After traveling and lodging, food is the biggest expense while traveling. But you can get in some great meals for $10, $5 or less when you cook them yourself. How can you cook while traveling? There are a few fun and inventive ways to be frugal here.
Bring the slow cooker
While many hotels don’t allow cooking in the room unless you have a suite that includes a kitchen, you can still use your crockpot in your car! If you have a long trip, at least four hours, then you are all set for a great meal. Add a liner to your crockpot, fill it up with ingredients and plug it into your car using an inverter. You can help secure it in the car with a cake pan. When you get to your destination, a hot meal will be waiting. Remove the liner for a fast cleanup.
Cook on your manifold
Did you know that you could use your engine’s heat that just gets wasted anyway to cook an entire meal? You’ll need to wrap your food in several layers of aluminum foil to prevent spillage getting into your engine. Dry items, such as seasoned chicken do well with this method. So do apples for baked apples, potatoes and several other foods. As you get better at car cooking, you’ll know where to place items to prevent overcooking. There is a popular book called Manifold Destiny that lists different recipes and includes milage and times for cooking.
Pack the cooler
Whether you have a short or a long trip, it makes sense to pack the cooler and enjoy lunch or dinner. Picnic foods can be fun and inexpensive. Sandwiches, cold pasta dishes, fruit and more are easy to prepare and to eat. Find a rest stop or a picnic area for lunch instead of the local fast food restaurant. You’ll save money and have fun. You can also bring along or purchase frozen dinners that can be stored in your hotel fridge/freezer. Most hotels offer a in-room microwave.
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