Cooking On The Road

So I'm hoping to get tested out of school and on the road pretty soon and have a question. I don't plan on eating at the truck stops a lot and want to get food for the truck. I have seen several threads pertaining to cooking on the road, but I'm wondering how you wash your dishes and utensils? Also, does most of you use the lunchbox cookers, microwaves, etc.? Also, if you have any easy recipes I would love to hear them. I want to be as prepared as possible, my hubby had some health problems in the past so we have to watch our diet.

Thanks!

I have seen several threads pertaining to cooking on the road, but I'm wondering how you wash your dishes and utensils?

OMG we are all going to be so delighted that you asked that! We have a resident expert, Mr Daniel B., and he will be more than happy to explain his wonderful way of handling even the dirtiest of dishes on the road. I could tell you, but he deserves the privilege. He's earned it. You'll see what I mean....

As far as ways to cook or heat up food there are a whole array of 12 volt appliances to choose from including microwaves, hot plates, and crock pots. And most drivers have a power inverter that converts 12 volt power to standard household power so you can use small household appliances also.

There are also 12 volt refrigerator/coolers and standard 110 volt mini-refrigerators that most drivers have for carrying things like milk, yogurt, lunch meats, and things of that nature.

As far as recipes, a lot of our regulars have great ideas they'll share with you. I don't have any special recipes, but there is a long-standing trucker's tradition that you have to wrap a baked potato in aluminum foil and set it on your engine's exhaust manifold and let it cook while you're driving down the road. If you haven't eaten a potato cooked on the engine of a big rig you can't belong to the official trucker's club.

I hope you add some sea salt to that tater first.

This should be a good thread. I too have been thinking about how I will deal with the cooking issue. I like to eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits. I plan on avoiding fast food at all costs. I've read that having a crock pot on all day in a truck can be torture! By the time it's done cooking, you are starved from smelling it all day. hehe!

but I'm wondering how you wash your dishes and utensils?

See?? It wasn't just me . . . inquiring minds want to know . . .

OMG we are all going to be so delighted that you asked that! We have a resident expert, Mr Daniel B., and he will be more than happy to explain his wonderful way of handling even the dirtiest of dishes on the road. I could tell you, but he deserves the privilege. He's earned it. You'll see what I mean....

Are you referring to the Daniel that showers with dishes? I've heard of "Dances With Wolves" but "Showers With Dirty Dishes" just doean't sound as noble, ya think?

Jopa

Are you referring to the Daniel that showers with dishes? I've heard of "Dances With Wolves" but "Showers With Dirty Dishes" just doean't sound as noble, ya think?

Awwww man.....you weren't supposed to give it away! That was Daniel's treat to share with the world!

Bummer dude! My bad . . .

Jopa

I'm just guessing here, but why couldn't someone keep a 5 gallon water jug in one of the storage compartments just for washin' the dirty dishes? Paper plates and plastic forks work just fine.

I like to drink tea, so I've been thinking about some way of storing water just for that purpose. I use Sweet and Low and box of that and tea wouldn't take up too much room. I also happen to love doctored up Ramen soup. A small pot, a jug for the water, a box of tea, some Ramen soup, a one burner propane cooking apparatus, and I'm happy as a clam! hehe!

I tend to be a picky eater and I do love the junk food but junk food is just that. JUNK! Bad for you. I have a small 12v cooler in my truck. Not really expensive and doesn't kill my battery. There are bigger ones but space is a consideration for me and I don't like the clutter. When I go home I cook up some stew (chicken, beef and pork), home made chili and any thing else that I like to eat. Put it in freezer containers (reusable) that are big enough for one meal and pop them in the freezer. They take about two days to thaw in the cooler.

When I am ready to have one of my "home cooked" meals I break out my 12v "oven" that I bought for about $30 bucks. Drop my meal in it and have a good eat in about 30 minutes. I can pack in about 6 meals in my cooler along with my milk and a couple of cans of fruit juice and they will keep for as long as I am out. Sometimes I am out for a five week run and have had no problem with spoiling. Don't use zip lock bags. They will leak and make a mess.

I also keep plenty of soups, cracker, and peanut butter(the kind with the honey already mixed in) on hand for those days when you just don't feel like waiting. Sleep is calling faster than the oven can get something hot. A half gallon of milk will make it for about three days (I love milk) and the dry cereal will last about a week. Wal Mart is everywhere so a quick stop there will save some money rather than buying is truck stop.

I keep five one gallon containers of water and I have a small hot water heater the I bought for I think $20. It will heat about 2.5 cups of water pretty fast and if used right I can clean my pans with that. I refill my water when I get to a terminal but I have taken them in the shower with me and filled that that way.

I take one bowl with me from home and that serves me well for all of my eating and is quick to clean up. Oh yeah. LOTS of paper towels. four to six rolls. Light and easy to store.