Electric griddle plate

[anniebray]

We enjoy cooking out in the cockpit alfresco style & have previously managed this using one of those flat type portable gas cookers that use a 250gm cartridge & a Coleman aluminium griddle plate. It has meant having to stock gas in cylinders (Camping Gaz 907) & also in cartridges all of which must be stored in gas locker, anchor locker, or somehow above deck. This week I came upon a "Tristar" electric griddle plate 800w in a caravan shop (£20) & this evening cooked a dinner of fillet steak, potato croquettes, peppers, mushrooms etc. I found 800w was even sufficient to burn the food if not careful.
The cooking surface is 25cm square & I think this appliance will be a real boon for our planned 3 month cruise this year. I am currently fitting a Sterling 1000w inverter (peak 2000w) & I reckon that I will manage to generate enough mains power for cooking even when at anchor. Also have a Sharp microwave which absorbs 1220w max. Obviously I will need to run the engine when the inverter is on high power . I have 315ah of house battery capacity. I did consider a portable generator but rejected that idea because of the irritating noise particularly for neighbours.
Well just thought I'd share my thoughts with you but now I'll take cover while the camping purists berate me for loading my boat with ugly technology.

 

[Searush]

I got a stainless barrel barbie from the local co-op for under £20. I carry normal charcoal & add a few "self-lighting" lumps to get it going. It sits on top of the aft cabin and can have one or two grills running depending on number of guests/ need for wind protection etc.

No power use, smells gorgeous & tastes even better. As a saily boat I prefer not to run engines if possible & I don't use marinas so I don't have unlimited power available. each to their own I guess. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[anniebray]

Agree with you, there's no better aroma than you get with charcoal cooking but not very practical in my (saily !!) aft cockpit also of course can't use in marinas. I'm proud to say that I do have a charcoal barbie in the locker for excursions.
BTW My partner has always been embarassed about us having a microwave .

 

[rogersimms]

Barbies in the cockpit a way to enjoy the day. However I think your inverter might be a tad on the small size. I am not an expert but i think the 1kw is for continuous and the 2kw is start up only

 

[nimbusgb]

[ QUOTE ]
Barbies in the cockpit a way to enjoy the day. However I think your inverter might be a tad on the small size. I am not an expert but i think the 1kw is for continuous and the 2kw is start up only

[/ QUOTE ]

Which should be OK for an 800w plate /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rogerdog]

would also point out that it will be using about 83A when cooking - so some BIG cable needed (with 2Kw peak) and even running the engine will probably still be discharging unless you have a very high output alternator.

Don't forget as well that at such a high discharge rate your battery bank capacity shroud be de rated and ideally less then 70 % discharge (50% usually the max) so limited cooking time til "full" discharge if only batt power.

Sorry -another vote for charcoal.

 

[Bilgediver]

I bought one of those Lidl induction hot plates for the mond boggling price of 29 squids... It never ceases to amaze me how quick it heats up a pan and yet in itself remains cool!!!!!

No condensation and no waste heat in the boat. It seems to run at around 800 watts when on most applications but can go to 1KW on full welly.

 

[TrueBlue]

A "modified sine" wave inverter is unlikely (OK, won't) run a microwave effectively if it is of the conventional variety. It seems simply put that the microwave wants power at the peak of the AC cycle which a square wave inverter doesn't produce.

We had one on a hire boat many years ago and it was as useful as a chocolate teacup. So Slooooow. Quite apart from the huge battery drain.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried one of those Panasonic inverter microwaves?

 

[jamest]

That's interesting, I didn't about charcoal cooking 'till I reached here. I have been thinking of getting an electric griddle or perhaps one of those cast iron griddles (I think Lodge has a couple of models). Problem is I don't know much so I don't feel comfortable making a smart purchase. I've read lots of information online, like this website about griddles reviews, and I've also consulted with friends and people I know, some recommended the broil king griddle and others told me presto or cuisinart, so I ended up being a little confused.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience here

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

As someone else pointed out, the battery drain current for 800Watts is a about 67amps and I reckon that under normal circumstances with a normal battery you will get about five minutes of cooking time before gassing at the battery plates increases the internal resisitance and reduces the available current.It might work if you get secial traction batteries.
Good idea for marina use but forget about the 1000w invertor unless you intend to make a massive increase in battery capacity ...in which case you will need a larger alternator......in which case you may have to think about running the engine when cooking....or get a bigger boat.
Hey you are getting into a mess!!!
Suggest that you backtrack to disposable BBQs and a simple holder to clamp to the rail.

 

[prv]

Agree with you, there's no better aroma than you get with charcoal cooking but not very practical in my (saily !!) aft cockpit

Why not?

also of course can't use in marinas.

Why not?

A barbecue on a boat (especially fibreglass) is best hung over the rail so that hot stuff drops into the water rather than the deck. An aft cockpit with a pushpit to clamp it to is ideal for this.

I've used such a contraption in Lymington marina with no inconvenience to anyone else. (Although if I was planning a barbecue I'd rather be anchored or on a mooring than in a carpark, so my marina-BBQ experience isn't wide)

Pete