Can You Use An Electric Skillet In A Hotel Room? Top Answer Update

What we eat matters. Researchers are still searching for the “best” diet.

Whether you live without a microwave by choice or for some reason, you may be wondering how to heat food to enjoy hot, steaming meals. Here are the most effective techniques for reheating your food without sacrificing flavor, texture, or time.

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As soon as I lost the internet, I realized that the rolling power outages in Northern California had begun. The news advised us not to open the fridge if possible. With the power out, the microwave was out of the question. At least my friend’s apartment we stayed in had a gas stove which meant we could cook and reheat food.

Over the last 3 years we have ended up in many situations where we didn’t have access to a microwave. In addition to the power outages in California (according to NPR, blackouts could become routine for the next decade), my in-laws’ log home doesn’t have a microwave. Living in hotel rooms and Airbnbs promised unreliable access to microwaves. Camping offers electricity-free living. And our current place still doesn’t have a microwave (although I plan to rectify that).

As a habitual mini-batch cooker, I’ve had to develop techniques for reheating leftovers without a microwave. Because I work my software job, I don’t have time to cook every meal from scratch or waste a lot of time reheating at lunchtime. Today I’m sharing the most effective techniques I’ve tried for reheating food.

1: Cook it again on the stove

Most foods that you have previously cooked on the stove can easily be reheated over the stove. These include vegetables (like chicken and broccoli skillet), sauces (like pasta sauce), stews, and curries.

Preparation: Place the food in a saucepan and cook over low to medium heat. It usually takes me less than 5 minutes to reheat my lunch (YMMV, depending on how powerful your stove is). Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. It’s ready when it’s warm enough for your taste.

NOTE: This technique works best with foods that are relatively moist, such as soups. If you have dry foods like pancakes to reheat, you might want to try one of the following methods.

TIP: Leave food in its original pan for convenient reheating. This is very helpful when you work from home and need a quick lunch.

2: steam it

Steaming is great for reheating frozen foods, foods that stick together, and meats that tend to dry out (like chicken breasts) as it is a gentle cooking method that uses moisture (known as “moist heat” or “wet” cooking). cooking method). ) to warm up the food.

Preparation: Use a steamer basket. If you don’t have one, use a metal colander in a large stockpot and cover with a lid (this is my current technique).

Using my colander and large stockpot, steaming a plate of garlic butter sautéed broccoli for lunch. TIP: Leave the lid on while steaming.

If you don’t have a colander or a big enough stock pot, you can place a plate on top of an inverted bowl that acts as a makeshift stand. See the image below where I used a heat resistant bowl as a stand. Make sure that the water does not evaporate completely and does not touch the plate. Steam until your food is hot enough. If the food is frozen, follow package directions.

Pin This is how I vape when I don’t have a steam basket or strainer. Be very careful when lifting the plate out of the soup pot as steam can burn you. Use oven mitts and tongs to move the slab.

3: Cook it

For foods that have been previously cooked (like cooked broccoli or beans), cooking is the quickest way to reheat. I’ve recently bought ramen which recommended cooking the noodles first and then reheating the sauce packet by dunking it in boiling water.

Preparation: Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add your food to reheat. Cook until the food is heated through, usually within 2-3 minutes (depending on the volume and how cold the food was).

WARNING: Avoid cooking foods with sauces and flavors as the water will wash away the flavors. Also, avoid cooking cooked high-carb foods (like pasta and rice). They might get mushy from overcooking (unless you want to make mush).

4: Add boiling water

Some foods can heat up simply by placing them in boiling water. I love this technique because it’s gentle, doesn’t require cooking on a stove (I use a kettle to boil the water), and doesn’t require supervision. Try this warm-up technique when camping or in a hotel with access to a hot water dispenser.

Adding boiling water is a great way to reheat soft-boiled eggs, hot dogs, small batches of green vegetables (like green beans), and tofu (this five-spice tofu recipe is a good example).

Preparation: Boil water in a kettle or over the stove. Place the food you want to reheat in a heat-safe container such as a mug, Pyrex measuring cup, or small sauce pan. Pour boiling water over it. Wait at least 5 minutes for the food to warm up.

5: Use a water bath

Last week I wanted to reheat my oatmeal breakfast. Being about a cup and a half, it seemed like too little to reheat in a saucepan on the stove. I created a water bath that worked better than I expected.

A water bath is the gentlest method. However, it takes the longest. It is therefore best to reserve it for small quantities or very delicate foods (such as scrambled eggs).

Preparation: Put the food in a heat-resistant container. I used a glass. Place the glass jar in a pot of simmering water. Stir the food constantly until it is warmed through.

My morning oatmeal breakfast warmed up in a water bath. Simmer on low and use oven mitts to protect your hands. Steam can burn you!

6: Fry it in the pan

Many foods would benefit from pan frying to warm them up. This is an ideal “dry heat” cooking technique for fried foods (chicken nuggets), foods with a lot of oil or fat (pizzas, burritos, pies – yes, my father-in-law pan-fried a slice of cherry pie to heat), and foods that softened by cooking or steaming (rice, quinoa, pasta).

One of our previous roommates loved to fry homemade macaroni and cheese in the pan she previously frozen. The heating gave the mac and cheese a flavorful crust on the outside. For this reason, pan frying is also great for reheating leftover pizza, as pan frying makes the crust crispy again.

Preparation: Place the food in a coated pan over low to medium heat. If the food isn’t particularly oily, add 1/2 teaspoon oil or butter to ensure it doesn’t stick. This guide to reheating crepes provides step-by-step instructions.

NOTE: Pan frying is a great food reheating technique that transforms the food into a new dish. For example, you can reheat boiled dumplings by pan frying them to turn them into potstickers.

7: Bake it in the oven

Baking in the oven or toaster is a well-known method of reheating frozen pizzas, casseroles and dishes. It’s also a great way to reheat a large amount of food without drying it out.

For example, the day after Thanksgiving, my in-laws usually have a second Thanksgiving dinner with leftovers. Even if they had a microwave, we’d still reheat the leftover turkey in the oven because there’s so much meat it would take a really long time to microwav it all. Plus, the oven allows you to spread and seal the meat in a single layer to avoid drying out. This is the best result for reheating leftover turkey.

Preparation: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Bake your frozen meal according to package directions. If reheating leftovers, add the leftovers to a baking experiment and bake until warmed through, about 20 minutes.

NOTE: When reheating turkey, discard the remaining meat from the poultry. Lay the meat in a single layer. Add a few drops of water to the baking sheet (no more than 1/2 teaspoon – you don’t want to soak it). Cover the baking sheet with foil. Bake at 350ºF for about 15 minutes. Check the turkey every 5 minutes after the first 15 minutes have passed to make sure the turkey is not drying out. Remove and serve when the meat is warmed up.

8: Use the broiler

Not to be confused with boiling, the broiler offers very hot “dry heat”. This is a quick way to reheat dry or fried food (fries, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, pancakes). You can even use it to reheat pizza.

Preparation: Turn the grill to low and place your food on a baking sheet. Fry it for 2-3 minutes. It’s done when you’re happy with the heat. You can also grill high, but you have to watch the food like a hawk to make sure you don’t burn it.

WARNING: Broilers get very hot. This means your food could be scorched under a grill turned up too high in less than 5 minutes. Turn on the oven light and watch your food heat up. Be very careful when removing the food because it is very easy to graze the grill and burn your hand. Always use oven mitts.

9: waffle maker, sandwich press, iron and ironing board…

If you have electricity and a heavy surface that gets hot, you can reheat a lot of flat foods. Waffle irons and panini presses are not only great for heating up bread, sandwiches, burritos, pancakes and cookies. You can reheat fish, chicken breasts, and other flat foods that don’t have a lot of sauce or juices.

My friend Lucy shared a picture of people in quarantine toasting a slice of bread with a hair straightener. You could use an iron and ironing board to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Preparation: Heat a waffle iron or panini press. Place your sandwich between the hot plates and press. “Grill” the food until it’s warmed up.

10: Use a warmer temperature environment

I used to microwave slices of cold watermelon from the fridge because I have sensitive teeth. Since quitting the microwave, I “warm up” fruit and veg by taking them out of the fridge and leaving them on the kitchen counter. I use the “free” ambient air to bring my food to room temperature.

Meat and other frozen foods where food safety is an issue, I put in the fridge to thaw. Yes, it requires more advance planning compared to a microwave, which can quickly defrost in minutes. But if you set a calendar reminder or do it the night before, it works well.

If you’re in a hurry and can’t be flexible with your meal plan, you can dip the food in cold water to speed up defrosting.

Instructions: Leave your food on the counter overnight. Or let your food thaw in the fridge overnight.

11: Combine multiple techniques

The techniques I’ve outlined above work well together. For the quickest rewarming, it may be useful to chain the techniques together.

For example, I usually take my lunch with me in the morning to bring the food to room temperature. Then I pan fry or cook my lunch to warm it up just before eating. If the food is already at room temperature, the heating process will speed up considerably.

Another more surprising example of combining techniques is using hot food to reheat cold food. For example, when I eat a curry with rice, I cook the curry because it is easy to reheat using the cooking technique. I don’t bother reheating the rice. Instead, I mix the boiling hot curry with the cold rice. This warms up the rice, cools the curry, and requires less work while still providing a hot meal.

Bring away

The main trick to reheating food is knowing how something was originally cooked.

Can you reheat the food using the same cooking method? For example, steak is typically cooked with dry heat, such as grilling or pan frying. You should use another dry heat method to reheat it to preserve the crust and flavor.

If you are not sure how a dish was prepared, you can find a recipe that will teach you how to prepare it. Follow the same cooking technique to reheat it.

Think about the texture of the food and how dry it is. If you want to preserve texture, a gentler heat (steam or water bath) is better. However, if you want the food to stay dry, avoid a wet/moist heat method (no poaching, steaming, or boiling). Try pan frying or baking it.

If you have specific questions about reheating a specific food, leave your question in the comments.

READ MORE: How to freeze and reheat crepes so they taste freshly made

No, there’s no stupid “steam the veggies in the shower” trick here. (But man, can we make a meme out of this?)

In fact, the quickest way to deal with a hotel room without a microwave is often the easiest: just ask the hotel if it’s possible to put a microwave in the room. It’s an odd request, but if they’re able, most hotels will happily accommodate.

That being said, there are plenty of extreme hotel cooking techniques and gadgets — notably the travel-friendly HotLogic Mini Personal Portable Oven, which can cook frozen, raw meat — that work well in place of a microwave.

Microwaves might not be a standard amenity, but they definitely should be, and with hotels like the Holiday Inn upping their game (it’s hard to know what you’re missing when everything’s there), it’s hard not to be critical these days his and age.

So when we found one of these rooms at the Kimpton Marlowe, the situation was quickly resolved with a call to reception. Ladies and gentlemen, we introduce you to the microwave!

Thanks for the nice, warm cider donuts (and chilled wine).

Need food ideas for hotel rooms? These five no-cook meals on-the-go are perfect for making in your hotel room if you don’t have a kitchenette or want to save money while traveling. These easy no-cook recipes are a mix of vegan, vegetarian, meat-free, dairy-free and gluten-free dishes that are all healthy and delicious – there’s something for everyone here. These travel recipes are perfect if you’re on a tight travel budget and want to save money by not eating out but don’t want to eat junk food and don’t have a kitchen to cook with. These no-cook recipes are also great for camping when you don’t have a stove to cook with but want to make something healthy.

Eating out at new restaurants is one of the most exciting things about traveling, but do you ever feel like you don’t feel like going out, want to save money, or need to resist the temptation of another bowl of pasta? Well you are not alone! I often choose to save money by preparing meals without cooking in my hotel room, and these are my top recipes that require no cooking.

When you’re on a business trip and you’re stuck in a hotel for weeks or months, dining out in a restaurant can get very boring. While restaurant meals aren’t all bad, there are some people who can only tolerate them for a few days. You’ll crave home-cooked meals unless you come up with innovative approaches to circumvent the lack of a kitchen. The good news is that you can make anything in a toaster when you’re in a hotel room. Because the toaster has a lightweight and portable design, it is very easy to travel with it. Along with other basic kitchen essentials, you can use it to set up a portable kitchen in your hotel room and enjoy those meals you miss the most on the go.

Tasty recipes that you can make with a toaster in the hotel room

Since you probably won’t have much time to cook full meals in a hotel room, here are some of the simple meals you can make with a toaster.

1. Spicy Salmon Sandwich

This is a beautiful toaster oven treat that only takes you 10 minutes to prepare. It consists of a delicious blend of fresh thyme, sesame and mint that give the salmon a very delicious flavor. It is not only quick to prepare, but also very healthy.

Ingredients:

1 piece of flatbread or naan

A pinch of salt

1 (3 ounces) salmon fillet

1 tablespoon spring onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried sumac

1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

1/4 English cucumber (peeled and diced)

1 tablespoon fresh mint (optional)

1 tablespoon yogurt

1 tablespoon of pine nuts

1 zucchini (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Extra virgin olive oil

How to prepare:

1. First you need to slice the salmon at a 45 degree angle into about 1 inch thick slices. Next, lay the slices flat, making sure they face the center of the bread.

2. Add a pinch of salt to the slices, then sprinkle evenly with sumac, scallions, thyme, and sesame seeds. The sesame seeds should be sprinkled on the salmon last.

3. After that, you need to put the bread in the toaster and then set it to the grill setting. Let it cook for three minutes.

4. While the salmon continues to cook, mix the cucumber and yoghurt together. Then carefully remove the bread from the toaster and place it on a plate.

