Cooking on the go

I did a couple of quick searches, but didn't find any mention of this on here.

Just thought I'd fill everyone in on an interesting device, the Burton Stove-to-Go, aka Lunchbox. It has a limited range of heat, but looks like it might fill some needs that have been addressed in this forum in the past. I know some have been looking for something that will heat their food without being a safety hazard (thus eliminating the dashboard hibachi!)

Apparently many truckers use this little device (found on etrucker.com). This was probably the safest-looking method I came across.

A quick Google search will give several representations:

http://www.google.com/search?lr=&ie=...unchbox%20oven

If this has been mentioned before, my apologies for being redundant and redundant.

Timbo,

Sounds like a cool device. Have you ever used one?

Nope, never used it, just thought it might be of interest to some, especially those who don't haul along a bunch of camping gear like we do. My preference is to pull out the grill and get cooking!

I've found trucker web sites and boating accessory magazines have some interesting gear for road trippers.

That looks pretty cool. Not sure if I'd use it or not. I found a place with several items made by the same company that might be good for travel. Here's the link: http://www.kitchenemporium.com/brands/maxburton.html

Ya know, the "hot dogs to go" looks pretty dumb though, doesn't it? The Blender to Go looks intrigueing. Nothing better than margaritas at the campsite at night!

Judy,

Inquiring minds want to know... I have never used such devices either. Maybe we can get some testing units and give them whirl... I agree about the Hot dog cooker. Have you read Dennis' latest articles about tips for road food?

Mark

I personally used the "heating pot" once, but it is so long just to get something warm that I didn't even bother to try to cook something! Okay I admit I'm not really patient for that kind of thing but...:o)! I guess it depends on how much time you have and on how much cooking your stuff needs. But it is has a great advantage : you can plug it in the lighter so you can "cook" while on the road without stopping for those who are in a hurry and can't stop very long). I don't remember what brand the pot was but maybe some brands are better than others. I asked a truck driver I know and apparently the "lunchbox" is ok to keep things warm but not that good for cooking either. But you can find all kinds of surprises in trucks stops hopefully someday someone will find the ideal gear!:o)


Have a great evening!
Gen

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Originally Posted by Gen

I personally used the "heating pot" once, but it is so long just to get something warm that I didn't even bother to try to cook something! Okay I admit I'm not really patient for that kind of thing

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Oh really, I never would have guess that! Seriously, thanks for the field test report. My idea of on-the-road-cooking involves stopping at a roadside diner...

Mark

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Originally Posted by Editor

Judy,

Inquiring minds want to know... I have never used such devices either. Maybe we can get some testing units and give them whirl... I agree about the Hot dog cooker. Have you read Dennis' latest articles about tips for road food?

Mark

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Yeah, I checked 'em out. Dennis is full of good ideas. I look forward to future installments. I'm up for doing a test. Hmmmm, which device should I pick? <scratching head and envisioning what I wanna fix>

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Originally Posted by Gen

I personally used the "heating pot" once, but it is so long just to get something warm that I didn't even bother to try to cook something! Okay I admit I'm not really patient for that kind of thing but...:o)! I guess it depends on how much time you have and on how much cooking your stuff needs. But it is has a great advantage : you can plug it in the lighter so you can "cook" while on the road without stopping for those who are in a hurry and can't stop very long). I don't remember what brand the pot was but maybe some brands are better than others. I asked a truck driver I know and apparently the "lunchbox" is ok to keep things warm but not that good for cooking either. But you can find all kinds of surprises in trucks stops hopefully someday someone will find the ideal gear!:o)


Have a great evening!
Gen

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Gen, I bought something like you describe and have used it a few times in the car. Mine's different than the one at the website I linked to above. I don't recall the brand and I'm too lazy to run out to the garage right now and check. I got it at a Camping World. It's supposed to boil water in just a few minutes. Well, it took more like 30 minutes to bring things to a very low boil. Very low. And maybe it wasn't really boiling. Maybe it was just bouncing around in the car which made it look like it was boiling? :-)

I used it to heat up soup. It wasn't as hot as I like it but it worked. And it was nice to have something different on the road. You could probably heat the water hot enough for cocoa or instant coffee (bleach!) but anything that really needs to boil, would never get done in it. I only take it with me sporadically. I don't miss it when I don't have it but it's been fun to use a bit when I do have it with me. Does that make sense?

I wonder if the Max Burton one works any better. But I doubt it. It's probably limited by the voltage.

Mark,

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Oh really, I never would have guess that! Seriously, thanks for the field test report. My idea of on-the-road-cooking involves stopping at a roadside diner...

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I hope so! It would take forever just to cook those thick steaks and ribs you enjoy so much on that device:o))!


Judy,

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Maybe it was just bouncing around in the car which made it look like it was boiling? :-)

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Or maybe it was the sun heat through the windshield?:-) So what do you use when you're on the road? I use a butane stove and, so far, I haven't find anything more practical on the market. Coleman propane stoves are great most of the time but they're huge and heavy. When I go on long backpack hiking trips though I bring a very compact propane burner because it is lighter and smaller.

