Slow Cooker in your hotel - is it allowed?

[icecreamforbreakfast]

We are planning to stay at the Residence Inn which does have a full kitchen, but I was wondering about bringing my crock-pot and having meals ready when we walk in the door. Has anybody done this? Is it allowed? We were wondering about the cleaning staff possibly unplugging it as it wouldn't be a hotel supplied appliance ... any thoughts??

 

[snikelfrizt]

I don't know but it is a really good idea!!! I will be trying it out next time I stay at HoJo! Thanks!

 

[valee]

Try calling the hotel directly and asking. They may want to do some checking with their maintenance, housekeeping, and other staff before they let you know, so be prepared to call them back in a day or so.
Although it sounds like a great idea, there is the obvious fire hazard, as well as other considerations. Since many hotels have connecting doors between room, your cooking smells will be shared for a long time with your neighbors, who may be vegetarians. I'd use the same rules as we observe with the work pantry and microwave, such as no fish or raw onions, and factor in the extended cooking time.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are planning to stay at the Residence Inn which does have a full kitchen...

Since they have a full kitchen, I imagine it would be more likely to be allowed than elsewhere.

Call them and ask, preferably the manager of course.

I don't know but it is a really good idea!!! I will be trying it out next time I stay at HoJo! Thanks!

Call HoJo and ask them if this is OK.




Can't imagine wanting to keep an electric device on ALL day... I've considered getting a crockpot, but I'm at at home parent and would BE here...I can't imagine leaving it on while I'm gone.

 

[theokris]

that is a great idea! thanks , we just got back, so i will be bringing one on our next trip,

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

We have used an electric hot pot in various hotels for heating up water, soup, stew, etc. They heat up in just a few minutes and have worked out great for us. They are usually under $15 and can be found at stores like Walmart and Target. We always take it with us when we travel. It's not the same as having a slow cooker, but it's a great alternative when slow cookers aren't allowed in hotels.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I was thinking along the same lines as Valee--the smell may be a big issue for other people in the rooms around yours. I have a slow cooker that I seldom use for that reason. It tends to make a huge long lasting scent that one of my kids is really sensitive to. It actually makes her sick to her stomach to smell. Even if the food you cook in it tastes great, it can smell up an area for many hours--even into the next day.

If the RI has a full kitchen, it should be stocked to make whatever easy food you could make (soups, chili, tortillas, etc...) without having to go for the slow cooker. If this was house you were renting I am sure it would be fine, but not a hotel room.

 

[smiley_face2]

I remember something like this came up at least a year or more ago pertaining to barbecues. I'm pretty sure Residence inn also has a barbecue area, and I can't see why a slow cooker wouldn't be ok because they do have full kitchens. But another poster posted about taking a small barbecue to use on the balconies at hojo's and I know this was a definite no from the people at hojo's for many of the same reasons, fire hazard, smell etc. they are a hotel after all. Make sure and call to ask first before you count on being able to use something like that.

 

[Rhonna]

Most hotels/motels have policies for these kind of things - whether they have full kitchens or not.

Agree with several other posters - why not call and ask management what their official policy is?

 

[DizMe]

With a full kitchen, it's something you may be able to do if management gives it a green light.

In a hotel, I'd say it's an absolute no-no! I would not want people in rooms around me using them. One thing you need to accept when staying in a hotel is that it is not designed for cooking in the rooms other than using a coffee maker, microwave (if provided), or something like that. I've used a hot pot for water but a hot plate, crock pot, etc would be a bad idea in a regular hotel room for a number of reasons.

 

[jory29]

Huge safety concern overall, I think, because if crock pots are allowed into hotel rooms, different crockpots could all vary in safety issues, and there would be no consistency with the crockpot models - I had a crock pot from around 30 years ago that did not look very safe to me due to the poor quality looking electrical cord, to leave on for the day, so I ended up getting a newer model. Even then I am home during the day when I'm using it. It's probably not worth trying to find out about using a crock pot in a hotel room. Some people throw frozen chicken into the crockpot but it's a major safety concern there, too, as the internal temp. of the chicken will not get hot enough to kill off bacteria, and then a person could end up with food poisoning on their disneyland trip. (Probably none of this applies to OP, but just wondering what would happen if a lot of people wanted to start bringing in crockpots...) Also, LisainCalifornia brought up a valid point about the scents/smell coming from the crockpot and permeating through the room/hallways/other rooms. Some people are so averse to smells it can make them very nauseated.


Edited to add: even though OP would be staying in a kitchen suite, the fact that it is their own model of crockpot, not one the hotel has seen/tested, could spell trouble IF it were not one that was very safe electrically. I'm probably being too paranoid because I apparently have a 'fear' of crockpots now because of that old model one we always used to use! LOL!

 

[Cagirl767]

I don't think you necessarily need a Crock Pot to make a quick meal. We've made lots of quick dinners with just the microwave and/or oven (RI is our hotel of choice). We shop at Ralph's before checking in, and they have all kinds of pre-cooked items that you could throw together for a quick meal. Casseroles are great for hotels, 20 minutes in the oven and it'd be heated through. I throw together pre-cooked rice, chicken strips, a can of cream of mushroom soup, peas and carrots, some parmesan, Durkee onions on top with a side of microwave vegetable steamers with a bag of rolls. Or nachos: tortilla chips, shredded cheese, black beans, corn, salsa, onions, tomatoes, melt in the oven or microwave. Spaghetti is quick and easy too with frozen meatballs and some garlic bread that takes 8 minutes in the oven. It'll be done by the time everyone changes clothes and washes their hands.
A package of hot dogs, buns, chili and onions on top with shredded cheese.
Or just have a rotisserie chicken on hand that you got from the grocery store, a side salad, rolls, microwave rice, since you'll have a regular sized fridg to store it all.
I have also cooked an enchilada casserole in the oven while everyone was getting ready in the morning. Then it just needs to be heated for dinner - it's already cooked.
Another quick and easy is tacos. Just brown the ground beef or turkey and add a seasoning packet. We like the vegetarian soy taco "meat" - just needs boiling water, so that's about 3 minutes from stove to table (and it even fools my midwestern DH). Then just chop tomatoes, onions and lettuce. Add a side of corn.
Etc, etc.

There are entire websites devoted to hotel cooking. Some of the recipes are brilliant!

Bon Appetit!

 

[disneychrista]

I emailed HoJo once about a toaster(since it was being asked here) and they said NO. So I would imagine that the slow cooker would be the same.

 

[blamar]

I really would like to know how this all turns out but for places like HoJo's or had attached restaurants - I think they would not like to allow anything that would take away from them making more money off the restaurant service.

 

[skiingfast]

I really would like to know how this all turns out but for places like HoJo's or had attached restaurants - I think they would not like to allow anything that would take away from them making more money off the restaurant service.

It is because of fire hazards, not profits.

The OPs question is a good one. While heating appliances are not allowed in most hotels, the RIM is not a regular hotel, it rents small apartments with kitchens. So that is why it may be an exception.