My top 5 Disney World tips for a budget traveler, Holiday Inn Express Sweetwater, Tenn., review, 6 packing mistakes people make – don’t let this happen to you, The complete beginner’s guide to cooking in a hotel room, 4 rice cooker recipes for hotel room cooking. This Chef Is Showing Off His Hotel Room Cooking Skills Using an Iron and Coffee Maker. But if you’ll be cooking in your hotel room, here are the basics you’ll need to bring along: • Cutting board by Dan Miller | Nov 22, 2016 | all, family travel, food, hotel | 10 comments. You may find this hotel hack will very quickly turn into a life hack you continue back at home. Thanks! Assuming you don’t have a suite with a secondary bedroom, the closest can double as a private space for baby. Look for a followup post soon with some of our favorite hotel room cooking recipes! Your email address will not be published. It’s also a pretty costly way to eat and adds up to a big expense while traveling. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. mine is over 40 years old that I inherited from my parents. Join the thousands of people who subscribe to our once-daily email or our free miles and points Facebook group with all the best travel news. (If your hotel room has a microwave oven, your dinner choices expand to include most of the frozen food section.) Maybe it belongs in the same category as making eggs on a curling iron (i.e., you can, but why would you? It begins with creating a space with kindness. There are a variety of “normal” (even kid-friendly!) It was tasty. 6. Your email address will not be published. Shop. Helpful 18 Not … Mar 3, 2017 - Join me as I begin a new series, Cooking in a Hotel Room. recipes that you can make in a rice cooker that just need electricity. UK chef Jago Randles has become a viral sensation with his "Isolation Kitchen" TikTok, cooking up restaurant-level meals while quarantined in a hotel room in Canada Now, this is creative use of a tool. Now I understand that cooking in a hotel room is not for everyone, and hotel cooking is not even something that we do all the time. Cooking in the coffee pot? This is an older post so I don’t know if someone will see this, but what do you do about hotel room food smells? Cooking dinners in a hotel room can save a ton on vacation costs as well. We actually packed food for a few recipes that we didn’t end up making, which ended up being a bit of a waste (because we had to cart around a bunch of food that we didn’t use on our trip). Ready to start cooking in a hotel room? Turn a phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot if your hotel charges for Internet. Got any recipes or links? A meaningful hotel stay doesn't have come with upgraded rooms and fancy amenities. For lunch or dinner, fill 1 half of a tortilla with chopped cooked chicken, cilantro, green onion or whatever fillings you’d like. Speed of Living Our Life and her son have been traveling on a budget for over 16 months, enjoying culture, language, food, … Joining a hotel loyalty programme might entitle you to a free room upgrade depending on the state you attain. Chop up an assortment of your favorite veggies. Another small appliance you may want on board is a compact waffle iron. Put a little bit of water (enough to cover the chicken, but not completely submerging it) and flip the switch. 1. Make use of that microwave again, by melting about a tbsp of butter. If you’ve got a fridge in your room, stock it with fruits, veggies, cheeses and sandwich meats. Butter some bread and put a slice of your favorite cheese in between. If caught, you may be fined, charged the cost of appliances, and/or evicted from the hotel. ), Finding good hotel room recipes for a rice cooker is not too difficult, but you will want to plan ahead. Otherwise, continue microwaving in 30 second increments until veggies are tender enough for fork-piercing. ), learning how to do hotel room cooking can be a big food cost saver when you’re living in a hotel room! Required fields are marked *, I don't want to miss another post - sign me up for the PWaC newsletter (never more than 1 email per day, and no spam). We won’t be doing this one out of our deep respect for coffee. If you have a microwave in your room, you are in luck and can almost cook everything! If your hotel room could possibly be supplied with a small refrigerator that would be a big help. Cook the bacon: Put a paper towel or napkin on plate. 66. . In 2017, we took a family trip to Disney World (see: My top 5 Disney World tips for a budget traveler) for a few days, and one of the things we did to help cut down on costs was a little hotel cooking. You can do all three meals in there actually. Sometimes it’s nice to relax in your hotel room with a glass of wine making dinner while another adult takes kids to the pool. But here's the thing: For most sous-vide cooking applications, you only need to hold a consistent temperature for a couple of hours at most. Well, it does that of course, but this small appliance can help in the making of numerous other dishes as well. Points With a Crew and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. If veggies can be easily pierced with fork, discard any remaining water and set aside. A kettle also expands your cooking options, for instance, you can make things like couscous, oatmeal and steam some veggies by pouring hot water over them and covering the bowl (think broccoli). Grab a bagged salad and a baguette and you’ve got a square meal! Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Top with salt and pepper if available. You might consider an electric kettle for boiling water for instant oatmeal (or something more creative), although most U.S. hotels offer free breakfast (and some offer an early-evening “manager’s reception” or “social hour,” which can amount to a free dinner). INSIDE: Here’s the beginner’s guide to cooking in a hotel room. This can be tricky if you’re flying back and forth, but with a little bit of planning, you can still eat healthy in a hotel room. Now that you know how to get free hotel upgrades, the next step is to book that hotel room. and the tastes of your traveling companions (i.e., the little ones!) Coffee Maker A coffee maker is surprisingly versatile. Get the iron from the room and put it on top of the foil. In-Room Hotel Hacks. You can also cook in a hotel room using an Instant Pot. I’ve never cooked in my hotel room long-term, but I’ve never had a problem with management cracking down on it. Most of the enjoyment of staying at a hotel is to create a home away from home, and it all starts with the experience. A box of pancake/waffle mix that only requires you to add water means that you can whip up homemade waffles in no time. Here are some quick omelet ideas you can do in a microwave with an egg-safe cooker. sandwich) as ways to do some cooking in a hotel room. You don’t need to haul the huge one; a smaller one (2 or 3 quarts) will do just fine. Great ideas! Many rooms now come equipped with a microwave, and the food possibilities are reason enough to include that wonder appliance in your room criteria. Your needs will vary depending on your hotel room amenities (i.e., fridge/freezer, microwave, stovetop, etc.) Fill the reservoir with water. It’s healthier, less expensive and you can get exactly what you want- including seconds! Cooking with a hotel room coffeemaker or iron Many budget roadside motels are equipped with little more than a coffeemaker and an iron, so when I say “cook,” I really mean heat or rehydrate with hot water or dry heat from the iron. 10 Request A Higher Floor For More Peace And Quiet I can’t help but think that coffee from that machine will forever taste terrible. Here are four of the hotel room cooking recipes we used for our trip. One of the easiest hotel hacks to master, simply nail the curtains together by using the two clips on the trouser hanger. Using common items found in most hotel rooms, you can cook a surprising range of meals; read on for hacks that really work. I’ve seen some posts around the internet that caution against cooking and I would be afraid of hotel management cracking down so to speak. Still, if you’re doing long-term travel and wondering how to live in a hotel room, some of these hotel food ideas might be helpful. To trick out a closet space for baby, bring along a dark sheet from home and some thumb tacks and assemble a makeshift darkroom by hanging the sheet from the top of the closet. Chop up an assortment of your favorite veggies. The most crucial thing to bring for hotel room cooking is a rice cooker. Yes! Not to mention the countless other things you can make in a waffle iron as well. Top credit card offers (updated October 2020), Current IHG Point Breaks map and sortable table (Updated January 2020), Singapore Airlines Suites Class: Complete list of routes that fly it, List of cheap one way car rental discount codes. Instead of hitting the local sub shop, make your own. For the more adventurous room chef, bring along a pack of microwave steamer bags and steam fresh veggies, fish, or even chicken tenderloins right in your room. Wring out the towel first so it doesn’t form a puddle on the carpet. This includes picking up pre-cooked items such as roast chicken or salad from the grocery store. Ready to start cooking in a hotel room? If you want to cook in a hotel room, you’ll want to make sure it has certain amenities. For example how do you boil spaghetti noodles. Place chopped veggies in the basket and flip the switch. I have a small electric skillet that I take with me if I’m staying in a normal hotel room. Press that sandwich! Put that shower cap to real use making sure your room is … I can make grilled cheese sandwiches and heat soup in my car coffee pot. You might check these top rice cooker recipes on Amazon, or look at our four tasty recipes that we used for hotel room cooking! If the room doesn't already have one, ask management if they can supply one due to the unusual emergency situation. These hotel-room hacks will help you transform your sleeping space into a place to keep off extra weight, keep up with your inbox, or keep your kids safe and … These meals included pasta (macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti), served with vegetables and fresh fruit. In a pinch, I’ve heard good things about the ability to even use the hotel-provided coffee maker or iron (to “grill” a panini or. In that case, you’re likely to have all the services and amenities you need to cook in a hotel room, and you don’t need to bother with some of the esoteric things we’re talking about here. I stay at hotels that have a full kitchen frequently. Time Is Running Out on Southwest’s “Itty Bitty” Sale, Capital One Massively Increases the Value of Venture Miles. Your microwave is for