12V lunch box

[Simran]

In the beginning I thought I had to have an oven in my van. A truck driver&nbsp; buddy of mine told me to go to a truck stop and pick up a 12V lunch box. I think I may have mentioned it in a post elsewhere but I've used it for awhile now and I am sold on this thing. No oven gonna take up space in my van with this thing around.<br>My standard fare is beans &amp; rice; I love beans and rice. This thing cooks beans &amp; rice to perfection. In fact, if you can get it in this thing; you can cook it.<br>I love putting burritos in this thing; even frozen ones. Just wrap whatever in tinfoil or buy a few of those tinfoil pans from Wallyworld and you are in business. If you are careful when you wash the tinfoil pans you can re-use them a few times too.<br>This thing is no gimmick; it works!<br><br>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=127902">http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=127902</a><br><br>

 

[Les H]

I know someone else who has one and loves his too. Have had lunchbox brownies, and really enjoyed them!

 

[akrvbob]

I have one and love it also. Like you I thought it was toy but bought one anyway and was very pleasantly surprised, it works great. That price at Sam's is the best I have ever seen, but I don't have a Sams membership. Mine is branded Roadpro and I bought it at a Luv's truck stop, but all the truck stops sell them. Regular price is 39.95, but they go on sale all the time for $24.99. Amazon sells them for $24.99 all the time.<br><br>I also love frozen burritos in it, but I have made Jiffy mix cornbread and brownies in it as well. My favorite might be Stoufers French Bread Pizza. <br><br>Never made beans and rice though, can you give specific directions. Bob<br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Thing is, they draw quite the amps. They now have propane powered toaster ovens:&nbsp; http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...DOVR~0762015P/Coleman+Camp+Oven.jsp?locale=en <br>&nbsp;as well as: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...leman+Camp+Oven+and+Stove.jsp?locale=en&nbsp; I've had my eyes on the latter item.<br>&nbsp;and almost forgot: http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/prod...sp?productId=1317794&amp;WTz_l=YMAL;IK-530657<br>&nbsp;Think about it.. oven, burner, and grill in one unit; grill me up a steak dude!!<br><br>

 

[She]

<br><br>I also love frozen burritos in it, but I have made Jiffy mix cornbread and brownies in it as well. My favorite might be Stoufers French Bread Pizza. <br><br>Bob<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>I'm so glad you said that because since I'm wheat free I make my own "bread" now. Its good to know I have a way to make it now.</div>

 

[yesican]

<p>Hey AKRVBob, since you've tried the lunchbox how much energy does it take?&nbsp; What size solar panel would one need?</p>

 

[Wild_E]

YesIcan,<div>it takes a lot of power, I have the older one that only goes to about 200deg, it will kill the battery in about 2hrs, if left&nbsp;unattended. The newer ones are hotter, you need to run your engine and cook with it, or run and off, keep&nbsp;monitoring&nbsp;it.&nbsp;</div><div>Solar, you would need a big solar array to power it. If your stationary and have the time, why not make your own solar cooker?</div><div>These guys are great, but you will need to us a genset or run your engine to use it.</div>

 

[Simran]

I suspected this as a large current draw. It may not work for some but if you are on the road a lot they work good; Just cook while your underway. I don't set much except over night. I use it during the day while I'm underway. I have a 12V coffee pot too. I KNOW it takes a lot of juice;&nbsp; but it is cheaper than buying a thermos of coffee at a coffee shop; and again I can usually make a pot while driving.<br>I work out of my van as well as stay in it in the summer so it is mobile every day. I am currently living in it and working in Iowa.<br><br>Bob, as for a rice and beans recipe; I buy various dry mixes found in any grocery store. They already have seasoning in them. I usually do what I can to split a package into two meals and cook half at a time.<br><br>gus<br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

That was a great deal. I think you'll love it!
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

I love burritos and Stouffer's French Bread Pizza - need to look into getting this unit. Be great for road trips. No more stopping at MickeyDees!

 

[gramakittycat]

listed at Sams club for 18.99 but not in stock here.

 

[AuricTech]

<p>Hey AKRVBob, since you've tried the lunchbox how much energy does it take?&nbsp; What size solar panel would one need?</p>

The RoadPro 12-Volt Portable Oven draws 12 Amps of current, so you can calculate how big a battery bank you would need, based on how many hours per day you wanted to use the oven.  For one hour per day, you would require 12 Amp*hours of power, which means a minimum deep-cycle battery bank of at least 24Ah capacity (48Ah would be better).  That would mean a PV panel somewhere in the 50W to 100W range, plus a charge controller.