Should we switch from a Propane to Electric Cooker?
Eximius has a Propane Gas Double Burner Stovetop and a Small Oven. In the 9 years that we have owned the boat, I have only used the Oven 3 times, twice to Bake Bread and once to Cook Shrimp for a 'Bring Something to Share'. Now it's not that I don't want to use the oven, it's simply that we live and sail in South Florida and the Bahamas - it's HOT and using the Oven makes it worse!
The two burner cooktop is not really suitable for 2 pans, so I mostly use a single pan - a 10" Skillet to cook a full English breakfast. We also make a pot of coffee every morning using a 'kettle' to boil the water and a Pour Over Filter system. It doesn't matter what we cook on the 'stove' it dramatically increases the temperature in the cabin.
Recently for our home kitchen, we purchased an 8qt Instant Pot and love it! I mean, we really love to cook with it. At least twice a week we cook using the Instant Pot ( it's not 'InstaPot', it's 'Instant Pot' ). I looked up the power draw of the 3qt Instant Pot and it's only 700Watts. So I bought one for the boat - it gets a lot better! When we pressure cook with the InstantPot, it only draws the max of 700Watts for a few minutes. As soon as it gets up to pressure, that drops to almost zero watts! In fact it barely switches back up to 700W for less than a minute every few to five minutes - WOW This is very doable, especially as we have 300Ah at 12v = 3,600Watts of power or 3600Watt Hours. If we ran the InstantPot for a full hour and it never switched down to 0Watts, then it would only consume 700Watt Hours our of 3,600Watt Hours. Ok, due to inefficiencies of the conversion of battery power to AC 110v it's a bit more, but still in the order of just 20% of our available battery power - and we'll never have it running like that for a whole hour.
Of course, the question arises " Could we switch our Propane System for Electric"?
From research ( OK, YouTube ) we found a lot of cruisers were switching over to Induction Cooking. So we looked into cooking on Eximius using an Induction Cooktop.
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| Typical Double Induction Cooktop |
Most of the Induction Cooktops we found take a max power of 1,800 Watts and the 'power' setting allows for selecting from 200Watts to 1800Watts with as many as 10 steps between them. A lot of cruisers have advised that they typically use between 30% to 50% of Max power and because Induction Cookers cause the pan to get hot rather than heat a surface which is then conducted to the pan, it's a lot more efficient.
Things to consider when deciding if we should do this? Let's break it down:
- How do we use our cooker and How would we use an Induction Cooktop?
- How much power would the Induction cooker use and could we recharge the batteries reasonably quickly?
- How much would the new cooktop cost
- What size cooktop would fit where our current cooktop is located.
- How would we gimbal the new cooktop - just in case we ever needed to cook under sail.
- How would we provide power to the cooktop?
So let's start - how do we use our existing cooker and how would we use an Induction Cooktop ( ICT )
Coffee: no change, we would boil a kettle of water just as we do now.
Breakfast: no change, we would cook using the same skillet we use now, it's an Induction suitable skillet.
Lunch: no change,
Dinner: no change, but if we wanted to use the Instant Pot and the ICT at the same time, that might be an issue - so just set a rule - one cooker at a time.
If we installed a Double Induction Cooktop, then we might be able to use two pans at the same time, still no more than the 1800Watt maximum, it's just split between the two cooking surfaces. Right now, we cannot put two pans on the Propane stove top because the second pan would not fit on the 2nd gas ring. That's why we only use one pan on the propane cook top.
Ok, so the Induction cooker would not be any issue when cooking - but what if we ran our of battery power to low? The same question should be asked ' What if we ran out of Gas' Well, we can recharge the batteries with the engine and Solar - but no gas would be an issue until we got back to a port and then hope that they had Propane and that the Cannisters had suitable adapters - we have two 9lb Propane tanks on the boat.
Moving on. How much power would the Induction cooker use and could we recharge the batteries reasonably quickly?
- We have 600Watts of Solar panels and we have seen over 300 Watts of power from them but that is normally when the batteries are nearly fully charged - It should be much higher when the batteries are at a much lower charge status.