far more than popping popcorn, or reheating last night’s dinner (although that is a great way to stretch your meal mileage). Flip the cheese+bread w/ foil to the other side after a few minutes. Keep reading to find out 10 amazing hotel hacks you need to know before your next trip. You might check these. With a little ingenuity and minimal effort, you can creatively figure out ways to prepare food that is tasty, nutritious and cost effective- right in your hotel room (and with minimal tools). Combat the dry air by setting up the luggage rack in front of the AC/heat vent and draping a wet towel over it. Sign up for our once-daily email with the latest tips and tricks on how to travel for free / cheap. Simple grilled cheese. You’re poaching salmon and steaming veggies at the same time. Disney World? That is usually dinner the first night. There is no one-size-fits-all vacation packing list. This British chef transformed his hotel room into a … Once you’ve got some good hotel room recipes, you’ll need to either bring your food with you or buy it at a local grocery store. You can even hard boil a few eggs in the coffee maker carafe, the possibilities are endless if you think outside the box. What’s the Post-COVID Future of Hotel Service. From ramen and oatmeal to quesadillas and eggs, let Jen show you how to cook food in your hotel room with just a coffee maker and an iron! recipes that you can make in a rice cooker that just need electricity. Here’s Carolyn making some homemade macaroni and cheese. After a quick trip to the grocery store, you’ll be able the cook a regular meal as you normally would in your hotel room. I also bring frozen home made spaghetti sauce if I’m driving. Room service is an awesome perk of staying in a hotel room… There are a variety of “normal” (even kid-friendly!) Some of the recipes we found for this type of cooking would benefit from a microwave, but a microwave is not necessary – consider it a bonus if you have one! The most crucial thing to bring for hotel room cooking is a, . Try foods like oatmeal, ramen noodles, instant rice, mac & cheese cups, and dry soup mixes. Hi! You can really get creative with this one small appliance. I’m just wondering what all you can make in a rice cooker besides rice. While it’s not for everyone (or every meal! It’s worth taking out that extra pair of shoes and putting a slow cooker in your suitcase. recipes that you can make in a rice cooker that just need electricity. Regardless of my days on the road for travel writing, seeing friends and oh yes racecations , I’ve found some easy hacks to stay on track with my clean eats and workouts. Hotel Cooking Hacks. I have a coffee pot that runs off my cigarette lighter or electricity. Dry air in hotel rooms is a common consequence of cranking the heat or blasting the air conditioner. Flip the chicken after about 10 minutes to make sure it gets cooked all the way through. When travellers book a hotel room, they can usually count on finding many of the conveniences of home, from clean bedding to tiny shampoos.But for routines that go beyond sleeping and grooming, a hotel room may fall short. Just make sure you wrap with enough foil that the cheese doesn’t leak out making a mess of the iron. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If salmon is more your cup of tea (or cup of coffee, in this case), season a salmon filet and put in the carafe. You’ll want to make sure your room has a mini fridge. Here’s a look at our hotel room cooking setup. Storage is even harder than cooking. Voila, instant vegetable and egg strata. It’s the original panini grill! If your hotel is equipped with a mini-fridge, you can easily store a carton of eggs, some diced meat and/or veggies to make your omelet with every morning! Oster 250-Watt Blender with Travel Sport Bottle - $19.00. Hotel Room Food Hack: making ramen noodle soup by getting hot water out of the coffee maker! ), but cooking in your hotel room is something you should at least try. Add your video baby monitor and voila! Crack an egg or 2 in the mug and add about 1.5 tbsp of milk and whisk. There are some great life hacks for cooking dinner on the road you can utilize as well to help reduce costs. 3 Best Courses to Play in Chagrin Falls, OH, 3 Impressive Courses to Try in Tamarac, FL, 4 Exciting Courses to Play in Jacksonville, NC, 9 Challenging Golf Courses to Try in GAYLORD, The Benefits of Volunteering while Traveling, 7 Adult Summer Camps You Need To Visit in the United States, 8 Things to Know Before Visiting the Middle East. Enjoy a quiet evening. In fact, I’ve been living in a hotel room for 2 weeks, which could explain the bizarre periods I used in the first sentence. Don’t know where to find them. If you’re staying in a “regular” hotel room, cooking will require you to bring a few supplies with you. [VIDEO] How long does my daughter scream when she finds out we’re going to Disney World? You can also cook in a hotel room using an Instant Pot. The more hotel hacks you know, the better your travel experience is going to be and luckily, many hacks are as easy as pie. I just pop it in the cooler and let the sauce container act as part of my ice. Add the chopped veggies and about a half piece of bread, torn into pieces and some grated cheese. I’ll kick off the series by showing you how to create your own portable kitchen, followed by weekly posts featuring quick and easy