Hello Guest!
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..

  • 15 Replies
  • 21765 Views
*

CrazyG

  • **
  • 8
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • Model: None
  • Slide: No
  • Location: WNC Mountains
Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« on: January 11, 2015, 11:27:18 am »
Admittedly I'm NOT a PC owner  :'(, BUT I've been looking at them and surveying them...
and one of things I see as a short coming in the PC's is the gas cook top...
In the camper we had previously, it had a 3 burner Atwood, and you could cook about anything on it...It seems the cook top in the PC's are much smaller, and most importantly the
the control knobs for the gas are VERY close to the burners themselves....and in some of the pictures I'v seen on the internet , the knobs had been melted...
SOO!! I was thinking about a whole new method of cooking that is just coming out into fruition... (cheer)...It's called ""Induction heat cooking"....It's done with electric, with special type pans and it's faster and smaller than the range tops in the PC's...
Admittedly it uses 120v, and wouldn't work for boondockers unless they ran their generator...
Here's a picture from the website you might be interested in....
http://www.acitydiscount.com/Vollrath-Mirage-Pro-14-x-15-25-Counter-Top-Induction-Range-1800W-59500P.0.143612.1.1.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=cse_goo&PPCID=22&link=Induction-Cooktops&catargetid=730011350000099681&cadevice=c&gclid=CKC-goWnjMMCFeLm7Aodp3cAuw
Of course, the price could be an issue...BUT, I thought somebody may have interest in them,
and was just posting for those who might be interested... (nod)

Take Care
Tony
Logged
*

2 Frazzled

  • *******
  • 1434
    • View Profile
    • Spirit of the Woods
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 2013
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit & Cherry
  • ExtColor: Sunlit
  • Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2015, 11:42:38 am »
Tony, keep in mind that you need compatible pains for induction cooking. Cast iron works - stainless steel doesn't. A simple test is using a magnet - if it doesn't stick to the bottom of your pan, that pan won't work on the induction cook top. We saw a cool demo at The Solar Decathlon in DC several years ago. The students had cut a cast iron pan in half, set it on the activated cooktop then dropped an egg so half was on the pan and half was on the bare cook top. The egg on the pan cooked immediately while the part on the cooktop itself sat there cool and raw.

I've read where people use an induction cooktop in their RV to save on propane costs when hooked up to power but the price of that cook top would pay for a lot of propane. Not to mention the cost of new pans if yours aren't compatible.
Logged
John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
Travel Blog: Spiritofthewoods.net
*

CrazyG

  • **
  • 8
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • Model: None
  • Slide: No
  • Location: WNC Mountains
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2015, 12:20:07 pm »
Greetings 2Frazzled;

Your right about the 'iron' part....cast iron should work, ""BUT"" not all
stainless steels are none magnetic....It depends...
My wife has got some Wolfgang Puck  SS pots, that are magnetic...
So I don't know how to respond to that exactly...
We don't have an induction unit just yet, but I thought for the space this particular unit
consumed it might be interesting for campers cooking out side or something...
My understanding is that it cooks much faster...and it's safe in the respect that you can touch the cooking surface without burning yourself...
This technology stuff is just leaving me behind, and I continually have to scramble just to keep up with what is going on.. :help
I'd be happy to hear from anybody else that knows more about this technology
Take Care
Tony


Logged
*

2 Frazzled

  • *******
  • 1434
    • View Profile
    • Spirit of the Woods
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 2013
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit & Cherry
  • ExtColor: Sunlit
  • Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2015, 01:23:15 pm »
Tony, I agree about the technology. The conduction cooktops are extremely energy efficient compared to standard electric burners. I'm not sure how electric compares to propane on the green energy scale.

I'd like to comment on the perceived shortcomings of the Phoenix cook top. We've been full time in our Phoenix for almost eighteen months now and have no problem preparing food on the cook top. We have two adults full time, an additional child for up to six weeks at a time, and occasionally one or two extra adults. We don't have the space of a commercial kitchen but you quickly adapt to what you've got. With two burners and a convection microwave, we prepare full, healthy meals on a regular basis and pulled off a full Thanksgiving dinner this past November. The few times we do resort to heat and eat, it is because we are too busy playing to cook dinner. We had a four burner propane range at our old house. I can't remember ever using four burners at once. If we even used three, it was few and far between. If we need to prep food for a large crew, we'll plan it out to use our crock pot and outdoor grill.

