Truck cooking 101

[mtdewr]

I hope this isnt too dumb of a question!! I've been advised that a crock pot can be used in the truck but what about an electric skillet for grilled sandwiches or eggs. Please let me know since I really dont like to eat out all the time. Thanks....Trudy

[Windwalker]

Originally Posted by mtdewr

I hope this isnt too dumb of a question!! I've been advised that a crock pot can be used in the truck but what about an electric skillet for grilled sandwiches or eggs. Please let me know since I really dont like to eat out all the time. Thanks....Trudy

If you have an inverter to handle the current draw of a skillet, go for it. Look at the current draw on the skillet, and make sure your iverter is rated a little higher. I use a "slow cooker" that I start in the forenoon and it's ready at noon or shortly after. If you don't have an inverter, look in the truck stops for one of the 12 volt ovens or something like that. They'll be a little slower than your skillet, but they do work too. Cost can range from about $20 to $40 or so.

[mtdewr]

OK thank you! We have the inverters already! I will also look at the 12 volt ovens as well!

[Ironturkey]

I have a 1500watt inverter and it runs the microwave, Forman grill, coffee pot, and toaster oven. I got the toaster oven so's I could have biscuit, and other goodies that just cook well on the grill.

[mtdewr]

What type of microwave? I heard that it has too much power and will blow the fuse? Maybe I was misinformed? Does the truck need to be moving to operate it or can it be just idleing? Thanks for the heads up!

[Windwalker]

Originally Posted by mtdewr

What type of microwave? I heard that it has too much power and will blow the fuse? Maybe I was misinformed? Does the truck need to be moving to operate it or can it be just idleing? Thanks for the heads up!

I picked up a 1000 watt inverter for $99. (not installed yet), and a 600 watt microwave at Wal-Mart for about $70.

I suggest idling the truck when using the microwave.

600 watts / 120 volts = 5 amps input into the appliance

600 watts / 12 volt battery = 50 amps draw from the battery (Plus the current actually drawn by the inverter)

How long do you want to leave all your lights on without having the engine running? If you happen to have one battery with a dead cell (which does happen) you could find that you don't have enough battery to start the truck when you're done eating.

[mtdewr]

How long do you want to leave all your lights on without having the engine running? If you happen to have one battery with a dead cell (which does happen) you could find that you don't have enough battery to start the truck when you're done eating.


I guess I didnt explain the question clearly. I was wondering if I needed to use the microwave when my hubby was driving or just when it was idleing so it doesnt pull too much power off the batteries. And I know better than to run anything without the truck idleing at least. Thanks for the info on the prices of micro and inverter...I will check into both.

[Windwalker]

You should have a 200 amp alternator, or higher. The truck should be able to keep up with the draw from the microwave when the truck is idling. Also helps keep the food in place and reduces cleaning up the mic if the truck is not bouncing.

[mtdewr]

Ok I will check on that. We decided to wait til maybe the next time out before we buy the microwave. I want to see how much storage area is in the truck we are assigned to. We will get by with sandwiches and the crock pot for now...will pick up the 12 volt oven soon. Thanks again!! Also I emailed your wife for more info....Be safe

[wot i life]

you can get 12 and 24v microwaves too. quite expensive but save money in long run. invertors are the thing you want though. get on e-bay and pick up a cheap one.

[greenmachine]

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A former co-driver and I both liked to cook; he was spanish and usually only cooked variations of tacos and burritos, ect. He taught me some very good recipes for tacos and burritos, with alvacadoes, special cheeses, sour cream, hot sauces, ect.

We would go to Wal-Mart and stock up on groceries and fill our shelves; mostly with everything to make tacos with, for his cooking and split the grocery bill. So, while one was driving, the other would plug in the skillet and make breakfast tacos with eggs, sausage, sour cream & hot sauce in the morning. Then at lunch time we'd make either chicken or beef tacos / burritos.

As time passed, we were even cooking fried chicken and fried potatoes too. Later, when I had another partner, I bought a rice cooker and started making fried rice, using frozen bags of vegetables, bean sprouts, onions, garlic, cut up chicken breast, ect _ it was great!

I had plastic tubs ( about 12" x 14" x 8" ) deep, from Wal Mart, that I had spread out on the lower bunk, with different things in them, for more "counter space"; they stacked inside of each other, when not in use.

We put the electric frying on a cardboad boxon the floor, behind the curtain, about 16" square & about 10" deep, with holes for the legs of the frying pan to set in; so it wouldn't slide. The person cooking would be behind the sealed curtain. I put my left leg through the seat belt, all the way up to my hip and sat on the lower bunk, to be secured, in case my partner braked suddenly.

