NuWave induction cooktop VS Electric Hot plate. Compare cost to efficiency. Which is better?

I've always heard that induction cooktops are the way to go for off grid use. I wanted to put that to the test. Is it better to buy a more expensive induction cooktop or a basic electric hot plate? Which is more efficient? Is the extra cost of an induction cooktop worth it? Let's find out!
List of the Items in this Video:
NUWAVE Flex Precision Induction Cooktop, Portable, Powerful with Large 6.5” Heating Coil, 45 Temperature Settings 100°F to 500°F, 3 Wattage Settings 600, 900, & 1300W, 9” Non-Stick Fry Pan included
amzn.to/3o550ES
Elite Gourmet ESB-301BF# Countertop Single Cast Iron Burner, 1000 Watts Electric Hot Plate, Temperature Controls, Power Indicator Lights, Easy to Clean, Black
amzn.to/3zyndEk
ALLPOWERS R1500 Portable Home Backup Power Station 1800W 1152Wh LiFeP04 Battery and SP033 200W Solar Panel.
iallpowers.com...
AllPowers Website: iallpowers.com...
Use Coupon Code: "OffGridBasement" for 10% off your order!
ATorch AC WiFi Watt Meter, Plug-in US Socket Power Meter, Electricity bill statistics,temperature control,Backlit Large Color Display, Overload Protection,Voltage AMP Tester, Electrical Energy Monitor Timer
amzn.to/3xbdXF3
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#nuwave #hotplate #OffGrid

[@noleftturns]

Safety is far more important than savings. ALL induction cooktops/hot plates heat much faster than condition heaters and there is less heating of the air around it and the unit is much less prone to burning people after the pot/pan is removed

[@OffGridBasement]

You're right! That hot plate stays extremely hot well after it's turned off.

[@bdmenne]

You really do be thinking and DOING the tests that we all wonder about since the advent of the induction plates. Real cool. Glad I got the New Wave. Love how it cleans up and cooks safely as added bonus.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thank you! Also, it's cool to the touch compared to the hot plate. The WHOLE hot plate appliance is hot!

[@karinhart489]

I got a NuWave induction stove for car camping a couple of years ago specifically because it is flexible in setting the wattage it uses: 600w/900w/1300w, and unlike other brands of induction stoves it does NOT surge to 1800w when you first turn it on. I mostly cook at 600w with a setting at medium, or medium-low. PS: Also, you can clean off the induction stovetop & put it away almost immediately you are finished cooking, but with a hot plate you must wait a long time for it to cool off. From time to time the NuWave will go on sale, I got mine on a Black Friday sale for less than $50.

[@marioluna4344]

I like this type of test. I have those two exact cooktops. The nuwave and elite hot plate.

[@OffGridBasement]

That's crazy. I like how small the hot plate is, but it stays HOT for a long time after unplugged!

[@vladimus9749]

Induction is even more efficient because it puts energy directly into the pot. The regular cook top heats an element, which heats the cook top surface, which heats the pot. When you're done cooking, that leftover heat from the element and the surface dissipates into your room and you then have to run AC to remove.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thank you for the comment and info.

[@davef.2329]

Most interesting and informative. Hopefully some of the folks in the hurricane damaged zones can/will see this and apply it. Prayers for them and thanks for your test. Just for info: a Commercial Chef .6 cu/ft 600W micro-wave from Amazon will run just fine on a 1000W, or larger CNSWI inverter.

[@OffGridBasement]

That's right. I actually have a video on that. Not as portable, but a very good option!

[@jasonmcintosh2632]

I have a sailboat in the Galveston area. Induction is far superior to gas or a hotplate due to excess heating of the cabin and fire safety. There was an investment in pots and pans, but it has been WELL worth it.

[@st200ol]

The thermometer shouldn’t really touch the bottom of the pan for accurate measurement, not too important because you stopped the test when the water boiled. Great test, thanks for doing this.

[@thomascronquist1604]

Great experiment between the two. If you are camping in a RV/trailer, and electric is provided, no issue on which one you will pick. If you are boon-docking, I would use camping stoves with propane, canister fuel, or a Trangia for cooking, coffee. Save you power bank for other needs, like a 12 volt cooler, LED lights,charging your iPhone, iPad, etc. I think boon-docking in the modern age, is getting out of control with gadgets. That being said, camping is basic needs, and the for modern accessories use a power bank.