5. Spread the cucumber and yoghurt mixture evenly over the salmon and sprinkle with the mint.

6. Roll the sandwich to form two-inch flaps, then press over the ingredients and press together. Making sure the bread flap is closest to you, touch the other side of the bread and then fold and roll into the shape of a sleeping bag.

7. Cut in half and garnish with some more mint before serving.

8. Turn on the grill toaster to cook the zucchini. Mix the ingredients in a bowl, then pour flat onto a foil-lined toaster oven pan.

9. Then put the zucchini in the toaster and cook for about 3 minutes.

Those who prefer flatbread can use a tortilla instead. Fold the sandwich like a taco or top with a handful of chopped lettuce, then eat uncovered.

2. Lemon and Pepper Cod with Roasted Vegetables and Kale Salad

This is a great meal for dinner if you are staying in a hotel. All you have to do is gather seasonal vegetables and then toast them when they are at their tastiest. To keep it fresh and exciting, you can mix the veggies with parsnips, potatoes, peppers, and beets.

Ingredients:

1 cod fillet

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup summer squash (cut into small cubes)

1/3 cup white onion (diced)

1/2 cup carrot (cut into small cubes)

2 cups kale (remove stems and shred into bite-sized pieces)

zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)

salt and pepper (to taste)

How to prepare:

1. First thing you need to do is preheat the toaster to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Then toss the vegetables with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan lined with aluminum foil. Wait until everything is evenly coated, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let them bake for about 20 minutes, then remove them from the oven and pour them into a bowl to cool.

3. Take the remaining 1 tablespoon olive and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and sprinkle the cod on top. Both sides of the cod should be properly seasoned with salt and pepper.

4. Then place the cod on a roasting pan and bake for about 20 minutes until the fish is flaky. Let it rest for about five minutes before serving.

5. While the cod is resting, take a serving bowl and toss the kale along with the warm roasted vegetables and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Place the cod on top, sprinkle with lemon zest and then proceed to serving.

There are many other foods that you can make from the comfort of your hotel room with a toaster including cinnamon bananas, garlic shrimp, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted nuts, bacon to name a few. They’re all easy to make too, as long as you have the necessary ingredients and the recipe. You can let your creativity run free with the toaster and use it to prepare dishes that you never thought you could prepare with it. To make life easier for you in the hotel room, you should think of plates and cutlery as well as a travel-size food scale if you are very conscious about calorie intake. If you feel that carrying the utensils will make your luggage very heavy, you can just leave it and buy disposable plates, cups, spoons and other utensils you may need.

If you travel frequently for work or pleasure, you will probably spend a lot of time in hotels. Staying in hotels is relaxing and luxurious, but it can get expensive, especially for the food. But you can save a lot of money if you know where to find your meals.

Here’s how to eat cheaply while staying in a hotel:

Look for all inclusive/bed and breakfast deals. Looking for a room with a kitchen. Go grocery shopping. Bring food from home. Skip the minibar. Look for a hotel with a buffet. Ask for dog bags when you eat at the restaurant. Visit the nearby fast food restaurants. Avoid tourist areas. Bring a refillable water bottle. Bartering in other countries. Try local street food. Talk to the locals.

Read on to learn about the tricks and tips that can save you a fortune while staying in a hotel or traveling to a new city. These tips can help you save money and still get the most out of your trip.

1. Look for all-inclusive/bed and breakfast deals

Many hotels offer deals where the cost of food and drinks is included in the room rate. When all food and drinks are included in the room price, it is called all-inclusive. But if only breakfast is included in the meal then the deal is advertised as bed and breakfast.

If you take advantage of a bed and breakfast deal, you can save a fortune. Hotels often have large breakfast stations full of delicious options for you to enjoy, which is a great way to fill your stomach before you start your day.

Because dining is included as part of the bed and breakfast or an all-inclusive plan, you can save a fortune eating at your hotel since the cost of the room will already have covered your meals.

2. Look for a room with a kitchen

The next thing to think about when booking accommodation is a kitchen, which can save a fortune on your dining expenses.

In some cities it can be difficult to find a room with a kitchen. However, you will still find a room with a microwave and refrigerator, which is enough to reheat pre-cooked meals that you can buy from the store or bring from home.

Using a kitchen to cook or even heat up food is a great way to avoid overpaying at the hotel restaurant. A kitchen also allows you to eat cheap foods that you enjoy. While renting a room with a kitchen can be more expensive, the money you save on dining out with a kitchen is significant.

3. Go shopping

The best way to save money while staying in a hotel is to take advantage of the local shops and markets. Shopping when you first check in can help you prepare for your stay.

You can buy snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages at a much lower price from a grocery store or local market. If your room has a kitchen, you can also buy fresh ingredients to cook with.

Grocery shopping is also a fantastic way to absorb the culture and learn about new ways of life. Depending on where you’re traveling to, you might find some exciting items while strolling through the markets and grocery stores.

You might even find a new type of food to try that you haven’t tried before.

4. Bring food from home

If you make a quick trip to a hotel, you can save a significant amount on groceries by bringing groceries from home. Frozen meals can be easily reheated and enjoyed at your hotel.

Canned foods and ready meals are also beneficial as they can be reheated in the microwave or in the room stove. Pre-cooked rice is a delicious food to take to a hotel because it’s easy to reheat and very versatile.

You can also bring snacks and soft drinks from home. These items are often overpriced in a nice hotel, so you can avoid overpaying for your favorite foods and drinks.

5. Avoid the minibar

The minibar in a hotel room is one of the most expensive aspects of a hotel stay. If you’re on a budget, definitely avoid the minibar. Drinks and snacks that cost $1 in a store can easily cost over $2 or more in a minibar.

The minibar might be a convenient and simple source of snacks and drinks, but convenience usually comes at a cost. The hotel minibar can quickly add up to an expensive bill when you check out.

To avoid unexpected expenses and enjoy a cheap hotel stay, stay away from the minibar.

6. Look for a hotel with a buffet

Many hotels around the world offer buffets throughout the day. There is usually a fee for these meals, which you must pay before you can eat. After paying for the cover, however, you may eat as much as you like.

Hotel buffets are a great way to save on groceries when visiting an expensive city or region. This is because you can pay for one meal and eat a whole day. While this isn’t the healthiest way to travel, it can be very affordable. And you can find some healthy options at almost every buffet.

A buffet also gives you access to a wide range of food and drink, meaning you can enjoy your favorite dishes without having to spend a fortune.

7. Ask for a doggie bag when dining out

Most restaurants in the United States allow customers to take leftovers home in what is known as a doggy bag. However, some restaurants might have a problem with this practice.

If you’re traveling to a new destination, check which restaurants will allow you to take food home later. So if you eat out during your stay, you don’t have to worry about finishing every bite of your dinner. Instead, you can stretch a meal in two by saving the bits you didn’t eat for the next meal.

This isn’t the cheapest way to eat while staying in a hotel, but you can still cut costs by saving part of your meal for another meal.

8. Check out the nearby fast food restaurants

Depending on where you are in the world, fast food chains are probably one of the cheapest places to eat. Especially in Europe and North America, fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC have menus full of cheap groceries.

Fast food joints have burgers and chicken nuggets for just a few dollars. They are also readily available almost anywhere on earth. As long as you are in one city, you don’t have to look far to find a cheap and delicious fast food place.

If you are staying far from home and feeling homesick, fast food restaurants can also provide you with a soothing reminder of home life.

Of course, fast food restaurants have a reputation for not being very healthy. For this reason, you should avoid eating fast food every day, especially if you are traveling for a long period of time. However, you can still enjoy some fast food from time to time without adversely affecting your health.

9. Avoid tourist areas

Cities that receive large numbers of tourists every year will change their prices and expenses to make more money from the travelers. Areas with high concentrations of tourists are much more expensive than other places that tourists do not know.

These areas of high concentration of tourists are known as tourist traps.

Tourist traps are to be expected at any popular holiday destination. To avoid these areas, take a taxi or public transport to get out of the city center and tourist spots. This allows you to escape the tourist prices.

Outside of these expensive tourist areas you can find local restaurants. Not only are these restaurants cheaper, but they offer authentic food enjoyed by locals of the city you are visiting.

Stepping away from the tourist areas, you can enjoy an affordable meal while experiencing the city’s authentic culture. This will greatly improve your travel experience and save you money in the process.

10. Bring a refillable water bottle

One expense that many travelers fail to consider is drinking water. A water bottle can cost as little as a few cents to a few dollars, depending on where you’re visiting. However, it is likely that you drink more than one bottle of water each day.

The cost of all those water bottles can quickly add up to a lot of money throughout your stay.

You can avoid this by bringing a refillable water bottle that can be refilled at any water fountain or tap you can find. You can avoid paying dollars a day on the water by packing a reusable bottle in your bag.

Refillable water bottles also reduce your dependency on single-use plastics as they pose a significant problem for the environment as they cause serious damage to the oceans.

Therefore, using a refillable water bottle is an eco-friendly option to stay hydrated.

11. Bartering in other countries

Bartering is a very effective way to lower the cost of your food while staying at a hotel. However, bartering is not culturally accepted everywhere. For example, you can’t haggle over the price of your meal at an expensive New York restaurant.

Bartering is common in many cultures, especially in markets and developing countries. When traveling in countries like Thailand or Vietnam, you should rely on your bartering skills. In countries where you can trade you can negotiate a lower price.

In some cases, if you’re effective at bartering, you can buy food for significantly less money.

12. Try the local street food

Street food is trendy and widespread in many countries. Food bought from street vendors is almost always affordable and tasty.

Some travelers shy away from trying street food in case they get a stomach attack. There are a few ways you can prevent this from happening. One way to ensure street food is safe to eat and enjoyable is to visit the vendors, who have lines of people waiting to be eaten.

Only the best street vendors have long lines of tourists and locals alike.

Street food is almost always authentic local cuisine. So if you want to experience the culinary culture without paying to visit expensive restaurants, street food might be your best bet.

13. Talk to the locals

The final trick to saving money when dining out at a hotel is to talk to the locals. The locals know where to get good food at an affordable price. They can also give you insight into where to go and where to avoid.

This is important information when traveling on a budget.

The only problem with this trick is that the language barriers can prevent you from communicating effectively with the locals you meet while traveling.

If you speak the language of the place you’re visiting, be sure to ask a local to give you the ins and outs of places to visit around town. If you don’t speak the language, be sure to look for locals who can understand you and see if they can give you directions.

Final Thoughts

Eating cheaply while staying at a hotel can be a daunting task for travelers.

The best way to eat cheaply while staying in a hotel is to choose a room where you can prepare your meals, or at least heat them up. You may also want to look for accommodation deals where meals are included in your stay.

Another great way to lower your grocery bills is to take advantage of local facilities and amenities. Fast food restaurants, grocery stores, street vendors, and markets are great ways to save on groceries while traveling.

Sources

If you’ve ever turned the hotel’s air conditioning down to 69 and then wrapped yourself in a big, thick blanket, you need to read this

Much like McDonald’s Sprite is on another level, a fizzy god beneath the same lemon-lime soda served at other establishments, hotel room air conditioners are transcendental, capable of unleashing an endless barrage of arctic storms second to none for cooling performance.

Can’t explain this, but hotel air conditioners sense how McDonald’s Sprite tastes – Kellen (@captainkalvis) September 22, 2019

There has to be an explanation. Perhaps locked inside every hotel room air conditioner is a roaring portal to a distant frozen planet. Or maybe the ice machines cemented on each floor somehow pump a continuous stream of frozen cubes into the walls, enhancing the overall coolness of every hotel in existence.

No, that just can’t be.

But then how do they deal with it? What makes hotel air conditioners so special? There are a few possible explanations, according to David Heiman, senior director of training for the HVAC program at the Refrigeration School.

The most obvious answer is that people who stay in hotels are generally more inclined to turn down the thermostat because they want the most bang for their buck, and sometimes that means leaving the hotel with a hefty electricity bill while it’s in their room would almost snow. “If you set your home air conditioner below 78 degrees, it costs five percent more for every degree you lower,” explains Heiman. “But in a hotel, you don’t pay directly for the electricity, so people tend to run the AC at a lower temperature.” However, keep in mind that some hotel thermostats are placebos, and hotel staff keep the place on a cooler, more comfortable level temperature for most people, provided everyone else puts on a sweater.

The other reason hotel air conditioners feel like powerful weather machines is because hotel rooms tend to be smaller and better at changing and maintaining temperatures than most regular living spaces. “Each hotel room has its own PTAC [Packaged Thermal Air Conditioner] HVAC system,” says Heiman. “The airflow can often feel more powerful than at home because the units are sized slightly larger than necessary, as hotel rooms are generally small spaces by comparison.”

Hotel rooms also tend to have fewer windows compared to most homes and apartments, and maybe (maybe) a little extra insulation, which can help turn it into a cooler quickly and efficiently.

On how to achieve a similar level of coolness at home, Heiman says, “You can install ductless mini-splits [individual air conditioners] in each room to better control your cooling costs with an increase in system performance.” That way, you essentially have an air conditioner in every single room, and you can either use them individually or have them work together to turn your entire apartment into a frozen tundra.

However, Heiman warns, “Remember, installing this system in your home can be a significantly higher expense.” For a full treatment, a ductless air conditioner can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $14,500, with an average price tag of $3,000 . And if you make the effort to add more units to your home, you can also improve your isolation situation, which could cost you about another grand.

But hey, if you want a unit in every room in your home, you’ll have to pay the price.

