Induction cookers & induction cooking

[RobMichelle]

Hi
We are updating our kitchen soon, and thinking of going from gas to induction cooker.
Wife likes the flat look easy clean aspect, plus she has worked in aged care for many years and has seen a lot of people leave gas on and doesn’t want to be one to forget the gas as we get older, plus there not much more than a new gas cook top. Also thinking of in 20 years will it be better value in selling the house if we last that long.
So if you have an induction cooker are they any good ?
Do they cook well?
Do you like them?

[Toxic_Avenger]

I don't own, but have used a pretty high spec miele unit, and that thing was astonishing how quickly it would pump the heat into a pot- the boil mode had the unit humming like an old arc welder, and it would get a 5L pot of water boiling in a real short amount time.

I think induction cooktops don't like aluminium pans, and possibly some other metals. So the old Moka pot would need a metal adapter plate if that's your style.

[oka374]

Yes they are great, fast, we've had an ebay cheapie ($300) 4 burner in our new kitchen for a few years now, the cook would never go back to anything else and we are putting a two "burner" on in our camper instead of the existing gas stove.

[prelude]

I have used all forms of cookers except diesel cookers. (so that means petrol, ceramic, induction, gas, etc.)

My experience thus far is that I like gas/petrol best for most things and it can do pretty much anything/everything.

In regards to induction, yes it is one of the most efficient ways of cooking since there is not a lot of heat loss (the heat is created inside the pan itself). I like the speed of boiling things for example and the efficiency is a nice bonus. The safety aspect is also great. When cooking in a draft the flame can not be blown out etc etc.

However... There are plenty of things I dislike about induction cooking:


you need special pans or at least not everything is compatible.
Yes, a gas cooker will leave the grid very hot after use but make no mistake, a pan that has been on an induction stove will transfer it's heat downwards to the induction top as well so they too can get hot enough to burn yourself. Don't fool yourself into thinking it is 100% safe.
useless for stir fry in my experience. It simply doesn't have the power for it and a wok with a flat bottom just doesn't work, you need a large gas hob for that imho
they are glass plates effectively and a peanut butter pot from the cabinet above will smash it (ask me how I know...[bigwhistle])


So all in all, it's a mixed bag for me. To put things into context: I have used electric heating and water in my house for 20 odd years and I live in a country with it's own gas (very cheap until recently) but I got rid of everything gas very early on. For cooking however, I am keeping it :)

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
-P

[disco gazza]

When I redid my kitchen in 2019,I had the old 1973 electric hobs that were slow as.
I put an induction in as I wanted to cook almost as soon as I put pot on the cooktop.
All I can say is DO IT, your wife will not be disappointed.
Cooks fast or slow as,easy to clean and I wouldnt go for anything else now.

cheers
littlecub

[Vern]

Installed a Bosch induction cooktop on the weekend, soooo much better than gas. We can also tell the difference of not having gas in the house polluting the air (crap useless range hood).
If magnet sticks to your existing pots/pans, then they will work fine.

[RobMichelle]

Wow thanks for the replies [emoji106]appreciate the feedback sounds like a good thing.
Yes some of our pans the magnet sticks but the ol baccarat pots will need replacing.
Ah the range hood that is another rabbit warren, we have decided on a schweigen under mount with a 900 motor which they call silent but motor goes outside on roof, see how that goes.
Thanks again [emoji2]

[simonmelb]

Induction is great and does definitely stir fry, esp with 3.6 Kw instant power into a good frypan.

You can buy dedicated Uber power induction wok cookers for normal curved woks but they’re not cheap!

[NavyDiver]

Hi
We are updating our kitchen soon, and thinking of going from gas to induction cooker.
Wife likes the flat look easy clean aspect, plus she has worked in aged care for many years and has seen a lot of people leave gas on and doesn’t want to be one to forget the gas as we get older, plus there not much more than a new gas cook top. Also thinking of in 20 years will it be better value in selling the house if we last that long.
So if you have an induction cooker are they any good ?
Do they cook well?
Do you like them?

Love it. It is so much easier to clean. It can boil water in less than 1/2 time time of the gas we had. With the correct plate you can sizzle a steak much better than any BBQ honest.

Takes a bit of time to learn but even the wok rocks on it. Ok its a flat bottom wok so it is steady [biggrin] I did get on with a gas wok burner. Honestly wish I did not as that is the only bit that's harder to clean and is not needed really Ours is one of these (https://www.fisherpaykel.com/au/cooking/cooktops/minimal-cooktops/gas-plus-induction-cooktop-90cm-1-burner-4-zones-with-smartzone-cgi905dngtb4-82203.html)

Edit- I use the BOOST heat function on my flat bottom wok. I need to stir it like a nut to stop food burning. It took a while to get it right with the wok.[thumbsupbig]

[austastar]

Wow thanks for the replies [emoji106]......we have decided on a schweigen under mount with a 900 motor which they call silent but motor goes outside on roof, see how that goes.
Thanks again [emoji2]

Hi,
You will love it.
Cheers

[loanrangie]

I'd want to keep at least one gas burner, cant toss a wok over induction like you can a gas burner - over 35 years as a chef i know what i'm saying.

