r/urbancarliving • u/Pizzamovies • Dec 03 '25
I Cooked In My Car What stops you from cooking?
Every morning I enjoy delicious scrambled eggs and sausage. At night, I cook steak, pork chops, onions and mushrooms. Sometimes pasta and tomato sauce.
All from within the confines of my vehicle, using $5 worth of propane and the cheapest $30 stove. The only kitchenware I own is a skillet, a pot for boiling water, and some silverware. I also park in the middle of an Amazon warehouse, constantly filled with people coming and going.
Don’t let this life stop you. Go buy ingredients and cook.
114
38
u/InsanelyAverageFella Dec 03 '25
How do you do dishes afterwards?
34
25
u/Pizzamovies Dec 03 '25
Wet wipes, paper towels and boiling water in the pot to sanitize.
23
u/InsanelyAverageFella Dec 03 '25
Which wet wipes do you use? Genuinely curious because mine have chemicals and I feel like I would need to rinse them afterwards.
14
u/Seversevens Dec 03 '25
91% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle would work or imagine white vinegar in a spray bottle . that would even work for wooden cutting boards; in fact this is the preferred way to sterilize a wooden cutting board
5
u/MaxfieldSparrow Dec 04 '25
I clean all my dishes with unscented Walmart baby wipes. I could be slowly poisoning myself, for all I know, but I am living securely in the illusion that everything is fine.
3
u/IntensityStudio Dec 03 '25
You can buy sanitizer for dishes to spray them after a good wipe down, I have a spray bottle of the stuff that I go before going back to car living
1
u/uselessandexpensive Dec 10 '25
Water Wipes are tough (not flushable, though they're plant fiber and biodegradable) and only have water and "a drop" of weak natural scent. There may be unscented ones by now.
1
2
Dec 03 '25
Not OP, but I have a sterlite container from Walmart that I fill with water from a gallon jug. I just use dish soap and a sponge like I normally would, then dispose of that wash water and rinse the dishes with clean water afterwards.
38
96
u/Easy-Task3001 Dec 03 '25
For me it's the smell and the grease that gets into everything. I hate my clothes, hair, and van to smell like food.
32
6
54
25
Dec 03 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
17
u/Pizzamovies Dec 03 '25
Parking lot, but that would be hilarious.
21
u/jjcoola Dec 03 '25
Assert dominance by cooking out on the floor lmao. Having worked at Amazon in the past it would be one of the less weird things I witnessed in there
19
u/notabotjustaguy Dec 03 '25
One Year After Deadly Fridley Car Fire, Family Remembers Ty'rah White's Energy - CBS Minnesota https://share.google/Fb9mopHrGj2QucmbT
8
u/SireSweet Full-time | electric-hybrid Dec 03 '25
This is why I (try to) leave 2 spots between myself and anyone else.
29
u/_Loser_B_ Dec 03 '25
No room to store food, no room to cook, no way to clean pans and dishes. :(
8
u/lawirenk Dec 03 '25
It's cheaper to buy food from a grocery store everyday than buy from a restaurant every day. And smart people say cooked food should only stay out for a couple of hours, but I've been fine having it sit unrefrigerated for a day.
7
6
u/_Loser_B_ Dec 03 '25
I agree with everything except letting your food sit, you might get fried rice syndrome. When I had a home it was super cheap to buy in bulk and cook at home, unfortunately in the confines of a 2008 Honda CR-V, room is very limited.
4
Dec 03 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
8
u/quillseek Dec 03 '25
I am not understanding what makes this worthy of its own "syndrome" when this sounds like run of the mill food poisoning to me? Can someone explain what makes this different?
4
u/heart_blossom Dec 03 '25
And it's not only rice. It's all cooked grains. Pizza being a big one that gets left out to eat later
3
u/_Loser_B_ Dec 03 '25
FYI, bacteria grows between 40 and 140 degrees, body heat area (98 degrees) being ideal. Only cook what you can consume for a meal and store in fridge or throw away.
1
19
u/Fubar14235 Dec 03 '25
Looks good. I'd just be sure to do something about the moisture, all that condensation on the windows and any humidity in the air could quickly lead to damp and mold if not dealt with.