That being said, unless you live in a highly insulated, impossibly small space with very few windows and other potential leak points, even the most powerful air conditioners will have a hard time keeping up with those found in hotel rooms. However, you can check out our tips for cooling without air conditioning to use alongside your air cooling system for ultimate coolness.

stay chilly

Last summer I was on the road for more than seven weeks – and I didn’t eat in a restaurant once. As much as I love eating out in normal times, the resurgence of COVID along with overcrowded, understaffed restaurants in the vacation spots I visited prompted me to give dining out a pass this year. Make no mistake, I’ll be back; Dining out is one of the greatest joys of travel. However, it’s good to know that you can cook up some really happy holiday-style meals in a hotel room. It helps immensely that most accommodations these days come with at least a refrigerator and microwave. And many national hotel brands offer small kitchenettes with two-burner stovetops to make cooking even easier when you’re traveling.

This is how I managed to eat excellently for 45 days while cooking without a kitchen.

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Top tips for cooking in a hotel room

Here are my key lessons that prove cooking on a road trip is possible.

Bookmark Some No-Cook Recipes: The most obvious recipes for cooking in a hotel room is a stash of no-cook recipes.

The most obvious recipes for cooking in a hotel room are a stash of no-cook recipes. Mix Up a Salad: Salads are the way to go, especially if you’re traveling to a warm place. Here is a great collection of main course salads. Look for the no-cook options like white bean and tuna salad, salmon salad with strawberry vinaigrette; or chicken, tomato, and cucumber salad (use deli-style baked chicken instead of cooking your own).

Salads are the way to go, especially if you’re traveling somewhere warm. Here is a great collection of main course salads. Look for the no-cook options like white bean and tuna salad, salmon salad with strawberry vinaigrette; or chicken, tomato, and cucumber salad (use deli-style baked chicken instead of cooking your own). Go Local: To add a sense of locality to your cooking, visit the farmers markets for great fresh produce. Keep an eye out for local specialties, which I’ve found everywhere, including great Jewish rye bread in Florida and amazing crunchy Sheboygan rolls, smoked fish, and superb local cheeses in Wisconsin.

To add a sense of locality to your kitchen, visit the farmers markets for great fresh produce. Keep an eye out for local specialties, which I’ve found everywhere, including great Jewish rye bread in Florida and amazing crunchy Sheboygan rolls, smoked fish, and superb local cheeses in Wisconsin. Nibble through dinner: When you really don’t want to cook, a cheese and charcuterie platter can make a spectacular meal in a hotel room, RV, or dorm room.

If you really don’t want to cook, a cheese and charcuterie platter can make a spectacular meal in a hotel room, RV, or dorm room. Adapt: ​​Look at your favorite recipe and think about how it can be prepared with the appliances and utensils you have. For example, use microwaveable, fully cooked pasta instead of cooked fettuccine for these Fast Chicken Fettuccine, and swap out the baked deli chicken for the brisket. Use any vegetable that looks good on the market.

Look at your favorite recipe and think about how it can be made with the appliances and utensils you have. For example, use microwaveable, fully cooked pasta instead of cooked fettuccine for these Fast Chicken Fettuccine, and swap out the baked deli chicken for the brisket. Use any vegetable that looks good on the market. Spare, spare, spare: To avoid buying something you’ll only use once, mark this list with stove replacements. And remember, when it comes to cheese, a great aged cheddar can do it all – from showering on pasta or tucking into sandwiches, to adding to salads and crackers at cocktail hour.

To avoid buying something you only use once, bookmark this list of cooking substitutes. And remember, when it comes to cheese, a great aged cheddar can do it all – from showering on pasta or tucking into sandwiches, to adding to salads and crackers at cocktail hour. Look for well-cooked meats: If you’re really short on time, hams and smoked sausages (like kielbasa) can be quickly microwaved and served with ready-made microwaveable potatoes. Tear up a packet of chopped lettuce and call it dinner.

If you are in a hurry, ham and smoked sausages (e.g. kielbasa) can be quickly heated in the microwave and served with ready-made microwaveable potatoes. Tear up a packet of chopped lettuce and call it dinner. Dessert?: Don’t bake anything and go local. I loved going to bakeries and orchards during my travels for slices of great regional pies. These included Cherry Pie in Door County, Wisconsin; Lemon Ice Box Pie in Memphis; Derby Cake in Louisville; and Chess Pies throughout the South. An after-dinner stroll to a local ice cream stand is also a great way to get a taste of the local scene.

Essential gear for an on-the-go kitchen

Cooking in hotel rooms requires equipping a travel cook set with essential utensils. The trick is to keep everything organized, handy, and minimal—with as few breakable items as possible. No unitaskers are allowed in my toolbox: I don’t have a garlic press (a knife crushes really fine), a grater (I used a knife to chop things finely), and a vegetable peeler (I scraped or peeled veggies the old-fashioned way – with a paring knife).

I had everything I needed with these essentials that I packed in a large plastic bag ($20, Walmart).

Tip: I didn’t need coffee cups. Most hotel rooms come with coffee makers and mugs, or at least heat-resistant paper cups. The latter isn’t ideal, but I appreciated packing one less thing. measuring cup and spoon? You can probably guess the amounts. After all, since you don’t have an oven, you’re not baking anything – and then exact measurements are crucial.

Optional equipment for your travel cooking set

If you’re going to be away for a lot of days, you might want to pack some of these nice items as well.

Small Portable Folding Table and Chairs: Some hotel rooms are not equipped with a table and chairs; many simply have a desk and only one desk chair. Our workaround was to set up a small portable table by the window (or on the balcony at best). When the hotel room’s desk could be removed from the wall, we often left our portable table in the trunk of the car and simply fetched an extra chair using the desk, of course beautified with a nice tablecloth ($90, Williams Sonoma), like our dining table. A small table also offers you additional work space.

Small, lightweight toaster* ($21, Walmart): Many hotel rooms offer free breakfast; However, I have noticed that many offers have been reduced to take-out items, such as B. ready baked goods, muesli, donuts and the like. If you love toast in the morning, carry a small toaster.

Small electric skillet*: I swear by my electric skillet ($35, Amazon), which is perfect when cooking for two.

* Note that some hotel rooms specifically prohibit cooking appliances other than the provided microwave and coffee maker. Be sure to follow the rules.

My travel kitchen

At home I have dozens of herbs and spices, all kinds of pasta and grains, and far too many different types of vinegar and oil. When out and about cooking in hotel rooms, I’m a minimalist and content myself with these staples.

Virgin Olive Oil: Of course, extra virgin olive oil tastes great in salad dressings, and other oils work well in cooking. But I find that pure olive oil can do both; it is good in salads as well as for cooking.

Of course, extra virgin olive oil tastes great in salad dressings, and other oils work well in cooking. But I find that pure olive oil can do both; it is good in salads as well as for cooking. White Vinegar: In my experience, a quality white vinegar can usually substitute for most other vinegars in the simple recipes you can make in a hotel room. Learn more about vinegar substitutes.

In my experience, a quality white wine vinegar can usually substitute for most other vinegars in the simple recipes you can make in a hotel room. Learn more about vinegar substitutes. Salt and pepper.

Spice Blends: When I travel I usually cook a lot of Mexican, Middle Eastern and Italian dishes. Instead of packing dozens of individual spices, I stash just three spice mixes. Favorites include the Harissa Spice Blend, Mexican Spice Blend, and Italian Spice Blend.

Once I get to my destination, I stock up on these durable items:

Couscous: This is a great side dish that can be made in the microwave in minutes.

: This is a great side dish that can be made in the microwave in minutes. Pre-Cooked Rice Bags: Pre-cooked, durable microwavable rice is way better than I thought it would be! I especially like the jasmine and basmati varieties.

Fully Cooked Pasta Bags: I would give microwaveable precooked pasta a 2+ overall – 1+ for convenience (it cooks in minutes) and 2+ for flavor. Sure, freshly cooked al dente pasta is better, but this product is definitely an easy pasta dinner.

Bulgur Wheat: In an attempt to incorporate whole grains into my diet when traveling, I often serve up this healthy, nutty-good grain. Look for a package that has microwave instructions or the option to soak the grain in boiled water (rather than stovetop instructions).

Emil Fink

10 recipes you can cook in a hotel room

Now that you know the basics, you’ll be surprised how many recipes you can make in a hotel room with a microwave and refrigerator. Here are a few to get you started:

To be honest, I was amazed at how much fun it is to cook in a hotel room. For me, developing a great meal with a minimum of tools and ingredients brought the same kind of satisfaction I get from solving a challenging puzzle. But before you go, I have one piece of advice: whether you’re making salads and sandwiches without cooking, or using the microwave or a two-burner stovetop, the trick is to keep it simple. After all, you are on vacation. Enjoy!

For many people, the bedroom is the central living space. This is particularly common for people renting a room in a shared flat. High schoolers, students coming home from college, and older children may also feel more comfortable using their bedroom as a central living area and not having to venture much into the rest of the home.

There are many simple things you can do to make your bedroom more homelike. Here are ways to turn your bedroom into your complete living space, with an emphasis on utility, function, form, and comfort. With a little planning and work, you can turn this single room into a place of great comfort and utility.

When traveling, sometimes you just want to quickly prepare a healthy meal and get on with the day. This guide describes how to cook in a hotel without a kitchen. I’ll explain exactly which tools and utensils you need to pack in order to prepare easy, affordable and most importantly healthy meals when travelling. I also detail the precautions you need to take to stay safe while cooking in your hotel room. Finally, I’m sharing a few of my favorite hotel room recipes.

Eating out in restaurants every day is getting expensive. It’s also unhealthy and time-consuming. The tips in this guide are great for long-term travelers, business travelers, backpackers staying in hostels, and those traveling on a tight budget. You can cook in just about any hotel room, even basic rooms without a refrigerator or microwave.

A simple cooking set for hotel rooms

Table of Contents:

Why cook in a hotel room?

Pretty much everyone can benefit from preparing some of their meals in their hotel room. If you cook in a hotel room, you will:

Save Money – If you buy groceries from a grocery store and cook them yourself, you can make a decent meal for just a few dollars. When traveling long-term, I like to keep my dining budget under $10 a day. This is an easy budget to stick to as I cook most of my meals myself. I’ll share some inexpensive recipes later.

If you buy groceries from a grocery store and cook them yourself, you can make a decent meal for just a few dollars. When traveling long-term, I like to keep my dining budget under $10 a day. This is an easy budget to stick to as I cook most of my meals myself. I’ll share some inexpensive recipes later. Eating Healthy – Eating out in restaurants is not healthy. To make food taste better, cooks add far more butter, oil, and salt than any home cook would. According to this interesting article, restaurant meals that average over 1200 calories also contain more calories. The cuisine of some countries is just not healthy. You may find local foods too greasy or too heavy. In these cases, it’s nice to have the opportunity to cook something healthy every now and then. Cooking your own food allows you to eat more vegetables and less fat and salt.

The food in the restaurant is not healthy. To make food taste better, cooks add far more butter, oil, and salt than any home cook would. According to this interesting article, restaurant meals that average over 1200 calories also contain more calories. The cuisine of some countries is just not healthy. You may find local foods too greasy or too heavy. In these cases, it’s nice to have the opportunity to cook something healthy every now and then. Cooking your own food allows you to eat more vegetables and less fat and salt. Avoid Unhygienic Food – In some parts of the world, food hygiene standards are low. It’s almost impossible to avoid getting food poisoning or travelers’ diarrhea. If you travel long enough, you will get sick from eating contaminated food. When you prepare your own food at your hotel, you know it’s been washed properly. You know it’s not undercooked. You also know that it has been stored properly. You get sick much less often.

In some parts of the world, food hygiene standards are low. It’s almost impossible to avoid getting food poisoning or travelers’ diarrhea. If you travel long enough, you will get sick from eating contaminated food. When you prepare your own food at your hotel, you know it’s been washed properly. You know it’s not undercooked. You also know that it has been stored properly. You get sick much less often. Stick to your diet – Maybe you’re vegan or vegetarian. Maybe you don’t eat pork. You could have a food allergy. In some countries it is almost impossible to avoid certain ingredients. In Vietnam, for example, many “vegetarian” soups contain beef broth. When you cook in your hotel room, there are certain foods you can avoid. When you cook for yourself, you know exactly what you are eating.

Maybe you are vegan or vegetarian. Maybe you don’t eat pork. You could have a food allergy. In some countries it is almost impossible to avoid certain ingredients. In Vietnam, for example, many “vegetarian” soups contain beef broth. When you cook in your hotel room, there are certain foods you can avoid. When you cook for yourself, you know exactly what you are eating. Save time – It’s often quicker to cook for yourself than to go to a restaurant. In some parts of the world, restaurants are incredibly slow. For example, when traveling in Africa I have waited over an hour for some eggs and toast. Why waste time waiting in a restaurant when you can prepare a simple meal in just a few minutes.

A canister gas stove cooktop

A few cooking tips for hotel rooms

Use local staples – Local staples are always cheaper than imported groceries. When traveling in Mexico, incorporate tortillas and refried beans into your cooking. When you travel to Italy, cook pasta. Basic groceries are always cheap.

Local staples are always cheaper than imported groceries. When traveling in Mexico, incorporate tortillas and refried beans into your cooking. When you travel to Italy, cook pasta. Basic groceries are always cheap. Don’t cook all your own meals. Trying different foods is one of the best parts of traveling. Be sure to try the local cuisine during your trip. Every region of every country has a unique and interesting dish to try. Don’t miss out just to save a few bucks. I like to eat at least one decent meal in every destination I visit. I also eat a lot of street food when it’s available.

