Induction Cooking (the kind that uses magnets)

[GotSmart]

That reminds me~~~ I need to take mine apart and find out why it stopped working.  

Perhaps it is time for the induction burner.

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Indu...liid=I2UPWC8KYB22PM&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

 

[ccbreder]

I have a induction like that. I like it, it is all I use to cook, mostly. But haven't tried it on my inverter. They use lots of power, not as much as a resistance hot plate. They can boil a liter of water in 6 minutes, but it still takes 10 more minutes to cook pasta.

 

[GotSmart]

One of the Prius dwellers at RTR showed me his set up.  Since I have more power than I need, that would work for me.  I just need to get a better inverter.

 

[ccbreder]

Glenn, over at To Simplify, started out with a induction hot plate, It wasn't satisfactory on battery/inverter so he redid his kitchen for propane.

 

[akrvbob]

Because I use a microwave a lot, I'm all set to use an induction stove top. But it's not as fast so I haven't talked myself into it yet.

They're fussy about power, you'll need a Pure Sine Inverter.
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

OK, now I am confused.   :huh:

Which one of the administrators gave me credit for starting a thread I was going to start?   :s  Then Bob answers the question I was going to ask on the inverter.  :exclamation: 1,000 W?

Thank you.  

I realize this was split off of another thread, (Roadpro oven) but~~~ WOW!

You people are good!

 

[jimindenver]

I don't have a induction burner but it would be interesting to see if they don't use the same amount of power as my electric cooktop in the long run.

Normally we have turn on our 450w burner and put the pot on it to heat up while we prepare the food. With a induction burner I'm told that you get the food ready first because the pot is hot so quickly. Once heated both burners will turn on and off keeping things hot. There again I would think the induction would use more power for a shorter time than the electric cook top would. So it may be a wash power wise.

We ended up keeping the cooktop because it can run off of the solar and not touch the batteries, plus all of our cookware is black graniteware for the solar cookers. We don't have room for more.

 

[ccbreder]

What cook top can you run off solar? I thought they were all 120 volt ac.

 

[GotSmart]

What cook top can you run off solar? I thought they were all 120 volt ac.

You need an inverter, a PSW as it puts out much cleaner (more accurate) power.  They are also more expensive.  

In other words, I have to move into the 21st century!    

Anyone have recommendations as what is a best buy?

 

[ccbreder]

My Samlex PST-2000-12 has performed very well. Runs every thing from coffee pot to microwave. I haven't cooked any thing on the inductive yet, but it runs on the inverter. $600 range.

 

[jimindenver]

There is hotplate for use directly off of a GT panel. It's a third world thing but any resistance heater should do it.

We do use a inverter to run the microwave, A/C, stove top and more. When I say the solar can run it I mean it puts out enough power to cover the load, the inverter loss and still have enough to continue to charge the batteries.

Our inverter is not PSW. We had one and it could not handle the surge of starting the A/C. Now we use a Industrial MSW inverter that cost as much as the PSW did and has a very clean output. Unlike the PSW inverter it uses a huge transformer and doesn't sweat the big loads.

 

[BradKW]

I wasn't clear on what an induction cooktop is, so I googled it. I guess I still don't really understand how it works exactly, but my question is Why is this appealing for mobile cooking? Is it just a desire to have something that gives of low heat and is safer?

 

[GotSmart]

I wasn't clear on what an induction cooktop is, so I googled it. I guess I still don't really understand how it works exactly, but my question is Why is this appealing for mobile cooking? Is it just a desire to have something that gives of low heat and is safer?

It is a way to cook without fire, and using solar.  In my case the $350 or so (Single unit and inverter) would give me a way to cook in the van without the danger associated with gas or the extreme power draw associated with a hot plate. 

So yes to your question.

 

[LeeRevell]

I bought the Nu-Wave induction cooker last year but have yet to actually use it.  One limitation is it needs pots and pans that are compatible - aluminum will not work.  Some steels won't work either.  One TV deal offers a set of pans with it - mine bought locally has only a smallish frypan.  All my camp cook gear is aluminum, except a couple SS GI canteen cups.  Need to see if they will work.
As to the advertised advantages.....
Less power draw used to cook, quicker cooking times, stovetop surface will not burn you.  Flat surface is easy to clean up too.  The cooker is pretty flat, so should be fairly easy to stow.

 

[GotSmart]

It is supposed to be cast iron compatible.  I am excited on that one! 

 

[highdesertranger]

so what is the actual electrical draw on one of these? has anybody checked with a kilo-watt? highdesertranger

 

[ccbreder]

hdr, I have done that but lost the numbers. A bit later this am I will check again and post results. Any specific questions? I will boil a liter of room temp water and record the amps and watts. I will operate on line current for consistency.

 

[ccbreder]

Cheap inductive stove, unknown brand. 3 quart Kitchen-aid stainless steel, with strong attraction for my magnet. Pot fits the circle on the stove, 7.5 inches. I used 1 liter of 60F water. Uncovered. The stove draws .45 amp when "off". Set to highest setting, #6, It drew 11.93 amps, 117.7 volts, 1412 watts. as per Kilo-Watt meter. The water was >140F after 2 minutes, drawing 12.25 amps. The water was rolling boil at 5 minutes. The plug was hot. The meter said I used 0.14 KWH.
Settings #1 and #2 cycle from .45 to 8.5 amps. Settings #3 through #5 seem to not cycle but draw lower amp. #3 = 7.25 amp; #4 = 8.5 amp; #5 = 10.5 amp. As noted before, #6 = over 12 amps.
The stove heats the pot using magnetic energy so the space is not as hot. I got all my pots from a surplus retail / closeout type store. I take my magnet and find a strong bottom. My family cast iron from 1860 works well. Enameled steel works well. The top is glass, so I am careful with the cast iron. I find if I put a paper towel under the iron pan, I don't worry about scratching the glass. Don't try that on a red hot stove.

 

[ZoNiE]

We have an induction cooktop at home. Works great on cast iron. In fact, we use cast iron mostly now. They do sell induction compatible aluminum pots and pans, they have a steel plate sandwiched at the bottom. They don't transfer the energy as well, but you can get them with Teflon coating.

Induction cooks like gas. They vary the energy like you vary a flame. Regular resistive cooktops just pulse the heaters on and off, hard to cook that way unless you are boiling water...

 

[GotSmart]

We have an induction cooktop at home. Works great on cast iron. In fact, we use cast iron mostly now. They do sell induction compatible aluminum pots and pans, they have a steel plate sandwiched at the bottom. They don't transfer the energy as well, but you can get them with Teflon coating.

Induction cooks like gas. They vary the energy like you vary a flame. Regular resistive cooktops just pulse the heaters on and off, hard to cook that way unless you are boiling water...

This is sounding better all the time!