dude, you bring a microwave to the job site? that is some next level genius there.
i've got a nice thermos, and grabbed one of these https://www.amazon.com/HotLogic-Mini-Personal-Portable-Black/dp/B00EC7XJ00/
to run off the truck inverter... but i think i really do need a microwave.
bringing your own food is way healthier than eating out, anyways.
you will still burn your mouth from your coffee days later in this sucker https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SM-KHE48AG-Stainless-Steel-16-Ounce/dp/B005PO9T44/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=54527844125&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2K3rBRDiARIsAOFSW_545FztJw3-pb8bFO-f8A7UDR1NTUqTjMBlysNCdvC9IKIDns6J_fgaAriwEALw_wcB&hvadid=274745891416&am...
Meal prep. I regret not getting into it sooner, as it has saved me lots of money, and most importantly, it has saved me tons of time.
My gf and I purchased a 15 pack of microwaveable storage containers (like these for example) and once a week, i'll cook up a large enough meal to last the work week and will divvy out the food into the food storage and keep about 2 days worth in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. Usually, we'll fill the smaller compartments with rice or mashed potatoes or frozen vegetables that we buy at Costco in bulk and the main compartment will have something like chicken alfredo, pulled pork, curry, ribs, stir fry, etc. Prep is mostly passive (oven or slow cooker) and at most takes ~2-3 hours out of my saturday. Each meal comes out around $2-3 a meal and is ready to go after a couple minutes in the microwave and then all trays are dishwasher safe.
Doing like that it in a cooler might save you .25 cents in energy costs for a 24 hour cook while looking terrible and not allowing you to see what's going on. It's not really keeping things much more consistent.
This:
And this:
Collapsible Hinged Sous Vide Container Lid
And you have pretty much a perfect setup in my opinion for only $25. If you really are concerned about it not being insulated, you could use towels or get a sleeve for ~$20. But then you can't see in it again. And you would need to use it for almost 2000 hours to recoup your energy costs.
If you were willing to do that, your best bet would be to find a pod coffee maker somewhere around campus. Then just use your own coffee pod. WinCo sells them for 40 cents each and you can get them even cheaper on Amazon. You can also buy refillable versions of them.
Or even better, rather than sneaking into prohibited areas, just get one of these or similar. You can put hot coffee into this thing in the morning, and sealed, it will remain too hot to drink until tomorrow morning.
If a $30 thermos is beyond your budget, head on over to any of the ten thousand thrift stores within a mile of campus, or go to the OSUsed store when it's open. They always have vacuum thermoses for sale. You can probably get one for under $5.
Realize, when you're purchasing coffee on campus, or anywhere else, you're not paying for the coffee. You're paying for the convenience. You're paying for the ability to not have to brew it yourself, clean the machine out, have tools and equipment available, etc. And you're paying for someone to stand around all day, just waiting for people to come in looking for coffee. Even if no one comes in for an entire hour, everyone at that shop is getting paid. Plus the cost of the space itself. The vendors on campus all have to pay rent to OSU, just like any other landlord.
In short, $2 really isn't that outrageous for instant, convenient coffee that you don't have to lift a finger for. People often also pay $2 for a bottle of water, when they could get the same water for less than a penny per gallon out of their home tap. You're not paying for the water; you're paying for the convenience.
Yes.
A bit expensive, but your coffee will be hot and wonderful for 12 hours straight. this thing is magical.
Get a zojirushi vacuum seal mug. Costs around $20 and the tea will stay almost as hot as when you brewed it. I have burned myself drinking tea out of one hours after I made the tea.
You need to get yourself a phone locking box with a timer.
$70
Tell MIL you are limiting your children's screen time (as you should) and there will no longer be any electronics during meal times. Everyone has to put their phones in the box. set a timer for 30 minutes.
I can see that getting traction. If you have no self control $45 for a box that keeps you from absentmindedly picking up your phone isn't a bad investment when you're trying to focus on housework or studying or something like that.
He has a prototype in his hand in the video, and the proof of concept gallery has the mechanism demonstrated as well. It seems like it's a phone specific version of this
Also a pilot. This changed my travel food game in a big way. Bring two sizes of Pyrex that stack in themselves and you’re golden.
This container + this tray for less than $35. The container can hold 2 trays stacked if you want it to.
I bought this container with this lid, really glad I did. Perfect size, fits the Anova perfectly, and keeps the water/heat in.
Totally not a meal, but you should look into a Mr. Bento Zojirushi thermos. It keeps your food hot all day and it isnt awkwardly shaped and hold four different kinds of food. This way you dont have to limit your choices as much. Amazon link
They have a smaller version called a ms bento.
