Best countertop burners according to redditors
We found 396 Reddit comments discussing the best countertop burners. We ranked the 98 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 396 Reddit comments discussing the best countertop burners. We ranked the 98 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
It's called an induction cooktop and it isn't that impractical. (induction cook tops don't use a flywheel, they use an electromagnet, but same principle)
https://www.amazon.com/Secura-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM
My notes from this cook...
Hope this helps...
Definitely NTA. And if you are looking for another place to live to make it more bearable in the meantime for the last months you live there it might be worth it to get an induction cooktop like this
Duxtop 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XGBUCb8NZ4ATH.
So if your landlord complains about you using HER stove, you can just say that you bought your own and she can just screw off.
Here's an idea - $12
Here's the source article which has a slightly better explanation. But honestly it looks like someone just took a standard induction burner that has existed for years and put it in a microwave...
if it shuts the fucker up... not a bad price http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419836772&sr=8-1&keywords=induction+stove
> > I was thinking, "Hey, they could make cooking devices like this.." and then realized they already have had them for years, and I'm a dumbass.
> They actually can't and don't...
Then what is this?
Here's a list of 40 things you can make in a microwave, and the internet probably has 10 million more.
Don't underestimate the microwave - you can actually do a lot with one!
Edit: Look into getting a hotplate. You can get one for well under $20, and probably much cheaper if you have a local thrift store to check out (they are quite common). Get one of these and a inexpensive toaster oven, and there is really no limit to what you can make. Again, you can probably find both in your local thrift store and walk out having spent under $20 USD.
Edit Again: Just read you already checked your local goodwill and the condition of the items was a bit off - that happens. Check back. Often. Stuff is always flowing in and out of them. Beyond that - the food you cook is not actually touching the hotplate or the toaster oven itself, so don't worry so much :)
I'm using two.
Duxtop 9100
Chefman RJ21
I'm using a 4 gallon pot on each. They both work fine, but the Duxtop is definitely nicer. Also, apparently they fibbed on the Chefman, and it's really 1600 watts instead of 1800, so if I start an equal amount of wort boiling on both at the same time, it does take a few minutes longer on the Chefman.
I can't compare it to propane, but it's a huge improvement over using an electric stove. Not only is it faster, but I can take both of them out on the patio, so that my place doesn't become a sauna.
yes was just going to say HOTPLATE. Than basically you can eat anything you want minus the cooking in the over but that can be combated with grilling in a pan
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1346267848&sr=8-5&keywords=hot+plate
What you're looking for is an electric burner or a hot plate. You can get them rather cheaply online, under $20. They're corded so they don't need gas, and they're designed for indoor use. You use them just like your stove burner- just place your pot on it. This is how my family did hot pot growing up.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T0SN0K/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisine-ESB-301BF-Maxi-Matic-Single-Electric/dp/B000B2WOWE/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1478285528&sr=1-2&keywords=electric%2Bburner&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-GAU-80306-Electric-Double-Burner/dp/B0056H4FPI/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1478285528&sr=1-3&keywords=electric+burner
Go induction. Without a doubt in my mind. Induction is great. Your gas cooktop is way more likely to have problems and just be flat out annoying in the long run.
Watts are joules per second.... so basically the max amount of energy it can hit your pots and pans with. I'd say watts are far more reliable than manufacturer's numbers on temp.
Get the Max Burton Induction Cooktop. I know it's suspiciously cheap but it's really wonderful. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MVN1M6
This one seems to be almost exactly the same one that we sell (just a lot cheaper). The slightly tighter coil works well to hold coals. Interestingly, Amazon suggested that I purchase Coco Nara coals and foil along with the burner, so I guess it is popular amongst hookah smokers. Or Amazon is just that great at recommending products that are appropriate for me, heh.
You can make a bunch of soups in an instant pot and get a toaster for bread. Cook taco meat in the instant pot, the rest of the ingredients just need to be taken out of the fridge.
I'd also suggest getting something like one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T0SN0K/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_bw40p_c_x_1_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=GG9V3V4H0NHE3XSXK6P1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=99e87903-f500-5b25-abb9-c05b564eacc1&pf_rd_i=13838451 so you can just make regular stove top meals as well.
Have you considered buying a single burner?
I've been using this awesome Waring model because I don't wanna smash my glass range with my cast iron.
Can you use a countertop burner?
This would solve a lot of issues.
Been using this: http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1404915483&sr=1-4&keywords=electric+burner
For about eight months, no issues at all.
>isn't that a great idea?
A hot iron boiling liquid while precariously positioned between two textbooks? Nope!
If you're hard-up on cash and don't have a stove, how about a hotplate? Here, I found one for $14.99, cheaper than most clothing irons.
Or, you can make a hobo stove for free (and if you don't have the extremely minimal requirements, dumpster dive for 'em) outdoors or on a patio!
OR, make an indoors Sterno Stove with a tin can, can opener, and $3 worth of Sterno!
The above are all considerably safer, AND probably cheaper. Especially since this could end in your ruining two textbooks, an iron, and possibly a wall outlet and/or any skin that comes in contact with the inevitably-gonna-spill liquid.
Coiled hot plate, bought from Amazon. I smoke w/ friends and this has been one of the best investments ever.
That's a shame.
In terms of things that give you a lot of bang for their size, I'd say things like dates, almonds, cashews, raisins, and tuna. I usually carry these when hiking because they're lightweight.
Or if you're interested at all in cooking your own, you could always get a decent electric hotplate like this and take it with you.
This has been asked a thousand times, at least twice this past week. Please use the search next time. Anyway I'll just copy and paste my last response:
I would go for this chamber:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vacuum-and-Degassing-chamber-1-5GL-/221257099507?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item3383f368f3
If not this one, then a stainless steel one, the bell plastic chambers are not good if you have a heat pad or something in it.
Go for this vac pump:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005CO9GX6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1375793140&sr=1-5&pi=AA160
You could get one cheaper there on amazon or eBay, it's up to you, but I recommend a 3 CFM pump or higher.
This hot plate is battery powered, fits in the chamber, and can keep a pretty good constant low temp:
http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-Single-Plate-Black/dp/B0007QCRNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375192614&sr=8-1&keywords=battery+hot+plate
Hopefully this gets you started in the right direction, there are many many options for a nice vac set up, I'm sure if you look around you'll find good deals.
Pretty much ONLY an electric coil burner. I use this one from amazon for $20. It works perfect and doesn't have an automatic shut-off like most.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SPRFZS/
Duxtop 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DH7ZBb10CGXYV
Zach, I think that you could do well with a toaster oven, a small slow cooker ( think chilli, spaghetti sauce), and an an electric boiler (like this:
https://www.brevilleusa.com/collections/tea-makers/products/the-iq-kettle-1) think: hot water for pour over coffee, or instant soup) and a hot plate or induction burner (https://www.amazon.com/Secura-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502774193&sr=8-4&keywords=induction+burner)
I purchased this hot plate and its been doing me well. Plus its not breaking the bank at all.
Only fault is sides get hot so you cant move it bare hands midway through cooking but not an issue if you think about placement beforehand.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T0SN0K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Buy a hot plate. 11 bucks. It will be a little tedious cooking with one burner, but can be done.
Crockpots are also your friend. You could probably find one at a yardsale for a few dollars. You can cook all sorts of things in them.
As for a microwave, it is handy, but not necessary. A lot of things can be reheated on the burner.
I saw a small microwave for about 25 bucks on amazon. Sometimes people resell for cheaper on the buy used section.
Why? It's really no different than a normal stove burner. I'm talking about something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073R9TCP3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kFpPDbC8X3F1D
Do yourself a favor and buy a box of coco nara coals. You'll never go back to quick lights. You'll need something to light them with, but you can get something fairly cheap at a drug store on here on Amazon. Just make sure they're fully lit (no dark/black spots) and flip them halfway through lighting. I promise you the difference is amazing.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
This one is fantastic. It at most takes at most 10 minutes to heat up so you can prep everything while they're heating up.
single induction cooktop would be a good thing to have. something like this
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I don't know if this is an option for you, financially or locationwise, but you could get an induction cooktop (single burner) for around $60 shipped from Amazon. That and a basic non stick frypan would GREATLY expand your cooking options.
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM
If you have access to an outlet outside, I'll suggest something a little different. A portable induction burner will offer you a greater amount of control and should allow you to get a good sear outside, without charcoal.
One thing I found that really helps is to get an induction stovetop. They are so much more powerful than electric and gas stoves. I put it right on top of my electric stove and only use that. Your cookware has to be induction capable though.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM for example
I think it's this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MTLX85A/ref=cm_cr_srp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8
This is what I use to light my Coconaras. It does take about 10-15 minutes to get them going, but it's totally worth the wait. I imagine that your blowtorch method would work just fine on natural coals, too.
Waiting for the coals to get ready gives me a chance to clean the hookah thoroughly before I start smoking. Now I smoke out of a freshly-cleaned hookah almost every time.
I accidentally bought one of these a while back as well. You need one with an actaul coil top. That one won't get near hot enough.
This is the one that I use and it works fine.
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1417555311&sr=1-1&keywords=stove
i would get something like this. Doesnt need to be exactly this one but with the open heat element it will work way better. At least i noticed this for myself. I use one like that for now 3 years and never had a problem since.
MaxiMatic ESB-300X Elite Cuisine 750-Watt Single-Burner Electric Hot Plate, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006A2ZTS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8miCxbDZFH5ED
It would be cheaper for you to buy the equipment than outsource this, plus it's useful equipment. Actually, you probably already have the equipment you need.
