The Versatile Rice Cooker - A Trucker's Best Cooking Tool?

Hey guys and gals, check this out. My wife stumbled on this discovery recently. We're gonna check it out in our kitchen immediately. Turns out you can use a rice cooker for the same thing as a crock pot, and then some. Cooks faster. Might be the best tool for the trucker's "kitchen?" Here's an article:

Rice Cooker Uses and Recipes

I use one down here in gtmo. they are great. and make some really tasty meals.

I have not been able to find the wattage requirements of these yet ...anybody know ?

~S~

Here's mine:

AROMA brand - interestingly enough it says rice AND food steamer on the box

120V 650W 60Hz AC ONLY

Could definitely fit a cornish hen or even a small-medium size roasting chicken

Bill, here's a couple of things to consider when looking at cooking in the truck. Different companies will allow different things when it comes to using an inverter in the truck. You want to keep your wattage level as low as you can and still accomplish what it is you're trying to do. That rice cooker is rated at 650 watts - at that level you will need an inverter that is hard wired to the batteries in the truck. You can probably find an inverter up to around 500 watts that will plug into the outlets in the truck, once you get past that level you will need to hook it up directly for safety. Some companies won't allow you to have an inverter that hooks directly to the electrical system, others will but will probably require that their mechanics do the work and may even charge you for the labor. Just wanted to point out those things as considerations.

As you know, I love to cook in my truck and have found the lowly crock-pot to be a wonderful tool. The wattage level on mine is around 300 when it is on high, and 150 on low. I don't mind the time it takes to cook, because I'm generally doing long haul work anyways, and when using these appliances with an inverter you need the truck to be running so the alternator is providing the load which keeps you from draining the batteries. Even at a load of 150 watts the inverter won't even work unless I have the truck running - that is a safety feature to keep you from over heating the wiring.

Not saying the rice cooker won't work - I think it would do a fine job, just make sure with your employer that you can have an inverter large enough to carry the load.

I've cooked chickens in my crock-pot, and I'll tell you they are "falling off the bone" good! I throw some sliced onions and carrots in there with it and then later I'll use the broth it makes while cooking to cook my rice in, oh man that is some good food!

Thanks for the response Old School. I appreciate your insight. Crete is a company that might not allow the inverters, at least in the manner that you mentioned, being tied directly into the electrical system. I remember reading something that left me w/ that impression. Guess I'll find out once I get started with them.

I figured the rice cooker might be better for quicker meals.

And yes, I've read your posts about cooking I actually had you in mind when I posted this thread.

But thanks again for the helpful info on the inverters and wattage.

So Old School, would a 1500 watt inverter that runs off of the APU suffice? That is what we have in our trucks so it looks like it would fit the bill. For the most part, I find that my microwave does pretty much what I need. However, I did buy a refrigerator (while I'm here at home) which gives me a lot more room that my previous coolers. May have to upgrade to the crockpot or rice cooker. Especially after my GP told me that I need to gain some weight. Personally, I just think he doesn't like skinny guys.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Whatever appliance that will keep you out of the TS cafes, with healthier food, and portions that are filling but not over eating....is a good thing.

So Old School, would a 1500 watt inverter that runs off of the APU suffice?

Oh yeah, you guys with the APUs have a sweet set up. I was really making the point for those of us that don't get to enjoy such amenities. Our trucks may not have as much auxiliary electrical power as you guys with the APUs but we still don't want to catch them on fire.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.