to handle the power, and make sure it is setup right so you don't have a fire.

 

Microwave for inside the cab. And you can get a small electric hot plate and an extension cord to cook on your catwalk. Or one of those folding camp tables if you want something cleaner. Do it that way so you dont risk any fires or issues. Dont get gas. It works fine sure and many people are perfectly safe using em..... but if one of those bottles leaks or the stove fitting goes bad. Well....not good to say the least.

An air fryer is good and all, but a lot of trucks nowadays are made of plastic. Plastic and heat dont typically mix. You can use one but just be aware of the risks. They get up around 400-450 degrees. A LOT of plastics especially the cheaper thinner type begin to burn or deform at around 300. That said i had a ninja mini for a while i used on my catwalk from time to time. I kinda phased it out sonce the hot plate and a frying pan did the job as good or better 9 times out of 10 and the hotplate and pan took up less room were easier to clean and cooled much faster.

 

I agree with @scotty68 The cheap 700 watt walmart microwave is what I used when I lived in the the truck. Just remember to wrap the glass carousel in a towel before you start driving. I vote NO on anything that gets hot or has a flame. Nobody plans to burn down their truck but everyone has knocked over stuff in the truck. It's a long walk home if you burn down your own truck.

How many watts is your inverter? A 1,000 watt inverter is just BARELY usable to run a 700 watt microwave or drip coffee maker. A 1,500 - 2,000 watt inverter is better. If it's nor a pure sine wave or PSW inverter then it will quickly wreck the power brick that you might have for a laptop. Pure sine wave power is what you have at home. It produces smooth power, and that's what power bricks want. Modified sine wave or MSW and unlabeled inverters just quickly cycle the power on/off to the plugged in device to simulate a sine wave and that will cause your power brick or the wire from your power brick to the device to get hot and heat destroys wires and electronics. I crippled the power brick on my laptop in about a week or two of use because of this.

 

I’ve carried all of them, and now nothing but the cheap Walmart microwave. All others were a pita.

Now I cook four or five meals at home on Saturday, and pack them in four cup Pyrex containers. 18 minutes at fifty percent power, and I eat like a king. Dirty containers get resealed and refrigerated until I get home, where the cycle starts again.

 

Cut a piece of pool noodle or get some rigid foam to wedge between the plate and the top of the microwave while moving.