[@bluenetmarketing]

Great video! Thanks.

[@SamCarleton]

Very interesting video, thank you. Another set of tests I would love to see is the total watts hours used by changing the max what’s from the newer cook top. The higher watts might just get the water bolting faster resulting in less energy being used, or… it might just be the same. I would love to see you do a video to find out.

[@Sylvan_dB]

Nice testing! It's good to confirm what I've heard so often. And the ability to select a lower wattage - potentially a critical feature allowing use of a smaller inverter or to share a power source with other loads at the same time or perhaps even just to balance incoming solar to preserve battery for later. Thanks!

[@goodcitizen4587]

Nice test, thanks!

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the comment.

[@michaelchow5751]

This is like the modern version of all those Hiram Cook videos of him boiling water.

[@keithjansen1734]

Good comparison for as far as you took it but most people would use a lid which according to my test made the induction cooktop %25.6 more efficient. I got a neighbor to loan me his 1000 watt cooktop and i have an induction cooktop we both use ours camping. He is buying an induction cooktop on black friday.

[@patientprepper2030]

Time is irrelevant. Put both on high til boil. how much power/watts are used. We all know induction will blow conventional element away

[@settlece]

agree Heating the bit you need hot only, is always a winner

[@OffGridBasement]

You're right. If I set the induction to 1300w it wouldn't have been a contest. Thanks for the comment!

[@wodinsc]

Both power and energy (power x time) are important if powering from a battery storage device. The battery and inverter must be able to supply the Watts demanded by the cooktop but the cooktop that is most efficient will consume less energy (Watt-hours) from the battery so you can get more done with a single charge cycle.

[@nhansgoofyvideos7581]

From my experience, electric kettle is still the best for water boiling, but for other type of cooking, induction imo is much better.

[@texasrepubliccofarm]

Great test. Have you considered testing an Air Fryer? I have looked at the draw and it's pretty high so I have not used it in my off-grid property, BUT, I wonder if there are any energy efficient ones out there.

[@shelley131]

Great job!

[@kencramer1697]

I have three of the Nuwave cooktops and I absolutely hate them. I got mine to use while renovating the kitchen. I will admit that they do the job, I just can't stand them. I went to using my butane burners and left the Nuwave on the shelf. To be fair, I hate cooking on electric ranges as well. I learned how to cook on gas, I trained in a commercial kitchen on gas and I am very much a creature of habit and I like how gas cooks. Not that my preferences matter on an energy efficiency test for off grid cooking.

[@danielnicholls6868]

now against a micro wave👍👍or a electric kettle

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@rigidchop]

@@OffGridBasement I agree with the electric kettle

[@briantrout7051]

I have a stainless steel percolator that I use pretty much every day. It will not work with an induction burner. Using a hob would likely knock the efficiency back down near standard hotplate numbers. Sure wish there were a good percolator out there that worked well with induction.

[@jylfarm1964]

What you forget to talk about... Most Induction plate need a "Pure Sine Wave" inverter to work at all. I have a DuxTop and a few others brands... they all need "Pure Sine Wave". I have a Chinese branded Induction plate that lose most of his efficiency when operating with a Generator with high THD. The same is truth for many microwaves. For people that are 100% off-grid, we need to know as we might have a Pure Sine Wave Inverter, but our backup can be a cheaper inverter.

[@Subgunman]

Life of the heat source is also a factor. I have seen many induction cooktops fail after anywhere from 2 to five years while the solid top hot plate can last well over 20 years. Now is there anyone or a repair shop that can repair an induction cooker? Average shop fees run a minimum of $50 per hour and a diagnostic fee if you choose not to repair the unit. Also the $50 per hour does not include parts, if they are identifiable and available. Most of the chinesium stuff has unmarked, proprietary or mismarked components that are untraceable. Net result, more e waste for the landfill unless you have access to a recycling center.

[@patrickdk77]

I wonder how that hard anodized pot cooks on that induction plate vs a stainless steel pot. I feel like my stainless stell heats much quicker and normally always use it, unless I cannot get a stainless steel pan in the shape I need.

[@danielteegarden8982]

Not Every Medal Pot / Pan Works On Conduction Heating Plates !