Trying different foods is one of the best parts of traveling. Be sure to try the local cuisine during your trip. Every region of every country has a unique and interesting dish to try. Don’t miss out just to save a few bucks. I like to eat at least one decent meal in every destination I visit. I also eat a lot of street food when it’s available. Use locally produced ingredients – Local ingredients are often fresher and tastier because they don’t need to be transported. Eating locally produced food is also a great way to sample the region’s cuisine. That’s what the locals eat. Shop at local markets and farmers markets for the freshest ingredients. Take advantage of the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables when traveling in the tropics.

Local ingredients are often fresher and tastier because they don’t have to travel. Eating locally produced food is also a great way to sample the region’s cuisine. That’s what the locals eat. Shop at local markets and farmers markets for the freshest ingredients. Take advantage of the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables when traveling in the tropics. Try not to get too elaborate when cooking. Your goal is to make an affordable, quick, or healthy meal. If you’re trying to cook complete home-cooked meals, you’ll end up spending more time and money than if you just went to a local restaurant. Prepare simple soups, sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, etc. instead of multi-course meals.

Your goal is to make an affordable, quick, or healthy meal. If you’re trying to cook complete home-cooked meals, you’ll end up spending more time and money than if you just went to a local restaurant. Prepare simple soups, sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, etc. instead of multi-course meals. Eat meals that don’t need to be cooked – You don’t need hot food for every meal. Prepare cold sandwiches, salads, cold soaked oatmeal or ready meals. Eating no-cook foods saves time and energy. Check out this list of no-cook recipes for inspiration.

You don’t need hot food at every meal. Prepare cold sandwiches, salads, cold soaked oatmeal or ready meals. Eating no-cook foods saves time and energy. Check out this list of no-cook recipes for inspiration. Avoid cooking smelly foods. Some foods leave a lingering smell. You don’t want the next guest to have to smell your kitchen. You also don’t want the hotel to charge you a cleaning fee. This could cost hundreds of dollars. Avoid cooking smelly foods like fish, bacon, burnt foods, onions, broccoli, etc. Also, open a window while you cook. Spritz on some room deodorant to get rid of any lingering odors. Cooking in the bathroom with the exhaust fan on can also help prevent odors. If you’re staying in a fancy hotel, or if the owners are picky, don’t cook.

Some foods leave a lingering smell. You don’t want the next guest to have to smell your kitchen. You also don’t want the hotel to charge you a cleaning fee. This could cost hundreds of dollars. Avoid cooking smelly foods like fish, bacon, burnt foods, onions, broccoli, etc. Also, open a window while you cook. Spritz on some room deodorant to get rid of any lingering odors. Cooking in the bathroom with the exhaust fan on can also help prevent odors. If you’re staying in a fancy hotel, or if the owners are picky, don’t cook. Customize – As you look at recipes, think about how you can cook them using the cooking equipment you have. For example, if a recipe calls for chicken and you only have a rice cooker, buy pre-cooked chicken from a deli rather than raw. If you are in a hurry, use instant rice instead of cooking rice.

As you look at recipes, think about how you can prepare them using the cooking equipment you have. For example, if a recipe calls for chicken and you only have a rice cooker, buy pre-cooked chicken from a deli rather than raw. If you are in a hurry, use instant rice instead of cooking rice. Substitute – If an ingredient is unavailable or too expensive in the country you are visiting, substitute something similar. Check out this guide for some common substitutions.

If an ingredient is unavailable or too expensive in the country you are visiting, substitute something similar. Check out this guide for some common substitutions. Avoid buying ingredients you only use once – you don’t want to waste a bunch of groceries. For example, if a recipe calls for some type of exotic cheese, consider substituting a more common variety such as Cheddar or Swiss. You can use these varieties for sandwiches, salads, crackers, soups, and pasta. You will not be wasted.

– You don’t want to waste a lot of food. For example, if a recipe calls for some type of exotic cheese, consider substituting a more common variety such as Cheddar or Swiss. You can use these varieties for sandwiches, salads, crackers, soups, and pasta. You will not be wasted. Use pre-cooked ingredients – you don’t have to prepare everything raw. If you’re in a hurry, buy some pre-cooked ingredients. For example, you can use chicken, ham, lunch meats, spam, smoked sausage, and other meats in your recipes. All you have to do is heat this meat and it’s ready to eat.

You don’t have to cook everything raw. If you’re in a hurry, buy some pre-cooked ingredients. For example, you can use chicken, ham, lunch meats, spam, smoked sausage, and other meats in your recipes. All you have to do is heat this meat and it’s ready to eat. Don’t bother cooking desserts – Baking a cake or baking cookies in your hotel room is a hassle. Instead, stop by a local bakery and buy some pastries, or visit a local ice cream parlor and enjoy a scoop of your favorite flavor. If you don’t feel like going out for dessert, eat fresh fruit.

Equipment you may need to cook in a hotel with no kitchen

You’ll need to pack some extra gear to cook a decent meal in your hotel room. When choosing which cooking appliances to pack, try to be as minimalist as possible. Choose items that are lightweight, packable, durable and versatile. You can’t pack a full kitchen in your suitcase, but you can get close if you choose your cooking utensils strategically.

To cook in your hotel room, you might want to pack the following:

Some kind of stove or heat source – you need something to generate heat for cooking. This could be a camp stove, electric hotplate, toaster, dutch oven, microwave, etc. There are also a number of more creative options. I will list all of your oven and heat source options in the section below.

You need something to generate heat for cooking. This could be a camp stove, electric hotplate, toaster, dutch oven, microwave, etc. There are also a number of more creative options. I will list all of your oven and heat source options in the section below. Knives – You want to choose a do-it-all knife for hotel room cooking. You will use your knife to chop food, peel fruits and vegetables, open packaging and eat with it. A serrated paring knife works perfectly. You can use it to slice bread, chop vegetables, and slice cooked meat. If you intend to cook a lot, you should also bring a non-serrated paring knife. This works better for peeling vegetables and slicing raw meat. If you can only bring one knife, it should be serrated.

You want to choose a do-it-all knife for hotel room cooking. You will use your knife to chop food, peel fruits and vegetables, open packaging and eat with it. A serrated paring knife works perfectly. You can use it to slice bread, chop vegetables, and slice cooked meat. If you intend to cook a lot, you should also bring a non-serrated paring knife. This works better for peeling vegetables and slicing raw meat. If you can only bring one knife, it should be serrated. Knife Cover – This prevents your knife from cutting through your luggage or other travel gear while it is packed. By covering your knife, you also avoid cutting yourself while rummaging through your luggage. Most knives come with a sheath. If yours isn’t, this Mercer Culinary Knife Guard would work just fine. It is available in different sizes.

This prevents your knife from cutting through your luggage or other travel gear while it’s packed. By covering your knife, you also avoid cutting yourself while rummaging through your luggage. Most knives come with a sheath. If yours isn’t, this Mercer Culinary Knife Guard would work just fine. It is available in different sizes. A pot or pan – you need something to cook with. Camping pots and pans are ideal for travel due to their light weight and durability. How many pots and pans you need and what size depends on what you are cooking and how many people you are cooking for. If you’re a minimalist, you could get away with a single 500-750ml camping pot. If you want to cook more elaborate meals, you might want a pot and pan. I’ll talk more about your pot and pan options later.

You need something to cook with. Camping pots and pans are ideal for traveling due to their light weight and durability. How many pots and pans you need and what size depends on what you are cooking and how many people you are cooking for. If you’re a minimalist, you could get away with a single 500-750ml camping pot. If you want to cook more elaborate meals, you might want a pot and pan. I’ll talk more about your pot and pan options later. A LID – Your food will heat up faster if you have a lid to cover your pot with. To cook some foods like rice, you need a lid. If your pot doesn’t have a lid, you can use a piece of aluminum foil. You could also place your pie over your pot.

Your food will heat up faster if you have a lid to cover your pot with. To cook some foods like rice, you need a lid. If your pot doesn’t have a lid, you can use a piece of aluminum foil. You could also place your pie over your pot. Cutting Board – You need something to process your food on. Ideally, your cutting board should be thin, small, and light. This MSR Alpine Deluxe cutting board would work just fine. If you don’t want to take a cutting board with you, you can use one of your plates. Don’t cut your food directly on surfaces in your hotel room. You don’t want to damage the fittings or contaminate your food.

You need something to process your food. Ideally, your cutting board should be thin, small, and light. This MSR Alpine Deluxe cutting board would work just fine. If you don’t want to take a cutting board with you, you can use one of your plates. Don’t cut your food directly on surfaces in your hotel room. You don’t want to damage the fittings or contaminate your food. Plate – Try to choose a plate that is lightweight and made of unbreakable and microwavable material. You can also use your plate to reheat food if you have a room with a microwave. If you’re a minimalist, you can use your plate as a cutting board. You could get away without a plate if you’re okay with eating from the pot or pan you cooked in.

– Try to choose a plate that is lightweight and made of unbreakable and microwavable material. You can also use your plate to reheat food if you have a room with a microwave. If you’re a minimalist, you can use your plate as a cutting board. You could get away without a plate if you’re okay with eating from the pot or pan you cooked in. Bowl – Look for a bowl that is microwavable, lightweight, and unbreakable. You don’t necessarily need a bowl. You could use your pot as a bowl instead if you’d like. The downside is that pots are not microwavable as they are metal. Some stock plates are deep enough to serve as a bowl.

Look for a bowl that is microwavable, lightweight, and unbreakable. You don’t necessarily need a bowl. You could use your pot as a bowl instead if you’d like. The downside is that pots are not microwavable as they are metal. Some stock plates are deep enough to serve as a bowl. Mug – Something to drink from. Choose a mug that is made of an unbreakable and microwavable material. You may not need a mug as most hotel rooms come with some disposable mugs. If you’re a minimalist, you can use your pot as a cup.

Something to drink. Choose a mug that is made of an unbreakable and microwavable material. You may not need a mug as most hotel rooms come with some disposable mugs. If you’re a minimalist, you can use your pot as a cup. Fork and Spoon or Spork – You need a fork and spoon to stir and eat with your food. Pack one set per person. You can simply bring cutlery from home or buy travel cutlery. I like this portable stainless steel cutlery set. It includes a butter knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, two straws, cleaning brush and a nice pouch to carry everything inside. If you’re a minimalist, you could get away with a spork like this Snow Peak Titanium Spork.

You need a fork and a spoon to stir and eat with your food. Pack one set per person. You can simply bring cutlery from home or buy travel cutlery. I like this portable stainless steel cutlery set. It includes a butter knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, two straws, cleaning brush and a nice pouch to carry everything inside. If you’re a minimalist, you could get away with a spork like this Snow Peak Titanium Spork. Kitchen Utensils – Think about what utensils you will need for the meals you prepare. A few helpful tools are a spatula, tongs, a slotted spoon, and measuring cups. Whether you need these or not depends on what you want to cook.

Think about what utensils you will need for the meals you are preparing. A few helpful tools are a spatula, tongs, a slotted spoon, and measuring cups. Whether you need these or not depends on what you want to cook. Can Opener – If you eat canned food, it’s a good idea to pack a small can opener.

If you eat canned food, be sure to pack a small can opener. Corkscrew – If you drink wine while traveling, a corkscrew will come in handy.

If you drink wine while traveling, a corkscrew will come in handy. Oven Mitt or Hot Pad – Some pots don’t have an insulated handle. In this case, you need a hot surface to pick up the pot. You should also place a hot mat under your hot pots so you don’t burn the surface underneath. If you don’t have a thermal pad, a sock can work well.

Some pots do not have an insulated handle. In this case, you need a hot surface to pick up the pot. You should also place a hot mat under your hot pots so you don’t burn the surface underneath. If you don’t have a thermal pad, a sock can work well. Sponge, scrubber or towel – you need something to clean your pots, pans, plates and cutlery. Try to choose a sponge with a rough surface. This makes it much easier to scrape off cooked food.

You need something to clean your pots, pans, plates and cutlery. Try to choose a sponge with a rough surface. This makes it much easier to scrape off cooked food. Dish Soap/All Purpose Soap – You need some type of soap to wash the food off your pots, pans and dishes and to clean up spills. You don’t want to leave a mess in your hotel room for housekeeping to clean up. You could just buy a small bottle of dish soap at your destination. I like to use all purpose storage soap like Campsuds All Purpose Cleaner. You can use it to wash your dishes, clothes and body.

You need some kind of soap to wash food off your pots, pans and dishes and to clean up spills. You don’t want to leave a mess in your hotel room for housekeeping to clean up. You could just buy a small bottle of dish soap at your destination. I like to use all purpose storage soap like Campsuds All Purpose Cleaner. You can use it to wash your dishes, clothes and body. Ziploc bag – For storing leftovers. If your hotel room has a refrigerator, you can make a large batch and eat the same meal for several days.

For storing leftovers. If your hotel room has a refrigerator, you can make a large batch and eat the same meal for several days. Air Freshener – Cooking can smell. Bring an air freshener to get rid of the smell.

Cooking can smell. Bring an air freshener to get rid of the smell. Fuel – If you use a gas stove, you need fuel to run it. Most types of fuel are not allowed on airplanes. That means you have to buy fuel when you reach your destination.

If you use a gas stove, you need fuel to run it. Most types of fuel are not allowed on airplanes. That means you have to buy fuel when you reach your destination. A lighter or matches – To light your gas stove.

Chances are, you don’t need all of the above items. If you’re a minimalist, you can get away with a stove, a pot, a knife, and a spork. If you want to cook more elaborate meals, you need more equipment.

Choose the equipment you think you will need. Remember, if you forgot something, you can always buy it at your destination. Basic cooking appliances are widely available and affordable.

