PORTABLE INDUCTION COOK TOP

Dougwe · Chief one feather

PORTABLE INDUCTION COOK TOP

erad · Guru

I don't kno where you got your 15 amps from - these things are pretty efficient and they are rated at 2000 watts, which comes to about 8.5 amps.

I have been looking into these portable cooktops for quite a whole now. They look to be ideal for a caravan - they don't get hot (other than the heat from the pot sitting on it) and they are quick and efficient. Due to SWMBO's medical conditions, we have been unable to get away for any length of time (and now of course this damned virus), but an induction cooktop is high on the list for when we do.

iana · Guru

The answer is yes, in fact we have two. What do you want to know ?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks erad. The 15amps is the power supply coming from the CVP power supply via lead into van.

Hi Ian, does anyone use them in van and how do they go with only 25amps available.

jade46 · Senior Member

Must use steel cookware Dougwe no aluminium. Test with a magnet some stainless steel no good either

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi Dean, thanks for your input BUT, WHY?

Not having a destruction manual yet I don't know anything about these cook tops.

I think I'm up for yet another expense then,because both my saucepans are stainless steel and my frypan is aluminium non stick beast, like those you see advertised on the televis and sold in BigW as well.

jade46 · Senior Member

Induction works of a magnet field I believe so will only work on magnetic steel. We have in home and this is what we are told. You will have to buy new stuff Try with a magnet...............This copied from Mr Google .What kind of pots can I use on an induction cooktop?

Cast iron pans and any black metal or iron pans will work on an induction cooking surface. Stainless steel pans will work on an induction cooking surface if the base of the pan is a magnetic grade of stainless steel. If a magnet sticks well to the sole of the pan, it will work on an induction cooking surface.

-- Edited by jade46 on Saturday 18th of April 2020 01:05:18 PM

-- Edited by jade46 on Saturday 18th of April 2020 01:05:52 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

Be careful with induction cooktops if you have a pacemaker.

iana · Guru

get a magnet and see if it sticks to the bottom of your saucepans, if not you are up for new ones. The power required to run them is selectable, we never use the 2200watt setting. Not had any problems in the van so far.

KFT · Guru

G'day Doug

We have one and use it all the time. The power they use is generally adjustable.

Re cookware, most modern cookware will have something on the bottom indicating induction compatible and replacement is not expensive these days.

I really like cooking with ours it is so quick and so very adjustable instantly.

Your power supply will be no issue mate.

regards in isolation
KFC(not had any for a while)

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

All induction cook tops are not made the same.
I bought a single pan cheapy to try. I can run it quite successfully at level 8 or 9 via the 1300W inverter. At level 10 (1800W) it overloads the inverter after a while.
BUT these things vary in how they control low heat settings and most get low heat by switching high (or medium) power on and off.
That results in a poor level of control at low settings for this particular one, making simmering difficult or impossible because the control is not fine enough.

Better quality induction cook tops are a favourite choice for those with good solar installations and it is my intention to go this way in the OKA in order to eliminate our last gas at some time in the future.
Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Saturday 18th of April 2020 02:42:31 PM

JeffRae · Guru

Do you carry a spare inverter with you Peter?

Delta18 · Guru

We have one in the van and use it often. A big Plus is they van be used outside without worrying about the wind playing havoc with a cooktop flame.

We have a 2000w inverter and it happily runs from that.

Quick boil it will want 1800w but once a pot is simmering I run on a much lower setting.

As said, typical of an electric hot plate it is an On-Off function to maintain a low simmer.

There is not need to replace your cooking pots, an adapter plate can be bought for around $30 which allows ANY pot to be used

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/373005602522

cheers Neil

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

JeffRae wrote:
Do you carry a spare inverter with you Peter?

No.

We have a 16 year old SEA (made in Australia) PSW 1300W one.

Cost an arm and a leg 16 years ago, but has been faultless.

JeffRae · Guru

Hope it continues, you may have been thankful for your one last gas appliance

erad · Guru

WARNING!
Induction cooktops use a powerful magnet as part of their operation. If you have a pacemaker, you may not want to be too close to one when it is operating.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

JeffRae wrote:
Hope it continues, you may have been thankful for your one last gas appliance

If / when we go induction cook top we will install another larger inverter to power it and provide redundancy for the existing one.

I will be pleased to see the last gas go. Heavy, expensive, dangerous, difficult to get in outback areas, requires ventilation that effects heating and cooling.

Cheers,

Peter

iana · Guru

Interesting, I turned on the induction plate and moved a compass towards it, the only movement of the needle was when the compass was over the induction plates surface.

Whenarewethere · Guru

With or without a saucepan?

iana · Guru

With

iana · Guru

Howzat for a reply, short, concise, and to the point. Why can't women do that ?

Isn't that king Parrot cute, bugger bit me!

Whenarewethere · Guru

No pot?

Whenarewethere · Guru

This wild one was trying to get food out of our metho cooker. No hint of biting when we get them some seed.

Swerve · Veteran Member

After reading he positive replies above, I bought one yesterday. Breville Model LIC400BLK.
It works well and I like the adjustments available but it is noisy. Do all the portable ones make this loudish humming noise?

JeffRae · Guru

Ours is a bit noisy, fan and the humming sound, but very efficient

Swerve · Veteran Member

Thanks JeffRae.

RoamerAllWaze · Member

We are using a single burner induction cooktop from Aldi when we are on 240VAC.
We really find it easier to cook on and heat the frypan when cooking on a small table outside, rarely cook in the van.
I havent used it when free camping as we fall back to the gasmate single burner, gave up carrying a Weber long ago.
Once we r out of COVID-19 country, Ill try the induction cooktop off grid.

oldbloke · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Morning fellow CV19 isolators, (sounds technical doesn't it)
Does anyone use a 240v, 2000w portable Inverter cook top in their CV or under cover outside connected to van power.

I use a small butane gas canister cook too outside but have been told the above cooker would be much better. I am in my aluminium tent full time with 240v power via a 15amp lead from power supply for who knows how long.

I don't have the cook top yet but it is on order. I just thought of only 15amp available to run it. Oooops!

Keep Safe out there.

Doug,

How did the cook top go?

Weigh much?

Any issues?

oldbloke · Guru

BTW have you got a tin hat. They emit a fair bit of EMR.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I am still waiting on it to arrive Neil. OZ Post are saying they are flat out with parcel deliveries. It was only sent on the 16/4 from Sydney cry smile With the long wait it at better be good and I tell you that for free.

I tested my three pots and one frypan with a magnet and had to replace two pots. Done and waiting.

No tin hat sorry.

Keep Safe out there.