- The Engine has a 100A Alternator which could produce 1200watts but we have it detuned to 75% so 800Watts That charges the battery in just a few hours. ( We never have the engine idling unless we are in Neutral waiting for a bridge to open )
- Shore power does not come into the equation - so we'll ignore that.
How much would the new cooktop cost?
- The good news is that a double Induction Cooktop typically costs less than $300, some less than $200 and Single Induction cooktops can cost less than $100
- I would prefer that the 110v outlet for an Induction Cooktop would have it's own outlet and controlled by a breaker on our 110v AC Panel ( We have heard of cookers turning on when something, like a window covering, was laid over it and subsequently burning. The manufactures recommend turning off the power for the cooktop when not use. So we might have to spend about $50 to add a new outlet and run wires to it from the control panel.
- We would have to modify our existing cooking location too. But that should not cost more than say $50 to do that. I'm handy ;)
- All told, it should cost less than $400 easily.
What size cooktop would fit where our current cooktop is located?
- There's not a lot of difference between the various brands of Induction Cooktops, they mostly come in a round Rectangular shape with the controls on the front edge of the unit, but I have seen one brand that has the controls on a remote component that has about a 24" wire between the Control unit and the Cooktop.
- The round models are somewhere between 10" and 12" wide and perhaps 14" to 16" deep ( front to back )
- The Double cooktop models are mostly between 16" wide and 22+" wide and 14" to 16" deep.
- Our existing Propane cooktop has the following dimensions ( inside edges pot holders ) a Depth of 13.75" and a Width of 19.68". So we have quite a range ( no pun intended ) of models to chose from.
- For future info, the Oven internal size is:- Depth of 10.23", Width of 15.50" and Height of 13.2" - Noted because we're also considering an Electric Convection / Air Fryer oven.
- Note:- It would take a huge amount of work to widen the space where our Propane cooker is installed, so the max width of the Induction cooker would be 22" and there are very few that fit that size. So it might mean we have to go with a single burner Induction cooktop, but I'm still looking.
How would we gimbal the new cooktop - just in case we ever needed to cook under sail.
- We have watched dozens of conversion done by cruisers. Some have made a wooden gimbaled shelf and added lead weights to the underside to create a stable cooktop holder. Others have cannibalized their propane stove and built the new Induction Cooktop into the top of the old stove - big advantage is that the old stovetop has Pot Holders to keep the pans in place when the stove does gimbal due to the boat heeling.
- One boat, a Catamaran, simply added a butcher block bread cutting board where the old propane stove was located and did not gimble the cooker - not an option for us.
- So, if we did convert, we would cannibalize the existing cooker. It already has the gimbles that work and would be easiest method of installing an Induction Cooktop
How would we provide power to the cooktop?
- We have a spare breaker on our 110V AC Control Panel - it was used for our old Inverter but is not used with our new Victron Inverter/Charger.
- I would run a new piece of conduit from the control panel around the boat above the water line to a new outlet at the galley.
- The power would come from our Victron Inverter powered by 300Ah LiFePo4 batteries ( and I might even expand that with a 2nd 300Ah battery bank. But dpn't get me started on that concept ---- yet!)
Other factors to consider.
- We would not need to carry the two 9lb Propane tanks which are mounted on the stern rail of Eximius - In fact, they are worth about $200 each and the tank holders are probably worth another $200 each - the whole propane tank system, including the pressure gauge and the solenoid are definitely worth around $500 - certainly makes the conversion more appealing.
- Moving the Propane tanks off of the stern rail also makes it easier to install Davits on the stern - that's another project I hope to complete this year.
- I could remove the CO detector - replace it with just a smoke detector.
- One more hole in the stern combing that I could close off ( less stuff to leak )
- We have two new skillets that are Induction Cookware, but our Magma Stovetop Nesting cookware is not compatible. But see the rest of this article for an update.
- We could run our fans in the galley without fear that they would blow the cooktop flames out.
- Wouldn't need to carry a barbeque lighter - Induction cooktops can be used as a grill with suitable cookware.
Lastly, if we removed the Propane tanks from the boat that would change the C of G slightly, they probably weigh about 30lb to 40lb. Additionally, removing them would significantly improve the safety ( no explosive gas on the boat ).