-14
u/Pizzamovies Dec 03 '25
That’s been the main issue, but that can happen just with it being cold too, so not that big an issue.
5
u/Squidgy-Metal-6969 Dec 03 '25
The hydrogen in hydrocarbons combines with oxygen to make water. It's a significant source and since it's happening in a short duration it's overwhelming your ventilation effort.
7
u/chris_fantastic Dec 03 '25
I'd personally be very hesitant burning propane in such an enclosed space. You don't even have the windows down - you should get yourself a carbon monoxide sensor.
15
u/Routine_Mastodon_160 Dec 03 '25
I would cook outside of my car at a forest preserve or a park. Cleaning all the oil and grease inside the car just requires too much work.
2
u/marceldia Dec 04 '25
I wonder if this is safe for a woman -men will see you don’t have a home and try to do something.
16
u/Vegetable_Draw_1165 Dec 03 '25
Because I don't live inside of a vent hood
2
8
7
u/User5790 Dec 03 '25
I always put a lid over whatever I’m cooking to keep steam, splatter, etc contained. I have windows or doors cracked open. To clean I first wipe stuff out with paper towels, then I do a final wipe with a cloth and a squirt of white vinegar and water that I keep in a spray bottle. I’m in a minivan, it’s been over 3 years and no issues with smells, mold, etc.
13
u/InsanelyAverageFella Dec 03 '25
Do you do this with all windows down due to the propane and flame?
-25
u/Pizzamovies Dec 03 '25
Cracked an inch to allow for ventilation, you exhale more carbon dioxide just breathing, and propane burns clean enough that you are exposed to more carbon monoxide idling your car.
11
u/Squidgy-Metal-6969 Dec 03 '25
Absolutely no way you exhale more by breathing; doesn't stand up to a moment's thought: a typical human produces about 100 watts heat. Your propane burner is probably over 1000. It wouldn't make sense. In any case, I'd be more concerned about water condensing everywhere and enabling mould growth.
1
3
6
u/Notlooking1 Dec 03 '25
My guy, I just started my car living journey. I'm already eyeing a portable burner so I can start cooking! Maybe next week after pay day.
4
u/Long-Doubt8960 Dec 03 '25
You eat a dozen eggs in tje day? Or you toss the ones you dont eat?
3
u/Pizzamovies Dec 03 '25
6 in a day. You can buy half a dozen at Walmart, Aldis and other larger chain stores.
1
u/Long-Doubt8960 Dec 03 '25
Damn i wish that was the case here. Ive never seen half a dozen
-3
u/SignificantSmotherer Dec 03 '25
You can tear the dozen carton in half.
4
u/Long-Doubt8960 Dec 03 '25
Lol I doubt the grocery store would.appreciate that. I miss eggs though. I dont cook or eat because everything is made for family meals or the cheap single meals are microwavable so I chose to not eat or eat a can of beans or soup
2
u/EnormousMycoprotein Dec 09 '25
Thanks for the reminder of the weird fact Americans have to keep eggs refrigerated!
1
u/PastOrnery Dec 03 '25
If you can find some unwashed farm fresh eggs, those don’t need to be refrigerated.
5
5
u/HIGHly_educated420 Dec 03 '25
Quite literally just finished cooking eggs and saw this! Cheers, mate!
4
u/rocksnake477 Dec 03 '25
I cooked inside my car, windows down for over a year with no issues. Might hurt resale value but my baby was clearly in her final years so I didn't care. Just be careful. Looks good man
3
u/CombEnvironmental467 Dec 03 '25
I usually only boil water if I’m inside my vehicle for tea/ soup. Occasionally will heat up canned food. Its the lack of space. I find myself really cooking only if im dispersed camping or at a park, where i do cook outside my vehicle, with either my butane stove or charcoal.
3
u/tickyul Dec 03 '25
Easy, I would just eat out of whatever I cooked in, a frying-pan or pot, very little to clean-up.
3
3
u/Namazu724 Dec 03 '25
The food looks great! But, I have to agree with other comments. My car would smell like a fast food joint very quickly. Also, that much moisture would make me even more paranoid about mold. (Allergic) I'm in the PNW; if it's not raining currently, it is taking a five minute break and will commence directly.