If this board is only populated on one side, then this should be easy. Get yourself a hot plate like this: http://amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-CHP-303-Single-Plate/dp/B0007QCRNU
Heat it up to medium. You only want to heat up a small part of the board, so find a nut or some smallish piece of metal roughly the size of the component you are removing. Place the nut on the hot plate, and with needle nose pliers or tweezers hold the PCB on top of the nut. After a couple minutes, the component should flow, so use tweezers to pull it off.
Next cool it off slowly and clean it up with some wick and apply some paste. If you don't have paste, put a little bit of solder on each pad and some extra flux on top of it.
Now heat the board up again and put the new component on and it should flow on just fine.
If you don't have a hot plate, you may be able to substitute your kitchen range (assuming it's electric and not gas), but be very careful, as you could probably easily burn your PCB, and it's not a method I've tried.
It the board is populated on both sides but the area under the component is still bare you may still get this to work, but you have to be very careful not to burn the components by having a taller piece of metal to conduct from the hot plate to the PCB.
You'd need more than that.
You may have settled your output but without any input, what is gonna come out of your body?
Therefore, I recommend this & this.
I'd start buying fresh fruit once a week to complement and sometimes replace the McDonald's and Taco Bell. I think that's the bare minimum.
Other than that I would get some sort of cooking facilities- maybe a crock pot as suggested elsewhere or a countertop oven and hotplate- probably better if you can get them combined. If I had room, and cash, after that then I might also want a minifridge. It's an expensive outlay initially but would save a lot of money in the long run as well as improve diet considerably.
Induction hob will give you the most options, but if only for the odd grilled cheese or pot of soup, I think it would be worth the $80 investment. Here's one the Modernist Cuisine team likes.
You should get a crock pot - with the induction hob, crock pot and microwave together you could assemble actual meals. Braise meat in the crock, do a starch on the hob and microwave some veggies.
It would make for an interesting blog if you were so inclined - apartmentist cuisine.
I have a Bradley electric smoker, which is not $200 though it does work extremely well.
When the digital generator dies someday, I thought I would take an old BBQ (free or near to it) and use that as a smoker. Pull out the gas vents and just put some charcoal in a container (say a large soup or tomato can) and then some wood chips in a smaller can that sits on the charcoal, generating the smoke. The BBQ has a rack or maybe a second level for the meat.
You may not get fine temperature control, but it should last forever and for many things (ribs sausage etc.) the exact temp is not that critical. Salmon is one thing where I prefer a very low temperature.
If you want electric, get one of those single coil cooking elements. Last time I looked I think you can get them brand new for $20 (ok, you can). Simple can and wood chips on that to generate smoke. If you want some heat, get a double element one - one for the wood, one to add just heat.
The more I smoke the more I realize that it isn't that complicated.
Hope I described that adequately.
Coil Burner amigo. So much easier
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I would personally rather use a single coil hotplate. It get's the job done quickly and is a hell of a lot cheaper to replace than a glass stove top, haha.
Sidenote: The "Frequently bought together" items for that hotplate makes me happy.
>I received the northern Brewer starter kit,
I am curious which starter kit you got, the currently on sale $99 home brew starter kit?
> Propane burner to heat up the wort faster.
FYI, My electric range tops did not work at all with 5 gallon kettles, but I am curious the take of the community on this one, I personally use a induction cocker Duxtop 1800, and 5 gallon stock pot and it works pretty fast to boil, and I have been able to walk away for 30 minutes while boiling the wart without fear. I assume the gas would not be able to set and forget. I have done a few whole grains with a brew bag, and that worked really well. Did my first saach' rest whole grain, and the temperature settings on the Duxtop didn't seam to work well enough for that. I am looking to find a way to insulate the pot for the next brew, to see if that fixes this problem.
Induction countertop stoves are really cheap anymore, you might do that instead if you've got a pot that will work with it. This is the first one to come up on Amazon, and its only 50 bucks https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/
Can't say I know much about this at all, but using the same source of energy for both purposes makes sense in the winter- not so much in the summer.
Maybe a hybrid system would work? Propane or (my preference) wood heat in the winter which you could cook on, then use an inductive heating element in the summer. Induction is fairly inexpensive nowadays for a stand-alone element and very, very efficient.
Here's the first one that pops up on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1412981855&sr=8-4&keywords=inductive+heater
EDIT: Now see? Here is the difference between a pyramid of greatness and a simple gudgeon pin. A gudgeon pin has no clue how to format a hyperlink. shuffle...shuffle...
Just get an inductive cooktop.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_X96Azb5Q4FVFH
Another option is an induction cooker. These won't be quick, but they'll do better than your stove. Note that while it's less power than a typical large electric stove element (1800 watts vs ~2200 watts), it is far more efficient because it sends all the heat to the pot rather than a lot being lost to the surrounding air.
If you check this blog, in the comments he said it took 1hr and 15min to get 6 gallons to a boil starting at 85. If you used full hot tap water at 120 or so it would probably get that down under an hour. Or you could try to find a more powerful induction burner but that might get expensive.
One key note, induction cookers require a pot with some iron content. Easiest way to tell is use a magnet, if it sticks to the pot it's good to go. Aluminum is right out, but many stainless steel pots will work.
Did you mean to do [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_k2vQzbMYTNDC2 "Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold")?
[this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_k2vQzbMYTNDC2 "Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold")> We don't even use her kitchen unless we need to boil something.
We got a countertop induction burner to test-drive before we risked a bundle on an induction range. They're efficient, they don't throw off a lot of waste heat, and they're not bad at boiling and simmering. Ikea sells a range of inexpensive induction pots and pans.
There's also electric kettles. Alton Brown regularly misuses his to great effect.
We bought this one:
Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HfKZzbBBBGTZ8
It's not as good as gas, but it's pretty good. The only thing is you need pots that are compatible...iron or stainless steel (it works with magnets and whatnot)
How about an induction burner?
https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM
This would essentially give you a stove right on the countertop.
It's been a while since I used an electric range but I think the induction heats the pan much faster. Mine cook top can heat it to a certain temperature or by power level, both seem to work well.
One minus is that doesn't like to simmer at a very low temperature. It may be me doing something wrong but I don't consider it too much of a problem. I would definitely buy another to replace it if this one broke.
This is the cooktop that I have
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0045QEPYM
To answer your question about natural coals (fellow apartment dweller here), i bought one of these guys and use it only for lighting natural coals. I just set it on top of the hot plate, and flip it after 5 minutes or so. Definitely takes a while, but, it's worth the longer lasting heat and the lack of chemical taste. Would highly advise you get one, usually very cheap in hardware stores and other places.
Electric burner + smart plug
So I have a set of All Clad D5. To be honest its a pain in the ass to keep in great condition. What I do is refuse to cook on electric with them. I will only cook on gas and induction. I live in an apartment and have electric so I bought this. I highly recommend this to everyone. After I finish cooking I soak my pans in hot water for a couple minutes. next I scrap of food with this. I use these sponges because the scptchbrite side will not scratch. After I finish that I will get a Viva paper towel and rubbing the inside cleaning it and polishing it using this. Once that is complete I will rinse the pan in warm water then take another viva paper towel and wipe all the residue off. Once all the residue is off I will then go ahead and wash the pan with soap and water by hand then dry the pan immediately with a microfiber cloth. Yes I am OCD about my pans...
If you are looking for a good set without breaking the bank of stainless steal pans I would recommend this [set.]
(https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP-12N-Multiclad-Stainless-12-Piece/dp/B009JXPS6U/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1498533826&sr=1-1&keywords=cuisinart+stainless+steel) or you could also go to TJ Max and they have a good selection...
A water vinegar mixture will remove the rainbow. Just let it sit for a few minutes.
I have a 2 kilowatt inverter 400 watts of solar 1.8 kilowatts lithium battery and I run the following cooktop in addition to my electric kettle.
INDUXPERT Portable Induction Cooktop 1800W with Power, Temperature and Timer Setting - (Only Compatible with Magnetic Cookware) - Electric cooktop with single induction burner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTLX85A/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_rCrXCbBWM780B
while running I almost never go above the 800 setting or 1000 setting which is supposedly Watts. I typically cook on 600 or 800, and the amp draw is similar between 80 and 100 amps for my 12 volt battery as measured from the battery. On high I can draw over 180 amps not quite 200 amps though.
it's important to note that my battery capacity is sufficient to run this for about an hour it's also worth noting that my battery capacity is sufficient to power this you can draw from my pack a maximum of 300 amps. A bit more at the peak rating as well.
Once I upgrade my pack I will be able to have much more power and you would be able to withdraw crazy amount of ants looks to be depending on which way I go well over a thousand amp draw assuming I have the cables to support such ridiculousness... I won't...
Have you considered getting a hot plate? A single burner hot plate like that works wonders when it comes to starting coals. Granted your coals will still take a few minutes to get going, but that's just the nature of the beast. Again, having never used a heater myself I can not say for certain. I would assume you're correct though, and that they are unable to heat properly. It could be a uniformity issue as well, which would cause heat management problems.
Not to burst your bubble, but couldn't you just get a hot plate for about $15, use a pot you have in your kitchen, and a towel over your head?
I guess this would use less power, but I think you would have more uses for a hot plate.
Or you could get an electric kettle for about $12.
Now you have me wanting one!