Sometimes it’s better to buy some of your gear at the destination. If you only want to fly with hand luggage, wait until you arrive to buy a kitchen knife. If you want to use a bulky device like a pot, buy it at the destination.

How to pack your cooking essentials for travel

One downside to cooking in your hotel room is the fact that you have to pack some extra gear. This increases the weight and bulk of your luggage.

You should take this into account when packing to avoid exceeding your airline’s weight or size limit when you fly. When you go on a road trip, the weight and size of your gear isn’t that important. You should still be careful not to pack too much.

Keep in mind that every time you move to a different hotel, you’ll have to pack and carry all your cooking gear around. If you move around a lot when you travel, this can become a nuisance. If you stay in the same hotel for the duration of your trip, this is less of a problem.

To keep the weight down and save space in your pack, go as minimalist as possible. Only pack things that are absolutely necessary. Try to choose devices that offer multiple uses.

Instead of packing a grater, garlic press and vegetable peeler, just pack a knife. You can finely chop, chop and peel with a good knife. You don’t need a bunch of fancy kitchen gadgets to prepare a simple meal in your hotel room.

Also consider the pack size of your travel kitchen. Try to choose items that can be nested together to save space. For example, you can store your stove, bowl, sponge, and dish soap in your pot. Gather your cutlery, can opener, corkscrew and knife. Place flat objects like your plate and cutting board against the walls of your backpack or suitcase.

When putting together your travel kitchen, consider using cooking appliances designed for ultra-light backpacking. Ultralight cooking appliances are much lighter and more compact than standard appliances designed for your home kitchen. This way you can save a lot of space and weight. For example, a titanium pot weighs about 3-4 ounces. A comparable pot used for home cooking weighs 2-3 lbs.

Also remember that some items are not allowed in hand luggage. If you pack kitchen knives or a bottle of washing-up liquid, you will have to check your baggage. Some types of fuel are not allowed on airplanes at all. Wenn Sie einen Gasherd verwenden, müssen Sie möglicherweise warten, bis Sie ankommen, um Brennstoff dafür zu kaufen.

Herde und Geräte zum Kochen in einem Hotel ohne Küche

Zum Kochen braucht man eine Wärmequelle. In diesem Abschnitt stelle ich einige der besten Arten von Herden und kleinen Küchengeräten zum Kochen in Ihrem Hotelzimmer vor. Ich werde auch ein paar alternative Hutquellen vorschlagen, die zur Not funktionieren können.

Elektrischer Brenner/Heizplatte

Für die meisten Reisenden ist eine Kochplatte die sicherste und bequemste Option. Kochplatten haben keine offene Flamme, sodass Sie sich nicht so viele Gedanken über das Entzünden eines Feuers machen müssen. Keine offene Flamme bedeutet auch, dass beim Kochen keine gefährlichen Dämpfe austreten. Sie können eine Kochplatte bedenkenlos im Innenbereich verwenden. Die Temperatur ist bei den meisten Modellen auch leicht einstellbar. Kochplatten sind auch sehr einfach zu bedienen. Einfach einstecken, einschalten und mit dem Kochen beginnen.

Heizplatten haben zwei Hauptnachteile. Erstens sind sie normalerweise groß und sperrig, was das Tragen mühsam macht. Sie möchten wahrscheinlich nur einen einpacken, wenn Sie häufig kochen möchten. Zweitens erfordern Kochplatten, dass Sie Zugang zu einer Steckdose haben. In einem Hotelzimmer ist das kein Problem. Sie können Ihre Kochplatte möglicherweise nicht im Freien oder beim Camping verwenden.

Für Reisen mag ich diesen Cusimax Electric Burner. Es ist erschwinglich und ziemlich kompakt. Es bietet auch 7 Temperatureinstellungen.

Erwägen Sie zur Erhöhung der Sicherheit die Verwendung einer Induktionskochplatte. Diese erhitzen nur Gegenstände, die Eisenpartikel enthalten. Wenn Sie versehentlich ein Kleidungsstück auf das Kochfeld fallen lassen, brennt es nicht. Natürlich muss man trotzdem aufpassen. Da sind noch Wärme und Strom im Spiel.

Universal-Gasherd

Dies ist die beste Wahl für Reisende in Entwicklungsländern, wo Strom oder Benzinkanister nicht immer verfügbar sind. Ein universeller Gaskocher kann eine Vielzahl von flüssigen Brennstoffen verbrennen, darunter Kerosin, Reingas und bleifreies Benzin. Wo auch immer Sie sind, Sie können mindestens einen dieser Kraftstoffe finden.

Wenn Sie drinnen kochen möchten, müssen Sie darauf achten, welchen Brennstoff Sie verwenden. Sie sollten nur drinnen kochen, wenn Sie weißes Gas verbrennen. Wenn Sie Kerosin oder Benzin verbrennen, verwenden Sie Ihren Kocher nur im Freien.

Achten Sie beim Kochen in Ihrem Hotelzimmer darauf, dass der Raum gut belüftet ist. Öffnen Sie ein Fenster und schalten Sie einen Ventilator ein. Wenn das Zimmer einen Balkon oder eine Terrasse hat, kochen Sie dort. Kochen Sie auch nicht in der Nähe von etwas Entflammbarem. Wenn der Raum schlecht belüftet ist, verwenden Sie Ihren Gasherd nicht.

Ich empfehle den MSR WhisperLite International Multifuel Rucksackkocher. Der Kocher ist einfach, kompakt und kann vor Ort gereinigt und gewartet werden.

Tipp: Bevor du mit deinem Kocher fliegst, reinige die Brennstoffflasche sorgfältig. Wenn es auch nur den leisesten Treibstoffgeruch aufweist, könnte es von der Flughafensicherheit beschlagnahmt werden. Reinigen Sie den Behälter mit Wasser und Seife und trocknen Sie ihn gründlich ab.

Reis Kocher

Ein Reiskocher ist ein überraschend vielseitiges Gerät. Zusätzlich zum Kochen von Reis können Sie mit einem Reiskocher hart gekochte Eier, Haferflocken, Nudeln, Suppen, Chili, gekochtes Gemüse, Risotto, Quinoa und mehr zubereiten. Sie können einen Reiskocher auch zum Backen von Brot und Kuchen verwenden. Weitere Ideen finden Sie in diesem Leitfaden.

Der Nachteil eines Reiskochers ist, dass es sich um ein ziemlich großes Gerät handelt. Sie würden nicht mit einem fliegen wollen. Ein Reiskocher ist eine gute Option für unterwegs. Sie können auch einen kaufen, wenn Sie Ihr Ziel erreichen.

Dieser Dash Mini-Reiskocher ist perfekt für unterwegs. Es ist tragbar und kompakt und kann zum Kochen einer Reihe einfacher und gesunder Lebensmittel verwendet werden, darunter Reis, Nudeln, Suppen, Saucen, Gemüse und sogar Kuchen.

Elektrische Pfanne

Dieses handliche Gerät kombiniert im Grunde eine elektrische Kochplatte und eine Pfanne. Sie schließen es an und kochen direkt auf der angeschlossenen Kochfläche. Sie können in einer elektrischen Pfanne kochen, braten oder sogar backen.

Eine elektrische Bratpfanne ist ein sperriges Gerät. Sie möchten nur eine davon verwenden, wenn Sie einen Roadtrip unternehmen. Wenn Sie fliegen, können Sie einen kaufen, sobald Sie Ihr Ziel erreicht haben. Einstiegsmodelle beginnen bei etwa 25 $.

microwave

Heutzutage sind viele Hotelzimmer der Mittel- und Oberklasse mit einer Mikrowelle ausgestattet. Sie können eine Mikrowelle verwenden, um eine große Auswahl an Gerichten zuzubereiten, wenn Sie kreativ sind.

So können Sie beispielsweise vorgekochte Speisen wie Reis- und Nudelbeutel, Dosensuppen, TV-Dinner, Saucen und vieles mehr erhitzen. Sie kochen Eier, Couscous und Gemüse. Sie können auch Wasser kochen, um dehydrierte Lebensmittel wie Instant-Kartoffelpüree, Makkaroni und Käse und Ramen zuzubereiten.

Schongarer/Schnellkochtopf

Mit einem Slow Cooker können Sie ganz einfach eine ganze Mahlzeit zubereiten, während Sie unterwegs sind. Bereiten Sie Ihr Essen morgens zu und lassen Sie es den ganzen Tag köcheln. Wenn Sie zurückkehren, erwartet Sie ein köstliches Essen.

Schnellkochtöpfe liefern ähnliche Ergebnisse schneller. Schongarer und Schnellkochtöpfe sind ideal zum Garen von Fleisch, Suppen, Eintöpfen und Aufläufen. Sie können problemlos für mehrere hungrige Reisende kochen.

Schongarer eignen sich gut für Autofahrten. Mit dem richtigen Adapter können Sie während der Fahrt einen kleinen fahren. Sie sind zu sperrig, um damit zu fliegen. Wenn Sie zu Ihrem Ziel fliegen, können Sie bei Ihrer Ankunft einen günstigen kaufen.

Sie können einen einfachen Slow Cooker für 20 bis 30 US-Dollar kaufen und ihn am Ende Ihrer Reise verschenken. Wenn Sie häufig umziehen möchten, möchten Sie keine davon verwenden. Sie sind zu sperrig.

Kanister Gasherd

Wenn Sie in die entwickelte Welt oder in eine Region reisen, in der Sie problemlos Gaskartuschen kaufen können, ist ein einfacher Gaskocher eine großartige Option. Diese Öfen sind billig, effizient und einfach zu bedienen.

Außerdem sind sie unglaublich leicht und kompakt. Ein ultraleichter Kanisterkocher wiegt nur 25 Gramm und lässt sich klein genug zusammenpacken, um in Ihre Tasche zu passen.

Die meisten Kanisterkocher verwenden entweder Propan oder Butan. Beide können in Innenräumen verwendet werden, wenn der Bereich ausreichend belüftet ist. Öffnen Sie ein Fenster in Ihrem Hotelzimmer und schalten Sie einen Ventilator ein. Wenn Sie Ihr Zimmer nicht lüften können, verwenden Sie Ihren Herd nicht. Also, only use the stove in an area where there is nothing flammable nearby.

I like the AOTU Portable Camping Stoves Backpacking Stove. It’s durable, compact, and affordable. It also comes with a case.

Alcohol Stove

These simple stoves burn alcohol. The best fuel is denatured alcohol but you can use any type of alcohol that is high enough proof to burn. That means you can buy fuel almost anywhere. Even the liquor store.

Alcohol stoves are also incredibly compact and lightweight. If you only plan to cook occasionally, an alcohol stove is a great option. As an added benefit, they, never require maintenance.

The biggest benefit to alcohol stoves is the fact that you can make your own for free. All you need is a tuna can or soda can and something to punch holes with. Multiple variations exist. For a step-by-step guide to making 5 different types of alcohol stoves, check out this great article from bikepacking.com.

The drawback to alcohol stoves is that they can be dangerous. There are two reasons. First spilling is possible. The alcohol just sits in the stove. The flame could spread quickly if the stove got kicked or tipped and the alcohol spilled out. The flame is also almost invisible while it’s lit. It would be easy to burn yourself.

If possible, it’s better to use your alcohol stove outside. You can use an alcohol stove indoors if you’re extremely careful and ventilate the room well. Set the stove on a solid surface far away from anything flammable. If there is a risk of your stove spilling, don’t use it.

Toaster

A toaster oven is an incredibly versatile appliance. You can use a toaster oven to bake meats such as chicken, fish, sausage, burgers, or a small roast. You can bake breads, pastries, and cookies. A toaster oven can also heat up pre-prepared foods such as frozen TV dinners and pizza. Of course, you can toast bread, bagels, and tortillas as well.

This is another large appliance. You wouldn’t want to fly with a toaster oven. You could buy one at your destination or take one with you on a road trip.

Immersion Heater

These heaters use electricity running through a coil to boil water. They are incredibly cheap and easy to use. You can buy one of these at most grocery stores or hardware stores for just a few dollars.

The drawback is that you can only cook meals that require boiling water. This limits you to dehydrated foods and drinks. For example, you could prepare ramen, instant mashed potatoes, instant oatmeal, dehydrated camp meals, etc.

I like this Diximus 300W Travel Immersion Water Heater. It features dual voltage (120/240V) compatibility so you can use it internationally. It also comes with an adapter for EU-style outlets. A travel case is included.

Safety tip: It is possible to shock yourself with these heaters. Never touch the heating element or the water you’re heating when the immersion heater is plugged in.

Electric Kettle

In many parts of the world, mid-range hotel rooms come with an electric kettle. These allow you to cook a number of simple meals.

For example, you can use boiling water to prepare dehydrated foods such as camp meals, mac and cheese, ramen, etc. Electric kettles also allow you to boil foods inside such as eggs or veggies.

For some more ideas, check out this list of meals you can cook in an electric kettle.

coffee machine

Many hotel rooms come with a coffee maker. If you’re creative, you can cook a surprising number of meals with a basic coffee maker.

For example, you can use the coffee maker to heat water for rehydrating foods such as instant mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or ramen. You could also cook hard-boiled eggs in the hot water in the pot.

The filter basket where the coffee is supposed to go works well for steaming veggies. Just fill the water reservoir to the top and run the coffee maker and you’ll have a nice serving of steamed vegetables. The hot plate can also act as a small griddle.

If you decide to use your coffee maker for cooking, don’t run any liquid but water through it or you could destroy it. You don’t want to get charged for a new coffee maker.

Clothes Iron

This is kind of a last resort option if you don’t have any other heat source. It is possible to use an iron to cook food. Find a way to mount the iron with the hot side up. You can cook a meal in your own pot or pan. You can even use a piece of aluminum foil to cook in.