meals that you can create on the go, wrapping it all up with a fun giveaway that you won’t want to miss. In looking for food ideas for our trip I kept seeing ideas to cook soup or noodles and other foods in the hotel coffee pot. I could definitely see myself making pasta and veggies while in a hotel. Here are. With these hotel room hacks, you'll never look at an iron the same again, and you'll look forward to heading back to the hotel room for a relaxing bath. A rice cooker is fairly light and would be easy to pack. Omelets are actually quite easy to make using a mug and a microwave. Wrap the sandwich in foil and fire up that iron. No stove, no pans, no problem. Omelets. I’m hoping to have Carolyn write up a follow up post with some of the recipes we tried. What do you do? For breakfast, take one of the mugs that likely comes with your room. Once you’ve got some good hotel room recipes, you’ll need to either bring your food with you or buy it at a local grocery store. Besides the rice cooker or Instant Pot, here are some of the best supplies we found for cooking meals in a hotel room: We packed all of our supplies in a large plastic tub, which doubled as a sink to wash dishes! Cooking in hotel rooms violates most health codes and hotel regulations. I like this post as I really don’t like going to restaurants with kids. Microwave on high for a minute, or until eggs are set. Get those microwaveable tomato soup containers and there you go. Air freshener, candles, or just ignore it? With a rice cooker and a few basic supplies, you can cook up some pretty tasty recipes! I’m setting aside the more “extended stay” hotels, such as Homewood Suites or Residence Inn, which have full kitchens inside the guest rooms. Is This Capital One’s Best Transfer Partner? Cook veggies on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Here are some of our favorite ideas: You thought your coffee maker was for making coffee? When asked what exactly had … When getting to your hotel room, especially if it is late at night and you are starving, you might make a mad dash to the room service menu. Our first tip on genius hotel hacks to improve your stay, naturally, involves food! If you travel often, or are on a budget, takeout and room service quickly lose their appeal. 5. So, you can compare the benefits and check which option best fits your travel style. Travel Blender . You can also cook for your coworkers and they can eat healthy too! These meals included pasta (macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti), served with vegetables and fresh fruit. Yeah, but when can we go SWIMMING! One of my favorite meals is spaghetti with canned spicy diced tomatoes and a tossed salad. It’s a kinda cute idea – but YUCK. In a pinch, I’ve heard good things about the ability to even use the hotel-provided coffee maker or iron (to “grill” a panini or grilled cheese sandwich) as ways to do some cooking in a hotel room. Brush the other half with salsa, fold the tortilla over, seal  it and microwave on a paper towel or microwave safe plate for about 30 seconds, or until cheese is melted. Cheese+Bread w/ foil on top. How does this meal look (spaghetti, shredded cheese and vegetables)? You can throwback to student days and prepare ramen noodles or rice, simply by placing them in the carafe and filling the reservoir with water. In 2017, we took a family trip to Disney World (see: ) for a few days, and one of the things we did to help cut down on costs was a little hotel cooking. You can also cook in a hotel room using an Instant Pot. Put cooked meatballs in the slow cooker and cover generously with BBQ sauce and put on high. Make use of that microwave again, by melting about a tbsp of butter. Another option is to throw in a small picnic ham, cover with maple syrup and hit high to heat through. You can make oatmeal, simply by putting packets of oatmeal in the coffee pot, filling the reservoir with water, and flipping the switch. You might consider an, for boiling water for instant oatmeal (or something more creative), although most U.S. hotels offer free breakfast (and some offer an early-evening “manager’s reception” or “social hour,” which can amount to a, Knife (again, this is tricky if you’re flying), Measuring spoons or cups, depending on the recipe you use, Utensils, including larger utensils, such as large mixing spoons, to help you make your recipe, Dish soap / sponge / scrubber (to clean up after yourself! Points With a Crew has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The most crucial thing to bring for hotel room cooking is a rice cooker. For breakfast, take one of the mugs that likely comes with your room. Sandwiches also wrap up well to take with you on your day out. Learn how your comment data is processed. 4. You can even poach boneless chicken breasts by putting the chicken, seasoning and butter in the coffee pot. Crack an egg or 2 in the mug and add about 1.5 tbsp of milk and whisk. “We’re going to Disney… but I don’t know because I can’t read!”. I hope this beginner’s guide to cooking in a hotel room has helped you out. This carrot-chopping ‘hack’ is shockingly popular. Here’s Carolyn making some homemade macaroni and cheese. Cold cereal, sandwiches, salads, and such meals will be easy if you have a way to keep things cold. Finding good hotel room recipes for a rice cooker is not too difficult, but you will want to plan ahead.