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Anyone using induction ranges, is it possible off-grid?

 
pollinator
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I would really like to decrease our dependence on propane, and induction ranges seem like a good idea. They are energy efficient, they don't need venting (which I don't have) , and they don't heat up the house but they seem to need a 220 connection (which I don't have) and while I understand how an induction cooktop works, I'm having problems finding any information about the oven part.

I'm aware that stand alone burners usually use 110, but they aren't very good. I've used them in catering.

And I'm aware that one has to have cookware that is compatible to induction cooking, aluminum doesn't work, which is an issue for canning.

I want a summer kitchen, was originally thinking an outdoor kitchen but that's not allowed in the summer (fire season).

Background - I'm off-grid solar with multiple propane tanks, and generators.

I wasn't sure what forum to put this in, so moderators feel free to move it or whatever.
 
pollinator
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as ide never heard of this type I googled.
but I can only find info saying the cooktop is induction and the ovens themselves are convection. so a hybrid of elec/magnetic??
I personally wouldn't get one just cause I like to be able to use any type of pan I would happen to have on hand or picked up at a yardsale...lol
 
master pollinator
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We've got one. You can get a standalone cooktop with one or two elements, and these are commonly available for 110/120 V. They are more efficient because they heat the pan directly, and I like ours because the cast iron pans work beautifully on it. Just plan to be a bit gentle with the heavy stuff, and although they will work with some stainless, it's not a given.
 
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I suspect that cooking with electricity of any form is likely to use kilowatts, whereas the rest of your off-grid solar electric usage probably doesn't even total one kW. It might increase your load so much that you'd have to increase the size of your solar electric system in a big way. And you'd still want to keep a gas stove for cloudy times. Starting with a single stand-alone induction burner sounds like a good way to test out if it is going to work for you.
 
pollinator
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A quick way to check if a pan will work with an induction hob is to put a magnet on the bottom, if it sticks well it will work if poorly or not at all it won't work. My good quality stainless pans have enclosed copper bases, so they do not work. I'm not sure how much more effective they are than a standard electric hob. I notice a huge difference between the gas hob and the electric one here with efficiency, given away by the fact the with the gas one the handles of the pans heat up massively but are still cool to the touch on the electric. I have to say I can't imagine using a 110 electric hob, that must take forever. (standard is 230 here and my cooker is 400)
 
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