How to Choose a Stove or Heat Source for Hotel Cooking

The ideal stove or heat source for hotel cooking depends on a number of factors including:

How often you plan to cook- If you’re only going to cook a few times, it doesn’t make sense to bring a bulky cooking appliance. You can get away with a small camp stove and pot. If you’re planning to cook every day, you might want to bring a more elaborate cooking setup.

If you’re only going to cook a few times, it doesn’t make sense to bring a bulky cooking appliance. You can get away with a small camp stove and pot. If you’re planning to cook every day, you might want to bring a more elaborate cooking setup. What you plan to cook- If you only plan to cook instant or dehydrated foods, all you need is the ability to boil water. You could use your hotel room’s microwave, coffee maker, or electric kettle. If you plan to cook full meals, you’ll need some kind of stove or cooking appliance. A good stove and pot is the most versatile setup.

If you only plan to cook instant or dehydrated foods, all you need is the ability to boil water. You could use your hotel room’s microwave, coffee maker, or electric kettle. If you plan to cook full meals, you’ll need some kind of stove or cooking appliance. A good stove and pot is the most versatile setup. The type of energy source you’ll have access to- Not all fuels are available everywhere. For example, if you plan to use a gas stove, you’ll want to make sure you can buy fuel at your destination or choose a universal gas stove. Most types of fuel are not permitted on airplanes for safety reasons so you’ll have to buy fuel when you arrive. If you plan to use an electric stove, you’ll want make sure that electricity is available everywhere you plan to cook. For example, if you plan to camp during your trip, you may not be able to use your stove.

Not all fuels are available everywhere. For example, if you plan to use a gas stove, you’ll want to make sure you can buy fuel at your destination or choose a universal gas stove. Most types of fuel are not permitted on airplanes for safety reasons so you’ll have to buy fuel when you arrive. If you plan to use an electric stove, you’ll want make sure that electricity is available everywhere you plan to cook. For example, if you plan to camp during your trip, you may not be able to use your stove. Your mode of travel- You must consider the size and weight of the stove or heat source. This is particularly important if you’re flying. Airline luggage allowances are pretty small. You won’t want to carry a bulky appliance like a toaster oven or crock pot through an airport. If you’re driving to your destination, the size and weight don’t matter as much. You can find space for any small cooking appliance in your car.

You must consider the size and weight of the stove or heat source. This is particularly important if you’re flying. Airline luggage allowances are pretty small. You won’t want to carry a bulky appliance like a toaster oven or crock pot through an airport. If you’re driving to your destination, the size and weight don’t matter as much. You can find space for any small cooking appliance in your car. Where you plan to cook- Will you cook indoors or outdoors? You should never cook with an open flame indoors or in a confined space. Will you cook at sea level or at altitude? Some fuels don’t burn as well in the mountains.

Will you cook indoors or outdoors? You should never cook with an open flame indoors or in a confined space. Will you cook at sea level or at altitude? Some fuels don’t burn as well in the mountains. The type of hotel you’re staying in- If you’re staying in a fancy high rise hotel, you probably won’t want to cook with gas. The windows may not open for ventilation and you won’t want to intorduce odors into the room. If you’re staying in a cheap motel, you could cook outside in the courtyard on a camp stove.

If you’re staying in a fancy high rise hotel, you probably won’t want to cook with gas. The windows may not open for ventilation and you won’t want to intorduce odors into the room. If you’re staying in a cheap motel, you could cook outside in the courtyard on a camp stove. The voltage and plug design of the electrical outlets- If you’re using an electric cooker, make sure it is compatible with the voltage of the electrical outlets. For example, if you’re traveling in a country that uses 220 volt outlets, you can’t use your 110 volt appliance without a converter. Some appliances are compatible with both 110 and 220 volt outlets. You’ll want to check this before your trip. You’ll also want to make sure your appliance’s plug is compatible with the outlets in your hotel. You could also get a converter. For more info on compatibility, check out this guide.

Pots and Pans for Cooking in a Hotel Room

If you plan to cook with a camp stove or hot plate, you’ll need some kind of pot or pan to cook in. The two most important considerations are the material and size of your pot or pan.

If you’re flying to your destination, a titanium or aluminum pot is best due to its light weight. If you’re taking a road trip, the material doesn’t really matter. You could just take your favorite pot or pan from home. You don’t have to buy special camp cookware if you don’t want to.

When it comes to size, you want something small enough that it doesn’t take up too much space in your luggage yet large enough to cook a full meal in.

For one person, a 500 ml to 1 liter pot is ideal. With my 750ml pot, I can cook up a large, filling meal and sometimes even have some leftovers for a midnight snack. For 2 people a 1.5-2 liter pot is preferable.

Camping pots come in all sizes from 250 ml to 2 liters or more. Smaller pots are good for quick meals or hot drinks. Larger pots are good for cooking for multiple people.

I like the TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot. It’s a nice compact size and weighs only 3.6 oz (103 grams). It also includes a lid.

If you’re taking a road trip, you can just take a couple of pots and pans from home. When I road trip, I like to take my cast iron pan. It’s heavy but it’s a joy to cook in. I also take a stainless steel pot.

How to Cook in a Hotel Without a Kitchen

Now that we have our heat source, pot, and utensils ready, it’s time to cook. Here’s my process for cooking in a hotel room:

Decide on a safe location to cook in the hotel- Look for a cooking area with nothing flammable around. If you plan to cook with an open flame, try to cook outdoors in the courtyard or on the deck. Make sure there is ample ventilation in your cooking area. Also, try to choose a spot where spills will be easy to clean up. If you can’t find a safe location to cook, go out to eat. I’ll talk more about cooking safety later on in this guide.

Look for a cooking area with nothing flammable around. If you plan to cook with an open flame, try to cook outdoors in the courtyard or on the deck. Make sure there is ample ventilation in your cooking area. Also, try to choose a spot where spills will be easy to clean up. If you can’t find a safe location to cook, go out to eat. I’ll talk more about cooking safety later on in this guide. Gather all safety gear and know the location of a fire extinguisher- This is important. Even though a fire is unlikely, you must be prepared. Have something nearby to douse out a flame with.

This is important. Even though a fire is unlikely, you must be prepared. Have something nearby to douse out a flame with. Decide on a recipe- I recommend you stick to simple and quick meals. This reduces the amount of time that you have to spend cooking. Remember, you’re on vacation. Time is limited. You also don’t have all of the utensils that you’re used to at home. If you’re on a tight budget, choose a recipe that uses cheap ingredients such as rice, bread, pasta, beans, vegetables, etc. I’ll share some recipe ideas later on in this guide.

I recommend you stick to simple and quick meals. This reduces the amount of time that you have to spend cooking. Remember, you’re on vacation. Time is limited. You also don’t have all of the utensils that you’re used to at home. If you’re on a tight budget, choose a recipe that uses cheap ingredients such as rice, bread, pasta, beans, vegetables, etc. I’ll share some recipe ideas later on in this guide. Gather all of your ingredients- Make sure you have everything that you need for your recipe. If you can’t find an ingredient, make a substitution.

Make sure you have everything that you need for your recipe. If you can’t find an ingredient, make a substitution. Gather all of the necessary equipment- Think about which cooking utensils you’ll need. Gather your pot, spatula, knife, cutting board, etc. so everything is ready to use.

Think about which cooking utensils you’ll need. Gather your pot, spatula, knife, cutting board, etc. so everything is ready to use. Prepare your cooking area- Remove any flammable items from your cooking area. Open a window and turn on a fan for ventilation.

Remove any flammable items from your cooking area. Open a window and turn on a fan for ventilation. Prep your food- Chop all of your veggies and meat. Measure out all of your ingredients. If everything is prepped first, you can pay more attention to your food while it’s cooking

Chop all of your veggies and meat. Measure out all of your ingredients. If everything is prepped first, you can pay more attention to your food while it’s cooking Set up the stove or cooking appliance and fire it up – Make sure it’s stable. Also, make sure you have enough fuel and that everything is in good working condition.

– Make sure it’s stable. Also, make sure you have enough fuel and that everything is in good working condition. Start cooking- Keep an eye on your food so you don’t burn it or undercook it.

Keep an eye on your food so you don’t burn it or undercook it. Once your meal is done, make sure your stove is off or the flame is extinguished- Some fuels make hot flames that are nearly impossible to see. Some cooking appliances get hot.

Some fuels make hot flames that are nearly impossible to see. Some cooking appliances get hot. Enjoy your hotel room meal- Share your recipe and hotel cooking tips in the comments below!

Share your recipe and hotel cooking tips in the comments below! Clean up to reduce odors- Don’t let the food sit out and dry onto your pot or utensils. Cleanup can become a real hassle. The food can also start to stink. Clean up immediately after you eat.

Don’t let the food sit out and dry onto your pot or utensils. Cleanup can become a real hassle. The food can also start to stink. Clean up immediately after you eat. Properly store your leftovers- Let your leftovers cool a bit then put them in the fridge if your room has one. If there is no fridge, eat everything.

What Foods Can I Cook in a Hotel?

Exactly what you can cook depends on the cooking equipment you pack. I have found that a stove and pot is the most versatile option. A little bit of creativity goes a long way in hotel cooking. You’d be surprised what you can cook with some simple tools and ingredients.

Some of my favorite hotel room meals include:

Canned soups- Simply open the can dump it in your pot, and heat it up. You can also microwave canned soups.

Simply open the can dump it in your pot, and heat it up. You can also microwave canned soups. Instant noodles/ramen- This is one of the easiest meals to cook. All you need is hot water. You can heat water in a microwave, pot, or electric kettle. Stir in an egg or some cooked veggies to jazz it up a bit.

This is one of the easiest meals to cook. All you need is hot water. You can heat water in a microwave, pot, or electric kettle. Stir in an egg or some cooked veggies to jazz it up a bit. Eggs- Hard-boiled eggs make for a simple breakfast that you can eat on the go. You can boil eggs in a coffee maker, electric kettle, or in a pot. You can also cook eggs in the microwave.

Hard-boiled eggs make for a simple breakfast that you can eat on the go. You can boil eggs in a coffee maker, electric kettle, or in a pot. You can also cook eggs in the microwave. Oatmeal- This is my go-to hotel room breakfast. All you need is hot water. Cut up some fresh fruit in your oatmeal to add some nutrition and flavor.

This is my go-to hotel room breakfast. All you need is hot water. Cut up some fresh fruit in your oatmeal to add some nutrition and flavor. Potatoes- There are lots of ways to prepare potatoes. You could make baked potatoes in the microwave, boil them in water, or fry them in a pan with some oil. When you cook the potatoes, cut them into small chunks. They’ll cook faster this way.

There are lots of ways to prepare potatoes. You could make baked potatoes in the microwave, boil them in water, or fry them in a pan with some oil. When you cook the potatoes, cut them into small chunks. They’ll cook faster this way. Rice and beans- This is one of my favorites. It’s cheap, filling, and healthy. Simply cook some rice and heat up some pre-cooked canned beans. To save time, use instant rice. Add some hot sauce for flavor.

This is one of my favorites. It’s cheap, filling, and healthy. Simply cook some rice and heat up some pre-cooked canned beans. To save time, use instant rice. Add some hot sauce for flavor. Canned or frozen vegetables- These can be microwaved or heated in a pan. They make a great healthy side dish. You can also add them to soups and pasta dishes.

These can be microwaved or heated in a pan. They make a great healthy side dish. You can also add them to soups and pasta dishes. Pasta and sauce- Simply boil the pasta and stir in your favorite canned pasta sauce. If you’re in a hurry, use instant pasta. You can use tomato sauce, pesto, alfredo, or any other type of pre-made sauce. I like to jazz my pasta up a bit with some veggies.

Simply boil the pasta and stir in your favorite canned pasta sauce. If you’re in a hurry, use instant pasta. You can use tomato sauce, pesto, alfredo, or any other type of pre-made sauce. I like to jazz my pasta up a bit with some veggies. Stir fry- Fry up some veggies and diced meat, add some type of sauce or spices, and serve it over rice or pasta. I like to use soy sauce or teriyaki and hot sauce to add flavor.

Fry up some veggies and diced meat, add some type of sauce or spices, and serve it over rice or pasta. I like to use soy sauce or teriyaki and hot sauce to add flavor. Mac and cheese- Everyone’s favorite meal as a kid. You can make the stovetop variety or the instant variety. For hotel room cooking, the instant version is faster. All you need is boiling water.

Everyone’s favorite meal as a kid. You can make the stovetop variety or the instant variety. For hotel room cooking, the instant version is faster. All you need is boiling water. Hot sandwiches- Toasted cheese sandwiches are quick and easy to make if you have a stove. Add some lunch meat for a bit more substantial meal. Hot sandwiches go great with soup.

Toasted cheese sandwiches are quick and easy to make if you have a stove. Add some lunch meat for a bit more substantial meal. Hot sandwiches go great with soup. Frozen meals/TV dinners- You can heat these up in a microwave or toaster oven. These aren’t very healthy but they are fast, easy, and surprisingly tasty.

You can heat these up in a microwave or toaster oven. These aren’t very healthy but they are fast, easy, and surprisingly tasty. Instant mashed potatoes- All you need to make these is boiling water. These are a great side dish.

All you need to make these is boiling water. These are a great side dish. Couscous- This is another dish that can be cooked with boiling water. Couscous is an excellent side dish. It goes with meat, seafood, or veggies.

