Who can give me the rundown on the most efficient electric stove top and ho out there is successfully doing it? I seen that forestry forest guy has one. He only has 200 watt setup and i think a 80ah lithium battery. But I remember him saying he can only use it under limited circumstances.
Electric cooktop
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nature lover
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An eletric cooktop takes a lot of power. Propane is a much cheaper and more effecent means of cooking in an rv of any kind. I don't know much about the tech but induction might be the way to go, if you insist on eletricty.
vanbrat
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I use an induction burner for my cooking, it doesn't use much power. I don't know how much it does use. But it is portable, easy, it is very controllable, small sized ,and it heats up fast. I don't like to use propane 'cause seems like I always run out at just the wrong time. Also There is no real fire so even in high fire danger it is safe. The down side is it only works with a certain type of pan. While the burner doesn't get hot the pans do. Be careful were you put them. We have a generator that we carry so if no power is around we use it. I also have a charcoal grill and a microwave. I still need some type of oven for my baking. I'm a real foodie. And I love to cook. Not much of a techy person. which is why I have no idea how much power it takes. We only turn the generator on when actually cooking so it only is on a few minutes. I have not decided yet or
not weather to bring my instant pot. Might be a trip by trip thing.
not weather to bring my instant pot. Might be a trip by trip thing.
Way too many variables to say yes, buy this model, "xyz123".
Generally speaking, cooking with electricity at home on grid power is cheap and efficient, but all that goes away when you have to generate and budget the power to run an electric burner or stove several times a day.
Cooking with propane IS very cost-effective...but it also has some limitations and concerns, especially in a small closed-in area, such as the back of a minivan.
Induction cooktops are slightly more efficient than a normal resistance cooktop in some situations...but they are not the clear winner in every scenario.
If you want to cover all bases, keep a propane camp stove for those days when solar power is low or limited, and a 1000w cooktop (hot plate or induction) for times when solar power is plentiful (assuming you have the inverter, battery capacity, and solar capacity to keep it working).
Generally speaking, cooking with electricity at home on grid power is cheap and efficient, but all that goes away when you have to generate and budget the power to run an electric burner or stove several times a day.
Cooking with propane IS very cost-effective...but it also has some limitations and concerns, especially in a small closed-in area, such as the back of a minivan.
Induction cooktops are slightly more efficient than a normal resistance cooktop in some situations...but they are not the clear winner in every scenario.
If you want to cover all bases, keep a propane camp stove for those days when solar power is low or limited, and a 1000w cooktop (hot plate or induction) for times when solar power is plentiful (assuming you have the inverter, battery capacity, and solar capacity to keep it working).
Almost There
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Any heating of anything by electric is problematic if you intend to spend much time separated from the grid.
If it were me, I'd study carefully 'the limited circumstances' that some YouTube user says he is using induction stove with only limited battery and solar systems. You may (and probably will) find that he only uses it when plugged in to the grid or using a generator. OR he may only be using it for 3 minutes to heat a can of Chef BoyArDee.
If that matches your cooking style fine but for most of us who are full time and live off grid are using either butane or propane for cooking. For example, I use a butane single burner for cooking inside my van, a 2 burner propane stove for outside cooking. I also have a small barbecue and a Coleman folding oven so I don't lack for anything. I buy my butane by the case normally and have a 20 lb tank for propane. The tank also doubles as the propane source for my Mr. Buddy heater.
If it were me, I'd study carefully 'the limited circumstances' that some YouTube user says he is using induction stove with only limited battery and solar systems. You may (and probably will) find that he only uses it when plugged in to the grid or using a generator. OR he may only be using it for 3 minutes to heat a can of Chef BoyArDee.
If that matches your cooking style fine but for most of us who are full time and live off grid are using either butane or propane for cooking. For example, I use a butane single burner for cooking inside my van, a 2 burner propane stove for outside cooking. I also have a small barbecue and a Coleman folding oven so I don't lack for anything. I buy my butane by the case normally and have a 20 lb tank for propane. The tank also doubles as the propane source for my Mr. Buddy heater.
