There has been a recent trend of truck drivers cooking food while out on the road, and for good reason! Not only does it save them money, but it also allows them to eat healthy, homemade food. In this article, we will discuss the right equipment truck drivers need to cook their food safely and efficiently. We will also look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of cooking in a truck. So if you’re interested in learning more about this topic, keep reading!
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Why do truck drivers cook their own food?
Truck drivers cook their own food for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it saves them money. Eating out can be expensive, and truck drivers are often on a tight budget.
Many truck drivers have to park overnight and sleep inside their trucks, parking at truck stops has become very expensive, so many drivers will park at the side of the road in a layby to take their required rest periods.
By cooking their own meals, they can save a significant amount of money.
Secondly, cooking their own food allows truck drivers to eat healthy, homemade meals. This is important because truck drivers often have to eat on the go and may not have time to stop for a healthy meal.
Thirdly, cooking in a truck can be a fun and relaxing activity. It gives truck drivers a chance to take a break from driving and relax in their own space.
What equipment do truck drivers need to cook their food?
There are many items that a truck driver will need to be self-sufficient in a truck, these items can be costly initially to get set up for cooking, but in the long run, a truck driver will save plenty of money! not only will they save money on food by avoiding the high food prices at truck stops, they will also save money on truck parking allowing them to park freely in laybys anywhere they choose.
To be able to cook when trucking there are important items required to make cooking easy within a truck, here is a list of some of the most important items:
- Power inverter – a power inverter is required to use 240v cooking appliances in a truck.
- Cooking equipment – this will vary depending on what type of food the truck driver wants to cook.
- Microwave – for reheating food or cooking simple meals.
- Kettle – for boiling water.
- Refrigerator – for storing food and keeping it fresh.
- Stove – for cooking meals that require a stove.
- Oven – for baking or cooking larger meals.
Let’s take a look at these items in more depth because choosing the correct cooking items is important!
Power Inverter
A power inverter is a great item that every truck driver will get plenty of benefit from, the power inverter allows a truck driver to plug into the 24v power supply in a truck, or directly to the truck’s batteries. (see guide truck power inverters what you need to know)
The power inverter will enable drivers to use domestic cooking appliances that are 240v within a truck, it is important to have a power inverter that is large enough in wattage for the appliances that are used.
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Cooking Equipment
Depending on what cooking is going to be done by the driver items such as plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, and utensils will be required to cook basic items.
Other considerations are, a water container, washing equipment for cleaning dishes, dish soap, and tea towels, in other words, the items you would use within your kitchen at home but scaled down to your requirements.
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Microwave Oven
A microwave oven is a great option for a truck driver because it is so versatile for heating many types of food, it is important to use a low-wattage microwave oven as larger wattage microwaves would not be suitable when plugging into a power inverter. (see guide powering a microwave with a power inverter)
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Kettle
A kettle is essential for any truck driver because having the ability to boil water in a truck is perfect for making a hot drink, there are truck kettles that will simply plug into a 24v power socket in the truck, or of course, you could use a low wattage kettle plugged into an inverter.
Kettles can also be used for cooking foods such as rice or pasta with boil in the bag options or making in-pot noodle meals.
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Refrigerator
Keeping food fresh is essential within a truck, most trucks have built-in fridges and freezers, but if yours doesn’t then there are plenty of portable options available that can be powered easily from the truck’s batteries or socket.
For short-haul trucking, a cool box will keep food fresh too.
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Stove
During the summer months, a gas stove can be used outside the truck to cook some really great meals, you can use saucepans or even a frying pan to cook meals, plus many gas stoves also have built-in grills too!
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Mini Oven
A mini oven is a great item if you have room in your truck, they work in the same way as a conventional oven within your kitchen at home but only require 24 volts to power them.
Some mini ovens are 240v but a large power inverter will be required to power them as they usually draw a lot of amps, the inverter would also need to be connected directly to the truck’s batteries and not through the internal 24v socket.
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Truck drivers cooking food safety considerations
When cooking in a truck, there are some safety considerations that should be taken into account.
Firstly, it is important to make sure that all appliances are turned off and unplugged when not in use.
Secondly, truck drivers should be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and should not use any gas appliances inside the truck. With any type of cooking it is always a good idea to lower the windows of the truck, or on nice days even cook outside.
Thirdly, it is important to make sure that all food is stored correctly and those perishable items are kept in a fridge or cool box.
Finally, it is important to wash up after cooking to avoid attracting pests into the truck.
Advantages of cooking food in a truck
There are many advantages to cooking in a truck for truck drivers, the main one being that it is much cheaper than eating out all the time.
Another advantage is that truck drivers can control what goes into their food and so can make healthier choices, truck drivers can also cook larger meals and then portion them out to eat throughout the week.
Disadvantages of cooking food in a truck
Whilst there are many advantages to cooking in a truck, there are also some disadvantages.
The main disadvantage is that it can be time-consuming to cook meals from scratch, truck drivers also need to make sure that they have all the necessary equipment and ingredients with them.
Another consideration is food waste, truck drivers need to make sure that they only cook what they will eat and do not end up wasting food.
Another disadvantage is that it can be difficult to find the space to store all the equipment and food needed for cooking, and truck drivers may not have access to a fridge or freezer if their truck doesn’t have one built in.
Eating healthy food when truck driving
When truck driving, it is important to eat healthy food to keep your energy levels up and to stay alert.
There are many healthy options available for truck drivers to eat, including fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy snacks.
Truck drivers should also make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Preparation for cooking food as a truck driver
If you are a truck driver who is planning on cooking your own food, there are a few things that you need to do in order to be prepared.
Firstly, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment with you, including a stove, oven, portable cooker, or a heated lunchbox, as well as pots, pans, utensils, and plates.
Secondly, you will need to make sure that you have all the ingredients that you need for your recipes.
Thirdly, it is a good idea to make sure that you have some quick and easy recipes that you can make in case you don’t have time to cook something from scratch.
Finally, it is important to make sure that you clean up after cooking so that your truck stays clean and tidy.
Conclusion
Truck drivers cooking food in a truck can be a great way for truck drivers to save money and eat healthy meals. However, it is important to be prepared and to take safety considerations into account.
Truck drivers should make sure that they have the right equipment and ingredients, as well as quick and easy recipes. They should also remember to clean up after cooking so that their truck stays clean and tidy.
Truck drivers should also be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and should not use any gas appliances inside the truck, with any type of cooking it is always a good idea to lower the windows of the truck, or on nice days even cook outside.
It is important to make sure that all food is stored correctly and those perishable items are kept in a fridge or cool box.
Finally, it is important to wash up after cooking to avoid attracting pests into the truck.
We hope you enjoyed this article “HGV Truck Drivers Cooking Food in Their Trucks” it is great to eat healthily, save money, and stop wherever you choose! thanks for reading!