This is another dish that can be cooked with boiling water. Couscous is an excellent side dish. It goes with meat, seafood, or veggies. Toast- Ifyou have a pan or toaster oven, you can easily make toast. This is a great simpe breakfast or snack. Smear some peanut butter or nutella on it to make your snack a bit more substantial.

Ifyou have a pan or toaster oven, you can easily make toast. This is a great simpe breakfast or snack. Smear some peanut butter or nutella on it to make your snack a bit more substantial. Pre-cooked rice/pasta pouches- These heat up in the microwave in seconds.

These heat up in the microwave in seconds. Various fresh vegetables- Veggies are versatile. They can be microwaved, steamed, fried, or boiled. I like to add broccoli, spinach, and peppers to my cooking.

Veggies are versatile. They can be microwaved, steamed, fried, or boiled. I like to add broccoli, spinach, and peppers to my cooking. Hot dogs and hamburgers- Shape some ground beef into a patty and fry up a burger in a pan. Hot dogs can be fried, boiled, or microwaved.

Shape some ground beef into a patty and fry up a burger in a pan. Hot dogs can be fried, boiled, or microwaved. Seafood- Fish, shrimp, and shellfish are great choices if you’re near the ocean. One benefit of seafood is that it tends to cook faster than meat from land animals. Serve with a side of cooked veggies, rice, or pasta.

No-Cook Meals You Can Prepare in a Hotel Room

You don’t have to cook every meal. There are plenty of healthy meals that don’t require any heating. A few options include:

Sandwiches- Buy some fresh bread, lunch meat, cheese, and some greens and make yourself a nice sandwich. Tuna or peanut butter and jelly are also good options. To make your meal a bit more interesting, consider making your sandwich on a local style of bread. For example, if you’re in Grease, use pita. If you’re in France, use a baguette. If you’re in Mexico, make a wrap with a flour tortilla. Add some chips or fresh veggies as a side. This is one of my go-to hotel meals.

Buy some fresh bread, lunch meat, cheese, and some greens and make yourself a nice sandwich. Tuna or peanut butter and jelly are also good options. To make your meal a bit more interesting, consider making your sandwich on a local style of bread. For example, if you’re in Grease, use pita. If you’re in France, use a baguette. If you’re in Mexico, make a wrap with a flour tortilla. Add some chips or fresh veggies as a side. This is one of my go-to hotel meals. Salad- Buy some fresh greens, wash them off in the hotel room sink, tear them up, and drizzle some oil and vinegar or your favorite dressing on top. Add some tomatoes, olives, or avocado to make the salad a bit more exciting. Add some canned beans or tuna for protein.

Buy some fresh greens, wash them off in the hotel room sink, tear them up, and drizzle some oil and vinegar or your favorite dressing on top. Add some tomatoes, olives, or avocado to make the salad a bit more exciting. Add some canned beans or tuna for protein. Cheese and crackers- Buy a nice block of local cheese and some crackers and enjoy a simple lunch. Add some ham, salami, or pepperoni for a bit more protein. Eat some raw veggies such as carrots, bell peppers, or avocado on the side to make the meal a bit healthier.

Buy a nice block of local cheese and some crackers and enjoy a simple lunch. Add some ham, salami, or pepperoni for a bit more protein. Eat some raw veggies such as carrots, bell peppers, or avocado on the side to make the meal a bit healthier. Pre-prepared foods- There are plenty of pre-prepared foods that you can buy in grocery stores and delis that require no heating. Examples include cold fried or baked chicken, sushi, wraps, pasta salads, potato salad, bagel and cream cheese, sandwiches, and more. It is generally faster and cheaper to buy these pre-prepared meals in a grocery store or deli than buying the same meal in a restaurant. You can take the food to your hotel to eat.

Stop by a roadside vegetable stand to save money on ingredients.

Useful Ingredients to Carry

In your home kitchen, you probably have dozens of types of herbs, spices, sauces, oils, etc. When you’re cooking in your hotel room, options are a bit more limited. Many of the above dishes are pretty bland on their own. A bit of seasoning or sauce goes a long way. A few items I always carry in your pantry include:

Salt and pepper – These are staples. Add salt and pepper to any bland food to add some flavor.

– These are staples. Add salt and pepper to any bland food to add some flavor. Olive oil- Pure olive oil can double as a cooking oil and salad dressing. You can also drizzle it over pasta, bread, pizza, or any number of other foods. Alternatively, you could also use butter.

Pure olive oil can double as a cooking oil and salad dressing. You can also drizzle it over pasta, bread, pizza, or any number of other foods. Alternatively, you could also use butter. Hot sauce- Add a little kick to your food. I like to sample different hot sauces while traveling. Pretty much every country has a local hot sauce. While living in Mexico, I tasted over a dozen varieties until I found my favorite, El Yucateco.

Add a little kick to your food. I like to sample different hot sauces while traveling. Pretty much every country has a local hot sauce. While living in Mexico, I tasted over a dozen varieties until I found my favorite, El Yucateco. Sugar or honey- Having a sweetener comes in handy. You can add it to your coffee or tea, oatmeal, or to sauces.

Having a sweetener comes in handy. You can add it to your coffee or tea, oatmeal, or to sauces. Soy sauce- This works great for stir fry. You can easily add some sweetener or spice to change the flavor to suit your taste. It also works great as a marinade. You can also add it to soups for more flavor.

This works great for stir fry. You can easily add some sweetener or spice to change the flavor to suit your taste. It also works great as a marinade. You can also add it to soups for more flavor. Seasoning blend- If you plan to cook one style of cuisine, consider bringing a seasoning blend. For example, if you’re traveling to Mexico, pack a Mexican seasoning blend. You can buy one pre-made or mix your own at home. The benefit of this is that you only have to bring one bottle instead of multiple types of seasoning.

If you plan to cook one style of cuisine, consider bringing a seasoning blend. For example, if you’re traveling to Mexico, pack a Mexican seasoning blend. You can buy one pre-made or mix your own at home. The benefit of this is that you only have to bring one bottle instead of multiple types of seasoning. Your favorite seasoning, herb, or spice- If you really like a particular flavor, bring it with you.

If you really like a particular flavor, bring it with you. Your favorite condiment- If you really enjoy a particular condiment, pack a small bottle. Some condiments are extremely versatile. Examples include ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, and mayonnaise.

If you really enjoy a particular condiment, pack a small bottle. Some condiments are extremely versatile. Examples include ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, and mayonnaise. Rice, pasta, or instant noodles- These are incredibly versatile, affordable, and common foods. They can be eaten as a side or you can add some veggies or meat and sauce and turn them into a meal.

These are incredibly versatile, affordable, and common foods. They can be eaten as a side or you can add some veggies or meat and sauce and turn them into a meal. Bread- This is a versatile food and affordable that can be eaten as a side with almost any meal. You can also turn your bread into a sandwich. Most countries specialize in a different style of bread. Visit a local bakery and try out some local fresh-baked varieties.

This is a versatile food and affordable that can be eaten as a side with almost any meal. You can also turn your bread into a sandwich. Most countries specialize in a different style of bread. Visit a local bakery and try out some local fresh-baked varieties. Beans- These are a great source of protein. They are versatile as well. You can add beans to salads and pasta dishes. You can eat them as a side or eat them with rice as a meal. I like lentils because they cook up fast.

These are a great source of protein. They are versatile as well. You can add beans to salads and pasta dishes. You can eat them as a side or eat them with rice as a meal. I like lentils because they cook up fast. A can of tuna- I always carry a can of tuna with me while traveling. If I get hungry or don’t feel like cooking, I just eat tuna on bread or with crackers. It’s a simple, healthy, and filling meal.

You don’t need to bring these ingredients with you. They’re available pretty much everywhere. Simply stock up when you arrive at your destination. If one of your favorite ingredients isn’t available, buy a local alternative.

Try not to buy too much food. It’s a hassle to carry around a bunch of open packages. Buy what you need and restock frequently. This costs a bit more but you’ll end up carrying less around and you’ll waste less.

Foods to Avoid Cooking in Your Hotel Room

There are a few categories of foods that you should avoid cooking in your hotel room:

Smelly foods- You don’t want to stink up your hotel room. Other guests could smell your food and complain to hotel staff. Housekeeping could report the odor to management. Worst case, the hotel could fine you or charge you a cleaning fee. If that happens, cooking in your hotel room would end up costing you more than if you had just gone out to eat. Cleaning fees can cost hundreds of dollars. Smelly foods to avoid cooking in your hotel room include fish, bacon, garlic, curry, onion, some types of cheese, burnt food, etc.

You don’t want to stink up your hotel room. Other guests could smell your food and complain to hotel staff. Housekeeping could report the odor to management. Worst case, the hotel could fine you or charge you a cleaning fee. If that happens, cooking in your hotel room would end up costing you more than if you had just gone out to eat. Cleaning fees can cost hundreds of dollars. Smelly foods to avoid cooking in your hotel room include fish, bacon, garlic, curry, onion, some types of cheese, burnt food, etc. Messy foods- You don’t want to make a mess, stain fabrics, or draw ants in your hotel room. Avoid cooking messy foods. Examples of messy foods include baked goods and fried foods.

You don’t want to make a mess, stain fabrics, or draw ants in your hotel room. Avoid cooking messy foods. Examples of messy foods include baked goods and fried foods. Large pieces of meat- It can take hours to cook a big piece of meat like a roast or whole chicken. It takes even longer if you’re using a small appliance. Stick to smaller cuts of meat or pre-cooked meats instead. If you buy a large chunk of meat, cut it into thin steaks or cubes so it cooks faster. The only exception is if you’re using a slow cooker. In this case, you’re expecting your meal to take hours to cook.

It can take hours to cook a big piece of meat like a roast or whole chicken. It takes even longer if you’re using a small appliance. Stick to smaller cuts of meat or pre-cooked meats instead. If you buy a large chunk of meat, cut it into thin steaks or cubes so it cooks faster. The only exception is if you’re using a slow cooker. In this case, you’re expecting your meal to take hours to cook. Hazardous foods- Some foods need to be cooked thoroughly in order to be safe to eat. Some foods also need to be kept at a particular temperature so they don’t go bad. Try to avoid foods that could give you food poisoning. Some foods that you need to be careful with include seafood, meat, and eggs. You must be particularly careful if your room doesn’t have a refrigerator.

Some foods need to be cooked thoroughly in order to be safe to eat. Some foods also need to be kept at a particular temperature so they don’t go bad. Try to avoid foods that could give you food poisoning. Some foods that you need to be careful with include seafood, meat, and eggs. You must be particularly careful if your room doesn’t have a refrigerator. Noisy foods- Some foods create quite a bit of noise when cooking. For example, the sound of grease sizzling while you’re frying foods can get loud. This could potentially annoy other guests. This would only be an issue if you’re staying in a cheap motel with paper thin walls .

Where Should I Cook in a Hotel?

The best place in your hotel to cook depends on whether you’re using a gas or electric cooker. Every hotel is different. Some hotel rooms just aren’t safe to cook in.

Cooking with Gas

Only cook in a well-ventilated area. You don’t want to poison yourself with carbon monoxide and other contaminants that your stove emits. Also, don’t cook near anything that is potentially flammable. You don’t want to start a fire. Avoid cooking with a gas stove indoors.

The three best places to cook in your hotel room are:

In the courtyard or parking lot- Outdoors is the safest place to cook with a gas stove. Most hotels have large open common area outside or a paved parking lot. Look for a flat spot on a concrete, gravel, or dirt surface whre you can set up your stove. Before cooking outside, make sure camp stoves are okay to use. During the dry season, stoves with open flames may be prohibited in some places due to the risk of fire. You don’t want to get a fine.

Outdoors is the safest place to cook with a gas stove. Most hotels have large open common area outside or a paved parking lot. Look for a flat spot on a concrete, gravel, or dirt surface whre you can set up your stove. Before cooking outside, make sure camp stoves are okay to use. During the dry season, stoves with open flames may be prohibited in some places due to the risk of fire. You don’t want to get a fine. On the balcony- Here, you have plenty of ventilation so you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide. You do have to consider the wind. Either set up a wind block or don’t cook if it’s too breezy. Also, make sure there is nothing flamable nearby.

Here, you have plenty of ventilation so you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide. You do have to consider the wind. Either set up a wind block or don’t cook if it’s too breezy. Also, make sure there is nothing flamable nearby. In the bathtub or shower- Here, the walls and floor are usually made from tile or some other non-flammable material. Another benefit of cooking here is the fact that you can simply turn on the water if your fire gets away from you. Most bathrooms also have a vent fan or window as well.

Remember, don’t cook in your hotel room if there isn’t a safe place to do it.

Cooking with Electric

While cooking with an electric hot plate, microwave, kettle, rice cooker, slow cooker, immersion heater, you have to set up near an electrical outlet.

You don’t need to worry as much about ventilation because electric appliances don’t put off any gasses. You should still consider odor. Food smells can linger.

Set up your cooker on a solid surface that isn’t flammable or sensitive to heat. For example, you don’t want to set up your stove on the carpet which could melt or burn. Make sure no drapes, clothes, bedding, or anything else that could catch fire is clear of the stove or appliance.

You’ll also want to choose a surface where spills can be easily cleaned up. The bathroom works well. If you spill some sauce on the tile floor you can simply wipe it up.

Staying Safe and Avoiding Fire While Cooking in Your Hotel Room

Cooking in your hotel room can be a bit dangerous. You risk starting a fire, burning yourself, and breathing harmful gasses if you’re not careful. There are a number of precautions you must take to reduce the risk of causing damage or injuring yourself.

