Cooktop Information - Induction

[brucedelta]

Does anyone know what the power draw is on a standard electric MADP cooktop. And is it 120 or 240 V.

I am thinking of using a induction cook top and in speaking with Newmar they said they would be willing to size a cutout to my need, but they probably would not want to deal with installing something so far off their standard.

Frankly it amazes me that we do not see induction in use in higher end RV's already. The major potential problem I can think of is current draw, since induction requires 240 and either 20 or 25 Amps.

For those unfamiliar induction is a very high performance electrical cooking technology, and after spending several years with induction in my home it would always be my first choice. Basically it uses magnetics to create friction in ferrous cookware, therefore producing heat. It is very efficient since you are not dealing with heat conduction between the radiant element and the pan. Additional benefits is you do not get heat loss into the local environment, in other words the kitchen does not get hot like it will with any other technology. Since all the heat is applied directly to the pan, it is actually higher performance than most gas cook tops. Using my induction cook top I can bring a gallon of water to boil in about 6 minutes, and your average wolf or viking high end household burner will take about 10 minutes. Currently induction is esoteric and high end, but I think in 10 years it will be very mainstream.

Many people opt for propane in a coach because they do not want to cook with electric. I am thinking induction offers the best of all worlds, so the question is if induction would be feasible.

Can a RV system handle 240V at 20 or 25 Amps.

I recognize that I would need to shut off an AC unit or 2, but would like to hear opinions. Does the energy management system recognize when an appliance is using only 5 Amps or will it always treat it as the full 20 or 25 when turned on?

For those interested here is a link to the cooktop I would like Cooktop.
There are 20 A units also. One thing to keep in mind is the load is proportional in a induction unit. So simmering or slow cooking would only take a few amps current, while boiling or stir frying in a wok would take a high draw, but only on one burner.

[brucedelta]

Does anyone know what the power draw is on a standard electric MADP cooktop. And is it 120 or 240 V.

I am thinking of using a induction cook top and in speaking with Newmar they said they would be willing to size a cutout to my need, but they probably would not want to deal with installing something so far off their standard.

Frankly it amazes me that we do not see induction in use in higher end RV's already. The major potential problem I can think of is current draw, since induction requires 240 and either 20 or 25 Amps.

For those unfamiliar induction is a very high performance electrical cooking technology, and after spending several years with induction in my home it would always be my first choice. Basically it uses magnetics to create friction in ferrous cookware, therefore producing heat. It is very efficient since you are not dealing with heat conduction between the radiant element and the pan. Additional benefits is you do not get heat loss into the local environment, in other words the kitchen does not get hot like it will with any other technology. Since all the heat is applied directly to the pan, it is actually higher performance than most gas cook tops. Using my induction cook top I can bring a gallon of water to boil in about 6 minutes, and your average wolf or viking high end household burner will take about 10 minutes. Currently induction is esoteric and high end, but I think in 10 years it will be very mainstream.

Many people opt for propane in a coach because they do not want to cook with electric. I am thinking induction offers the best of all worlds, so the question is if induction would be feasible.

Can a RV system handle 240V at 20 or 25 Amps.

I recognize that I would need to shut off an AC unit or 2, but would like to hear opinions. Does the energy management system recognize when an appliance is using only 5 Amps or will it always treat it as the full 20 or 25 when turned on?

For those interested here is a link to the cooktop I would like Cooktop.
There are 20 A units also. One thing to keep in mind is the load is proportional in a induction unit. So simmering or slow cooking would only take a few amps current, while boiling or stir frying in a wok would take a high draw, but only on one burner.

[DonnaB]

Hi Bruce,

I don't know all the answers to your questions, but I thought I would just give you something else to consider. I am very familiar with induction cooking as I put a Jenn-Air induction range into a lake house we had at least 20 years ago. At that time I thought it would be in every house in 5 to 10 years, but it never took off. Too many people don't like the heavier cookware required.

Now I carry a 10" single burner induction cooktop that I have had for 20 years in our coach and use it on occasion. Since it is portable I can use it outdoors and have used it as a warming plate on a buffet cabinet next to our table.

However, what I wanted to share was something I saw on some forum...can't remember where, but I thought "what a really clever idea". This couple remodeled their RV kitchen and had no stove cooktop, just counter space. In place of the cooktop, they had 3 portable induction units kind of like this <http://www.beveragefactory.com/refri...1501.shtml>. He had these units stored where they were quick to get out and use, but when done, all that counter space available. He did say that they had never had all 3 going at once, only 2, but hadn't yet done a holiday dinner.

I just thought that was such a clever idea that I would store it to consider when the next time comes for me to redo the kitchen area. Food for your thoughts.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Does anyone know what the power draw is on a standard electric MADP cooktop </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Bruce! Newmar should have that answer readily available. I know some Essex owners who have doubled up on the standard cooktops. Paul