Cooking in a Van, Car, or SUV

After you've taken those first steps toward becoming a vehicle dwelling nomad. Here are some things you need to know about.

Storing, Preparing, and Cooking food while living in a vehicle.

It's going to be a lot easier than you think:

Unless you have a camper van that already has a stove then it is not so hard to cook inside of a Van, Car or SUV. Although there are some very important safety considerations. Flames and your vehicle interior do not mix. If you are living in your car it is a lot safer to find a quiet place to cook and prepare food outside of your car. In a van, full size or mini van, there will normally be enough space to set up a cooking area on a stable surface. Also to consider, stoves give off carbon monoxide. You must have some ventilation when you use a stove inside your vehicle. You need to open at least two windows in your vehicle. Also, ventilate your vehicle before lighting any flames in it.

Stoves

I actually have two recommendations, My first recommendation is a single burner propane camping stove. The second recommendation is a single burner butane camping stove.

Both of these stoves have advantages and disadvantages. 

Propane in the one pound cylinders is available almost anywhere, and if you want you can carry a bulk 20 lb propane cylinder, and with an adapter, you can refill the small 1 lb cylinders yourself, and by doing so will save yourself a bundle of money by just swapping bulk cylinders. One thing about propane is, other than its almost universal availability is it can ignite in any temperature, where as butane won't ignite when the temperature dips below freezing.

Butane stoves are preferred by a growing number of vehicle dwellers. They are about a foot square and usually come with a carry case about 5 inches in height. They can be stored easily, taken out, used, and put back into a storage spot. Butane doesn't work below 32 degrees. The cans of butane are more expensive than propane and are smaller in volume. There are some companies that make butane stoves that can also with the use of a supplied adapter can use propane. this will enable you to save a tremendous amount of space and you'll have the added benefit of being able to use both fuels.

Safety considerations

• Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector!
• Do-Not use any kind of liquid fuels inside your vehicle!
• Have a spot in your vehicle that is solid to set your stove on!
• Cook outside whenever you have the chance!

Refrigeration

This is easy, use a cooler, you can buy ice practically anywhere. Later and if you want to you can buy one of those small refrigerator/freezers.

Storing Food

This is another easy one. I like to use those plastic see thru totes to store canned food, and if you have built-in compartments in your vehicle use those to stuff food into.

Preparing food yourself just like you would living in a house or apartment is better than eating dollar menu fast food any day.

Just Go For It, A Life Of Travel Adventure Awaits!

~Chaz~