Electric Cooking

[rotrax]

Not dogmatic sorry, just a personal opinion, cooking is a matter of "personal taste" isn't it?
There are some facts though:
You cannot make a coffee with small moka machine, or heat a milk pan with a small diameter as the induction will not recognize it (or vitroceramic will heat the whole room).
Once they (electricity/induction) are switched off, the wide contact surface remains hot and continues cooking for a lot longer, one has to move the pan to some other place. Turn off the gas and the heat is totally gone.
You cannot use a proper wok (hemispherical, not the flattened ones) on induction or electricity. With a flat bottomed wok when one waves it it in the air to stir the food, then put it back over the hob, then stir again in the air and so on, there is always the risk of crazing/damaging the cooking surface. For the perfectionist, one cannot make the "flame" inside the wok, the one giving that distinctive charcoal taste. Agree that regular home gas burners are too small for big woks, I find them ok for small ones up to 2-3 persons.
Simmering a big flat pan with a tiny thickness of liquid to be kept at low temperature, induction working in pulses it splashes the liquid all around. Ok I had induction a few years ago maybe modern models have improved.
I find it impossible to grill vegetables like eggplants (i.e. that take a long time to cook) because after 15-20ish minutes the grill pan over induction or electricity will cause overheating, all the system goes into protection and switches itself off. Meat or gambas are ok they have a much shorter cooking time. Likewise if I have to grill say sausages or ribs during a long period (say a lot of guests and normal size pans) I must use my gas burner, or the setting on the electric must be too low to avoid overheat protection.

Anyway, the recent tendency in regulations seems to go towards all electric so I am obliged to have vitroceramic and induction at home, I just added a portable gas burner for some specific tasks; when I am back on the boat it will (happily) only be gas, each one its personal liking

Now you are qualifying your short dogmatic statement with a page of 'yes but's'.

IMHO, from personal and direct experience cooking with electricity is fine. I dont recognise the problems you state, they are not an issue for us.

Electric cooking is all we have at home. And half of what we use on the boat.

You will note YOU are the one mentioning induction.

We dont use it, our heat is very controlable and with no issues.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Being liveaboards and 'switched on' we have been cooking electric pretty much all year as
a) we use a halogen oven rather than the gas one
b) the halogen oven creates no steam/condensation and doesn't heat up the cabin excessively in summer.
c) we have a 3 tier electric steamer
d) we have a plug in single electric infra red hob that is clean fast and efficient
e) we also have a George Foreman electric grill for steaks, burgers etc.

Our 'reserve' electric hob came out when Calor ran out of 4.5kg cylinders, even though we have adapted to a GAZ one now as our reserve.

if needs be we have a 4.5kw built in diesel generator that can run our electrics if off grid.

That's really interesting . Thanks

 

[dunedin]

Being liveaboards and 'switched on' we have been cooking electric pretty much all year as
a) we use a halogen oven rather than the gas one
b) the halogen oven creates no steam/condensation and doesn't heat up the cabin excessively in summer.
c) we have a 3 tier electric steamer
d) we have a plug in single electric infra red hob that is clean fast and efficient
e) we also have a George Foreman electric grill for steaks, burgers etc.

Our 'reserve' electric hob came out when Calor ran out of 4.5kg cylinders, even though we have adapted to a GAZ one now as our reserve.

if needs be we have a 4.5kw built in diesel generator that can run our electrics if off grid.

But are you full time on shore power? If so very very differnt from a liveaboard under way or at anchor

 

[coopec]

I've done a Firefox Browser search of this thread and I can't see where anyone has mentioned "thermal cookers". I would have thought "induction hobs" and "thermal cookers" are synonymous with an electric galley?

Thermal Cooker - The Boat Galley

 

[Trident]

I've swapped this year to all electric as we're off round the world for a few years from next spring and need to be used to it now. The reason was how much of a pain finding gas refills can be in remote areas. 3Kw inverter and 500 AH LiFePo4 and 2 Kw solar and we happily make hot water, cook, run a fridge and small freezer, a filter coffee machine etc but yes, we are a 50 foot catamaran so plenty of room for all the solar.

