As a true foodie like me, you might also find being a college student extremely frustrating. You are limited by the amount of time that you could spend on commuting to good restaurants; you are restricted by the location that you chose to be stuck in for four years; you are controlled by your bank account. I very much understand your pain. This is why I have gathered three of my favorite appliances to use while cooking without a kitchen: a microwave, a panini grill, and a water boiler.

When I say I really do understand your struggles, I mean it. As an international student at a boarding school, I used to hide a rice cooker and condiments in my dorm room despite the daily room inspection by my house parents. My friends and I hated our dining hall. They served the same thing every time. Most of all, we were young high school kids whose homes were (are) thousands of miles away, and we simply missed Chinese food. We researched and tried every product that Amazon has to offer. My friend even bought an egg cooker that has the sole function of just boiling four eggs. However, that gave us an idea, so we started to try using the limited options that we had (frozen food from the store, a rice cooker, etc.). We began experimenting with cooking all kinds of food--whatever we could make. We have made ourselves breakfasts, dinners, and many hot pot get-togethers throughout the years. Once, we even stir-fried a potato using a rice cooker. We truly have tried everything to make a taste of home possible. I guess, when you are that desperate for food, you are willing to do anything. Thus, I began my journey of trying to make food without using a kitchen.

Let me start with the microwave: the easiest appliance to use to make food. Did you know you can cook delicious vegetables by simply placing plastic wrap over the bowl? In the video below, I show you the results of my experimental four-minute-microwaved potato chips. Just imagine easy snacks for those late-night studying sessions. No need to thank me.

For the next appliance, the panini grill is definitely worth talking about. Little do people know, you can use it to make so many more than things than just a sandwich. Try grilling mini burgers, vegetables, or even try making stir-fry dishes. Just make sure to level the grill with something so your food doesn’t fall off.

Lastly, as my favorite thing to use to cook food, the water boiler is truly amazing. I use it to make noodles that I can eat for breakfast. I use it to make hotpot to satisfy my cravings during cold nights when the dining hall isn't open. I highly recommend getting those hotpot seasoning packets they sell at Ranch 99, along with anything else you want to put in your stew. Imagine taking a single bite with all of your favorite food in it. That's basically what you can do with just a water boiler. Still need convincing? I didn't think so.

Last, but not least -- here's the video! Enjoy!