As for melting knobs, so far so good. John put the large pan on the small burner once and our label got a few little bubbles but he is now trained to put large pans on the large burner (more stable that way anyhow). When we use our diffuser on the small burner, we make sure it does not overhang the knobs.
Logged
John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
Travel Blog: Spiritofthewoods.net
*

gradygal

  • ******
  • 742
  • our 3rd PC--Custom 2910
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: March 2012
  • Model: 2910
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cherry
  • ExtColor: slate gray full body paint
  • Location: Florida
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2015, 01:28:14 pm »
 Last spring, I bought an induction cooktop  from Amazon to take with us on our New England trip. I bought a small table to put it on. I wanted it specifically  to cook lobsters and steamers outside of the PC. It worked wonderfully. The water heated very quickly and we didn't have that seafood smell in the PC. I can't remember what else I might have cooked using it--my mind is usually focused on seafood.

Some of my "stainless" pans worked on it but I did bring along my enamel lobster pot and I bought a smaller enamel pot along the way (for the steamers).

We used that cooktop more than we used the stove.

Judi
Logged
Judi and George Nicholson
Punta Gorda FL
*

Pax

Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2015, 01:58:26 pm »
Tony:

There is another thread on the forum somewhere regarding induction units you might want to look at as well.

We own a Fagor portable induction unit (1800W) which we purchased on Amazon (from Sur La Table) for about $150 and we love it for many reasons. We can use it inside the rig, outside the rig or even at home (like outside at the bbq area when we need another cooking surface). It doesn't take up much room at all (12x14x2) and so it stores easily.  It does require compatible cookware, but our nesting pots/pans were already compatible.  It does a great job overall...fast and efficient.  The fan is a bit noisy, and the cooktop will indeed get hot (from the pan of stuff being cooked, obviously)  Since we have 50 amp ability in our rig, the electrical is not an issue.

Even though we love our unit, I don't think we'd change over our gas cooktop to induction.  I cook quite a bit and haven't found the 2-burner gas unit to be a hindrance at all.  We haven't done much dry camping yet, but anticipate doing more and the gas cooktop would be indispensable for us.  If we were never going to dry camp we might consider a change to induction.  Hmmm....then again, one of the things we like best about the PC is that there are many options and ways of using it.  Got power? Use the convection/microwave, put the fridge and water heater on electric. No power? Start the generator.  Don't want to start the generator?  Put the fridge and water heater on gas and use the cooktop. 

I guess this is another one of those 'How would you use your PC' questions.  Everyone is different. If you are considering a portable induction unit, I would advise shopping around.  Although the unit you posted is a bit bigger than the Fagor, there is a huge price difference.

- Mike



Logged
*

CrazyG

  • **
  • 8
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • Model: None
  • Slide: No
  • Location: WNC Mountains
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2015, 03:36:57 pm »
Greeting PC'ers...
This the lastest info which we just gleaned...
We went to the Williams Sonoma store in Asheville today, and talked to Mary the sales lady.
She was very knowledgeable, because she is their  'Demo-cook'....
We were more interested in the new 'ceramic' fry pans and purchased some...
NOT the kind you would use on an 'induction' unit...
But, I did ask her if she ever used the induction method of cooking and she said yes, numerous times,,,,She sid she didn't like them, because depending on the pans and the food,
""THEY COOK TO FAST"""  25 to 50% faster than gas or propane....
She said she was old school and hasn't gotten used to them yet...
So there you go...something to put in your pot and let simmer... (cheer)
Take Care
Tony

 
Logged
*

bobojay

  • *****
  • 102
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • Model: None
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Desert Sand-Hickory
  • ExtColor: Desert Sand-Lower
  • Location: Kansas
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2015, 03:56:49 pm »
We are not yet PC owners, but what ever RV we get next on the Ford Transit chassis, we are going to delete the propane cooktop mostly because we very, very seldom use it. To us it's a waste of space on the countertop, and a big crumb and dust collector.
We figured to have a small drawer or removable lid in the countertop above a small compartment that would hold an induction cooktop. Whatever that won't cook up the convection microwave will, or we won't have it.