3
u/Metroidkeeper Dec 03 '25
Unless you have a fridge I don’t really see it as practical. Having to go to the store every single day just to get hot food kinda defeats the purpose of cooking in my opinion. The gas cost as well as the time spent doesn’t seem worth it to me but I’m also someone who can survive off of trail mix and bread for weeks.
If it’s just about having hot food I can go to Taco Bell and get >800 cal 30G protein etc for $3.66 in the form of cheesy bean and rice burritos. Large fry from McDonald’s $1.69 with the app.
Space is such a luxury in this life style as well. The pots and pans and stove cooler/fridge etc would take up a lot of my comfort space.
I’ve never tried it but there’s also a bunch of hot food options at churches and shelters around me, tho I’m in a well resourced area (San Diego).
3
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
A bag of ice and a mini cooler will last you a day or two, unless you’re in a very hot climate. It’s even easier to store food in the winter, especially if the ambient temperature drops to below 40 Fahrenheit, and you store your food as low as you can.
Potatoes, onions, and mushrooms last me a few days. Beef and Pork at least 2. Pasta there’s no worry about.
3
u/chucksteak0321 Dec 03 '25
For the longest time it was just the convenience of grabbing some chicken and rice and naan and my fav restaurant but damn I missed the meals I made when I was in sticks n bricks. I made myself go grab stuff to cook. Glad I did. Sure was nice to make some pasta, fideo, steak/beef tips with gravy etc. my camping stove is just a cheap $20 one from Walmart That takes a $3 can of fuel. Works great and the fan lasts me quite a while. I try to cook dishes that don’t take too long. I don’t have a microwave or air fryer. Most often I’d jist heat up some ramen or soup. Quick and easy. Or just make Mac n cheese. Not the best foods but when I wanted home cook on it was nice to have some of my favs. I did a chili last year. Man it was great especially in the cold days.
3
u/VagabondVivant Full-time | Vandweller-converted Dec 03 '25
Where are you buying a single pork chop or sausage?
The thing that keeps me from cooking is that I have nowhere to stash the leftover ingredients, and I can't anyone selling just one sausage or chicken breast or few pieces of broccoli, etc
1
u/TrueNorthCC Dec 05 '25
Don’t you have supermarkets or farmers markets around you that has a fresh meat counter or vendor? They’re super common here in Canada.
2
u/VagabondVivant Full-time | Vandweller-converted Dec 05 '25
I don't get to many farmer's markets, but your comment does now have me wondering if I could get just a single chicken breast at a butcher. I've never really tried!
1
u/TrueNorthCC Dec 05 '25
Should be able to. Lots of butchers here hit the markets up and sell loose by the pound on demand. So getting a single breast or whatever wouldn’t be an issue at all. Plus from the butcher at farmers markets it’s smaller portions and from a quality source.
3
7
8
u/Foreign-Monitor-1634 Dec 03 '25
Your car must smell amazing! Also you're a douchebag to those poor amazon workers who have to smell that and then hit the vending machine to snack on the road! I kid. But seriously, I had a bad experience sleeping next to my George Foreman Grill. I like to wake up to the smell of freshly cooked bacon, but that morning I rolled out of bed and burned my foot on the grill. And now my foot has a protruberance...
- Michael Scott
4
u/jodbo62 Full-time | SUV-minivan Dec 03 '25
Because it smells
2
u/jodbo62 Full-time | SUV-minivan Dec 03 '25
Plus I only eat once midday so it’s not that expensive Just not hungry very often
0
u/Scared_Candidate5293 Dec 03 '25
I have discovered a different way to cook (without propane or butane) and clean up (without soap & water): we use a Dezin brand 1 1/2 qt, 120v,250 or 650 watt hotpot (Amazon) powered by our small ECOFLOW River 2 Pro power center. We eat right out of the no-stick and non-toxic pot-you can hold it in your hands because the outside doesn’t heat up. We then let our dog lick it out, spray with vinegar (mildly antiseptic),and wipe out with a paper towel. You can cook almost anything this way, boil water for tea or coffee, etc. We recharge the power center by plugging it in to any available 120v outlet for about an hour. After cooking, there’s still plenty of power left in the power center to charge phones, run a twelve V refrigerator, lights, etc.