[@sfrozman]

Yes, even some pots that are labeled as induction compatible will work but are much less efficient. Based on looks, the pot in the video seems to be one of those less efficient versions. Generally the more iron in the pot/pan the better. Those which look aluminum but have a layer of steel sandwiched into the base are less efficient.

[@OffGridBasement]

That's true. If you can stick a magnet on the pot, it will work on Induction.

[@BeeBeorn]

Cast iron is my go to. Works on induction, propane and fire. And of course hotplates, oh and engine blocks..Cover the most senarios.

[@AdrepKeith]

Yeah but you have to deduct the cost of the special pots and pans you paid for the nuwave cook top. You can't boil with your old pots and pans.you can use iron but not aluminum with the nuwave.

[@Paladin7845]

Only partially correct. There are a LOT of clad / multiply pans on the market that work with Induction tops. If a magnet sticks to the bottom they will work. Also look for the wavy line symbol meaning they are compatible. And they are NOT more expensive unless you're buying high end cook ware. The box stores like Walmart have sets of induction cookware.

[@OffGridBasement]

Paladin is correct. The pots and pans have come way down in price. You can find them at any big box store now.

[@buixote]

It would be interesting to test the surface temps of the two appliances after the water is boiled. It's my understanding that induction cookers only get as hot as the plate that's sitting on them...

[@need100k]

You would be correct.

[@OffGridBasement]

I should've looked at it through a thermal camera. Maybe I'll do a short. Thanks for the comment.

[@IonaDunn]

I vote for using the far more simpler basic electric hot plate. Seems not to eat up far more electricity than needed. Especially important when you're using a smaller sized solar power bank.

[@IonaDunn]

P.S. My own set up are tiny 5 inch in diameter "Mini" ones vs. the seemingly more standard sized ones presented in this video.

[@richardrowland7044]

The induction cooker is going to cook more efficient using cast iron skillet or a stainless steel Skillet with a copper clad outside

[@joesrvhome]

I like my induction cooktop because it heats the pan and not the air around...once you take off the pan, it only takes a few seconds to disipate the heat from the surface...electric cookers are hot and stay hot during and long after....heating up the space you cook in.

[@kilswitch4336]

600w electric skillet and an electric pot, both under $30 is more efficient watt-wise and pack wise, no additional pot or pan needed as they're all-in-one😎. I almost went induction until I tried these electric appliances

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the comment!

[@RolandGustafsson]

I love my NuWave induction cooktop for accurate cooking power, even better than our propane gas stove. Hot plates seem quite wasteful since the heat goes in all directions. Why not test both at their max rating to see total power used in each case. No reason to dial down the NuWave to 900 which at the very least slows it down. I find my NuWave at 1300 watts is faster than my propane kitchen stove boiling 2 cups of water.

[@nexpro6985]

Put a lid on the pot. You might find it reaches boiling point faster.

[@Card_addiction]

How much electricity would a butane stove use?

[@WilliamMurphy-b6v]

You don't get to ask that question. But it is a great one.

[@rigidchop]

Been wondering how much more efficient these are.

[@OffGridBasement]

Hope this video helped. Thanks for the comment!

[@billbaumea3420]

Cool

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks!

[@NatureZone101]

Something for people to keep in mind is the induction cooker has to use specific type of pots/pans and the electric can use anything. So if you find yourself in a situation and don't have those pans or forgot to bring them then that cook top won't work at all. Cool demo - would be interesting to see if putting the top on to boil would make any difference.

[@aboutdawntoday]

I use induction and butane but it has never taken more than 5 minutes to boil water in my kettle. So I agree that a lid would make a difference.

[@charleshill7184]

Ferrous, or magnetic-capable pots. That is, steel or cast iron -- not aluminum.

[@claudemielwouters3176]

The havy electric plate have took de 40w difirence of power,that power is stil remaining there

[@MyLifeMyMoneyMedia]

NuWave will tear up quicker

[@karinhart489]

I’ve taken mine car camping for a couple of years and it’s holding up fine.

[@blang9359]

looks like he is using an aluminum pot, that won't work.

[@WilliamMurphy-b6v]

So, how come it does?

[@jimmy_Ross]

sweet video thanks for sharing i srill cant believe your in 2 differnt comercials so thats cool anyways god bless brother and i hope your doing well

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks! I still feel weird about the commercials, but it helps get the word out!