Cooking in Gas/electric

[SailSouth]

In pre-liveaboard times I would always cook on the gas hob but I am now considering the purchase of a small standalone induction hob to sit on the cooker or worktop. Wondering if this would be cheaper and easier in the long run as I have power most of the time and it's only a little more expensive than domestic rates.

Any thoughts on this?

example here...http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/slimline-induction-hob-a21nw

 

[cmedsailor]

I will say if you are happy to use it only when connected with shore power (this is my understanding) and it's adequate for your needs then it's the same question you could have at home. Gas or electricity? What is easier? Nothing wrong with what you are thinking and it's safer than having gas cylinders around. But how can you need to use a cooker only if you have electricity? Not even a hot coffee while sailing.....!

 

[SailSouth]

Maybe I didn't explain. The normal gas cooker will stay, I'm thinking of the electric hob when on shore power rather than using gas as it will make the gas bottles last longer.

The less lugging of gas bottles the better!

 

[cmedsailor]

Maybe I didn't explain. The normal gas cooker will stay, I'm thinking of the electric hob when on shore power rather than using gas as it will make the gas bottles last longer.

The less lugging of gas bottles the better!

I think it's a good idea. Cheap, small to store, less gas bottles, why not.

 

[Mister E]

Does an Induction hob need steel pans?

 

[macd]

Maybe I didn't explain. The normal gas cooker will stay, I'm thinking of the electric hob when on shore power rather than using gas as it will make the gas bottles last longer.

The less lugging of gas bottles the better!

What you propose is common amongst year-round liveaboards, for the reasons you mention (although conventional electric hobs are probably still more common than induction). Ours usually doesn't come out of the locker until we park for the winter, but there's no reason not to use one any time you're on shorepower.

 

[SailSouth]

What you propose is common amongst year-round liveaboards, for the reasons you mention (although conventional electric hobs are probably still more common than induction). Ours usually doesn't come out of the locker until we park for the winter, but there's no reason not to use one any time you're on shorepower.

Thanks Mac, pleased I'm not barking up the wrong tree here as it made sense to me. Think I'll get one. Need to install some more sockets in the galley first, one is not enough.

 

[vyv_cox]

What you propose is common amongst year-round liveaboards, for the reasons you mention (although conventional electric hobs are probably still more common than induction). Ours usually doesn't come out of the locker until we park for the winter, but there's no reason not to use one any time you're on shorepower.

Some years ago we looked over a brokerage yacht whose galley was entirely electric, no gas on board. Seemed like a lot of hassle to start a generator to boil a kettle and I had some doubts over the safety aspects of 230 volts v. gas on a yacht.

 

[Yngmar]

Yup, quite common, along with the electric kettle for the same reasons. I've worked out running the larger of the two stove burners on full (or the oven) for one hour is about £1.70 in gas due to the silly prices of campingaz, so this does make a difference.

Note that not all cookware is compatible with induction hobs.

 

[macd]

I've worked out running the larger of the two stove burners on full (or the oven) for one hour is about £1.70 in gas due to the silly prices of campingaz.

Indeed. It staggers me how they get away with those prices in the monopoly-averse EU. We use large local gas bottles in both Greece and Turkey (with different regulators). Cost is only a little over €1 per kg, or about one tenth of the higher Campingaz prices. Unfortunately most yachts can't accommodate such bottles, but any liveaboards who can should seriously consider it.

 

[SailSouth]

Yup, quite common, along with the electric kettle for the same reasons. I've worked out running the larger of the two stove burners on full (or the oven) for one hour is about £1.70 in gas due to the silly prices of campingaz, so this does make a difference.

Note that not all cookware is compatible with induction hobs.

Already use the electric kettle and toaster, wouldn't be without them. That's what made me think about the hob. I have stainless steel cooking pans so should be ok.

 

[RolyGate]

A standard electric kettle, mains electric of the cordless type (lift off the base and pour after it boils) is £5 in Tesco. A single electric hob (1 kW) is £12 to £15 in a camping equipment store such as Camping International. A low-power 700 watt digital control microwave is £35 in Tesco (manual for the same cost if that's your preference).

If you're on shore power then this is way faster, more convenient and cheaper than propane. Avoid butane, it's for weekenders, in warm weather, and priced accordingly.

When you get on the move, just stow the electric gear and shift over to the propane stove and stainless kettle (£7.50 in a camping store for a very smart one).

Basically, avoid butane and yacht chandlers - or pay 3x to 10x more.

 

[geem]

We do exactly that on the very rare occasion we are on shore power. We have a single ring induction hob that we sit on top of the gas cooker. In very hot weather it cuts the amount of heat in the boat compared with gas which is another advantage.
We can also use it off the generator which we do occasionally if we are using the generator to make water and we have spare power available as it is better to load the generator than have it working lightly

 

[Heckler]

In pre-liveaboard times I would always cook on the gas hob but I am now considering the purchase of a small standalone induction hob to sit on the cooker or worktop. Wondering if this would be cheaper and easier in the long run as I have power most of the time and it's only a little more expensive than domestic rates.

Any thoughts on this?

example here...http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/slimline-induction-hob-a21nw

We did exactly what you are proposing, a Lidl special, it has saved a fortune in gas. We do marinas so always have shore power. We cut a piece of ply to clip on the top of the existing gas stove and the induction hob stands on top. We had to buy a couple of new pans but that was needed anyway.
The hob fits just nicely under the existing gas stove. when not in use.
Stu