Your welcome and thanks. I will pull the pictures of it in operation off my actual camera and post them later tonight or tomorrow. The ones I posted here were all taken with my phone. So I while searching online for tips on this, there were a few people who used the foil and stated it helped maintain the heat. Being I built this in the middle of winter when we were seeing single digit temps I figured it couldn't hurt. I couldn't tell you if it did or not help though, so may be bogus. For my heating source I used two coil type single stove burners similar to these.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000690WNU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1421282572&sr=8-3&dpPl=1&dpID=41SlDlhogIL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40
Do note in a test run I tried to use one of the non-coil type and it didn't work; such as these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0007QCRNU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1421282572&sr=8-1&dpPl=1&dpID=41Gn-mNe9cL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40
Also note that most people were saying 1200-1500 watt hot plates where mine were 750 and 900. Might have better efficiency with the higher watt ones.
Then on one of the burners I placed a thin metal mixing bowl, like these ones:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QVO3SYE/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1421282900&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
With as you stated wood soaked wood chips. Once I got into a rythm I was swapping in a new bowl of chips every 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
Let me know what else you are interested in knowing.
I get Jimmy joy its cheaper but it's less smooth. Soylent use to be a good option but they jacked their prices up year after year. It definitely saves a ton of cash if you get jimmy joy. It's like $2 a meal.
Just a warning mixing soy-lent or any of these products in liquid above room temperature destroys many of the vitamins. If you want proof mix it in high temp inside an airtight bottle, it will create a ton of gas.
As far as no kitchen. Get a mini-fridge ($70) and a hot plate ($15). Perfect size pot for hot plate. An electric kettle is pretty useful too. I have all this crap in my room because I have 4 roomates and trying to get in the kitchen is fucking annoying.
Other option for cheap food is rice / beans / eggs / veggies ect. All can be cooked with a hot plate. Dehydrated veggies are a god send
You can do quite a lot with just a cheap single burner and a pot and/or pan: http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-Single-Plate-Black/dp/B0007QCRNU. It's very compact as well (9.4 x 3.1 x 8.5 inches)
I've actually used the same one for years for a lot of my cooking and made just about anything you can think of without any issues.
I just use this cheap-o hot plate. I think as long as you have a good digital thermometer and are diligent about monitoring temperature, the type of heat source isn't as important.
Heh, you've gotta be some kind of engineer with a title like that.
Anyhow, I just throw leaves in a cheap pot on a hot plate to make the tea concentrate. Something like this is capable of maintaining below-boiling temperatures even though it's not terribly precise.
You can use pretty much any kettle to keep water warm for diluting. A stovetop one is nice because you can leave the heat on low so it stays hot. Although totally not necessary, I love my Zojirushi for this, because I always have the hot water on tap.
The heating pan and the little frother ran me up about 20 bucks. Nice little setup for quick ejuice making and steeping.
Heating pan
Mini mixer/frother
I use a cast iron burner to use with my stove-top kettles and it works just fine. The negatives I've noticed for it are: 1) it produces an annoying rattling/buzzing sound when heating, and 2) it does not heat it constantly, but rather, heats then turns off. This is the one I use.
I might suggest looking into infrared burners as well. I have no experience with them, but from what I hear from people who prepare tea "chaozhou style" is that infrared burners are the closest heat source to charcoal. Charcoal is praised in those circles as being able to heat water efficiently and evenly. You need to be sure the kettles are safe to heat in that fashion, but I do know of people who use clay kettles on infrared successfully. That said, I also know of clay kettles that will break if put over charcoal... At any rate, at some point I'll be upgrading to an infrared burner personally, so I thought I'd mention.
I was in a similar situation once, but it was a year, rather than two months. I purchased a plug in extra burner so I could actually cook. I've found that I still use it years later even though we have a normal kitchen now. It's a handy thing to have. I would suggest it as it opens up so many more things you can do.
This is the one I have but you definitely don't need to go pro like I did. https://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I
Otherwise, most people don't realize you can cook pasta in the microwave, so that might open up some ideas for you
I'm firmly in the propane camp, but for 2-3 gallons of liquid, you are going to need no less than 1300 watts. This Waring job should do the trick.
http://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I
Cheap solutions (< $100) to keep brewing indoors:
Supplement your heating capacity with a heat stick.
Or get a high-powered induction burner.
I do smaller batches at a full boil when I brew indoors - usually 1.5 to 2.5 gallons.
It's the Max Burton Induction Cooktop, and it's available on Amazon new for $66.
If you decide to go with this solution, a couple things you should know. First, induction burners require a ferro-magnetic cooking vessels - some thick-walled brew pots aren't. If a magnet sticks to the bottom of it, you're okay. Second, the instructions that come with the burner say not to put more than 25 pounds of weight on it. I've successfully brewed with about 4.75 gallons of water + the brew pot + immersion chiller, which should weigh close to 50 pounds. No problem so far, but your mileage may vary: work up to it.
I guess a little more than $100, but still. Lot of bang for your buck, been going strong for a few years now.
https://www.amazon.com/Max-Burton-6000-1800-Watt-Induction/dp/B000MVN1M6
If you don't want or cannot to brew outside, you could also try in your garage or unfinished basement (with a window open!!) If you watch BrewingTV they brew outside in the comparably frigid Minnesota winter, so don't immediately write it off.
The only other indoor thing you could try would be an induction cooktop, something like this. They probably make one that is at least 15" so you wouldn't have any overhang. These will take much longer to boil the water so be warned.
Here's what I've got in mine that I'm happy with and can recommend, but I'm on a 16' trailer so you may be able to splurge a little more:
I'm assuming you're going to be on-grid 100% of the time? If not then you want to go with propane where possible, then low power 12V devices after that. Running an inverter for the one or two 110V things is a bummer.
I have one of these, it works really well. The one you linked should work as well.
I don't have keen financial advice, but I can offer some practical answers to your stove dilemma.
You can get replacement burners or even standalone burners for under $20.
Hell, for $70 you can get a sweet standalone induction burner, which is cool to the touch and gets the pan itself hot by using induction to interact directly with the metal. (Which means, in addition to being friggin' neat, these are less likely to burn your house down than a standalone traditional electric element)
EDIT: Also, to echo some other sentiments... I highly recommend you try renting a place together first, before you attempt to buy a house for your lady and her daughter... make sure you can really live together before make a huge commitment.
I bought this in 2012 and it's still chugging along:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOBFM2/
There's no auto-off. After five years it's barely starting to give me some trouble heating up, but for $15 and five years, I can't complain.
At that point I would have just spent $60 on an induction burner and not even bothered hooking up gas...
Honestly, if it's for home use, this one is very highly reviewed and inexpensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1JAFLLETNIX05&amp;keywords=induction+cooktop&amp;qid=1565029402&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=induction+%2Caps%2C156&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1
I have an 1800w induction cooktop and I've done full AG batches with it.
I prefer to brew on propane, but it's nice to have for those really ugly weather days. I can get 7 gallons from sparge temps to boiling within a half hour. Takes a bit longer to get there, but my boil off rate is pretty decent once it gets that hot.
This is the model that I have:
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM
If you have access to an outside area that's suitable, you might consider a portable bbq. If you're doing all the cooking inside, an induction cooker could help- just make sure you get pots and pans that work with it. This is the first example I found on Amazon.
You can also use cast iron with induction burners, just in case you didn't know that: https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/
> You found out that propane heating can be wasteful so now you'll look to get a proper ceramic electric heater.
My rig has an instant gas water heater that's very efficient. It only heats water when you run hot water.
But I do use an electric space heater if I'm going to be plugged in when it's cold. My furnace will destroy a tank of propane in a weekend.
Another tip to reduce propane use is to get a portable electric cooktop, like this induction one. If you do a lot of cooking there are two-burner models too.
Doesn't need to be an "outside" one. You could use any cheap portable induction cooktop and drag it outside for use.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sMPQBbGGHWN9Q
It will work with your castiron.
I have been using [this one](Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fPNZDbEHKZ8TM) for quite a few small batches with good luck. It fits my 5.5 gallon anvil kettle great, but it does take longer to get 3.5 gallons of water boiling then it did with just a couple gallons.
Maybe get an induction countertop and use it. Read up on what type of cookware is compatible with it beforehand.
Take tour pick: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_8?url=search-alias%3Dappliances&amp;field-keywords=hot+plate&amp;sprefix=hotplate%2Caps%2C414
For something safer try an Portable Induction Cooktop: http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=appliances&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1344563516&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=induction
Induction cooktops use magnets to cook so they are much safer then the other types of hotplates.
Consider getting a single burner induction stove/cooktop. Like this and this. It has temperature control, timer, and also cooks very efficiently. Only thing is, you will need to buy special induction friendly pots and pans.
Better still, have you considered changing your style of cooking? Try using a pressure cooker for example. It cooks meat and stews every bit as good as a slow cooker (in fact, better) and you are done in less than half hour. Look at Instant Pot or the equivalent - which is an electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and for general purpose cooking/sauteeing. You can literally cook everything in this single pot, and be done in half hour instead of doing the "all day cooking on slow cooker" thing. And it has a timer, temp control, the works.
If you want to try one out, Amazon has a pretty well rated single burner model for around $70 bucks.
You should look into getting a microwave and a contertop stove like this for things like cooking. The baby swing is a good idea, you could also look into pack-and-plays for overnight stays!
Getting rid of unnecessary furniture is also a great idea, just make sure you have good places to store everything. I had a day-bed and I stored all my clothes and my son's clothes under it while I lived there.
