GillyBee wrote: ↑Fri May 02, 2025 6:18 pmResearch haybox or Thermal cooking.
I know they've been discussed before, but I'll add my experiences. I messed about with hay boxes years ago, but never really got on with them despite the fact you can knock one up practically nothing with scrap plywood and all manner of insulating materials. But a traditional haybox takes up a lot of room, and any loose insulation often gets contaminated or attracts insects.
I ended up buying a 3L vacuum insulated 'thermal cooker' (what a stupid name, try cooking without heat!) after a lot of deliberation, the last thing I want is gadgets which turn out to be a waste of space in hindsight. But it is brilliant, compact, easy to clean, and ideal for taking on car journeys or to a workplace for a hot meal hours later. I use it at least weekly through the warmer part of year and most days in the colder part of the year.
I then splashed out on a 5L version which I used every 3 weeks or so to make a 5kg batch of Greek yogurt. It also gets used for big batches and making/stock/broth for soups.
Those two, plus a couple of pressure cookers, and that's all stovetop bases covered....