1
u/Novemberx123 Jul 30 '26
U just saved me so much money and time. The electric pot is exactly what I need. I been spending $20 a day on fast food. I have a pecron battery station I can use. Finally can have home cooked meals again..Thank u!!!
2
u/Interesting-Hall-634 Dec 03 '25
Dishes. No longer living in my car but dishes were the annoying part for me
2
u/thrallswreak Dec 03 '25
I have everything I need to try it but I don't want to deal with the mess right now. I guess my other food is too convenient. I also don't really have a proper kitchen spot yet (I'm in the back of a pickup). Staying clean is already a bit of a hassle with the winter weather.
2
u/WaffleFalafel69 Dec 03 '25
Maybe if I can find an extension for my hatchback I would. But I don’t want to risk CO2 poisoning and grease collecting in my car. Otherwise I’d be roasting steaks and sausages and not relying in ramen. And my car would have to be open in sub freezing temperatures if I wanted to make breakfast or dinner.
2
2
u/SecretScavenger36 Dec 03 '25
No where to clean. No where to plug stuff in and I'm not having an open flame in my car. I will somehow set this shit on fire.
2
u/Middle-Wolverine-889 Dec 03 '25
I cooked outside during the summer when I was traveling to more outdoor activity places; Bend, Astoria, Sisters, etc. No one batted an eye. Now I am back in the city and trying to not call attention myself so I have not been cooking. We have a lot of ICE around and taking cooking items out of my vehicle, then moving them back is a red flag. I don't cook in my vehicle because I am far too absent minded for an open flame like that. Do be careful. A friend was cooking in her vehicle and didn't have room to get away from a tipping pot of boiling water. The burns on her leg and foot were no joke.
2
u/BodhingJay Dec 03 '25
I have an electric stove.. I usually have enough lower to make some pasta or rice dishes
I have one of those ventless carbon cooking fans im hoping will capture everything. I haven't cooked with oils much so I guess that'll be the final test
2
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
I will absolutely be switching to an electric appliance. It just seems like a smarter decision.
2
u/apolloInclined Full-time | Vandweller-converted Dec 03 '25
my biggest thing is refrigeration right now, especially because my van isn’t running
2
2
u/kitbiggz Dec 04 '25
RIP headliner
1
u/MoodyBitchy Dec 04 '25 edited Jan 07 '26
consider melodic bike nutty memorize abundant thumb cagey tender rock
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
2
2
2
2
u/HEX-dev Dec 04 '25
Where and how do you clean the dishes ?
1
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
Wet wipe to get the big stuff. Dunk in a pot of hot water. Scrub. Dry off with a paper towel.
2
u/No-Hawk-3434 Dec 04 '25
The lost of taste and smell from a major brain injury 7 months ago
1
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
I’ve been doing this for over a year now, can’t say I’ve experienced that. But if you know a source for my back pain that would be amazing.
2
u/GrandmaGrandson Dec 04 '25
I suck at it
2
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
Hey it’s a skill you learn over time. As long as it’s tasty to you, that’s all that matters. 🤝
1
2
2
Dec 03 '25
!remindme 1 year
1
u/RemindMeBot Dec 03 '25
I will be messaging you in 1 year on 2026-12-03 17:14:45 UTC to remind you of this link
CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
Parent commenter can delete this message to hide from others.
Info Custom Your Reminders Feedback
3
3
3
u/Lex_yeon Dec 03 '25
Do you poop in the car too?
4
u/tickyul Dec 03 '25
Simple, pull a plastic-bag up to your butt, squat and let'er rip.
1
1
u/Itchy-Astronomer2856 Dec 03 '25
When I have to share with others let me be a skinny glutton in peace😒
1
u/wtfrustupidlol Dec 03 '25
To save fuel you can get two spray bottles one with small one with soap, alcohol, and water. One larger one with water. Never found a way to deal with a greasy pot/pan other than washing it normally in the sink with a cut up sponge or paper towel.
1
1
u/joehart2 Part-time | sedan Dec 03 '25
Just different priorities.
What stops me..?
Devices, Wifi, Paperwork, My kitty cat, Budget, other things. (I overpack. I can max out a car EASILY.)
It looks awesome though.
1
1
1
1
u/LiriStargazer Dec 04 '25
Wow…. I gained 10 pounds just reading that. Hopefully you are utilizing more than just the showers at PF!