[Redtail]

Induction? All the advantages as mentioned, unless you're into wok frying and you want the heat to come around the pan.

Most pot manufacturers these days are induction compatible. Just test the base with a magnet.

Much like an oven, it will need its own circuit, usually of a high capacity. In WA, that means an emergency cut-out switch too. This may be a cost you'll need to consider.

Earlier this year, the ABC reported on the hazards of pumping methane into your house. It may be important to you or your grand/kids health, too.
Scientists call for incentives to help households transition away from gas use in homes - ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-20/gas-use-in-homes-worsens-air-quality-report-says/101085224)

[NavyDiver]

Induction? All the advantages as mentioned, unless you're into wok frying and you want the heat to come around the pan.

Most pot manufacturers these days are induction compatible. Just test the base with a magnet.

Much like an oven, it will need its own circuit, usually of a high capacity. In WA, that means an emergency cut-out switch too. This may be a cost you'll need to consider.

Earlier this year, the ABC reported on the hazards of pumping methane into your house. It may be important to you or your grand/kids health, too.
Scientists call for incentives to help households transition away from gas use in homes - ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-20/gas-use-in-homes-worsens-air-quality-report-says/101085224)

Not really off topic. That Gas report showed significant Methane leakage from gas when it was turned off! A bit of a shocker I thought.

PS- I never argue with the cook or Chef- 35 years of wok tossing wins every time :)

[DiscoMick]

Main criticism I've heard of induction cooking is it can be a pretty heavy drain on batteries when camped off grid.
Is that a problem for those who are using it on the road?
We have kept our van cooking on gas so the electrics only have to run the fridge-freezer and lights.

[austastar]

Hi,
Grizzlynbear (youtube) ditched propane and went induction successfully.
Propane Free Camper! Electric Induction VS Propane for Overlanding - YouTube (https://youtu.be/6CS1l1nv3Z8)
Cheers

[Redtail]

Hi,
Grizzlynbear (youtube) ditched propane and went induction successfully.
Propane Free Camper! Electric Induction VS Propane for Overlanding - YouTube (https://youtu.be/6CS1l1nv3Z8)
Cheers

I'll gladly go induction with our coming kitchen reno, and when I do my next tourer build in the next couple of years. I really dislike mucking about with gas bottles.

[austastar]

Hi,
Our wood stove died recently (heating, hot water, cooking) so needed a new stove.
Mrs really insisted on gas burners and electric oven.
With an efficient external venting range hood there is no fumes. One large rental bottle has lasted nearly a year so far, and it is nice to cook on by adjusting the flame rather than finding a cooler/hotter spot on the cook top.
No regrets sofar, apart from the extra installation costs of gas to a point just beside a 35A cable that was all ready there from the old stove.
Cheers

[prelude]

I did not know about the wok shaped induction units, cheers for that!

SO many fans of induction btw :) it kinda surprises me, I guess I'm just a tad bit old skool? [biggrin]

Regarding mobile induction cooking, I know not everyone likes the bloke but ASPW is also "testing" induction cooking and I am just not sure about it on the road. Sure, to boil a cuppa would take only minutes at most and would not eat into your energy reserves by much but boiling a pasta or potatoes take significantly longer and uses more energy. Also, I could never cook a meal with only one hob personally so I would need a dual plate which is pretty big and bulky...

Looking forward to read more on the road reviews with induction. The one really huge advantage I find is: no open fire and 0 chance of wind interfering which is great!

-P

[Redtail]

I did not know about the wok shaped induction units, cheers for that!

SO many fans of induction btw :) it kinda surprises me, I guess I'm just a tad bit old skool? [biggrin]

Regarding mobile induction cooking, I know not everyone likes the bloke but ASPW is also "testing" induction cooking and I am just not sure about it on the road. Sure, to boil a cuppa would take only minutes at most and would not eat into your energy reserves by much but boiling a pasta or potatoes take significantly longer and uses more energy. Also, I could never cook a meal with only one hob personally so I would need a dual plate which is pretty big and bulky...

Looking forward to read more on the road reviews with induction. The one really huge advantage I find is: no open fire and 0 chance of wind interfering which is great!

-P

My German partner tells me you guys in Europe have been using induction cooktops in the home for years!

I'm following ASPW's (4XOverland on YouTube, for those interested) experiments with interest, too. He's no gourmet cook, and I would also want two hobs.
(Granted, he uses his battery capacity for working in the field, and hot water showers.)
I would suggest if you've gone to the trouble of fitting a 3000W inverter to power the hob, you could just as easily plug a kettle in for a cuppa.