The electric frying pan is also good for frying eggs to make tuna salad sandwiches, and for adding into the fried rice; or just egg sandwiches. It's also good for frying meat, like chicken breast, to put in a salad as well. A toaster would probably be good for the bread on the sandwiches too.

We used either toilet paper or paper towels to wipe the skillet kleen. If some food is burned on the pan, just pour a glass of water in pan, turn the heat on, and gently scrape at it with the pancake turner. Then pour out the waste water into a large wide-mouth jar, and wipe the pan clean with napkins.

I guess a person could cook the meat ahead of time, at home, so it doesn't spoil as easily. Cut it up into pieces, bag it and store it in the frig. Then later, you you can use it for tacos, chicken helper, ect.

I don't care that much for ground meat anymore, because you never know what they may be grinding up in it. It's also not good to eat meat with blood in it, because the blood carries toxins and wastes away from the invividual cells, so I try to eat chicken breast, if I eat any meat. I don't mind tuna either.

I'm on a break from the road right now, but when I go back, my rice cooker and electric frying pan are coming with me!

I found some recipes on the internet for making granola bars and power bars, which are very good, if there's not enough time to cook.

I've also obtained a couple of food dehydrators, for dehydrating fruits like apples and mangos, ect, for making and storing up munchies to snack on while driving late at night.

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[Steven]

I have a micro wave oven and a couple of electric coolers.
Here are some of the staples I take with me:
Egg beaters
Hard boiled eggs
Apples
Frozen veggies and stir fry peppers (they do thaw but that's OK)
Corn and whole wheat tortillas
Pre-cooked grains and brown rice
Teryaki sauce
frozen fruit
Milk/juice
Shredded lettuce
Cherry tomatoes
dry cereals ie. All Bran, Shredded Wheat
Baker potatos
Tofu
Salsa
Lots of different seasonings.
It's amazing what you can do with a few simple ingredients. I hardly ever eat outside of the truck and keep myself lean and healthy.

responding (lately) to mtdewr's queries --

get the George Foreman G5 grill -- it does it all.

and what it doesn't do, the Warm & Toasty oven from Sharp handles. it's a toaster oven, and a microwave. $118 from Wallyworld Online.

[GRB53]

Originally Posted by greeniect

responding (lately) to mtdewr's queries --

get the George Foreman G5 grill -- it does it all.

and what it doesn't do, the Warm & Toasty oven from Sharp handles. it's a toaster oven, and a microwave. $118 from Wallyworld Online.

I looked for specs on this grill to determine if one of my 200 watt inverter (all Scneider will allow) could handle it but no luck.
Do you know how much it draws on high?
Thanks,
Randy

[Rev.Vassago]

Originally Posted by GRB53

I looked for specs on this grill to determine if one of my 200 watt inverter (all Scneider will allow) could handle it but no luck.
Do you know how much it draws on high?
Thanks,
Randy

You aren't going to be able to run any cooking appliances on a 200 Watt inverter.

[GRB53]

Not what I wanted to hear but thanks Rev.
Randy

[GRB53]

oops sorry bout the double post...anyone else having problems using Opera?

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Originally Posted by GRB53

I looked for specs on this grill to determine if one of my 200 watt inverter (all Scneider will allow) could handle it but no luck.
Do you know how much it draws on high?
Thanks,
Randy

Get atleast some 4 gauge wire I used 0 gauge but it's not necessary . Go to a stereo shop , and you will be able to get a set up that will allow you to easily and safely attach heavy gauge wire to the battery terminals quickly ,but securely ...This will allow you to remove it quickly and place your invertor and wiring in a duffle bag when you head to a terminal . If your going to mount the invertor mount it in a place that doesn't have anything flamable that will contact the invertor , and mount it so that the heat sinking can disipate heat when in use . I think most companies have ant-inertor rules ...But I think most drivers have them any way , as we need to cook , and the 10-15 amp accessory out lets don't allow for much electrical cooking appliances... I also had a small propane grill...not supposed to have those either on a truck , But it's no different tha carrying one on an RV ...

[Rev.Vassago]

Originally Posted by BIG JEEP on 44's

I also had a small propane grill...not supposed to have those either on a truck

Says who?

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Originally Posted by Rev.Vassago

Says who?

Was told this in orientation last year . I was also told it against company poliocy ,and was against the law ...I didn't see the logic in it ,so I went right ahead and brought my propane grill .