Hot Pot Cooking In An Rv: Worth The Hype?

Hot pots are a great way to cook food and are especially useful for those who enjoy communal dining. They are commonly found in East and Southeast Asian cooking and involve a vessel of broth into which meats, seafood, vegetables and starches are added.

Hot pots are not often mentioned in relation to RVs, but they can be a great addition to your RV setup. They are a good alternative to crock pots and can be used for soups and deep frying. They are also usually lighter than crock pots, which is a bonus for RVs where weight and space are at a premium.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a hot pot for your RV. Firstly, you'll want to think about the power source. Butane burners are cordless and simple to use, but you'll need to buy and dispose of butane canisters. Induction burners are more efficient and safer, but they require magnetic pots and access to an electrical outlet.

You should also consider the size and type of pot you need. A pot that is too deep might make it hard to retrieve food, so a wide, relatively shallow pot is best. You might also want to get a pot with a divider so you can have two different broths at once.

Finally, make sure you have the right utensils for hot pot cooking, such as chopsticks, ladles, and strainers.

Overall, a hot pot can be a great addition to your RV kitchen, providing a fun and social way to cook and dine.

Hot pot vs. crock pot

A hot pot and a crock pot are both types of slow cookers that can be used to make soups, stews, and chillies. However, there are some key differences between the two appliances.

A crock pot is a countertop slow cooker that is generally larger than a regular slow cooker. It has a removable cooking pot and a lid with a locking mechanism to prevent splashing. Crock pots can be electric and usually have a low and high setting. They are ideal for making less soupy dishes like hummus and casseroles on the high setting, and soups on the low setting.

A hot pot, on the other hand, is a larger version of a slow cooker that can be used on a stovetop or at the table. It has a metal cooking pot and does not have a lid with a locking mechanism. Hot pots are usually gas-operated and are perfect for making large quantities of soups and stews. They are also great for simmering foods in liquid, similar to a slow cooker.

In addition to the appliance, the term "hot pot" also refers to a type of dish common in Asian cuisine. This dish involves a hot pot/crock pot of boiling broth into which different ingredients are added and cooked.

When deciding between a hot pot and a crock pot, consider your needs and the types of dishes you want to prepare. If you want to make hearty soups and stews for large groups, a hot pot might be the better option. If you want more versatility and the ability to make less soupy dishes, a crock pot could be the better choice.

What is a hot pot?

Hot pot, also known as steamboat, is a dish where a heat source is placed on the dining table to keep a pot of soup stock simmering. The pot of broth is accompanied by an array of foodstuffs and ingredients for the diners to cook in the broth. The cooked pieces are then dipped into sauces for additional flavouring.

Hot pot is a communal dining experience, with diners participating by throwing ingredients such as meat, seafood, vegetables and starches into the broth. The ingredients are cut into thin sections to ensure quick and consistent cooking in the broth.

Typical hot pot ingredients include thinly sliced meat, leaf vegetables, mushrooms, vermicelli, sliced potatoes, bean products, egg dumplings, tofu, and seafood.

The hot pot is considered a main course and is usually served without rice or noodles on the side. It can be prepared and eaten at home or in a restaurant.

Types of hot pot

Hot pot is a popular dish in East and Southeast Asian cooking. It is a communal dining experience where a pot of broth is placed on a heat source in the centre of the table, and raw ingredients are cooked in the broth by the diners. There are many different types of hot pot, with regional variations across China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Switzerland.

Beijing-Style Hotpot

The Beijing hotpot is characterised by its simplicity and the use of copper Mongolian pots. The focus is on the quality of the ingredients, particularly thinly-sliced mutton, rather than on the broth. Zhīmajiàng, a sesame-based dipping sauce, is commonly served with this style of hotpot.

Chongqing Hotpot

Chongqing, China's "hotpot capital", is known for its heavily-flavoured, spicy broth. The city has more than 20,000 hotpot restaurants. Chongqing hotpot often features fresh máodù (cow stomach) and sesame oil is used as a dipping sauce to balance the spice.

Yunnan Hotpot

Yunnan hotpot has become increasingly popular across China in recent years. It has a rich broth flavoured with Southeast Asian influences. It is a good option for vegetarians as it does not require meat, instead focusing on fresh vegetables, mushrooms, and edible flowers. Yunnan hotpot restaurants often serve excellent side dishes, such as fresh mint salad and fried crickets.

Coconut Chicken Hotpot

Coconut Chicken hotpot uses Hainan chicken and fresh coconut milk as its main ingredients. It is a healthier option as the broth is not made with butter or fatty oils. A dipping sauce made with soy sauce and lime juice adds extra flavour.