Here are some on Amazon I like I suggest hand washing but haven’t run into issues microwaving them. And they actually keep the foods divided. I don’t like my foods mixing so that’s a big plus for me
I don’t have a Mr. Bento, but I checked out Amazon and they have some videos about how to use the product.
https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-JAE14SA-Bento-Stainless-Silver/dp/B000246GSE
Hope that helps...
I'm in the UK but here's the amazon link, it'll give you the brand and key search terms even if you can't buy this particular one where you are. I got the opague one because I didn't want to be looking at the jar full of tasty snacks! Kitchen Safe: Time Locking Container (Blue Lid + Clear Base) - 5.5" Height https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JGFQTD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5iIcDbRNPKCDG
Along with 65rh Boveda bags. You don't even need a hyrometer. Just trust the Boveda, yet they are inexpensive.
Sir, may I introduce you to the Hot Logic Mini. For a mere 40 dollars you can now warm all of your food in your truck. They have both a 12v and 120v model (which is what I use with an inverter.) I usually just take leftovers with me, but it also will cook up those frozen meal sorts of things in about 2 hours. For the winter months when I want soup or chili I use the Crock Pot Lunch Crock. Hot Logic LunchCrock
Ok so the black 3 section container is from Amazon, you can get a set of like 15 for around $15 and it's been lifechanging!
Why not get a tuppedor? I bought a Sistema (sp?)off of Amazon and it works just fine with a boveda in it.
For hot drinks you literally can’t beat Zojirushi
It keeps liquid so hot it’ll burn your mouth 8 hours later.
I got a red one for tea, a black one for coffee, and a blue one for water. All 600 ml. I just cleaned them earlier and am excited to start using them. I’ve heard so many great things about the Zojirushi thermos on this subreddit as well as other subreddits.
Amazon link for anyone interested. It’s also on Amazon UK, but for some reason, it’s way more expensive there and also doesn’t have as many colour options, so I’d go with Amazon US (which is what I did, despite living closer to the UK).
I got them from amazon. Yes, they're reusable, and dishwasher safe.
They work really well, I do recommend them.
Go for a Tupperdor instead of the Humidor - a lot easier to maintain.
Sistema Klip It tupperware container from Amazon is a perfect size.. If you want better organization, you can pair it with a Spanish Cedar Tray - it fits right inside. Get some Boveda Packs (65% or 69%) and a good hygrometer (I recommend a digital one) and you're all set.
Tupperware and trays, you can also get bovedas from Amazon or most places that sell cigars.
The pupperdor is a gofund business with the following timeline "As we start to approach our fixed goal - production will begin!" They are currently at 3.6% so would be faster to buy your own parts.
I use one of three.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R8JOUC
The 12 qt size.
There is a lid I planned to get. But after reading the negatives I didn't. Read about the lid before buying one!
If the food is properly vacuum sealed, it should naturally sink. Not like a stone, but sink. The bigger problem is keeping it from laying down on the bottom. I believe that would interfere with the water flow around the food and impact cooking.
I string a little piece of wire over the top. (The handles have little holes.) Then use clothespins or something to hold the top of the bags so meat is sitting vertical and water flow around is good. I'll flip it around once or twice just to make sure cooking is even. You want to make sure all the meat is under the water. You want the bags to be oversized a little so you can clip them without pulling the top of the meat out of the water. That or I use these little electrical jumpers I have. They have aligator clips on both sides. Drape it over the wire and hold the bags while meat is several inches below, well under water.
Another tip, my first time I filled the vessel with cold water. Didn't think about warming all that water. Definitely recommend using warm water to allow cooking to start quicker. (Water should be at cook temperature before adding meat.)
Good luck!
Get yourself this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00284AG5U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_1WlUFbXP3ZSAA
And this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077KVC1VY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_3XlUFb2CFDPXA
Throw your boveda in the Tupperware directly with your cigars and you’ll be good to go
A mug by this company is ideal for soups, coffee, even stews if you bring a bowl to pour it in. I have had coffee scalding my mouth 14 hours later. I often have to open it, let the contents cool and then consume because it retains heat so well.
Sorry for the Amazon link, I'm on mobile. This is the one I have. They fit perfectly in backpacks and can be strapped to a bike. Mine survives concrete floors and being dropped all the time. It's not pretty but still works as good as I got it in Jan of 2014.
Zojirushi SM-KHE48AG Stainless Steel Mug, 16-Ounce, Smoky Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PO9T44/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_et-sxb3DDC6EY
[Edit] I see they have a 32 oz version now which is double what I have! I'll be buying it so I can bring coffee and a meal now!