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jimindenver
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I use a Elite two burner electric cook top. The smaller burner uses 470 watts and I don't have any issues aside from needing some patience in how long it takes to heat up. Normally I turn it on to the temperature I want and set the pan on it to heat up while I prepare the food. By the time I am drop the food into the pan it sizzles. I generally only use the larger burner at 1030 watts if I have hook ups
dual burner
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Elite-Cu...-Cast-Burner-Hot-Plate-EDB-302F-White/8467235
500 watt single burner
https://amzn.to/2LZzWU0
Just remember that I have more than enough solar to run these during the peak of the day without the batteries ever knowing.
dual burner
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Elite-Cu...-Cast-Burner-Hot-Plate-EDB-302F-White/8467235
500 watt single burner
https://amzn.to/2LZzWU0
Just remember that I have more than enough solar to run these during the peak of the day without the batteries ever knowing.
jimindenver
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I have a 12 volt bank
DannyB1954
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The most efficient electric cooker would be an electric pressure cooker. They use less amps and cook quicker. If I was to use an electric cooker, I think I would also run the vehicle so that the alternator could assist, (I have a solenoid system that charges the house batteries when the vehicle runs). Whatever energy you pull out of the batteries will need to go back in, and the sooner the better for the battery.
A 60 amp alternator puts out 60 x 14 = 840 watts. Most cook tops take between 800 and 1200 watts. Say 1,000 on average, so 200 watts would be coming out of the battery 200/ 12= 16 amps. After cooking you could let the solar recharge, or run the engine for a few more minutes. The sooner you put the energy back in, the quicker it will take the charge. Once a chemical change happens inside the battery it will take much longer.
A 1,000 watts taken out of a battery is 1,000 / 12 = 83 amps. Do that for a 1/2 hour and you have used 41 1/2 amp hours. Many deep cycle batteries will not handle high currents like that. you would need more batteries than looking at amp hours alone would indicate. You may need to go with lithium.
Or just get a small generator.
A 60 amp alternator puts out 60 x 14 = 840 watts. Most cook tops take between 800 and 1200 watts. Say 1,000 on average, so 200 watts would be coming out of the battery 200/ 12= 16 amps. After cooking you could let the solar recharge, or run the engine for a few more minutes. The sooner you put the energy back in, the quicker it will take the charge. Once a chemical change happens inside the battery it will take much longer.
A 1,000 watts taken out of a battery is 1,000 / 12 = 83 amps. Do that for a 1/2 hour and you have used 41 1/2 amp hours. Many deep cycle batteries will not handle high currents like that. you would need more batteries than looking at amp hours alone would indicate. You may need to go with lithium.
Or just get a small generator.
The trouble is that an alternator regardless of the amperage doesnt put out it's full potential when the engine is only idling. So it would help with the puekert effect. But it's not going to power the cooktop.
Jim knows his stuff. And he has enough solar to run that cooktop with full batteries and it wont dip into his batteries. Just off of the solar panels on a sunny day.
A 1000 watt load is MASSIVE on lead acid batteries. I dont understand exactly how the puekert effect works but I know the higher the load the more quickly it depletes the batteries. The more batteries in a bank the less of an effect but it still is a consideration. So even if you had 200 usable amp hours that doesnt mean that you can use 100 amps for 2 hours. A 100 amp load might last less than 1 hour.
I use primarily a camplux flat top butane stove. I forget the number of BTUs but it was about $2 more than the cheaper one I found on Amazon at the time and had about 2k more BTUs. I also use wood or charcoal (depending on the weather) occasionally I will use propane outside. Sometimes I also use my homemade alcohol stove.
I bought an ice maker last year and was running it constantly during maybe june or july. Eventually it blew out the breaker in the kitchen and I didn't have another breaker in the trailer high enough in amperage to run my oven or microwave so I had a mini freakout. Then I had an epiphany. The microwave oven isnt even 100 year old technology. And I felt like I couldnt live without it.