To stay safe while cooking in your hotel room:

Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher- Most hotels have fire extinguishers mounted in the halls. Before cooking, take note of their location. If you can’t find one, look at the safety card in your room. It should tell you where the fire extinguisher is. If you’re on a road trip and you have your own fire extinguisher in your vehicle, consider bringing it into your room with you.

Most hotels have fire extinguishers mounted in the halls. Before cooking, take note of their location. If you can’t find one, look at the safety card in your room. It should tell you where the fire extinguisher is. If you’re on a road trip and you have your own fire extinguisher in your vehicle, consider bringing it into your room with you. Make sure there is nothing flammable near your stove or cooking appliance- Set up your cooking area away from any curtains, bedding, towels, carpeting, clothing, wood, plastic, or anything else that could catch fire. You don’t want to start a fire. Keep in mind that the underside of your stove or appliance can get hot as well. Only cook on a heat-resistant surface such as concrete or tile.

Set up your cooking area away from any curtains, bedding, towels, carpeting, clothing, wood, plastic, or anything else that could catch fire. You don’t want to start a fire. Keep in mind that the underside of your stove or appliance can get hot as well. Only cook on a heat-resistant surface such as concrete or tile. Learn how to extinguish different types of cooking fires- Different types of cooking fires require different techniques to put out. For example, putting out a grease fire requires a different approach than food fires to put out. Never pour water on a grease fire. For more info on putting out kitchen fires, check out this article from firerescue1.com. Before trying to put out a fire, turn off the heat source.

Different types of cooking fires require different techniques to put out. For example, putting out a grease fire requires a different approach than food fires to put out. Never pour water on a grease fire. For more info on putting out kitchen fires, check out this article from firerescue1.com. Before trying to put out a fire, turn off the heat source. Have something nearby to douse out a flame- If the fire is in a pot, put a lid on it. Pouring salt or baking soda on a flame also work well to douse it out.

If the fire is in a pot, put a lid on it. Pouring salt or baking soda on a flame also work well to douse it out. Have some water nearby to throw on the fire- The ice bucket would work well for this. Remember, don’t pour water on a grease fire! It will spread.

The ice bucket would work well for this. Remember, don’t pour water on a grease fire! It will spread. Use the fire extinguisher- If you can’t extinguish a flame by dousing it out, use the fire extinguisher. That’s what it’s there for.

If you can’t extinguish a flame by dousing it out, use the fire extinguisher. That’s what it’s there for. Only cook in a well-ventilated area- This is particularly important if you’re cooking with a gas stove. Burning propane, kerosene, butane, alcohol, and all other fuels put off carbon monoxide. If you breathe too much carbon monoxide, you can suffer carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be deadly. For more info, check out this article. To avoid breathing harmful gas, only cook in well-ventilated areas. Open a window and turn on a fan while you cook. Cook on the hotel balcony if you have one or cook outdoors. If you can’t properly ventilate the hotel room, don’t cook in it.

This is particularly important if you’re cooking with a gas stove. Burning propane, kerosene, butane, alcohol, and all other fuels put off carbon monoxide. If you breathe too much carbon monoxide, you can suffer carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be deadly. For more info, check out this article. To avoid breathing harmful gas, only cook in well-ventilated areas. Open a window and turn on a fan while you cook. Cook on the hotel balcony if you have one or cook outdoors. If you can’t properly ventilate the hotel room, don’t cook in it. Avoid cooking with an open flame indoors- If you’re using a gas stove, consider doing your cooking outside.

If you’re using a gas stove, consider doing your cooking outside. Always keep a close eye on your food- Don’t go watch tv or go to the bathroom while you’re waiting for your food to heat up. Your stove could malfunction or tip over while you’re distracted and start a fire. It’s much easier to extinguish a 6 inch flame than a 6 foot flame.

Don’t go watch tv or go to the bathroom while you’re waiting for your food to heat up. Your stove could malfunction or tip over while you’re distracted and start a fire. It’s much easier to extinguish a 6 inch flame than a 6 foot flame. Don’t use too much cooking oil- Using too much oil creates a fire hazard. Grease fires are dangerous and difficult to extinguish. They can spread easily.

Using too much oil creates a fire hazard. Grease fires are dangerous and difficult to extinguish. They can spread easily. Make sure your cooking surface is stable- Never cook on an unstable surface like the bed.

Never cook on an unstable surface like the bed. If the hotel room doesn’t have a safe place to cook, don’t cook- It’s not worth risking burning down a building to cook your meal, no matter how delicious it may be. Just go out to eat or eat something that doesn’t require cooking.

It’s not worth risking burning down a building to cook your meal, no matter how delicious it may be. Just go out to eat or eat something that doesn’t require cooking. Don’t burn yourself on your stove or pot handle- Many camp pots don’t have insulated handles. I like to use a sock as an oven mitt. Also, be careful around your stove. On some stoves, like alcohol stoves, the flame is almost invisible. It would be easy to burn yourself. Cooking appliances can get hot as well. Make sure everything is cooled off before you touch it.

Many camp pots don’t have insulated handles. I like to use a sock as an oven mitt. Also, be careful around your stove. On some stoves, like alcohol stoves, the flame is almost invisible. It would be easy to burn yourself. Cooking appliances can get hot as well. Make sure everything is cooled off before you touch it. Don’t use your stove or cooking appliance if it’s not working properly- Before you start cooking, check for gas leaks or damage to your cooker. If you spot any issues, don’t use it.

Before you start cooking, check for gas leaks or damage to your cooker. If you spot any issues, don’t use it. Call for help- If you start a fire that you can’t get under control or if you burn yourself, call emergency services for help.

Always know where the nearest fire extinguisher is located.

If you take the simple precautions outlined above, you shouldn’t have any trouble cooking in your hotel room.

Food Safety While Cooking in a Hotel Without a Kitchen

Food poisoning is a risk if you don’t safely prepare and store your food. It’s a bit harder to stay hygienic when cooking in a hotel because you don’t have a full kitchen to work with. You may also not have a refrigerator.

Practice good food safety while cooking in a hotel. Be sure to wash your hands before cooking and after handling food that could contain pathogens, such as raw chicken. Also, wash your cutting board, utensils, and pans thoroughly between uses. Avoid cross-contaminating your food.

Storing food can be a challenge if you’re staying in a basic hotel room that doesn’t have a refrigerator. Some foods go bad quickly if they’re not kept cold. You’ll want to take this into consideration when planning your meals.

To avoid giving yourself food poisoning, buy your refrigerated ingredients right before you plan to cook. Only cook enough food for your meal. Eat everything so you don’t have leftovers. You shouldn’t leave perishable foods out for more than 2 hours, according to the FDA.

If you want to keep food chilled but your room doesn’t have a refrigerator, a good option is to use a cooler. Most hotels have an ice machine on each floor that dispenses free ice. Fill your cooler when you arrive to keep your food cold.

If you’re taking a road trip, you can bring a big rigid cooler with you. If you’re flying to your destination, you can buy a disposable cooler when you arrive or pack a folding insulated bag or even an insulated lunch box.

This Coleman Collapsible Cooler would work well. It is designed to keep ice for up to 20 hours. It folds down flat so you can easily pack it in your suitcase.

How to Avoid Causing Damage to the Hotel While Cooking

No matter what type of stove or heat source you’re using, consider the materials nearby. You don’t want to cook on top of a flammable material like carpet or materials that are sensitive to heat like vinyl.

Make sure that you can easily clean up any spills where you’re cooking. You don’t want to leave food stains on the carpet, bed, or curtains. Tile and concrete make for excellent bases to cook on.

It’s also important to consider odors. Leaving your room stinking of fish or burnt food could be considered damage.

If you do cause any damage, you’ll probably be fined or asked to pay for repairs. You could also be charged a cleaning fee if the room smells like food when you check out. Some hotels charge hundreds of dollars for cleaning if you make a mess of the room.

Do your best to leave no trace while cooking in your hotel room. Everything in the room should look and smell like it did when you arrived.

Can I Cook in a Hotel Room? A Few More Considerations

It’s important to note that some hotels prohibit cooking in the room. If you’re caught cooking in a hotel room where cooking is prohibited, you could be charged a cleaning fee or you could get kicked out. If you plan to cook extensively, check the hotel rules before you book. Avoid hotels that don’t allow cooking.

You’ll also need to take smoke into consideration. This is important if you use a cooking method that can produce smoke, like frying. You don’t want to set off a smoke alarm in your room.

The electrical system is also worth considering. Some cooking appliances draw a lot of electricity. If you’re staying in an old building or a poorly made building, you could trip a circuit breaker. you don’t want to overload an outlet.

Drawbacks to Cooking in a Hotel

Cooking in your hotel isn’t for everyone. A few reasons you may not want to cook in your hotel room include:

You’ll miss out on trying local foods- The food you’re cooking in your hotel room will not be authentic. Chances are, you’ll cook meals you eat all the time at home. You’re missing out on the experience of eating local foods whenever you cook for yourself.

The food you’re cooking in your hotel room will not be authentic. Chances are, you’ll cook meals you eat all the time at home. You’re missing out on the experience of eating local foods whenever you cook for yourself. It’s a hassle- Going grocery shopping, setting up your stove, chopping veggies, cooking, and cleaning are all annoying little tasks. While you’re on a vacation, you probably want to take a break from these tasks.

Going grocery shopping, setting up your stove, chopping veggies, cooking, and cleaning are all annoying little tasks. While you’re on a vacation, you probably want to take a break from these tasks. It may be against the rules- Many hotels prohibit cooking in the room. You’ll see this listed in the hotel rules. If you don’t feel comfortable breaking the rules, you may not want to cook in you hotel room.

Many hotels prohibit cooking in the room. You’ll see this listed in the hotel rules. If you don’t feel comfortable breaking the rules, you may not want to cook in you hotel room. You have to pack heavy and bulky cooking gear- If you’re an ultralight traveler, you won’t want to cook in your hotel room. It simply requires too much buky equipment.

Alternative Options: Stay in a Hotel, Hostel, or Airbnb with a Kitchen

If you don’t feel like carrying around cooking equipment in your luggage, just book yourself into accommodation that includes a kitchen.

On the lower end, many guesthouses and hostels have a shared kitchen for all guests to use. These basic kitchens usually include a refrigerator, stove, pots and pans, and some utensils. For more info, check out my guide to choosing a hostel.

You will have to share the space and equipment. Shared kitchens get busy during meal times. If you use a shared kitchen, be sure to label your food in the fridge with your name and check-out date so nobody eats it.

In the mid-range, consider booking an Airbnb. Most hosts allow you to use the kitchen. Renting an Airbnb is often cheaper than booking a hotel room with a kitchen. Before you book, be sure to double-check to make sure the property has a kitchen that you can use. Some lower-end properties only come with a hot plate and kettle.

If you have a higher budget, you can book yourself into a higher-end hotel room that includes a full kitchen. You’ll usually have to book a suite to get a kitchen.

If you don’t want to or can’t cook in your hotel room, you can find another place to cook. If you pack a gas camp stove, you could cook in a park or on the beach. You should check the rules first but in most cases, it’s fine to cook in these places.

My Experience Cooking in a Hotel Without a Kitchen

I started cooking in hotel rooms while living in Mexico. I stayed in a hotel for around a month while searching for an apartment. The hotel room was extremely basic. It didn’t have a kitchen, fridge, or any appliances. During the first couple of weeks, I was going out to eat every meal.

While Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines, it is pretty unhealthy. Most dishes are greasy and heavy. The cost of eating out every meal also adds up fast. Even street food gest expensive. I wanted to cook something cheap and healthy. That’s when I began experimenting with cooking in my hotel room.

I ended up making myself an alcohol stove out of a tuna can. I bought a small pot and some denatured alcohol for fuel. In the shower, I set up my kitchen and started cooking. I made spaghetti, boiled eggs, rice, beans, and a number of other simple meals.

When I ran out of fuel, I upgraded to a basic hot plate. started cooking slightly more elaborate meals. I also bought an immersion heater at a grocery store that I used to make tea and coffee.

I have continued using the methods outlined in this guide during my travels. Usually, I pack some kind of camp stove and a titanium pot. Occasionally, I will bring or buy a hot plate.

When cooking for myself in a hotel, I try to keep my food budget to about $5 per day while traveling. This is easy to do when I cook most of my own meals.

Of course, I always eat a local meal or two out at each destination I visit. This gives me the opportunity to sample the local cuisine. I’m a big fan of street food so I always enjoy a few meals at roadside stands. I also like to order the national dish at a decent restaurant. This is usually a good bet. Sometimes I like to give exotic foods a try. After all, food is one of the main reasons we travel. It’s all part of the experience.

For more budget tips to help you reduce the cost of your trip, check out my Guide to Ultra Low Budget Travel.

Final Thoughts on Cooking in a Hotel Room without a Kitchen.

It’s easy to get into the habit of going out for every meal or eating quick, unhealthy foods. While this is fine for a while, it can take its toll on your health and budget if you’re traveling long term. Cooking for yourself in your hotel is a great way to save money and eat healthy while traveling.

Carrying a small pot and camp stove only adds a pound or two to your luggage. These items don’t take up much space either. To me, having the ability to cook is worth the extra weight and bulk in my pack.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to cooking in a hotel room. Most importantly, you won’t get to experience as many local meals. You’ll end up cooking basic foods that you eat at home. You’ll also have to deal with the hassles of cooking. Shopping for ingredients, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up are annoying little jobs that you may not want to deal with while on vacation. Of course, you also have to take plenty of safety precautions so you don’t start a fire, bun yourself, or inhale dangerous gasses. You also have to carry some extra equipment that takes up space in your pack.

Have you tried cooking in your hotel room? Share your experience and recipes in the comments below!

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