Would it be possible for you to draw up a diagram of what your bedroom looks like currently in MS Paint? I can give you a few more pointers if I have a clearer picture.
Try:
here's an example - http://www.amazon.com/Chemglass-CG-1512-09-1000mL-Single-Evaporating/dp/B005WVRHFS/ref=sr_1_82?s=industrial&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1348542044&amp;sr=1-82
For that, it takes a standard glass connector (I think similar to that found in the Arizer packages) - but you should be able to get one with two holes, if you want (or a 2 way connector than plugs into the top to allow airflow etc. (you could actually put this on top of a cheap hotplate to get it going (scientific ones are $150+, but hell, you just need evenly distributed heat). If you really want to get fancy - check out these: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D318083011&amp;field-keywords=20%2F40+joint&amp;rh=n%3A16310091%2Cn%3A%2116310161%2Cn%3A317970011%2Cn%3A318049011%2Cn%3A318083011%2Ck%3A20%2F40+joint
Anyway, I've not followed through with my plans, but that's some of the stuff I found when I researched it a couple years back.
edit: oh there are also mason jars, of course, which tend to put up with heat fairly well. I did a quick test the other day, just punching two holes in the metal lid, and tossing some pot at the bottom of the jar - I held the base (with the pot) over the edge of my gas stove's flame, and presto, vapor ... I'd do some checking to see how much heat/the limitations for this stuff.
edit2: if you're really temperature picky, invest in a calibrated hotplate - then you'll know exactly what you dial in is what you'll get. Hmm...now I'm wondering if something like this: http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM , with a mason jar sitting on an old cast-iron pan (or does it need to be steel?) may just work...the conductive stovetop heats the pan, which heats the glass (this is where a flat bottomed boilign flask would be best, since the heating would be even), which heats the pot, which you then enjoy :D
edit3: Depending on your 'container/bowl', would a simple flatiron (be it for clothes, hair, or craft (the tiny ~1inch square ones)) be sufficient to heat things up? (without all the noise of a heat gun?) ; you can also look into mesh/fibrous materials that you could heat that don't actually come into contact with your pot - (grab some inexpensive copper wire, roll into small ball with air spaces galore that fits at bottom of your cyclone bowl, attach the ends to a 9v battery and presto - a heat source, not in contact with your pot, that you can suck heated air through (that get's heated) to vape? And yeah, I'm at 7 after experimenting with the bong I just made out of a container for 2kg of Whey protein powder, some spare tubing, and a metal bowl/shaft I had lying around unused. HEll, there's enough room there for a bag of ice, and space to spare, I dont' think I'll use my 'real' bong ever again - this capacity was perfect, and it's so easily cleaned. Tomrorow I'll have to get some silicone to create better seals...thanks for prompting my creative energies tonight.
Here's one for $12.
https://www.amazon.com/GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner-1100-Watts/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_36?keywords=stove+top+coil&qid=1566006325&s=gateway&sr=8-36
Something like this!
Invest in a electric stovetop (like this: https://smile.amazon.com/GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner-1100-Watts/dp/B005T0SN0K/) and bring cooking supplies.
What country are you in? If you're in the US, the plug-in coil burner units cost around $10-15 shipped: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/
Amazon has same-day and next-day shipping for a few extra dollars if you can't wait a few days...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=asc_df_B005T0SN0K5035055/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;creative=394997&amp;creativeASIN=B005T0SN0K&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=167151781903&amp;hvpos=1o1&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=18255167864574380458&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9023754&amp;hvtargid=pla-273133838809
This is the one I use. I use Titanium cubes and it lights the coal in about 10 mins. It probably has an auto shutoff as others have but I have never had it shut off on me as the coal were lit before then. I had one from walmart that wouldn't shut off but would take over 30 mins to light the coal and it was awful so I feel your pain. I will also mention that Fumari (I believe) makes an "official" coal lighter but I found this one by googling the same wattage as it had and this is about half the price and identical save for the logo on the front.
Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1419315289&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=single+coil+burner
I usually grab an inexpensive electric stove burner and a cheap pan to cook with.
We got one of these electric one-burner stove tops, plus a small pan... hopefully that works ok. We're planning to warm up stuff for breakfast, heat up leftovers, maybe prepare something simple like instant ramen, etc.
Maybe something like this? May be overboard though..
http://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1451187108&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=portable+stove
This guy has been a champ for me:
https://www.amazon.com/GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner-1100-Watts/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1506815408&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=single+coil+burner
How much does 3 spark plugs and a car battery cost? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_xGCRCbPHQ306A
The name of these appliances is "plata" or "electric blech" (see here for the original, non-electric concept). Here are some examples:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7PFKQ4/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OKR5I6/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XPENFU/
so yeah, very different from something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/
Hotpot places usually use induction plates and pots compatible with such.
Edit: Example. It doesn't generate excess heat that would otherwise be dangerous when moving around the pot.
OP could get one of those portable induction hot plate things. That +microwave and toaster oven will be more that enough to do everything but a Thanksgiving turkey.
Secura 9100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMCAM2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tbESyb9F7HVFW
You're probably better off getting an induction burner like this and maybe a small rice cooker for easy rice. Pressure cooker will cook rice really well if you still want to get one though. The meats you listed would do better on a burner or in an oven, veggies can be easily steamed in a microwave, and even your sweet potatoes will cook best in a microwave or cubed up and put in a pan.
Slice the chicken up and cook it in a pan with some oil. If you are not allowed to use a stove, I can suggest you pick up a cook top.
https://www.amazon.com/Secura-9100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B00GMCAM2G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492753819&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=induction+cooktop
You will need pots and pans with a magnetic bottom for this to work, but there is no open flame, or a heating element, so it's safer to use in a room. I would just make some kind of stir fry. There are recipes around, so you can find one you like. I suggest just googling and looking at different easy recipes and giving it a shot. You can also cook a lot of rice for a few days and store it in a fridge, or just get a rice cooker so you can make rice at the same time. I work 16+ hours and can't leave my job, and I am able to eat every day by cooking at work on one of those and a pot and a pan. It's pretty easy.
Looks like this one.
It was a gift, but I think it's this one https://www.amazon.com/Secura-9100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B00GMCAM2G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1526504156&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=duxtop+induction+cooktop&amp;dpID=51bi2swj1KL&amp;preST=_SY300_QL70_&amp;dpSrc=srch
It's a Duxtop model and 1800W.
this is the one I bought: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMCAM2G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Boil strength isn't incredibly strong, but it helps if you wrap the kettle in a couple of layers of cheap reflectix insulation.
Also, I recently added an electric heat stick to help cut down on time to reach boil and increase boil vigor: https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotrodrtu.htm
So I am in this for a fair amount of coin at this point, but I still get a better boil going electric than I did when trying to boil on my stovetop. Also, I typically do 3.5 gallon batches, but my setup can handle 5 gallons easily.
I am planning to get a electrician to pull a 220v outlet to my kitchen. Once I do, I will get one of these bad boys:
Mai Cook Stainless Steel 3500W Electric Induction Cooktop, Electric Countertop Burners
I tried taking a standard 1800watt induction cooktop and it just doesn't have enough HP even for a 11 in skillet. It just craps out with an overheat msg. Yes this thing supports up to a 15.5 in ferrous cookware.
find a single burner with a plug in like this , a basic pot and pan = great success. source: lived in a hotel for a few months while working a job away from home
I've got like an induction hot plate. It was pretty cheap. I had originally bought it so I could deep fry french fries and stuff outside when I was making burgers on my charcoal BBQ, to avoid dumping heat inside. I love it. I use it for all my cooking now. That thing running on a 120V outlet heats stuff up so much faster than my ceramic cooktop on its 240V. It's so easy to control too. The temp control works great with a dutch oven for deep frying.
With a price range that small, you can't get what we would use. However, this is what I advise for people to get at home:
https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-1800-Watt-Induction-Countertop-9600LS/dp/B01FLR0ET8/ref=asc_df_B01FLR0ET8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167141308073&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1865362415393184257&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033782&hvtargid=pla-313332393966&psc=1
&#x200B;
It's utterly not bad.
I've got one of these. it works well with a standard size pressure canner.
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CB-30-Cast-Iron-Single-Stainless/dp/B01IA3H8QM/
And holy macaroni, it's only $50 right now! When i got mine it was about $90
My wife uses a pressure canner. It’s big and can accommodate 19 full size mason jars at one time. Since it’s a pressure cooker, sterilization is faster. The pressure canner does not fit on our indoor stove so she does this process outside on a propane burner. I don’t know if this is what you’re looking for, but it’s something to think about.
Any burner that can go at least 70,000 BTU will do a great job. That's about five times what most indoor natural gas or electric ranges typically generate on their regular (non-wok) burner. If they even have a wok burner. The Bayou Classic is a workhorse, a friend of mine has one that I've used a few times, and will easily do the job.
I have this one which is 200,000 BTU and is, well, let's just say intense. I usually run it at about 1/3 throttle max. It will burn the hairs off your arms if you're not careful. But wow, it really works. Apparently Amazon doesn't have it currently in stock, but you can find other's like it for around $100. Note the size of the burner. It's a large diameter. That means unless you have at least a 12" pan some of that flame is going to go right up the sides. Keep that in mind. The Bayou Classic has a smallish burner in comparison that has a more concentrated heat source that still spreads out plenty. What the 200,000 BTU burner excels at is large pots of water or oil. It can bring five gallons of water to a boil quickly, which if you are making beer or crawdad boils is great.
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1405031469&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=coil+burner
I have two of these, one for my brothers apartment and one for my house. Had em for like 7 months, work perfectly! and cheap+free shipping if you have prime!
there are some cookbooks on amazon for frugal student cooking
used copies plus shipping is about $5. and some have great reviews.
Obviously there some awesome websites for recipes http://studentrecipes.com/ http://www.budgetbytes.com/
What i found useful were recipes you could make from raw ingredients you could get easily cheaply and store well. this is why pasta, rice and noodles are popular. the base is always handy and all you have to do is add dressings. Cans of beans and nuts are also great ways to add a protein to your meal without having to worry about it going bad before you eat it.
Find about 12 recipes you like and can make easily and then just rotate them. That's enough to keep you from being bored, save MEAT centered recipes for once a week, such as in a crockpot and the rest of the week eat meat free. Because meat is the most expensive ingredient and the easiest to screw up and let it go bad before you remember to cook it. Essentially you buy the meat on the same day you cook it and the leftovers go in the fridge and have to be eaten before the next time you cook meat, so the leftover won't go blue and fuzzy.
Indeed a crockpot is essentia Proctor 1.5 slow cooker $13 but i'd get the biggest one you can afford. ...actually when i moved in this apartment i had no serious money and no stove. I started off with all the inexpensive items from Proctor Silex - usually sold in walgreens, cvs, and other cheap appliance stores... Proctor 1 liter electric kettle $14 Proctor Toaster Oven $22 Proctor Hot Plate $14 which does have a draw back for boiling large pots of anyting, it's really a more egg frying/ grilled cheesy thing. Black and Decker has a 3 cup rice cooker for $12
It is easy for your dorm room to get unkempt if you start cooking in it for real, so a dedicated foot locker perhaps upright with shelves banged in. Put everything away clean when you don't use it. Put a dishpan in the locker, 1st thing you take out put your dirty items in it as you cook and eat, then take it to the bathroom and wash everything and then bring it all back and put it in the footlocker and then put everything in on top.
One of my favorite books was Cooking in a Bedsitter by Whitehorn..an English cookery book, but the ideas worked. A bedsitter is a dorm room with no running water, no fridge and nothing but a gas ring/hot plate to cook on. So basically you have to really think out what you are going to make and plan ahead. My solution was to cook small amounts very often so i didn't have to store a lot of food or leftovers.
Can you afford to add a George Foreman grill type appliance or a hot plate? Would open up some additional options for you, like grilled sandwiches (grilled cheese, chicken/swiss), and pasta dishes. Quick look on Amazon shows you can get a hot plate for $15.
Of course that might complicate things because then you'd space for it and some pots and pans, but it might be worth checking into.
This. You can order one off Amazon for 15 dollars. Best stove you can buy to heat up those natural coals.
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323981237&amp;sr=8-1
it's a proctor silex 1000w single coil burner. if you can't find one locally:
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU
Little late to the party but if youre thinking of getting another one, i totally recommend this one from amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1419158825&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=coil+burner
We use a couple of these bad boys at our lounge and these things COOK. The longevity is amazing!
Ah, dorm life. :-/ I bought myself a stand-alone burner to cook stuff, but that was not strictly legal.
Here are some resources that might interest you though: 1 2 3 4
You "can't find any"? Seriously? Is the internet not an option for you, or something?
15 bucks. http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34101-Proctor-Silex-Burner/dp/B000690WNU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376916184&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=single+coil+burner
I use a scientific hot plate I got off amazon. Here. It will take longer than a blow torch but it gets the job done.
Indeed. Also, portable burners
Are they natural coals or quicklights? If they're natural, a coil burner like this would work perfectly well.
If they're quicklights, all you need is a lighter.
If I were homeless I would want lots of things, but as random suggestions:
https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Sleeping-Zone-Reflective-Available/dp/B000Y9H09Q?th=1&amp;psc=1
Some of those are cheaper than that though ... I'd also want uncooked rice and beans, but would then also need to cook them in a cheap pot and have a small burner like :
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006A2ZTS/ref=psdc_13838451_t1_B005T0SN0K
Electric so you would not have to buy nor invent your own heat for it, when in public places to mooch off of. Rice and beans are cheap and healthy, water is pretty much free, so is the electric, so the portable cheap burner with a small pot in a bookbag with your foil sleeping bag would be essential, aside from staying clean. Ideally as a homeless I would invest in a battery system to take the electricity with me, and use a small heater whilst sitting inside a box along with the tin foil. The batteries and components to go with it is what would actually get more pricey, as the sleeping bag when bought in bulk is just a couple dollars or three in this supposed higher quality case and the burner only like ten. But if you are mass buying this I am sure you don't want to go buying people ten dollar burners, and rather than buy them pots they do have large can food, I would be one to use a bucket sized used tin can as my pot for rice and beans, I am just saying pots and pans are cheap anyway and get thrown out often, if not there are empty cans made of steel anyway.
I personally like duffel bags more than bookbags, duffel bags can be pretty big.
It is the base of the hotplate with the temperature controls.
This is the exact model I bought off amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Matic-ESB-300X-750-Watt-Single-Burner-Electric/dp/B0006A2ZTS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1331576188&amp;sr=8-11
The problem with some electric hotplates is that they have a kill switch built in if the heat gets too high so to remedy this the heating element is removed from the hotplate and put into the smoker with the wires leading out of the bottom and into the base of the hotplate. Now I can better control the temperature. One day I plan to permanently mount the base underneath the smoker.
http://www.amazon.com/MaxiMatic-ESB-300X-750-Watt-Single-Burner-Electric/dp/B0006A2ZTS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1415055848&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=electric+coil+burner This is the burner I use. I've had it for over a year and it still works great! I highly recommend it.
Looks like it comes with essentials including tongs which I forgot to mention. I didn't see a grommet for the bowl or hose so make sure you grab some here.
You definitely need a way to light your coals if you're using naturals. Consider getting a hotplate.
Yea, I usually have the hair dryer pointing towards an open door in a very large room. And I've only got around a cup of alcohol, so that shouldn't be a huge problem.
If I switched to a hot plate, would this one work?
OP, I second the hot-plate/single burner idea: link. You'd be great if you can pick up one of these and one pot and a pan.
You can check out /r/eatcheapandhealthy and look at their advice for kitchen-less cooking. Focus on frozen veggies (your mini fridge should have a mini freezer) like broccoli, store leafy greens in the mini-fridge, and look for already-cooked proteins like rotisserie chickens (but then watch your sodium intake since those things are brined before cooked). Seems like you're in a tough spot, but it will just take some creative thinking.
https://www.amazon.com/Aroma-Housewares-AHP-303-CHP-303-Single/dp/B0007QCRNU/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hot+plate&qid=1568294665&s=gateway&sr=8-4
&#x200B;
Hot plates aren't really all that special if you don't need a magnetic stirrer. Someone might correct me but I can cook just as well on a 200 hotplate as I can on a 10 dollar one. And if by any chance you're in California I'd be happy to have one of mine sent to your school xD
For that you might need a starter if you don't want to ruin your hotplate. You will find a cheap one for camping trips for around 20 bucks like this http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-Single-Plate-Black/dp/B0007QCRNU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1413817807&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=hotplate
Special ones for hookas are more expensive. With windcover or tinfoil around it coconut coals are ready in 10 minutes.
I place my board on one of these and turn it to the absolute lowest possible temp.
Then I put some paste on a piece of tile and use one of these to lightly dab paste onto the pads. Just don't wait too long before reflowing because the paste will dry out.
http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-Single-Plate-Black/dp/B0007QCRNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1374600897&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=hot+plate
You can probably buy this.
Toaster oven ftw. :)
We do some boards at my hackerspace this way. Used an Arduino, Thermocouple, and solid state relay to get the right heat profiles. So fun. Next up is solder masks, etc - right now we're just using regular copper clad boards.
Also, for our hot plate we use one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-Single-Plate-Black/dp/B0007QCRNU and a copper plate (to spread the heat evenly)
Are your referring to something like a hot plate? I was just re-reading and it says to not place a flask directly onto electric coils, but a glasstop-stove is fine. To be honest, I do not know if this is more like the former than the latter
You have a good idea, The inkbird might work paired with a Hot Plate
It says about 560°F or 293°C
Get a small hotplate and you can cook whatever you need!
http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AHP-303-Single-Plate-Black/sim/B0007QCRNU/2
My group brings one of these burners and makes Neoguri or Shin ramen with spam. It's amazing.
Bacon can be added
actually you don't have to cook. 1l whole milk got 650kcal. so you could just drink 2l milk additional to your regular meals and your kcal intake would be 2500kcal.
or buy yourself a cooking plate:
http://www.amazon.com/MaxiMatic-ESB-301F-Cuisine-Single-1000-Watt/dp/B000B2WOWE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375741079&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=cooking+plate
What you want is a multi-purpose electric cooker like this one. You can set it to whatever temperature you want (within reason), so it can serve as a slow cooker or a steamer or a deep fryer or whatever. You can make pancakes in it if you work at it. I've done it.
If you're using it as a slow cooker, you might want to invest in some kind of timer to shut it off after so long.
EDIT: the other thing you could consider is a single burner electric range/hotplate (there's many cheaper ones than that one) and a couple of pans.
One poster on homebrewtalk found one that allegedly works well and is easy to clean: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=568752, it's https://www.williamsbrewing.com/HOP-SPIDER-FOR-KEGGLE-GRAINFATHER-P4030.aspx - a bit pricey, though, so I am still on the fence.
Additionally, I use a Waring 1300-watt electric burner to heat up sparge water while waiting for the mash to finish: https://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I
Same word of caution with the 1300W burner as with the heat stick - a Grainfather on "high" while using a 1300W burner draws too many amps for the circuit to handle. You /could/ run the Grainfather on "low" while mashing and also run the 1300W burner heating sparge water at the same time(only ~16 amps or so) if you had a 20-amp circuit and adequately rated extension cords. It's still a bit safer to run each device on its own circuit, especially if you aren't sure of the extension cord's rating.
Check the charges to see how much is usage. My gas bill was always $23, $24, around that so I looked into it and I have to pay a $20 a month fee to keep my gas connected. So I was actually only using $3-4 a month.
Anyway, why don't you cancel your cooking gas? This will pay for itself in less than a year:
http://www.amazon.com/Waring-DB60-Portable-Double-Burner/dp/B000I16B18
or
http://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I/
EDIT: ebay link for the first one, $50!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Waring-Pro-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single-Burner-/400214022082
EDIT2: Or if you want to get realllllly cheap:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Better-Chef-Double-Electric-Countertop-Range-IM-306DB-/320728771717?
OR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Electric-Countertop-Portable-Double-Burner-Hot-Plate-1440-Watt-/160663582987
I don't have one of those =[ I'm thinking about something like this. http://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_3
There are a variety of electric hot-plates that you can get which would be good for this, although they are generally going to be limited by the electric supply. If you are in the USA that means realistically you can only use ~1500 watts of power from a circuit. For comparison, a large element on an electric stove puts out about 2500 watts, and a burner on a gas range will put out even more than that.
So if you are talking about large-quantity, high-temp cooking you are right at the limit of what a standard electrical circuit can provide, and that does't even account for a second burner. (For the record I have this portable electric burner and like it. Some of the cheap electric ones with the exposed coils are a little unstable but that one is very sturdy for large pots.)
You could also look at portable propane burners, like this one that puts out 9000 BTU/hr which is about 2600 watts.
If you are talking about a proper grill you could look at the Weber Q line. There are a few different sizes but the smaller ones are collapsable and you can buy a folding stand for them if you want to travel with it. I'm sure there are also similar grills from other manufacturers but Weber is well-loved.
I got a waring one. I always find myself running out of burners when cooking for a crowd so for me it was killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
it's really the thermal mass (heavy ceramic bowl) of a slow cooker... that causes a large delay from when the heating element is switched on to when the actual water temp changes. It takes a while for the temp controller (if it's a PID algorithm) to learn how to compensate for this delay.
Also a slow cooker has a relatively weak heating element. Rice cookers will be better... but you probably would lose water bath size.
I found these to be the best option for a DIY. You can use whatever container size you want.
http://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I/
Don't bother with the bubbler. Yes it moves the water but you're mostly just pumping cold air into the water which also creates instability. You're better off just increasing your water bath size and not overcrowding your food.
What about an induction cooktop. You would need stainless steel cookware to use it, but maybe an option for you?
I use a 1800w induction cooktop. I brewed a small batch blonde ale two weeks ago on it. I wrapped my 10gallon megapot with reflectix and was able to get a weak boil at 4.5 gallons. If you supplement it with a heatstick/bucket heater from amazon, you can easily boil 7 gallons.
http://www.amazon.com/Max-Burton-6000-1800-Watt-Induction/dp/B000MVN1M6
http://www.amazon.com/Allied-Precision-Premier-742G-Bucket/dp/B000BDB4UG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1395254003&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=bucket+heater
We're already there. Induction stoves are the fastest, most efficient way to boil water, provided you use a magnetic metal (not aluminum pans). Induction forging.
I use this induction cooktop
I just recently bought a 1000W coil burner from Amazon because I was tired of my natural coconut coals taking so damn long on the stove. Lo and behold I was skeptical because I know those electric stoves can suck so I wasn't expecting much. Honestly, if you group these coals up close to each other, this coil gets so hot that that the coals sort of form a flame between each other that boosts its lighting time. All in all, the coil is fantastic and lights my coals up in no time. I set them up and in the time it lights I barely have time to clean my hookah and pack a bowl before the coals are done and ready to go.
Here is a link to the coil burner I bought: http://www.amazon.com/Toastess-THP-432-Electric-Single-Coil-Cooking/dp/B002SPRFZS
If you're super worried about it, just use one of these! I had one in my dorm room freshman year, and I used my cast iron on it all the time!
You can cook bacon, fish or scrambled eggs in a microwave.
It might be worth your while getting at least a single ring countertop thing though - like this...
http://www.amazon.com/Continental-Electric-1100-Watt-Singler-Burner/dp/B002TOBFM2
No outdoor grill?
This is the one I use. It's cheap and very effective for coco naras.
Any old thing like this is fine.
This one is a lot cheaper, though.
I have found them to be a lot better than the quick light coals. They last longer and can control the heat better. You don't have to worry about the nasty crap from the quick lights either. However you should invest in a single stove burner because they take awhile to light. [Something like this] (http://www.amazon.com/Continental-Electric-1100-Watt-Singler-Burner/dp/B002TOBFM2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1367959190&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=single+stove+burner)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOBFM2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
This is the burner I use.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOBFM2/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00
I use Coco Nara flats, so this coil works very well. Heats up fast, and within five minutes, both sides of the coal are red hot after one "flip". The cord is a bit short and since it heats up so hot so fast, I set the burner outside when my friends and I sit inside and smoke.
hi! yea i took Alton Brown's approach and modified it a bit, so that's a good place to start. i didnt like how he just dropped the whole electric hot plate into the bottom of the planter, there's no way to adjust the temperature knob without disassembling the whole structure, which is very counterproductive when youre trying to maintain a nice even temperature for smoking.
instead i unscrewed the heating element from the plastic body of this electric hot plate and re-wired it inside the planter; this way i can adjust the temperature from outside the planter without taking everything apart. the wood stakes you mentioned are therefore sitting on top of the plastic housing and supporting the planter, and are not in direct contact with the cooking element, thus not catching fire/smoking. i put the stakes/planks there to allow for some air to enter the system from the bottom of the planter.
i used a 10" diameter weber grate i had lying around from an old charcoal grill although you can find them on amazon too, and i can confirm it is made of steel. im not sure what you mean by a chrome surface, unless youre referring to stainless steel? the only real difference between the two is the heat retention properties of the material, but i had the lid on mine throughout the cooking process and kept an even temp the whole time so that wasn't really an issue for me.
smoking time is really variable for each smoker from what ive gathered. ive read people saying to smoke at 250F for 4 hours or some slight variation on those numbers, but really you just want to monitor the internal temp of the bird and wait for it to get to 165F.
I tossed my bird breast side down on the smoker at 10am and tried getting the smoking temp up to about 225-235F, but that took an hour (this was my first time, took a while to figure out how everything works out). after it reached temp i let it sit for a little while then took the top off to check on the bird (bad idea) and the temperature dropped by a lot, so i had to regain my temp, which took another half hour, putting me at 11:45am. i let it sit at that temperature for an hour, thinking that it had only cooked for 1 hour at smoking temp, and when i came to flip the bird at 12:45pm, the bird was done! in fact it was a little over-done, with breast temperature hovering around 170F. that puts the total time the chicken was in the smoker at about 3 hours at 225-235F.
i expected a longer cooking time since i was smoking at a lower temperature than what i had read online, but i guess the small size of my smoker put the bird closer to the heat source causing it to cook faster. again i think cooking time is really variable, so just monitor your meat to see when it reaches the appropriate internal temp. let me know if you have other questions/concerns, ill be happy to answer them. good luck smoking!
Here's the one I use:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOBFM2/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I got http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOBFM2/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 and it is amazing. I used to have an electric plug in hot plate and it took forever to get those things lit. The coils are much, much more efficient.
re: electric i was looking at something like this
1800W sounds like a lot but not sure if it would be enough to get my cast iron to that surface-of-the-sun temp i like, since the dial apparently only goes up to 460 degrees
I realize this might be totally unworkable for any number of people, for various reasons, but...
If you have a balcony, regardless of fire laws, you might be able to use your cast iron pan outside on an induction burner like this, and keep all the smoke outside the house.
Try induction. It's more expensive than $15 but you can probably find something for ~$30 on craigslist. Here's a relatively cheap one, new, from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1407190729&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=induction
No problem heating up or cooling down.
http://www.amazon.com/Secura-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1465250826&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=max+burton+induction+cooktop
1: You can do quite a bit with a microwave than just heat water and reheat leftovers. I'm a huge fan of the microwave rice cookers, and steamer bags.
However, if you really want to do some non-microwave cooking, look into an induction hotplate, rather than a regular one. Much safer for small environments, since it only heats up the pan, and not the burner.
At last resort, if your campus has a chemistry department, you can always try sweet talking your way into some after-hours time to use the bunsen burners...
Get this, or a cheaper one without induction
No outlet?
I dont use one, so I guess take everything I say with a grain of salt.
This type is super cheap, and if you have a temperature controller laying around with a long temp probe, you would have more than enough power to keep a normal sized batch at mash temp.
If you have an induction-capable kettle, something like this has the temperature control built in, and one of my neighbors uses this style to mash and brew.
Do you need a special type of 5 gallon pot to make this work?
Would something like this work: https://www.amazon.ca/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1457978273&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=induction+cooktop
this is an induction furnace, it's powered, by the power grid, the same way your computer is powered.
money and capitalism have nothing to do with this, if you want to make one of these you absolutely can do it yourself, or if you are lazy you can buy one. : https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM
(this one is just smaller lower powered and used for cooking food though, you will also need a proper pan.)
I didn't realize that you could dismantle them to that degree.
My understanding is that there are some with sensors. I was looking at a portable model that ["detects the size of the cookware base and automatically adjust so that very little energy is wasted."] (https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM) I guess I need to learn more.
Can't you get like a toaster oven or an electric cooktop like this: https://www.amazon.com/Secura-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM
Or a slow cooker and a rice cooker? Like you can make chicken, veggies, and rice in any of these things.
It's great for a bachelor. I still make at least 3 servings and have left overs. Also, you can get something like this https://www.amazon.com/Secura-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492464517&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=induction+cooktop
that will help with finishing
Ah, I am interested in this particular topic because I am doing keto specifically to drop weight to get into the Military. I am not sure what level of food diversity they provide in the galley.
My thoughts, get an induction hotplate(something like this)
and a small skillet for the eggs and other sundry.
Do they have deli sandwiches in the galley? if so you could just eliminate the bread and eat the meat/cheese.
I might try and see how hard it is to just stay below 100 carbs per day at first, and then see where you can make improvements.
Electrical power outlets are usually rated for 2kW while your old propane tank could be 15 kW or more so you'll find the electric to be small and slow by comparison.
If you just want a very hot cooking surface outside then cosider a cheap portable induction cooktop with a cast iron ribbed searing pan. That gets very hot very fast but is not a real bbq. Like this: http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1377191705&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=induction+cooktop
Best for living in parents basement? I'm not sure. But if I was buying an electric hot plateI would go with an induction unit. Not sure if this is commercial quality, like a pro chef would use for a demo, but I would be looking for something like that.
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=pd_sim_k_1
I'd really consider getting a simple induction burner so you'd have another burner. You just have to make sure you have s compatible pan.
It depends on your budget. If you want convenient, you can buy a an electric hotpot with divider or you can be fancy and buy the burner and the hotpot separately
Already had an induction plate. That plate doesn't quite boil as vigorously as I might like, but it does the job and can be put on a timer. People generally suggest this one if you want to get to boil faster and more vigorously . So essentially just finding a kettle that was induction ready was the hardest part.
I know you don't want to, but think of your time going back and forth with your slumlord. Buy an Induction Cooktop and stop using the stovetop.
I think this would help you https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HCOXCb510SN5V
A friend of mine did mobile pourovers with an induction plate so he could constantly heat large amounts of water. You can also get a bona vita gooseneck variable temp kettle, but you'll be limited in quantity.
Induction plate link: http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1425574795&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=induction+plate
I use this in a small pantry to boil water in a induction compatible gooseneck kettle. Works great and has no open flame etc. Safe in small areas. Just need induction compatible cookware. Most are labeled.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045QEPYM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I've got this one from duxtop and I really like it, but have started relying more on this gas cooktop. I like the gas because it gets hotter than the induction (by a wide margin), its cheaper, and I'm not limited to magnetic cookware for it to work. I also appreciate that I have to worry less about tripping over the power cord and pulling a 600º pan off the table.
Before you do, why not get a separate hot pot and electric hot plate?
http://img1.weiku.com/c/022/599/stainless_steel_sauce_pot_hot_pot_with_divider_8107_7.JPG + https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045QEPYM/ref=s9_top_hd_bw_bw40p_g79_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&amp;pf_rd_r=RW029D6Q9J9GMF5RBJ9D&amp;pf_rd_t=101&amp;pf_rd_p=99e87903-f500-5b25-abb9-c05b564eacc1&amp;pf_rd_i=13838451
From a utilitarian perspective this seems more sensible than a one-task an electric hot pot combo. No review on these specific items but the price for both is around 70$ anyways.
If she wants to be (and feel) extra safe, she can buy a standalone cooktop.
Induction ones are approx $70CAD on Amazon with next day delivery. I used one (this one) for months due to an issue with my cooktop until I fixed it.
Bring them few of 'hand-cranked/solar' LED lanterns and torches. Like these and these that comes with high capacity lithium-ion batteries. It will help them when there is no electricity and also lower their electric bills when used in rooms instead of bulbs from main line.
Or buy a few of those solar lights setup and set it up for their walk ways/ kitchen inside home. like these or these but where you could attach more bulbs.
Or buy them some efficient electric induction cooktop somewhat like this, because sometimes gas cylinders are hard to find in Nepal(if you are staying in village area, they use wood as alternative and this will be no use). Or what you could do is setup a solar panel with good batteries for their cooking only (batteries can be bought in Nepal).
Well amazon calls it a hot plate. I’m from the Midwest, so we do what we want 🤷♀️
Nice! You can get same one off amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2X9oxbFXJP0PS
Haha save your fingers! I hope you were at least lighting quick lights with the lighter!
Adding on to what was already said, I got myself an electric burner off amazon for 12 bucks. It makes lighting coals much more easier. Here's the link to the one i got:
http://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1462210944&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=imusa+electric+burner
Hope this helps!
If you have a portable electric burner, I'd go with that.
My solution is to do high-heat cooking like this outside. If you get a metal cooking table you can get great results outside without all the smoke.
I bought this one and love it.
To heat, either get a lid stand and use charcoal, or just purchase an electric burner.
https://www.amazon.com/GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner-1100-Watts/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_79_bs_lp_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=QGNW2E7HAN4QFR1FSASC
I have been wanting to start brewing for awhile now and finally bought a kettle to see if I can even get a boil. Unfortunately it did not go as I expected and I was unable to get to a boil on my stove with 6 gallons after 1.5 hours. I'm sure it could have with another hour but that doesn't really seem feasible.
So I wondering what my options are. I have a 10 gallon aluminum kettle. I'm also in an apartment with no access to setup a propane boil.
I looked into induction but you need induction ready cookware so that's not really an option unless I return my kettle.
I'm also looking at getting two of these and placing my kettle across both of them?
Any idea's would be great!
https://www.amazon.com/GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner-1100-Watts/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1498691555&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=burner
This is the one I use, I've never had any problem with it it lights up my coals just fine. It's the same one they sell on Hookah-shisha but at a discounted price.
Might be worth investing honestly - they're cheap and opens you to cook lots of stuff besides just microwaved things.
What about buying a hot plate? They're cheap ($10).
OP, you've gotta xpost this to the oklahoma subreddit. I'm positive that there will be someone there willing to lend a hand.
In the mean time, can you get by with something like this? It's not much, but it should do the job and arrive to your location within a couple days.
Is $11 in your budget? Because you can buy single burners!
Get an air mattress + a mattress topper (if in budget), it will be really comfortable. Don't buy a used mattress or couch.
For a stove, I'd suggest a hot plate or single burner which can be purchased from Amazon [rather cheaply].
(http://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-GAU-80305-Electric-Single-Burner/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452775695&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=stove).
Try craigslist or look for consignment shops for the other pieces of furniture. Most consignment shops treat their furniture with cleaner that kill bugs but always look in small crevices for any bugs anyways. Always clean and check anything you buy used before bringing it into the house.
You can't manage a stove (or a hot plate if you're in a dorm room) and a bowl of water? I mean, strictly speaking you can boil the chicken breasts. Toss in half an onion, a few carrots, a few stalks of celery, salt and pepper and you have a light stock.
Your chicken will be awfully bland because it's boiled and has no browning on it. So there are two choices: brown it or even better: gravy.
Take everything you just boiled and pour it in another container. You can remove the chicken and shred it. I use my fingers, but two forks do a pretty good job too.
Put the bowl back on the hot plate and add 4 tablespoons of butter. Melt and let it bubble for a few minutes. Stir to keep the milk solids from browning/burning. Then add in 4 tablespoons of flour, a bit at a time, whisking until it's all smooth and incorporated. Cook for 3-4 minutes and then take off the burner for 5ish minutes to rest.
This is your roux. Once you put it back on the heat, add a cup of your stock back in, one cup at a time until it's nice and incorporated. Then bring to a boil. If it's too thick, add a bit more stock. But you're making gravy, so quit adding stock if it looks too thin. It will thicken up once it boils. But it only has to boil for a minute or two. Essentially, once it comes to a boil, it's done.
Now, surely you can find another bowl or a microwave. Either make boil-in-a-bag rice or microwave rice. And do the same for some broccoli. Boil or microwave in a container with a bit of water (kind of a steam/boil combo) until tender.
Then assemble: rice first, then shredded chicken, then gravy (lots), then broccoli. Salt, pepper, and try not to freak out at how good it is.
As for your nutrition, don't sweat the gravy. You just made around 5 cups of it. The entire thing has less than 600 calories in it. The rest is just rice, chicken, and broccoli.
If you wanted to brown your chicken instead, after you've boiled the breasts for 25-30 minutes, take them out, dump the water and put the bowl back on the burner. Add a little fat. Coat your chicken in the same fat. Cook in the bowl for several minutes a side, without moving them, to get them browned.
If you need a hot plate, I found one on Amazon for $12.
http://www.amazon.com/GAU-80305-Single-Electric-Burner-Watts/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=sr_1_11?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376277133&amp;sr=1-11&amp;keywords=electric+burner
Here's a UL-listed single burner on Amazon for $11. Lol
You need either to use your stove, or buy burner like the guys above mentioned. Plus where you live at? If USA that's expensive for coals xD but your name is Abd guessing middle eastern (or Arab)
Anyway look here on Amazon this burner is pretty sweet and I use it my self IMUSA USA GAU-80305 Electric Single Burner 1100-Watts, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tkL6AbNSD6J8T
Why not buy this? At least till your drive his fixed.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005T0SN0K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485764667&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=mini+stove&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41ffr0xXvFL&amp;ref=plSrch
you understand this. I'll be sure to wait to tell my wife we're moving until it's too late.
The Kebab meat, i've looked a bit into making. this video shows how to layer each layer on the meat - admittedly, I need to look more into it.
edit: and about the skewer! you're right - the texture has a lot to do with the sandwich. I've tried making it in an oven, and it's just not the same. I'm actually to the point that I'm going to figure something that stands up, can stab layers of steaks (either lamb or chicken, haven't decided) and then I just bought this that I'm going to fasten to a board so I can have a poor man's vertical rotisserie.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T0SN0K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I like the Elite Cuisine. I make everything on it, from sauces, pastas, pizzas; to pitas, eggs, steak, etc.
If you already have (or find a used Moka pot) you can get this:
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisine-ESB-301BF-Maxi-Matic-Single-Electric/dp/B00C8C5I7I/
or one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009W5F0/
https://www.amazon.com/Mandarin-Gear-Electric-Espresso-coffee-stovetop/dp/B0736SPKVP/
I pasteurize my straw every time and have been able to get 3 flushes before any signs of contams arise.
I stuff as much cut up straw as I can in my tiny 8qt PC, fill it up about half way with water, then put the PC on one of those NuWave induction cooktops to control the temp. Then I put the lid on my PC without locking it and throw a temp reader in it. Then I get the water to 160 degrees and keep it at that temp for an hour. Then I'll wait for it to cool and take the straw out and drain it in a pillow case for about 12-16 hours.
Then I'll mix my straw with my spawn!
This one is on Amazon for $70 (down from $130): https://www.amazon.com/Secura-9100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B00GMCAM2G/
I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/NuWave-Precision-Induction-Cooktop-Watts/dp/B00DP6BJE2 which is 1300 Watts (vs the 1800) and use it with my cast iron skillet to sear or fry things on the back patio.
I had a butane stovetop I used for a couple years, but it works for shit when it's cold and windy. No such problems with the induction burner.
There are a few $50 1800 watt things on amazon too, now that I look.
> It's not my oven and I don't know if I'm going to live here next year, so it's too much trouble.
Is this a rental place? You might want to post on /r/legaladvice about whether your jurisdiction requires that the landlord provide you with a working kitchen. Or maybe your lease says something about it. If you own the place yourself, you should know that gas range/oven combos can be had as cheap as $400 (example link). Also, you can get a counter-top induction burner for less than $100 (example one) (example two).
I live in Brazil and got a local brand, but I found this on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Secura-9100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B00GMCAM2G/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=single+induction+burner&amp;qid=1568987189&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=single+indu&amp;sr=8-5 search for single induction burner =]
I don't lift, it slides easily. I use this induction hot plate.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMCAM2G
No need to remodel. These are counter-top models ---> Like this guy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMCAM2G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
You can find cheaper ones and this one goes on sale occasionally.
Similar to what u/Thurwell mentioned, me and my brew partners do extract triple batch on this inductions heater as our 15 gallon kettle was a bit big for the IC3500. Even with 12-14 gallons of liquid we could get a decent boil, typically took ~50 minutes from cool tap water to ~155, and another ~50 minutes to boil. We ended up adding a Hotrod heatstick to cut times, but for 5 gallon batches a 3500W induction will be plenty.
It's nice not needing to bother with controllers, but you can't really get any automation (not sure how many people are doing that). You definitely will want to think about ventilation though.
What possible gas leak can be 5k? Please define the gas leak.
you know you can also get very powerful 240V portable induction cook tops that don't need gas do your cooking for nearly 250 bucks on amazon. (just need a 220 outlet). unlike gas, induction puts nearly all the heat into the pan, and it gets hot fast. 3500W is probably hotter than what is needed for cooking even for stir fry.
(example) https://www.amazon.com/Mai-Cook-Stainless-Induction-Countertop/dp/B016XY88AA/
lets say the gas leak was not the issue, could they stay afloat with minimal loss? maybe you can spend a weekend on there cooking process to help reduce bills or manage the restaurant a little more efficiently?
you could call the gas company and tell them to cut the main line to the resturant. then not use anything gas.
That stone is insanely fine. Bringing back any dull knives with that is going to take an eternity. Also it's probably a muddy stone so your basically going to take care when actually forming the edge and not plowbit through the abrasive mud.
https://youtu.be/sNpVj0AXFso
As for the kitchen, digital timers, thermometers and scales. I think you can even get portable burner units with temp control rather than power control, or just get some diy PID setup. Amazon
Pressure cookers rock too.
I got this one last year for $40. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017HX1E0M?ref_=pe_527950_33920250
It works great, but not with smaller pots. It also does have a fan that could bother someone.
Updated list of sale items, I will update this throughout the day:
Instant Read Digital thermometer for $19.99
1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop for 71.99
Digital Pocket Kitchen Scale for 13.99
[Pop-up Canopy] (http://amzn.to/2Bi53E0) for 191.73 - for those outdoor brewers
I have this one and I really like it. No complaints so far!
As long as it's a proper cooking hot plate it will definitely be fine (and probably easier to control). If you're talking about just a warming tray then that probably won't put out enough heat to make it work.
Do you mean an electric hob like this ? https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CB-30-Cast-Iron-Single-Stainless/dp/B01IA3H8QM/ref=pd_aw_lpo_79_tr_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=ATFF86Y5QRVGKV0C474S
What volume are you boiling? That would help spec a hob.
I'm British so have 230v making things a lot simpler I can pull 3kW out of a standard socket.
What about something like this and a cast iron pan?
Ok, a workaround exists: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IA3H8QM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I have a couple of those for various reasons. Relatively small footprint, stores well, so it may be your solution!
Ha on the mead making kit! That's hilarious timing. We're looking into our next honey purchase, but probably putting it off for now (600lb of honey is ... a lot, not just cost of purchase but shipping).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTLX85A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=bingingwithba-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01MTLX85A&amp;linkId=91ae8b763894dfc03eae89f7e1e35bdd
That's the one from Binging with Babish. It's also the same one that I recently used in Lucca, Italy at a cooking school. Works great and you can touch it and not get burnt. You do need special pots for it though, so keep that in mind.
I tend to use babish's website for equipment because he always buys reasonable priced stuff that is pretty good quality.
You can buy small portable electric stoves in Japan. like this
https://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34103-Fifth-Burner/dp/B073R9TCP3/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1522744636&amp;sr=1-6&amp;keywords=electric+hot+plate
I make burritos with today's chicken veggie and rice. can keep for few weeks freezer.
I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Camping-Outdoor-Burner/dp/B0013LLSZG/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=coleman+oven+grill&amp;qid=1557775283&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-9
And one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-34103-Fifth-Burner/dp/B073R9TCP3/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_pm?keywords=hot+plate&amp;pd_rd_i=B073R9TCP3&amp;pd_rd_r=4ee7b29a-7cfd-46b2-86cc-e1a18755718f&amp;pd_rd_w=zlJR8&amp;pd_rd_wg=YxhxO&amp;pf_rd_p=5cc8abfe-8f78-4f34-b19f-d09d6ea0dca4&amp;pf_rd_r=P99QWN38FYTV01DEXED0&amp;qid=1557775321&amp;s=gateway
plus one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/GS-1000-Portable-Automatic-Ignition-Carrying/dp/B01MYGMO6M/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1VPXER597IZZ1&amp;keywords=butane+stove&amp;qid=1557775343&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=butane+%2Caps%2C210&amp;sr=8-3
To be used at any time. I also have a propane griddle and a sous vide. They may or may not travel with me, depending on a lot, but that's what I use.
Buy a hot plate. Cheap and you can cook.
Proctor Silex 34103 Electric Single Burner, Compact and Portable, Adjustable Temperature Hot Plate, White & Stainless https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073R9TCP3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_O6VYDb08HCJCM
Can you get an electric heating element?
Like this one?
Should be enough to heat up some water for a corn cob or two.
They make some pretty good battery powered ones that are small enough to fit in some chambers.
Just make sure you know the measurements of each before you buy, or you'll learn the hard way.
EDIT: here is an example
I'm going to break your budget just a tiny bit. What you get should be both useful and worth the budget. If you want brand new and not used/goodwill items.. you'll have to spend more to get both. But here you go:
Gooseneck Electric Kettle with temp control - $26.99 , free prime shipping
Electric single burner hot plate - $11.99, free prime shipping
Total: $38.98+tax
I don't understand why this is even a question. Just get a hot plate and be done. Now you have a stove for the foreseeable future. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005T0SN0K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1488040339&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=hot+plate
I wonder if you can turn off the gas for the summer. It'd be cheaper to buy one of those induction stovetop things.
Thirteen freakin' dollars!
http://www.amazon.com/MaxiMatic-ESB-300X-750-Watt-Single-Burner-Electric/dp/B0006A2ZTS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1407314142&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=hot+plate
Did you even read the article?
> Everything we own is in the wagon; it has to go everywhere with us or it gets stolen.”
A bag of rice fits in a wagon!
Did you read what I wrote? The beans come in a can! They don't need soaking! What else do you need to soak beans anyways!? Water! She doesn't need to buy vegetables for the whole month! She can buy them each day!