Truck cooking 101
 

Re: Truck cooking 101
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.