The greatest thing I found in a truck stop was a hair dryer you can plug in the lighter (Yeah I know this sounds very girly and prissy:o). Most hair dryers don't work with an inverter because of the voltage. When you're sleeping in the car in unofficial places and you have long hair it can be really helpful not to look too awful when you have to meet people or go to the restaurant. I use it in motels as well, I have an adaptor for it. And NO, I don't bring that on camping trips okay:o) just on road trips, I'm not that prissy!

Gen

Hey Gen!
On the road I usually use my MSR backpacking stove. But I often take it and never use it. I'm usually quite content with cold food....cheese, crackers, fruit, salads, protein bars, stuff like that. If I want something hot, I usually go to a drive-thru window. I don't think anything can beat the McDonald's $1 menu. I can get a double cheeseburger for $1 and then drink my own pop or water, and then have an apple or a chunk of cheese for dessert and I'm happy. Usually once every 2-3 days, I'll splurge on a good restaurant meal...something a bit more gourmet than McD's.

I'm getting a chuckle about your hair dryer simply because I've never even owned a hair dryer. I've had long hair and short hair and, either way, have always preferred the dry natural method. However, I'm not laughing at you. Believe me, I've in the "I don't mind getting old but I'm going to fight it every step of the way" stage. Meaning, I have a very elaborate skincare routine that I do whether at home, on the road, camping, or backpacking. I feel naked without all the goop on my face these days. :-)

ETA: I have seen those butaine stoves that come in their own little case. Very nice. I've considered splurging on one of them. It certainly looks easier to use than my MSR. How do you like it? If I ever get to the point where I think I'll bother cooking more while on the road, I'll probably invest in one.

Judy,

Wow you are my idol, you mean you REALLY never owned a hair dryer? That must be great...If I don't my hair is flat, and I mean really really flat, you know the kind of hair that's very very straight and you cannot do anything with? But I don't make a big deal out of it, I just put my head upside down and blow it dry! And I don't know where you live but in these parts, believe me when it's minus 45 Celsius outside you can't just leave the house with your hair wet!:o(( I did it a few times though...Not a great idea :o)

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I can get a double cheeseburger for $1 and then drink my own pop or water, and then have an apple or a chunk of cheese for dessert and I'm happy.

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Okay, I admit it I'm a McD's cheeseburger addict too, especially when I'm in a rush. I probably ate like 5 McDonalds cheeseburgers a week on my last trip to the west because I didn't have much time to stop... yuck! don't want to think about it too much. The most fascinating thing, I don't know if you noticed, but even though it's a chain, their food don't taste the same at all depending in what part of America you are. They try to make them all look the same but they're not. And you can find stuff in some McDonalds that are not available at others like pizza, subways, poutines,...fried chicken!

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I usually use my MSR backpacking stove

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MSR : is that a brand or some kind of stove? I'm not really familiar with all American brands...

Gen

When I was a kid growing up my mom had a hair dryer. I remember using that. I've just never been much into doing my hair. I've worn it long and straight, mid-length and short and I just don't mess with it. When it was long, I just let it dry naturally or would braid it when wet so, when it dried, I would have natural waves. I washed it at night then. When it was mid-length, I also let it dry naturally but did use a combo curling iron/dryer so I guess I have owned a hair dryer. Dang...forgot about that. Anyway, I didn't use it to actually dry my hair completely just the ending part of the drying to finish the ends of the hair. Does that make sense? I tend to get up quite early and, if I shower right away, there's a lot of time for my hair to dry before I typically need to go anywhere. Now I'm wearing my hair fairly short....It's just below my ears with a bit of layering. I like that kinda messy look so popular now. So I just let it dry most of the way and then put some goop in it and mess it up. Easy!

I live on the WA state coast. Believe me, it NEVER gets that cold. We seldom get below freezing. Well, we can get a pretty good windchill factor going from the ocean, but if I leave the house in the morning with damp hair I'm usually in my car and then get to my destination so a little damp hair is no biggee. Believe me, if I had to go out in temps like that...brrrrrr!!!...I'd probably be blow-drying, too.

Anyway....we all have our quirks. I'm just all thumbs when it comes to hair.

Now, Gen, you might want to watch "Supersize me"....eating at the dreaded McD's that much might make you too sick for those marathon blitz drives! (Seriously, that movie is amazing!) Actually, I'm just teasing ya a bit. Although it's hardly a healthy meal, when once is on a quest, speed and convenience can sure outweigh healthy choices. :-)

MSR....yeah, it's a brand. Here's a webpage showing the types of stoves I'm talking about. http://www.backcountrygear.com/catal...anister_stoves
They're just very convenient and small to pack so, if I don't use it, it's no biggee. I take miniature cooking gear, too. Like this type: http://www.backcountrygear.com/catal...ail.cfm/MSR158
I prefer traveling with as light-weight of gear, and as small, as possible. Of course, I'm driving in a little car so that makes sense. And we used to backpack a lot. Less now but we still try to do it a time or two a year. So this is the type of gear we already had.