Induction cooktop question...

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David M

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Looking to replace the stove in Saint Max with a portable induction unit to create more counter space. The current hole left by the stove would be filled with a cutting board and the area that houses the current guts to the stove would become the storage area for the portable induction unit. We very seldom use the stove & I figured for the few times we do this would be a good alternative.

Any thoughts?
 
I bought one of those single burner induction units to try before I upgraded the entire stove at my house. They are very, very nice. We took the unit to our ski condo and I use it there more than the standard electric stove. If you've got the power for it on your boat, it'll work well. You just need compatible pans (cast iron works well, some non-stick brands too). I opted for a butane burner on my boat as we often cook at anchor and I don't want to have to run the generator. Granted, most cooking is on the grill but I sometimes prepare side dishes on the butane burner. That's another option to consider:

0007650123748_180X180.jpg
 
We have a berghoff we use at home, cooks water allot faster then electric. Have not tried on the boat, as we mainly grill onboard. While it is better then electric, give me (at home) a gas cooktop any day. We mainly use ours on holidays when we need extra cooking space. I'd say if I were to replace our electric cooktop on the boat , I would use one.
 
Mixman, is the Butane flame colored, or white like alcohol stoves?
 
It is a blue flame like this:

PortableButaneBurner.jpg
 
I will have to see your unit next time we get a chance to meet Kurt. I like the looks of that unit.
Bill
 
Kurt, I have a one burner like yours and a two burner as well. The two burner fits nicely right on top of my princess stove so I use the electric oven and the butane burners when I cook.
The butane is expensive at the marine stores but I found that the Chinese Grocery stores all have 4 packs of cans they sell for $5 a pack.
 
quote:
Originally posted by timmotel

We have a burch off we use at home, books water allot faster then electric. Have not tried on the boat, as we mainly grill onboard. While if is better then electric, give me (at home) a gas cooktop any day. We mainly use ours on holidays when we need extra cooking space.?id say if I were to replace our electric cooktop on the boat , I would use one.

Click to expand...


Sorry, "burch off"? I don't understand..
 
We also use a two burner butane model that sits on top of our original 2 burner electric/alcohol unit...Kathy loves using it and refuses to use anything else. This year, if I keep the boat, I will eliminate the factory Princess unit, install a cutting board too, as mentioned here...and be done with it.
 
I'm surprised they still sell alcohol models, you could not get me to use it, not with an invisible flame.

As a side note, I think my fingers have gotten to fat, and my eyes are going to far to type only cell phone anymore.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

I will have to see your unit next time we get a chance to meet Kurt. I like the looks of that unit.
Bill

Click to expand...


They're only around $20 at Walmart. Cheaper some places online. I first saw a chef using one at a catering event and thought I'd try it. I think I actually bought mine at Target but they no longer have them in the small camping section. They used to have a great deal on the fuel too.

I'll try and find a Chinese grocery store :-)
 
I've got a few of the butane units. I used to use them on my old boat all the time. they have good heat, better than my old electric but they don't do LOW very well. Seems there are 2 settings, high and off.
I just bought a portable induction to try and it boils water considerably quicker than my butane burner (side by side tests have the induction at a rolling boil before I'm seeing even a bubble on the butane). This is an 1800 watt unit I bought.

Mine is a Vollrath Mirage Cadet. It's not the cheapest out there but not the most expensive either. They make one model up that's twice the price and the manufacturer says that the difference is the number of temp sensors to keep the heat at your setting. I didn't care so much about that for my purposes, but if you want to make a bearnaise or other delecate sauce, the more sensitive unit would be better. I want mine for boiling water, pan frying and pressure cooking risotto (one of my favourite boat meals because it's really fast and easy).

My induction is very, very fast. I've only used it 3 times (just got it last week), but boiling edamame beans was a joy. It boiled the pot in about 90 seconds and on full it kept a fast rolling boil but never boiled over (which is a problem on my household unit if I don't adjust the heat).

It's also fantastic to make omelettes. I can get up to heat quickly, and adjust so they come out perfectly without burning. That was on my first and only attempt.
 
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