Chrysanthemum Flower Hotpot

This style of hotpot is cooked in chicken stock with chrysanthemum petals, giving it a soft and tender flavour. It originates from Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines and is well-known in Hangzhou and Suzhou.

Hot pot equipment

Hot pot is a fun and interactive meal, perfect for sharing with family and friends. If you're thinking of making hot pot in your RV, you'll need to consider which equipment to bring along. Here's a list of hot pot essentials to get you started:

Heat Source

The key to a successful hot pot meal is maintaining a boiling pot of soup. For RVs, a portable heat source is ideal. Here are some options:

• Electric burner (coil or induction): These can be plugged into an electrical outlet and are easy to use, but may require a nearby outlet and can be noisy due to the built-in fan.
• Tabletop gas burner: This option offers the romance of a live flame and complete portability, but you'll need to procure butane canisters and dispose of them properly.
• Hot pot set with a built-in electrical heating element: This is a good choice if you plan on making hot pot regularly, as the pot is removable for easy cleaning.

Pot

A wide and relatively shallow pot is best for hot pot. Here are some specific recommendations:

• Chinese stainless steel hot pot: These pots are ideal due to their round shape and depth, which allows for a good amount of food to be cooked without food getting lost at the bottom. They also heat up quickly. Some even have a "yin-yang" feature, allowing you to have two different soup flavours at once.
• Dutch oven: This kitchen workhorse is a bit on the deep side but can certainly do the job.
• Braiser: Its wide, shallow shape makes it easy to see inside and access your food.
• Wok: A flat-bottomed wok is a great option for hot pot, just be mindful of the handle placement.
• Bouillabaisse pot: This pot has an ideal shape and size for hot pot, typically holding 3-6 quarts.

Chopsticks

Bamboo or wooden chopsticks are the best choice for hot pot as they are heat resistant and cool down quickly. Avoid plastic or metal chopsticks, as plastic may melt and metal conducts heat, potentially causing burns.

Additional Equipment

To enhance your hot pot experience, consider the following:

• Sauce bowls: Small bowls, such as Chinese rice bowls, are perfect for each person to assemble their own dipping sauce.
• Metal hot pot baskets/wire ladles: These wire sieves with wide holes are not necessary but are very useful for cooking and retrieving food from the pot.
• Strainer: A strainer allows you to scoop out cooked food while leaving the broth behind.
• Platters: You'll need platters or plates to hold the various raw ingredients that will be added to the pot.
• Bowls and utensils: Provide each diner with a bowl and utensils, preferably chopsticks.

Now that you have your hot pot equipment sorted, it's time to gather your ingredients and get cooking! Remember to have a variety of vegetables, meats, seafood, and starches, and don't forget to make your own dipping sauces!

Hot pot food

Hot pot is a communal dining experience, common in East and Southeast Asian cooking, where a variety of raw ingredients are cooked in a roiling broth at the table. It's a choose-your-own-adventure meal, where diners throw in their choice of meats, seafood, vegetables, and starches to cook in the broth.

When preparing a hot pot meal, it's important to have a good mix of ingredients to create a balanced dining experience. Here are some options for each category of food:

Meat & Seafood:

• Beef (brisket, short rib, ribeye, sirloin, flank steak)
• Pork shoulder or loin
• Pork belly
• Lamb shoulder or leg
• Chicken (boneless breast or thighs)
• Fish fillets (tilapia, bass, flounder)
• Shrimp, squid, scallops
• Seafood balls (fish, shrimp, squid, mixed)
• Beef, pork, or lamb balls

Vegetables:

• Leafy greens (baby bok choy, napa cabbage, spinach, pea tips, watercress)
• Chrysanthemum leaves
• Pumpkin/kabocha squash
• Tomatoes
• Corn
• Enoki, wood ear, king, shiitake, oyster, shimeji mushrooms
• Lotus root
• Potato
• Sweet potato
• Daikon radish
• Winter melon

Starches:

• Mung bean vermicelli
• Rice vermicelli
• Thin fresh white noodles
• Fresh spinach noodles
• Shirataki noodles
• Rice cakes
• Frozen dumplings

Soy Products:

• Bean threads (dried bean curd sticks)
• Soy puffs
• Frozen tofu
• Firm tofu
• Dried bean curd rolls
• Fresh tofu sheets/skin

Dipping Sauces:

• Chinese sesame paste or sauce
• Peanut butter or peanut sauce
• Soy sauce (light, seasoned, seafood-flavored)
• Sha Cha sauce (Chinese BBQ sauce)
• Sichuan peppercorn oil
• Chili garlic sauce/sambal oelek
• Chinese black vinegar/rice vinegar
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Fried shallots or garlic

Frequently asked questions