In my case I only had to buy one more battery and upgrade the inverter from 2Kw to 3kw to go all electric galley so not too expensive (I also rewired the AC circuit with 32 amp cable just in case someone turns on cooker, hob and coffee maker all at one time)

So we have an induction hob and a microwave with convection and a Ninja Foodie 9 for airfry, pressure cooking, rice making and baking small items etc and even a pretty good roast.

We only had to go on to shore power in late October - in the tropics we should be fine all year round on solar.

 

[Slowboat35]

Just wondering how soon do you think yachts can do away with gas completely and install electric hobs ?

Gas is getting rather expensive and quite a performance install/maintain/safety/certificate.

Unless you're talking about a largeish motor yacht why would anyone want to swap a nice lightweight and cheap (despite your statement) gas system for a stonking great noisy, heavy, smelly and very expensive generator, or why there is a time factor involved. Generators are't going to get any cheaper or smaller.

 

[Robin]

But are you full time on shore power? If so very very different from a liveaboard under way or at anchor

Which is why my post said 'switched on' I could equally have said plugged in. I did also say we do have a built in diesel generator we could power stuff from, but prefer to keep it for emergency use .

 

[rotrax]

Unless you're talking about a largeish motor yacht why would anyone want to swap a nice lightweight and cheap (despite your statement) gas system for a stonking great noisy, heavy, smelly and very expensive generator, or why there is a time factor involved. Generators are't going to get any cheaper or smaller.

See post #15.
We use both, gas and electricity.
Our genset is a trifle noisy - it is an old generation open set, no soundbox, but I have fitted a custom made sound blanket from a specialist. Now about 30% quieter.
It is not smelly - First Mate would not put up with that. It does weigh 240kgs, but balances the lead ballast I found in the shower seat, put there to balance the weight of a genset.
As for the cost, it was an ebay bargain and owes me £2K fitted. That includes bringing it up to my mechanical standards. 3 seasons use, trouble free.
It is an 8KW Westerbeke.
I could run my house with that!
Our boat does have a dedicated Generator Garage which made fitting fairly straightforward and makes service easy. Cooking is not the only reason we have a genset, battery charging and hot water on the hook, on a buoy or away from shore power are the main use - and while it is running we make best use of it by sometimes cooking in the microwave or Instant Pot.
Simples................................. ?

 

[Zing]

The best investment we have made recently is a small 'Instant Pot' computerised pressure cooker. First Mate can make a very good spag bol in 15 mins….

You cannot cook a great bol sauce in 15 minutes even in a pressure cooker. I recommend 3 hours. An induction cooker is perfect because you can control to really low levels. Set it on low and the timer on 3 hours. Job done. I’ve ditched the gas and gone electric, no regrets.

 

[coopec]

You cannot cook a great bol sauce in 15 minutes even in a pressure cooker. I recommend 3 hours. An induction cooker is perfect because you can control to really low levels. Set it on low and the timer on 3 hours. Job done. I’ve ditched the gas and gone electric, no regrets.

Why not use a thermal cooker to cook the spaghetti bolognese in 15 minutes?

 

[Zing]

Why not use a thermal cooker to cook the spaghetti bolognese in 15 minutes?

Great things take time. 15 mins achieves nothing of greatness.

 

[coopec]

Great things take time. 15 mins achieves nothing of greatness.

Thermal Cookware - portable non-electric slow cookers that allow you to cook with minimal energy for maximum results and will also keep your food hotter (or colder) than anything else! -

 

[dankilb]

We too have ditched the gas (already 'condemned' on our 2019 survey and so hasn't been in commission throughout our subsequent refit) and are planning to give electric a go - initially - on quite a modest setup: 1989 41' AWB (desperately in need of a re-wire), 4 x 105AH LAs, 400W of solar, 32A 240V.