I think I have made the decision - Let's do it!
The plan
Purchase a portable, single Induction Cooktop that fits the top of our existing stove. Power it from the existing Galley outlet and try it out on the boat to see how the real world power consumption plays out.
If the power is ok, then find a suitable Double Burner top mounted Induction cooktop ( see update below). Then remove the Propane tanks. Disconnect the Propane hose from the existing cooker and remove the cooker - bring it home and do the conversion for the cooktop ( that includes removing the oven - we'll use that space something even is just storage for now.
On the boat, run the new power cables and conduit, install the new outlet, clean up everything and install the cooker - with Induction cooktop - onto the boat.
Cleanup the Gas cylinder holders and sell them.
Go sailing in the Bahamas - and "cookup" a storm.
After receiving an email from one of the Induction cooktop vendors on Amazon, I purchased this cooktop. It's a 1200Watt cooktop and only cost - Wait for it - $38.87 plus tax. I ordered at 10:45pm June 10th, it was waiting on our doorstep at 7:30am this morning!
We tested it after lunch, boiling a kettle of water for making coffee. It boiled a full pot in 10mins on Max - Not bad for a 1200W cooktop, the Coffee was good too!
This evening I cooked a couple of slices of garlic Rye Bread with Cheese & Tomatoes, it took about 8 minutes on power level 5.
I do not have the ability to measure the power consumption of the cooktop at home but we will do that in the next few days on the boat.
Update to the plan, we're going to hold off replacing the propane cooker until after I complete the more urgent task of refinishing the non-skid deck. Of course, it's rainy season, so that might be few weeks.
Meanwhile I have ordered some metal hooks to make some hold down straps for our Instant Pot on top of the Boos Board sitting snuggly on our cooktop.
More testing
We had a 4 day 3 night cruise for the July 4th Celebration and only used the Induction cooktop. WOW!
The power consumption was well inside our battery capacity even using the cooker for Coffee, Breakfast, and 2 Dinners. We also ran the AC for a couple of hours due to our Generator failing ( already fixed that.)
Max power consumption was 750Watts and I kept the Cooktop power setting to less than #6, mostly on #3. So I'm totally sold on the idea and am making more plans to change out from Propane.
Knowing that our Magma Cooking pans do not work on Induction cooktops meant finding replacements.
I found this set on Amazon ( yep, I buy a lot from Amazon )
Tested them on the boat and they work great on the Induction Cooktop. The single handle fits each pan the lid only fits on the Saucepan. But they do fit nicely in the net bag and they fit beneath our cooker ( there's even enough room if we do replcae the cooker.
So making progress even if only one pan at a time.
What about the Oven?
Well, if we remove the Propane we won't be able to use the gas oven as mentioned, we don't use it a lot. However, talking with some boat buddies that have electric ovens and have replaced them with Combo Air Fryer - Toaster ovens, that looks like it will work for us - I might even be able to bake bread on the boat ( Oh how I dream of taking the boat to places where, if I need fresh bread, I can bake bread instead of keeping store bought ( ugh! ) bread in the freezer.
Looking around for a suitable cooker I found several and, as usual, I made a list of the pros and cons of the genre that might work for us.
Power: - No more than 1800 Watts
Outside Dimensions: Fit within the existing cooker stainless walls - else would need a custom case to hold the Air Fryer Combo.
Inside Dimensions: Big enough to bake a loaf of bread ( and at least 360ºF )
Controls: The 'printed' controls on our Propane cooker have virtually disappeared, so no printed controls. Preferably Digital controls and Engraved glass 'buttons'
Here's a cooktop I found on Amazon. it fits within the area of the top of the propane cooker as explained previously in this post.
Another thing to consider is the Storage of the pieces. ie. This Induction Cooktop has a Skillet that fits the entire surface and a cover that goes on top of the skillet. Where would we store those.
Perhaps use them as a backsplash to the cooker. Hmm, that might work.
If I end up making a complete cooker mounting cabinet then I could leave a storage space beneath the cooktop ( above the Air Fryer/Combo Toaster Oven )
I like that idea!
Back to work.
