Dorm Room Essentials: Preparing Meals in Your College Dorm Room

Many college students find it hard to eat anything but fast food when they live in a dorm room. It doesn't have to be that way. There are several ways college students can cook great meals while still living in a dorm room. The following appliances are essential if you want to eat tasty meals while still living in a dorm room.

Dorm Room Essentials #1: Hot Plate

If your college allows you to have a hot plate in your dorm room, then by all means get one. With a hot plate you can make everything from mashed potatoes to homemade soup. A hot plate is the same as cooking on a stove top. The only thing you need to remember is to be careful. Place a hot plate in a part of your dorm room that is clutter free. Any paper or clothing that comes in contact with a hot plate can cause a major fire. Also remember to turn the hot plate off as soon as your get done using it. Last, but not least, place your hot plate in a spot where the cord will not be snagged. If your hot plate is pulled off your table, by someone walking by, it could cause a large fire.

Dorm Room Essentials #2: Microwave

While a microwave doesn't produce the best results, a microwave is still essential to a dorm room. In a microwave you can make everything from popcorn to bacon. You can even buy products that will allow food to become crispy when cooked in a microwave. This means that last night's pizza can be crispy again, rather than soggy. If you live in a dorm room, buy the biggest microwave you can. Having a large microwave will allow you to sit other appliances on top to save space.

Dorm Room Essentials #3: Toaster Oven

Many people don't consider toaster ovens when they live in a dorm room, but a toaster oven is the same as an oven, only smaller. A toaster oven can be used for everything from cookies to casseroles. You can also find large toaster ovens that will hold regular sized pans. If you have to choose a smaller toaster oven, for your dorm room, you can also find pans that are made for toaster ovens.

Dorm Room Essentials #4: Slow Cooker

A slow cooker will allow you to make homemade meals while you're in class. You can add roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions for a nice pot roast dinner. This is a great appliance for a dorm room because most college students are too busy to even heat something up in the microwave. Just remember to place a slow cooker in a safe spot. This may also be an appliance that you will want to purchase the biggest one possible, so that you can create one large meal that can be made into different meals throughout the week. Don't forget that you can even buy slow cooker liners for easy cleanup.

Dorm Room Essentials #5: Small Fridge

If you're going to be cooking in a dorm room, you must have a small fridge in your dorm room. Having a fridge will allow you to keep leftovers and it also allows you to purchase ingredients for a week's worth of meals. The best thing to do is to find a fridge that doesn't have a freezer. A freezer will only take up valuable space.