So far we're aiming for a 'proof of concept' with the following upgrades: 3kw charger-inverter, Panasonic NN-CF87LBBPQ combi oven, and a 'camping' style 2-zone induction hob on top. The cooker is an almost perfect/direct fit for our boat and (with some fettling) should accept spare parts for 500mm gimbals/pan-holders on the market.

I appreciate some upgrades will be required. With an arch we might be able to push 1kw solar. When the (new-ish) batteries are done, we hope we'll be able to take the plunge for LiFePO4. We don't have a generator, nor space for an inboard, but our Beta 50 can take a second alternator.

It's good to hear positive first-hand experiences from @Trident, @rotrax, @Mistroma, @Robin, an others.

First Mate and I are both keen cooks (I worked in a few pro kitchens to pay my way in me yoof) and are prepared for a few compromises. We have electric at home anyway (top floor flat in a city centre block with 'Grenfell cladding'!) and have learned to work with/around it.

The Panasonic has some clever features to speed up cooking my combining microwave and combi fan/grill. While that idea isn't naturally appealing to my gastronomic instincts (don't have a microwave at home) - it could make sense on the boat. It should be 'clever', it's one of the most expensive microwaves on the market!

So far we can't find better than the 'Vango'-type dual zone portable/'camping' induction hob - that will fit between 500mm gimbal mounts/pan rail.

So far we've only got the inverter, so any suggestions/improvements still welcome.

 

[Kelpie]

What a bunch of doom-mongers.

We moved aboard full time in July. Rarely on shore power, no genset. We hardly ever eat out (having a 5yr old does that to you). And yet somehow we are still on the same 3.9kg calor bottle that we were using when we left Skye.

This is what we have:
-2* 265w solar (£80, secondhand)
- 40A MPPT (£130)
- DIY LiFeYPO4 battery, 271Ah with 120A BMS (£407, plus cost of isolator and wiring)
- 3kw pure sine wave inverter (£375)
- Vango Sizzle induction hob (£80)
- Remoska electric oven (£20, secondhand)

Total ~£1100.
The new battery system was installed instead of a planned upgrade to Trojan T-105s which would have cost £790. It powers the fridge and a few other non-essential domestic loads. So the extra cost of adding electric cooking has not actually been all that much. The big inverter also runs the hoover, laser printer, laminator, hair dryer, etc etc.

The Vango literally sits on top of the gas hob. I bent the pan clamps a bit to raise them and they work pretty well, if not perfectly. It's a bit less powerful than the gas. We cook every meal from scratch and have fitted induction hobs back home in our last two kitchens. Had a big gas range before and do not miss it.

If we've run the batteries down for some reason we switch back to gas cooking for a day or two. I think going the extra step of removing gas completely would only be possible if we were willing to run the engine or a genset for charging.

 

[rotrax]

We too have ditched the gas (already 'condemned' on our 2019 survey and so hasn't been in commission throughout our subsequent refit) and are planning to give electric a go - initially - on quite a modest setup: 1989 41' AWB (desperately in need of a re-wire), 4 x 105AH LAs, 400W of solar, 32A 240V.

So far we're aiming for a 'proof of concept' with the following upgrades: 3kw charger-inverter, Panasonic NN-CF87LBBPQ combi oven, and a 'camping' style 2-zone induction hob on top. The cooker is an almost perfect/direct fit for our boat and (with some fettling) should accept spare parts for 500mm gimbals/pan-holders on the market.

I appreciate some upgrades will be required. With an arch we might be able to push 1kw solar. When the (new-ish) batteries are done, we hope we'll be able to take the plunge for LiFePO4. We don't have a generator, nor space for an inboard, but our Beta 50 can take a second alternator.

It's good to hear positive first-hand experiences from @Trident, @rotrax, @Mistroma, @Robin, an others.

First Mate and I are both keen cooks (I worked in a few pro kitchens to pay my way in me yoof) and are prepared for a few compromises. We have electric at home anyway (top floor flat in a city centre block with 'Grenfell cladding'!) and have learned to work with/around it.

