Diesel or induction cooktop?

[BigSkyBrad]

My previous build had propane for cooking, but i was never enamoured with the idea for various reasons. Also, the hot water heating was diesel, the cooktop was the only appliance using gas.

So, for my current build I thought I'd go for a Webasto diesel cooktop, or induction. The hot water will again be a Thermo-top, so diesel is already onboard. On the electrical side, the solar array will be 670W, a B2B charger also, 3000W pure sine-wave inverter, and the battery bank will be LifePO4 in the 200-360ah range.

Any thoughts either way, for and against? Do I have enough electrics to cope with a two 'burner' 2900W induction top (though I don't see that I would have both rings running on max at the same time)?

 

[john61ct]

a two 'burner' 2900W induction top (though I don't see that I would have both rings running on max at the same time)

Even so, that is huge Ah per day if actually cooking, just making bevvies could be more than solar provides

> Do I have enough electrics to cope

only you can answer that.

Energy budget, Ah per day capacity vs projected consumption.

I would stick to propane myself.

 

[DiploStrat]

Scholars differ. My last two campers have used induction cooktops. One had a Webasto diesel cooktop but we rarely used it for all the usual reasons.

Never run out of power with 600w of solar and 600Ah of AGM and decent alternators. At the very worst, you can idle the truck engine when cooking. (Did this once in five years.)

You can see more on our website, but a rule of thumb is that induction cook top or microwave will draw 150A DC and a typical meal for two people will take less than 30 wall clock minutes so call it 75Ah. A lot of amps, to be sure, but we have found it sustainable for years.

As always, YMMV, etc.

 

[john61ct]

Yes absolutely.

Some aspire to running aircon off the bank at night.

Others consider their Engel portable a huge consumer compared to the rest of their loads.

 

[IdaSHO]

If I had a larger rig and considerably more solar, Id definitely go with an induction cook top.

It makes the most sense. Use it when you have surplus solar, and/or enough battery, or just start the truck or generator.

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