Drivers, you eat food prepared either by others or yourselves. While meal preparation in your semi tractor trailer requires advanced planning, it can be rewarding from at least two perspectives:
you can save a lot of money over restaurant meals and- you can control your food choices.
We are living proof that meal preparation on the road can and does work to save us money and keep us healthy.
We’re sharing the information with you here in hopes that you can benefit.
This page focuses on the mechanics of meal preparation, while our food and recipes page focuses on the actual food being prepared, cooked and eaten.
Meal Preparation Differences Between Truck and Camper
Food preparation is not done quite as easily in a truck as in a camper (unless you happen to have a custom tractor with a refrigerator, oven/stove and sink).
Even though you can simulate a small kitchen, you will have to provide and pack all the tools you need.
Check out all of our resources on:
- Equipment to keep food cold:
In case you keep your perishable food on ice, we also cover the issue of using ice vending machines and even using a portable ice maker in your truck to make your own ice.
- Equipment to cook food, boil water or make coffee:
- Burton Stove to Go;
- Charcoal or gas grill;
- Crock pot;
- Electric skillet;
- Hot pot;
- Hot plate or burner;
- Pot ‘n’ pop;
- Jet Stream Oven;
- Microwave oven; and
- Coffee pot.
Meal Preparation Solutions for Truckers
We also cover:
- Creating up a small kitchen in your truck even if you don’t have plumbing;
- Storing food in your truck;
- Carrying, filtering and drinking water;
- Planning meals and menus;
- Stocking dishes and utensils;
- Having supplies to clean up after the meal;
- Improvising a fix for Coleman cooler hinges, an update and an improved idea; and
- Recognizing the importance of your home support team.
Some cooking equipment will require power from an inverter either plugged into a 12-volt cigarette lighter or connected directly to the battery.
This is one of those items we have on our packing list page.
We plan to refute excuses for eating meals out of the truck.
Yes, you, too, can be fixing meals in your truck, saving money and eating healthfully!
Additional Resources Regarding Meal Preparation
Some of these resources have been provided by others.
- 45L coolerbox
- Cooking with Aluminum is bad
- Cooler hinge from neoprene rubber
- Rice cooker
- Tips for Food Storage and Preservation for Truck Drivers
Money saving tip: Consider the average price of a meal out compared to what you would spend if you fixed a comparable meal in your truck.
In terms of money:
- What would it cost if you ate a breakfast at a restaurant comprised of
- two eggs,
- two slices of bacon,
- a slice of buttered toast, and
- a cup of coffee?
- What would it cost to cook up the eggs, bacon and toast, and brew up coffee, right in your truck?
In terms of time:
- How many minutes would you spend
- walking to the restaurant;
- waiting for the wait staff to bring you a menu;
- taking your order;
- having your food cooked and brought to you (or for you to get your food from the buffet);
- eating your food;
- getting your check;
- leaving your tip;
- paying your bill; and
- walking back to your truck?
- How many minutes would you spend doing food preparation in your truck, including
- getting out your food, cookware, and utensils;
- cooking your food;
- eating your food; and
- cleaning up afterward?
What if you could “pay yourself” for the meal preparation and clean-up instead of paying someone else for the cost of a meal and tip?
Why not prove it to yourself by keeping records?
