"You just cannot cook for a family on a hotplate."

I have a 2 burner gas cook-top (Not a hotplate per se, but close enough) plus an additional 1 burner hot plate (which I've yet to break out) and I've been cooking for 4 or more for three weeks.

Gas "cook top" - THAT'S what you want. See if maybe Chris has one there? Or go price one out at Foundation Imports in town - as I recall they are not all that spendy.

Don't give up..it can be done!

PS: If you are trying to suss out the best food prices, in my opinion Value Master is a tad cheaper than HiLo. Also,. chicken this year has gotten mad expensive! Check the veg ladies up the lane from Paymaster downtown or better yet, check with Chris or Francine to see when their veg truck comes and shop from there. I only spend MAYBE 2000JMD per week on fresh fruit and veg.

Rice, beans and veg - very inexpensive meal that no matter what you do you will have leftovers. I'm going to go make dinner right now - vegetarian chili. Yum!