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DEL.ICIO.USHave You Ever Cooked on Your Car Engine?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OUT OF THE FIRE AND INTO THE ENGINE: get out of that kitchen and rattle some pots and pans
Photo: DaimlerChrysler
I’m certain that at some point in his many years of single life, my husband cooked on his Jeep’s engine (he’s never admitted to it, but then, I don’t think I’ve ever asked him outright). I just recall a conversation about the possibilities of cooking on a car engine that leads me to believe it might be so…
If true, and even if not, he’s not alone — a cookbook, “Manifold Destiny” (Simon & Schuster, November18, 2008, $14). It’s actually not a new cookbook, but a re-issue from the authors, Chris Maynard and Bill Scheller ( the original published in 1989, from a People magazine feature). The recipes — goodies like ‘rest-stop grade F meat patty” and “hot dog surprise” — have been updated and revised, and tips such as “never put anything where it will interfere with the free movement of the accelerator linkage” are sure to entice even the most reticent of road trippers.
I’m ready to try “thruway thighs” on my next trip. Have you ever cooked on your car’s engine?
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By Mick
October 29, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
We tried this on a trip to Chattanooga over the summer. Jullianne Poatatoes in Rosmary and tofu with garlic sause. Corn on the Cobb and apples and cinamon. It turned out fantastic. You just had to use some common sense to make sure the food was wrapped properly in tin foil and wouldn’t brush up against any moving parts of the car.
By Mick
October 29, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
We tried this on a trip to Chattanooga over the summer. Jullianne Poatatoes in Rosmary and tofu with garlic sause. Corn on the Cobb and apples and cinamon. It turned out fantastic. You just had to use some common sense to make sure the food was wrapped properly in tin foil and wouldn’t brush up against any moving parts of the car.
By huh
October 29, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
How stupid is this? I can buy a mr. cooker cheaper than running the gas in my truck to cook out. Guess there’s idiots everywhere like mick though.
By U.S.Marine
October 29, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Back in the early 60’s we ate a lot of C Rations (canned) and the traet was to punch a vent hole in the can , lay the can on the exhaust manifold and have a warm meal. When we were extramely lucky the can would be beans ‘n franks but more likely would be butter beans and mega methane later.
By U.S.Marine
October 29, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Better start using spell-check again:
TREAT…..EXTREMELY…. Sorry about that.
By Becky
October 29, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
duh, you do the cooking while you are taking a tirp somewhere..DUH…
By Bill Scheller
October 29, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
I’m one of the authors of Manifold Destiny, and I have to point out that “rest-stop grade-F meat patty” is NOT one of our recipes. It was one of the things we said you could AVOID by cooking on your car engine rather than eating at rest stops.
By Mike D
October 29, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
When I was in high school we strapped an aluminum foil bag full of cow sh1t to one of our buddies truck muffler. That truck was the most awful smelling thing around for the next day or so.
By Chad
October 29, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
I was initially very skeptical, but I’ve done this many times with my Jeep and have never lost a meal. Mainly cooked burritos or hot pockets, though most anything could be cooked this way. Be sure to use plenty of foil and like they say, avoid moving parts.
By Gator Actual
October 29, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
More than once did I take a trip from Atlanta to Jacksonville and I would wrap up hamburger, potatoes and onions in tin foil and sit it on my intake manifold (it gets hot too!). 4 hours into the trip I would pull over and take it off and dump it into a bowl and have a wonderful dinner! Cost? About 3 bucks. Cost to eat at Mickey D’s on the way? About 7 bucks!
By Trina
October 29, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Back in the day I had a friend who would dry out his homegrown pot under the hood of his transam.
By Robert
October 30, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
I have wrapped potatoes, both Irish and sweet, in foil and ties with baling wire to the manifold to bake on a trip.
By Like A Rock
October 30, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
I’ve never cooked on the car engine but I did make love on the hood once……..
By lou
October 30, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
I cook many a C ration in Vietnam on the manifild of a army jeep.
By rev. bbq
October 30, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
I have picture of my grandfather cooking in a skillet on the top of the boiler on his Stanley Steamer while out on a trip with the AACA, and many of meals cooked on the manifold of a Model A Ford.