The Panasonic has some clever features to speed up cooking my combining microwave and combi fan/grill. While that idea isn't naturally appealing to my gastronomic instincts (don't have a microwave at home) - it could make sense on the boat. It should be 'clever', it's one of the most expensive microwaves on the market!

So far we can't find better than the 'Vango'-type dual zone portable/'camping' induction hob - that will fit between 500mm gimbal mounts/pan rail.

So far we've only got the inverter, so any suggestions/improvements still welcome.

At home in South Oxon and on our Kiwi boat we have Panasonic combined microvave/halogen oven /grills.

We would not want to be without them, brilliant bits of kit.

 

[coopec]

My gas bottle locker takes two 9kg bottles. I thought 9kg bottles is what everyone used. (That's what we use on our BBQs back here in Australia)

I wonder how long they will last?

 

[rotrax]

Great things take time. 15 mins achieves nothing of greatness.

Well, true knowledge is the product of direct experience.

As your mindset appears to disregard anything cooked that does not take a long time we can assume you have never tried anything from an Instant Pot.

It does not produce great food, I said it produces 'very good' food.

And it does, quickly, efficiently and cleanly. The boat food advantage of a spag bol cooked in one is that the spaghetti goes in the pot with the sauce. It takes the flavours from the sauce and means little washing up, just the inner pot of the device.

Very few sailors who go anywhere in their boats regularly cook great food aboard, time is not on their side. Coming into port hungry, pragmatism takes over.

IMHO, anyway...................................

 

[Zing]

Well, true knowledge is the product of direct experience.

As your mindset appears to disregard anything cooked that does not take a long time we can assume you have never tried anything from an Instant Pot.

It does not produce great food, I said it produces 'very good' food.

And it does, quickly, efficiently and cleanly. The boat food advantage of a spag bol cooked in one is that the spaghetti goes in the pot with the sauce. It takes the flavours from the sauce and means little washing up, just the inner pot of the device.

Very few sailors who go anywhere in their boats regularly cook great food aboard, time is not on their side. Coming into port hungry, pragmatism takes over.

IMHO, anyway...................................

Most minced beef will be tough and gristly with only 15 mins of cooking, no matter what magic pressures you wave at it, plus flavours will not work the same way. Fine if you are happy with it and I accept it’s a matter of personal choice. A pressure cooker such as you describe is far better when used for slow cooking in my opinion, and actually I do have one.

 

[rotrax]

Good, your opinion is of equal value to mine.

Opinions are like arseholes, we all have one.

If you have the time to cook great food everyday, well done.

By the time you have shopped for fresh ingredients, done the prep, cooked long and slow the time left leaves little for anything else. First Mate and I did 1600 NM's this season, on the boat nearly 4.5 months. No Marina's, not one. Not on shorepower untill Weymouth on the way home late September. Shopping required on one occasion a six mile dinghy ride in the pissing rain.

My youngest son is a talented Amateur Chef, spending hours in the kitchen, grinding his own spice mixtures, marinading and cooking.

He has recently smoked a Brisket for 14 hours.

That was nice.

As an aside, we do sometimes get poor mince, but not often. The best is from our local farm shop buchers, from their own Dexter cattle. Their Downland lamb is sublime also.

Surprisingly enough, Iceland cheap mince and frozen lamb was first class.

As I said, an instant pot makes good food easily.

Good food suits us - we dont need great food on a daily basis, we are far too busy to make it and too impecunious to afford it from Michelin Resturants.

 

[Kelpie]

Oh I should add, we make use of our pressure cookers most days, but we did that with gas as well.

Switching to electricity makes you very conscious of power consumption. E.g. a cup of tea costs 5Ah. Some less energy intensive meals are only 20Ah, others are over 70Ah. I'd never really appreciated this before.

If I think there isn't enough battery power to make a cuppa then I can just have a beer instead. It's a hard life!