But that's just us....
Logged
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450
*

gradygal

  • ******
  • 742
  • our 3rd PC--Custom 2910
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: March 2012
  • Model: 2910
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cherry
  • ExtColor: slate gray full body paint
  • Location: Florida
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2015, 07:37:25 pm »
Bob and Sharon
I agree with you that the propane cooktop is a waste of space and a collector of crumbs, dirt and whatever. I can honestly say that we have, maybe, used our cooktop, at the most 3 or 4 times in 5 years. It's either our grill, electric frypan, toaster oven , induction cooktop or microwave. We rarely dry camp so have electric most of the time.

Judi
Logged
Judi and George Nicholson
Punta Gorda FL
*

RheaNL

  • *****
  • 220
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: October 4, 2012
  • Model: 2100
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Dusk
  • ExtColor: Dusk lower
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2015, 10:03:56 pm »
I like the gas cooktop and find two burners to be plenty. Use it lots since we boondock. When on power use the convection feature on the microwave, toaster oven and large electric skillet. I also have a small electric skillet that will work off the inverter. I supplement those with a portable butane camp stove for cooking stinky/steamy food outside or table side. They are compact,  light weight and inexpensive. Several model at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aportable%20butane%20burner. Camping stores sell them as well.
Logged
*

CrazyG

  • **
  • 8
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • Model: None
  • Slide: No
  • Location: WNC Mountains
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2015, 07:42:56 am »
Greetings RheaNL;
I marvel at your ingenuity and resourcefulness in packing a toaster oven,  a large electric skillet,  a small electric skillet, and a butane camp stove, with all its butane bottles into your 21' camper... 2o2..
It's amazing what people can do when they put their minds to it... (cheer)
Take Care
Tony
Logged
*

RheaNL

  • *****
  • 220
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: October 4, 2012
  • Model: 2100
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Dusk
  • ExtColor: Dusk lower
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2015, 10:30:50 am »
Thanks. Some of the keys are light weight and compact. There are many nooks and cranys in our 21ft. baby.  Then I fill the toaster oven with kitchen linens, and have made a platform above the water tank that holds pans and plates. Amazing all the storage space you can find when you start looking. 
Logged
*

Ron Dittmer

  • *******
  • 5647
  • Ron and Irene
    • View Profile
    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2015, 12:54:05 pm »
I am the fellow who's wife loves to cook with a large griddle that melts the knobs HERE.

We like our gas stove except for this condition.  My wife and I have been discussing a permanently mounted home-made heat shield to protect the knobs.  One thing certain, my wife won't give up her large square griddle.

I have a lot of such small projects to work on during the "off" season, from this heat shield, to LED lighting adjustments, to converting from two 12V to two 6V house batteries.  But first I need to finish my brick & mortar house kitchen facelift HERE.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2015, 05:42:48 pm by ron.dittmer »
Logged
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer
*

racephoto

  • ****
  • 58
    • View Profile
    • My half-hearted blog
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: 4/1/2013
  • Model: 2100
  • ModelYear: 2008
  • Slide: No
  • Location: VA
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2015, 12:28:45 pm »
Quote from: RheaNL on January 12, 2015, 10:30:50 am
Thanks. Some of the keys are light weight and compact. There are many nooks and cranys in our 21ft. baby.  Then I fill the toaster oven with kitchen linens, and have made a platform above the water tank that holds pans and plates. Amazing all the storage space you can find when you start looking. 

Hmmm.....I'm going to have to go look at my water tank now!! Awesome idea! I agree, there's a lot more storage in the 2100 than you think. I have a propane grill. a propane campfire, one small electric burner (I paid $10 for it at Big Lots) and an electric teakettle. Oh, and a Nutribullet and a Ninja immersion blender/food processor combo. Oh, and a pressure cooker and a cast iron skillet. :-) I spend most of my time without hookups so I could not live without the propane burners. The corian stove cover is way nicer than the burner toppers you see on raised cooktops and makes it  pretty seamless countertop when you're not using the stove. Roadtrek makes an all electric model with no propane, but I wouldn't be without it.
Logged
*

bobojay

  • *****
  • 102
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • Model: None
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Desert Sand-Hickory
  • ExtColor: Desert Sand-Lower
  • Location: Kansas
Re: Another Crazy idea from CrazyG..
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2015, 08:32:29 pm »
Advanced RV also make a no propane model way more sophisticated than the Roadtrek. Both are VERY expensive
Logged
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »