Cooking without a Stove

[It's me]

Make sure you don't overload the circuits.

In theory, a fuse should blow, or a breaker should pop. But in older houses with fuses people have been known to use over-size fuses or stick pennies in the fuse sockets... you want to make sure someone hasn't done that before you plug a lot in at once.

[Rhion]

I'd suggest a convection microwave. It lets you microwave and bake in the same unit. You won't be able to cook vast quantities of food in it though.

Some models even have hotplates on the top, which may be worth considering.

They can get expensive for the high-end ones though.

[PepperElf]

You can also buy an electronic stove top burner

I'd also suggest consulting your local housing authority to find out if your state / county / area legally allows renting apartments (or rooms) without access to working kitchens. Some states expressly consider it to be illegal housing, while others require that you be provided with essentials such as a kitchen sink, stove, etc, or the hookups for a stove.

The "dishes piling up" excuse may not cut it... You're an adult tenant, not the landlord's child.

[NateTheChops]

I have a magic bullet and it's a hit or miss on what you put into it. So look into some of the other processors as well. The ex had a nice one that he had gotten from wally world for 10 bucks.

I've had one before. Mostly I was using it to make bannana milkshakes but man they were worth it.

[Ree]

I'd also suggest consulting your local housing authority to find out if your state / county / area legally allows renting apartments (or rooms) without access to working kitchens. Some states expressly consider it to be illegal housing, while others require that you be provided with essentials such as a kitchen sink, stove, etc, or the hookups for a stove.

Actually, I believe that Nate has stated he is quite content with the current arrangement and is not actually looking for any armchair lawyer advice on landlord/tenant laws. (I mean, that would be a fratching area, after all, now, wouldn't it? "What should be versus what is"!!)

What he was looking for, however, were suggestions on how to cope with meal prep without access to a stove.

[telecom_goddess]

Lots of great ideas. And recipies can be found online for everything. As for the fuses/ckt breakers I would keep the microwave plugged in but not anything else unless you're actively using it. This won't have the same electrical support that a kitchen would.

How are you going to setup all these appliances? Is there any kind of counter/prep space?

[PepperElf]

just remembered...

don't forget to have some fire extinguishers on hand in case of accidents. Some of the cooking appliances are great - even the little electric burner i suggested. but when they're beyond a simple toaster / elec grill you may have more fire hazards. and even with toasters/elec grills there's hazards too. so you may want to get one - and a smoke alarm too, just to protect yourself.

my bf put one in our kitchen after i had a brain fart and turned on the wrong burner... which was covered with a protective metal cover. with a plastic lid on top. the alarm worked well, but ... o boy that was stinky. and smoky


cos cooking isn't fun when you fill the place with smoke. or flames.


and if your housemates are also doing the same thing... it doesn't hurt to protect yourself against them too.

but not anything else unless you're actively using it. This won't have the same electrical support that a kitchen would.

To be honest I do this even in normal kitchens. It was Mom's rule while growing up cos she was worried about them catching fire while off. Part of that is because it was the 70s and a lot of houses had aluminum wiring. Here, it's partially the elec/fire safety and because of available counter space. no need to keep the toaster plugged in 247 if i only make toast once a week or less. And that counter space can be used for something else.

[NateTheChops]

just remembered...
don't forget to have some fire extinguishers on hand in case of accidents.

Good point. I've had a few close calls just with burning candles recently. *Lowers head in shame*

How are you going to setup all these appliances? Is there any kind of counter/prep space?

I might cruise the thrift shops for small tables. The space is large enough that I could safely keep any heating element away from something flammable. But worse case scenario, I can just stick with a microwave and eat lots of salads and sandwiches when I'm not using it.

An electric kettle and a blender also seem like a good idea.

[PepperElf]

ya after my own little almost-fire my bf was pretty adamant that i had my own renter's insurance just in case his didn't cover my mistakes

[Shannarah]

I have heard good things about this type of halogen benchtop oven (link to random one as a visual)
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-R-HCO...d_sim_sbs_k_32

[Kittish]

The magic bullet blender thing is VERY hit or miss. I had one for a few years, and stopped using it and got rid of it because it didn't really do what I wanted it for, plus it's a pain to clean. If you want one for making smoothies and pureeing stuff, go for it! But if you ever want anything other than pureed whatever, you'll need a different appliance. A decent sharp knife (or two, or three, or..... what? I like knives.) and cutting mats or boards makes a workable alternative if you don't mind actually doing the work part of food prep. Plus, knives still work even if there is no electricity.

Absolutely make sure you get at LEAST one good fire extinguisher.

A hot plate along with a few pots takes the place of the electric griddle, electric skillet, and rice cooker. I'd go with having one pot big enough to boil water for noodles or rice and a skillet, both with lid. Advantage of using hot plates + actual pots= easier cleaning and easier storage. Not to mention not having to keep track of umpteen different electric cords.

A decent crock pot is another must have. I have one from my single days, it's a small one, does a GREAT job with small roasts, soups, stews and so on.

I'd be more inclined to go with a toaster oven and microwave as separate items over a convection microwave cooker. I've worked with the convection/microwave cookers before and they're... well, I didn't care for the results. Your mileage may vary. Actually, if it were me, I'd just get a small microwave and skip the toaster oven altogether.

[Seshat]

I have a halogen benchtop oven, and it's wonderful.

For me: a microwave oven with the right cooking containers is a steamer, pasta/rice cooker, slow cooker, and quite a few of the other things as well. About the only thing I can't do in it is brown things, or do GOOD baked things.

So my choices would be a halogen benchtop oven and a microwave oven, plus 'insert into microwave' type steamers, pasta/rice cookers, and at least one good lidded 'slow cooker' type of container. And baking/roasting tins that fit into your halogen oven.

I'd consider an electric burner or two, and either a grill or a grill-type frying pan that fits on the burner.

How healthy microwaved food is, really depends on what you put into the microwave.