Another advantage of induction cooking is "low and slow". If you imagine a heat/energy scale from 1 to 10 for induction, gas fits in around 4 or 5 to 10.
Induction will happily let you melt chocolate straight in a pan, no bain marie required, or leave your favourite curry cooking all day.

[NavyDiver]

I did not know about the wok shaped induction units, cheers for that!

SO many fans of induction btw :) it kinda surprises me, I guess I'm just a tad bit old skool? [biggrin]

Regarding mobile induction cooking, I know not everyone likes the bloke but ASPW is also "testing" induction cooking and I am just not sure about it on the road. Sure, to boil a cuppa would take only minutes at most and would not eat into your energy reserves by much but boiling a pasta or potatoes take significantly longer and uses more energy. Also, I could never cook a meal with only one hob personally so I would need a dual plate which is pretty big and bulky...

Looking forward to read more on the road reviews with induction. The one really huge advantage I find is: no open fire and 0 chance of wind interfering which is great!

-P

Saw one at that German super'market A single induction plug in for about $90. I did think of grabbing one for the camping trailer. Then thought of a nice camp fire and didn't[biggrin]

[chuck]

One of the other big advantages of induction cook tops is safety.

If a child puts their hand on traditional electric cook top that is on their hand will stick to it.

Induction cooktops are hot but no where near traditional & you can move your hand off

Tried it when we got our first one approximately ten years ago.

Gingerly put hand on induction cooktop ring after having just boiled a saucepan of water - hot but not a problem

[TonyC]

If your interested in off grid induction cooking, W&KO have some good info here

switching to Lithium (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/lithium-batteries/278699-switching-lithium.html)

Tony

[Vern]

Saw one at that German super'market A single induction plug in for about $90. I did think of grabbing one for the camping trailer. Then thought of a nice camp fire and didn't[biggrin]Appliance Online have a Westinghouse one for around the same price from memory.


Now for those that are interested in it for camping, check out the stuff Safiery do.

[DiscoMick]

From memory, the Grizzly and Bear and APSW induction set-ups have around 400 amps of lithium battery to draw on, so at least 320amps of usable power, which is quite a lot to cope with the demands of induction.
We only have 200 amps of lithium storage, so less to spare.
Will be interesting to see how the mobile induction set-ups go.
I do like the idea of not having to buy gas though.

[W&KO]

I first read this thread was a about induction cooktop upgrade in a house, 4 walls and a roof type house….could be wrong.

If I’m right than I’m not sure how replies off running an induction cooktop off batteries is going to help the OP on his house

I did struggle watching ASPW’s video, poor quality video, limited technical info, half arsed cook ups…..he did a pretty good job of putting people off induction cooktops for camping.

Oh, to continue with the off topic discussion, we get by just fine with ditching gas for induction cooking for our lap of AUS…..200a/h battery, 2000w inverter, 200ish watts of solar, single induction cooktop……

[aussearcher]

We have just moved house and inherited an induction cook top. What is the best way to clean these things? One of the "burners" has a build up of gunge on it. Normal household cleaning agents are not moving it. Can I hit it with a scourer?

[V8Ian]

Have you tried oven cleaner? You're only trying to clean glass, at the end of the day.

[Redtail]

We have just moved house and inherited an induction cook top. What is the best way to clean these things? One of the "burners" has a build up of gunge on it. Normal household cleaning agents are not moving it. Can I hit it with a scourer?

The gunge will be from a lazy cook not cleaning burnt material from between pot and glass/ceramic surface.
I'd say get some oven cleaner or a specialised ceramic cleaner and a bit of elbow grease. A scourer will be too coarse.
You should be able to get specialised cleaner from a manufacturer like Miele.

If the surface has decayed from long neglect, there's probably nothing you can do about it.

[RANDLOVER]

If your interested in off grid induction cooking, W&KO have some good info here

switching to Lithium (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/lithium-batteries/278699-switching-lithium.html)

Tony

Or off-grid on home made gas Gas getting too expensive? These people are making their own in their backyard - ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-07-23/gas-prices-high-make-your-own-cost-of-living/101248318)

[prelude]

We have had them in europe for many many years yes, like I said, I am not as sold as some. Also the hobs used by overlanders are usually not that powerful. Finally for cleaning, if you take care NOT to hit anything aluminium you should use a product that contains natrium hydroxide, aka sodium hydroxide, lye, caustic soda. The stuff dissolves carbon and should get rid of the gunk. Glass should not be affected at all If you have to work near aluminium you can use dichloromethane. That's the stuff that used to be in paint remover. It will also dissolve carbon but won't interact with the aluminium.

Mind you though, that stuff IS pretty dangerous since us humans are largely made up of carbon :) so take the necessary precautions.

Cheers!
-P