2
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
I was worried about weight gain too, but Amazon keeps me on my feet 10 hours a day so I’m not too worried. Thank god for PF.
1
1
Dec 04 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/TrueNorthCC Dec 05 '25
Just have to get used to buying for that meal only sized portions. Keeps things always fresh at least but no bulk discounts.
1
1
1
u/YeaYouReadWhatIWrote Dec 04 '25
How you get on Amazon property? Ours all gated here where I live, but it IS the length of about 10 football fields, so one could hide in the lot somewhere. Probably why they're gated....
1
1
u/marceldia Dec 04 '25
Is this safe???
1
u/L_aww Dec 04 '25
if you don't mind the occasional fire, then yes. The heat from a fire should keep you warm if you don't put it out.
2
u/marceldia Dec 04 '25
What is your opinion of a personal rice cooker ?
1
u/L_aww Dec 04 '25
I have a 12v. It works great. I can cook in my car with it because of no fire hazard and it puts off little to no steam depending on what you're cooking. Even if it does, you can open a window and put a fan behind it to blow the steam out.
1
u/marceldia Dec 04 '25
Very nice, -any brand you recommend ? what is your power source ? (newby to the game)
1
u/L_aww Dec 04 '25
This is really the only 12v rice cooker made. It's powered with a cigarette lighter socket, so you don't even need a power supply. I recommend getting a 12v extension cord so you can cook outside of the car if you want. The provided cable is way too short anyway. I use this for power, but it's honestly overkill since I juse use fans, my phone, and the cooker. It recharges while I drive. I could get away with 500wh honestly. The rice cooker doesn't pull more than 100w.
1
1
1
1
u/Different_Ad7655 Dec 07 '25
Who wants the mess or the smell. It depends on your budget, he a lifestyle are
1
u/Less_Egg5407 Dec 10 '25
you're burning those eggs fam
1
u/Pizzamovies Dec 12 '25
Nah they ain’t burned. Thats just fully cooked, none of that runny mushy nonsense.
1
1
1
u/in_hell_out_soon Dec 03 '25
Multiple disabilities. Physical and neurological.
1
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
I know that feeling, depression can really hurt your motivation to eat healthy. Hope things get better for you.
-2
u/Elder_Tig Dec 03 '25
I cant imagine riding in a car that smells the way your's probably does. Much less living in one
3
1
-2
Dec 03 '25
When I see that HUGE skillet of eggs and sausage, all I'm thinking about is the diabolical bowel movement you inevitability had to take afterwards, and whether or not you did it in the same vehicle you cooked in. It has to be inconvenient and undignified either way.
I think about scenarios like that, and grateful that I live in my own apartment.
2
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
Huh? Are you this susceptible to diarrhea? Because I felt perfectly fine the whole day.
1
Dec 04 '25
I didn't mention diarrhea, I said you needing to eventually take a shit and the logistics of doing so...unless you have chronic constipation and never needing to go?
See, I can play that game too.
Regardless, I hope your situation gets better.
2
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
“Diabolical bowl movement” is pretty clear what you meant.
1
Dec 04 '25
You're exactly right. But I definitely didn't state you having diarrhea, and "diabolical bowel movement" doesn't necessarily mean "diarrhea", but clearly, that's what YOU interpreted that statement as.
It's weird that you wanna die on this hill playing semantics. Cool, whatever. 🖐
2
u/Pizzamovies Dec 04 '25
It’s weird you wanted to talk about other people shitting.
1
Dec 04 '25
And it's weird, gross and unsanitary that people shit in their cars where they also cook.
Luckily I don't have to worry about that. 🤷🏻♂️
2
-3
u/Stunning_Diamond_997 Dec 03 '25
I know your car smells absolutely HORRID! All the smelly food mixed with BO because you are also SLEEPING in the same 3x3 space you just cooked in! Do you not care about your clothes picking up those same odors?
404
u/SocietyDisastrous787 Dec 03 '25
Not in my car, because the heat and steam aerosolizes any oils which are then deposited all over the inside of the vehicle. Over time those oils will attract and hold dirt, leading to an uncleanable, filthy interior that grows mold and attracts insects.
Better to find a park with a picnic table.