Induction Hob, A Bad Choice? Camper Van Cooking

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

That power consumption (energy you used) would do everything I need to do in winter over a 24 hour period, to see that quick drain is definitely a put off for me. I enjoy cooking with gas which is a bonus. I always turn the gas off at the regulator at night with the gas cooker lit to drain the pipes before turning the knobs to off, even during the day if I know I'll not be using it for a while. I've lived with gas on boats and this was common practice. Glad you're back mate 👍

[@HughTube]

hello matey, glad to hear back from you! yeah thats a smart practice, i will also probably do the same. I did really like the idea of simplifying my van so that there were less things i needed to rely on but in reality I guess its just another option that I don't need to use unless I have to

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

@@HughTube We gotta try these things to know mate 👍

[@annek311]

Oh Hugh... Those of us who've been subscribed to your channel for a while just smile a little when you talk about uploading more regularly. 😁😉 But we love you all the same.

[@HughTube]

hahahaha you know me too well, bit like when I say I will finish a van 😉

[@liamfinch4129]

Reality check! Cooking exclusively with ANYTHING solar powered during winter in the UK is UNUSTAINABLE - UNLESS you have have a MASSIVE amount of solar on board (more than most vans can carry). Just saying! Thanks for all your great videos Hugh!

[@ifell3]

Was going to say get a alcohol stove for coffee, then gas for cooking. Or a petrol Coleman stove.

[@ProjectCamper]

Induction and air fryer all the way, for hot drinks I use a jetboil 👍

[@HughTube]

so many people seem to use an air fryer, I think I need to check one out. never used one before!

[@bettyourcampervan]

Another brilliant video Hugh! Quick question, i am helping a friend who has a 2012 Vivaro........i want to fit a split charger but wasnt sure i can as i think it may have a smart alternator and might need a DC to DC charger? I am not sure.........

[@CanadianTexaninLiguria]

Have 5000W of battery and 500W of solar and love the induction cooktop. I can boil water at only 700W. I also have a single burner stove with a 5 lb tank for back up. Never run your induction higher temp than you need. Seems you battery bank is undersized. I tried 200 a/h too small. I now run 400 a/h but will soon add another 300 a/h battery for winters cloudy days. Of course all LifeP04

[@HughTube]

wow that is one hell of a system! very impressive and glad to read the comments and see people that can make it work. I guess an issue is that the need to bulk up the electric system so much means the costs for the system really goes way up.

[@charlevoix418]

Cooking with an induction hob in a van is a fantastic idea, provided that you are not using it. Like the idea of heating water using electricity, those are gizmos largely spread on KZbin that won't pass the test of time and practicality. Sorry to burst the bubble...

[@HughTube]

using the induction when on hook up like also heating our water on electric when on hook up is great, nothing wrong there. the induction cooking is only an issue when solar is low otherwise its fine.

[@charlevoix418]

@@HughTube I totally agree that everything's fine on hook up: the problem is when boondocking!

[@DexterGoneWild]

Through my single burner induction testing, you can use anywhere from 6ah-15ah of battery for each meal. Most of the time I'd use 10ah total. So as long as you have an extra 100ah of battery available, that's 10 meals, or 3 days worth without any charging at all. This is fantastic for the average user. But, if you're a foody that LOVES cooking, I'd stick to propane. Cause you can get an RV propane OVEN which is awesome.

[@AvalonRays]

Did you not try a wallace duo once ?

[@HughTube]

yes that was in my previous boxer. its still in that van as i get some updates from the new owners, they still really like it

[@TheTwistedStone]

Yes Bad Choice unless your on hookup all the time. Why not get a wood burner stove, yes may mean a redesign but worth it in the end especially if your wanting to go off grid, good backup as an alternative source of heating for the van too....

[@anderssryanssons]

Hey Hugh! How much solar do you have on your roof and do you orient it during winter? Definitely I love your system, choosing what to use depending on season and scenario is very smart and maximises it well! 👍

[@jatorresrv]

I'm an Overlander, mostly offroad, in a 2020 Toyota 4Runner and not interested in using other sources of fuel aside electric. My electrical system is a 400-ah lithium battery bank and 200-watt solar panel with a 3k-watt inverter. What I learned on the first time out was that most of the battery energy is used when there is no solar charge, at nighttime, between dinner, sleeping (heating/AC), and breakfast. Because of that primarily nighttime use, my routine is to make dinner while the vehicle is still running, the alternator providing the energy for cooking and keeping the batteries topped off. I make dinner on a dual induction stove (1800w max) and/or an air fryer (1800w max), one at a time, as both would overload the system. Then to bed with a fully charged battery. At nighttime, a 12v heating blanket draws 4-5 amps during the night, and a 1,500-watt heater set conservative (~55F {~13}) intermittently cycles throughout the night to make up the difference to keep me warm. In summer 2023, a 12v AC will be added. Most mornings, there is sufficient battery to make breakfast. If not, due to it being very cold at night and needing to use the electric heater more than usual, then start the engine to make breakfast. Some will say, idling the engine to make meals is no different to idling the engine to stay warm at night. To stay warm at night is 8+ hours of idling vs 1hr to make both meals. Not to mention, driving 8-10hrs to get to the next point. Anyhow, last weekend I purposely pushed the electrical system. The outside temperatures ranged from 30F (-1C) to 3F (-16C), and one day of snow but cloudy all weekend and was not short of power. That said, if your traveling is sitting in a single place for long period then my system is not for you. I, on the other hand, move daily. Hope that helps.

[@TheWrinklyNomads]

Hi, Thank you for your electrical usage breakdown. Very interesting and useful.👍 I shall be testing my motorhome system out next year. Doing a quick 6 months in Europe. Looking to see how my existing system bears up, as, like you, I'm going over to Lithium and want all electric cooking. Hopefully wont be anywhere near the low temperatures you've been in..! Thank again, Steve

[@jatorresrv]

@@TheWrinklyNomads Glad it's helpful. Be sure to test your systems before your epic trip. The last thing you want on your trip is to learn what doesn't work as thought or intended. My epic trip is for summer 2023 to Alaska and I have been testing for the past year with another 6months before I head out. Previously, just 4 months ago, I had 200ah, which seems sufficient is not sufficient when also used for heat and AC. Enjoy your trip!

[@HughTube]

you legend, thanks for sharing this! very cool to hear about how you run it, as you said its not how some people live in their conversions etc. but for others it can work. What charger are you running off your alternator as it must be able to put in some serious amperage?

[@skiddy1984]

Use induction, but have portable gas as a backup.

[@dudeleboski2692]

Why why why? LPG Bro

[@petecooper3048]

Not watched this but induction hob definitely a bad choice