Hotel Room Food Preparation Ideas.

[KindeBabe's Kupid Kiss]

I use a Ninja for my smoothies, the device is small enough for travel. I saw some Asian folks checking into the hotel with a small rice cooker and a large Costo box of noodles in a bowl.

Travelers ...What ways do you prepare food in your hotel room?

[fuzzylumpkins]

Boyfriend and I go to several conventions (fantasy, science fiction, writing and camping/RV) a year and have nearly perfected in hotel room cooking.

Only a few things need to be taken with you, the rest is provided by the hotel:
6 Cup Rice Cooker
Utensils (A bowl, small knife)
Can Opener

You can easily cook tons of things in a 6 cup rice cooker. It's small and makes a lot of food. We've made sauces and pastas in this sucker. It's perfect. I'm working on a lasagna and a stroganoff recipe for the rice cooker.

The Hotel Coffee Maker is a valuable tool; we've made teas, heated broths, reconstituted dried vegetables and the ever popular; Ramen Noodles.

Some Hotels have Microwaves and Mini Fridges either already in the room, available for request or for a nightly fee (usually no more than $10 a night, no less than $5).

Lots of recipes like Baked Ziti and Lasagna can be made without cooking the pasta, allowed to rest in the fridge for the day and cooked (heated) in the microwaves.

[KindeBabe's Kupid Kiss]

the can opener I had was a FaberWare and didn't last after ten openings I got a Kitchenaid and I'll see how that works.
I've been putting the coffee maker in the closet but now I'll reconsider it;s uses.

[fuzzylumpkins]

The best can opener I've found is a smooth edge can opener (no blade to cut you or your luggage!). The one I bought is OXO brand and found it for a steal at WalMart forever ago (I think it was $5, now it's $20). I think I've had it for 5 years.

[KindeBabe's Kupid Kiss]

Got the OXO can opener and it seems to work well.
Got a 4.5 cup rice cooker[6 c. not available] and made some great hard boiled eggs.

[grits]

Bring or buy there, a microwavable bowl.  You can cook vegetables in them.  I usually cook broccoli in mine.
BTW, you really need to make sure you get a room where cooking is allowed.  I've seen hotel rooms that have warning signs.  Cooking is banned in the room by order of the fire marshall.  You will be put out of the hotel, and your money will not be refunded.

[Ombud]

For me, its usually not worth it for lunch / dinner. I do pack breakfast bars (which is what I grab running out the door every morning) to go with coffee. But I'll get that at the local Starbucks or Peets if the hotel doesn't supply cream. And I'll bring leftovers back if they can he eaten cold

[Deleted]

DF is mostly munching sandwiches and salads in Saudi Arabia.  They gave him a little fridge in the hotel/apartment, so he just goes to the store for cheese slices, meat, veggies, olives etc. and bread, and assembles a sandwich when he doesn't want to eat heavier restaurant fare.  Bananas and other fruit get snagged too.  His room comes with a hotplate, but he's not keen on cooking in the room.

When I'm totally on the go (once took a 3 day greyhound bus journey) I just take apples or oranges and a jar of peanut butter.  Canned chili is good in many situations too, or tortillas and whatever works (refried beans, bagged spinach, whatever) put inside.

[Deleted]

 30 years ago (OMG, it's thirty years! Wow!), I stayed in a suite at the Halekulani in Waikiki for 5 days. On the first day, we ordered a pot of coffee from room service, with 4 cups and saucers. It cost more than thirty dollars, plus tip. (The milk and sugar were "complementary")
 Later that same day, we toured a shopping mall nearby... and I bought a mid-size percolator ("Mirro") from a dept store and some freshly roasted and ground Kona beans from a vendor. The percolator cost less than $30, and since we used the percolator six or seven times while we were there, I saved almost two hundred dollars just on that trip alone.
 It's lightweight, and I put sugar and ground coffee in ziplock bags which i pack inside the unit when travelling 
 28 years later, we still use the percolator when we're on a trip. It still works fine, it has not ever been a problem with any hotelier or innkeeper.
 Oftentimes we will buy souvenir coffee mugs at our destinations to use there and bring home.

 Aside from that, I have never "cooked" anything in a hotel room unless there was a kitchenette.

[NoNamePerson]

Aside from that, I have never "cooked" anything in a hotel room

There is nothing I love better than a really good hot cooked breakfast served up to me at a dining room table  But I admit to always planning/allowing as much money for food as I do for hotel room when I travel. Also not a coffee drinker so I guess if I had to have that cup first thing I might carry coffee - nah probably not - would just get up and go get a cup!!!

[Ombud]

I cannot drink or eat anything until I've been up for an hour so that makes it easier

[Deleted]

Nearly 15 years ago I had to spend 2 weeks in a regular hotel room for a training session at the hotel. We were on government per diem so I did need to be careful about how much money I spent and expensed. I got quite creative with the coffee pot since it's really nothing more than a hot plate.

[Ombud]

Now friend says he's bringing food.  So I guess I'll bring bars for lunch - they provide breakfast