Cooking on the go

[Mass Tim]

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.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Timbo,

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

[Mass Tim]

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.

[PNW Judy]

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!

[Mark Sedenquist]

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

[Quebec 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

[Mark Sedenquist]

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

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

[PNW Judy]

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

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>

[PNW Judy]

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

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.

[Quebec Gen]

Mark,

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...

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


Judy,

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

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