I used to love my convection oven/rotisserie and I was addicted to my microwave. I havent used either in nearly a year. I've been trying to cut the cord and learn to live without high drain appliances. I'm sure I'll get back to using them. But living without them is possible. And now it's easier, If I can use a microwave fine. If I cant, fine. No skin off of my nose.
Just my viewpoint. In my van build I'm planning to use a 300 watt rice cooker. A lot more manageable than a hotplate IMO. And they can cook lots of things. The fancier ones like you find in many parts of Asia also bake cakes. I have boiled eggs, made rice of course, ramen, pastaroni, mac n cheese, many other things.
Jim knows his stuff. And he has enough solar to run that cooktop with full batteries and it wont dip into his batteries. Just off of the solar panels on a sunny day.
A 1000 watt load is MASSIVE on lead acid batteries. I dont understand exactly how the puekert effect works but I know the higher the load the more quickly it depletes the batteries. The more batteries in a bank the less of an effect but it still is a consideration. So even if you had 200 usable amp hours that doesnt mean that you can use 100 amps for 2 hours. A 100 amp load might last less than 1 hour.
I use primarily a camplux flat top butane stove. I forget the number of BTUs but it was about $2 more than the cheaper one I found on Amazon at the time and had about 2k more BTUs. I also use wood or charcoal (depending on the weather) occasionally I will use propane outside. Sometimes I also use my homemade alcohol stove.
I bought an ice maker last year and was running it constantly during maybe june or july. Eventually it blew out the breaker in the kitchen and I didn't have another breaker in the trailer high enough in amperage to run my oven or microwave so I had a mini freakout. Then I had an epiphany. The microwave oven isnt even 100 year old technology. And I felt like I couldnt live without it.
I used to love my convection oven/rotisserie and I was addicted to my microwave. I havent used either in nearly a year. I've been trying to cut the cord and learn to live without high drain appliances. I'm sure I'll get back to using them. But living without them is possible. And now it's easier, If I can use a microwave fine. If I cant, fine. No skin off of my nose.
Just my viewpoint. In my van build I'm planning to use a 300 watt rice cooker. A lot more manageable than a hotplate IMO. And they can cook lots of things. The fancier ones like you find in many parts of Asia also bake cakes. I have boiled eggs, made rice of course, ramen, pastaroni, mac n cheese, many other things.
jimindenver
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One thing to consider about using a alternator to power stuff. If you have a 250 Amp alternator it does not mean you will ever see 250 amps to your battery or device even at highway speeds. The Alternator's main job is to run the vehicle and a fair amount of the power it puts out is needed to do that.
Another thing to think about is that if you have enough sunshine to run a electrical cooking device then you also have enough to use a solar cooker of some sort.
Another thing to think about is that if you have enough sunshine to run a electrical cooking device then you also have enough to use a solar cooker of some sort.
Dingfelder
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That's an interesting point, Jim.
I will add that I got one of the most highly rated solar cookers I've ever seen and gotten zero value out of it because of cloud cover disabling it even in 100 degree weather.
I'm very ignorant about all of this stuff and I would never dare to say different. Just mentioning because of my major let-down from a supposedly top-notch solar cooker carefully used according to directoins.
I will add that I got one of the most highly rated solar cookers I've ever seen and gotten zero value out of it because of cloud cover disabling it even in 100 degree weather.
I'm very ignorant about all of this stuff and I would never dare to say different. Just mentioning because of my major let-down from a supposedly top-notch solar cooker carefully used according to directoins.
jimindenver
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Dingfelder said:
You do notice that I mentioned having enough sunshine to..... Solar needs sunshine, generators need gas, camp stoves need propane, even a camp fire needs wood. Take the fuel away and nothing works. lol
I will say that I was surprised at how warm the GoSun vacuum tube cooker got on a cloudy day. I only had access to it for one of my talks, so I don't know that it would have gotten hot enough to cook.
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