Cooking

Induction Cooktop

Standard equipment on many RVs is an induction cooktop. They can heat quicker and cook faster but do require special pans that that employ ferromagnetic properties in the bottom. An easy way to test is to see if a magnet will stick to the bottom, if it does, you are good to go.

Advantages: uses less energy, cool burner reduces fire risk, heats the pan instead of surrounding air so less heat into the van, and easy to clean.

Disadvantages: special cookware, surface easily scratched or cracked, difficult to simmer, may not be compatible with Pacemakers, they sure beep a lot!, can’t make toast! :-). The built-in induction cooktop has heat exhaust out the bottom so your top drawer may get a little warm (keep pancakes warm in the drawer?). Another thing I don’t like is the pan vibrates and if the van isn’t level, the pan walks off the burner so you have to hold on to it.

(FYI: My choice would have been a small portable induction burner that can be used outside on a picnic table.)

Power switch mod: Modification โ€“ย Kitchen Area

========================================================

Convection/Microwave

Convection microwave has a heating element and a fan similar to an air fryer as well as a top grilling element. It can be used as a microwave, as a standard oven (Mmm- Cookies!), a grill and in combination mode, which combines microwave with either the bake or grill functions to reduce the cooking time.

It isn’t good for making toast either. ๐Ÿ™
Review browning pan…
How to set the exact microwave cooking time: Press POWER button, press it again to select 10, now enter the cooking time. (I have to admit failure and I had to read the instructions for that one).

========================================================

Propane Cooktop

Some people still prefer the option of a propane cooktop. It offers no worry boondocking, even heat, no special pans needed and a 4 slice toaster available ๐Ÿ˜‰ . The disadvantages, as mentioned above, fire hazard (can’t have curtains or blinds nearby), heats the van and uses up oxygen and emits dangerous carbon monoxide, burning creates water vapor (see condensation tip), and is another tank to fill.

Sometimes we travel with a portable propane camp stove for picnic table cooking.

Propane Quick connect

As mentioned elsewhere, there is a propane quick connect and valve that can be used to hook-up an external gas stove, grill, or fire pit. The quick connect hose can be modified to run a small propane generator like the Honda EU2000i. The quick connect is already low pressure so you may need to remove any pressure regulator on the appliance for proper operation.

========================================================

Cookers from Home

Some van travelers like to bring along their Instant Pot from home. It is a multi-purpose cooker that has electronically controlled temperature that can be used as a pressure cookers or slow cooker. You can cook soups and stews, make tough cuts of meat tender, rice cooking, steaming, warming and sautรฉing, and even bake a cheesecake.

One of my favorite appliances is an electric skillet. It can be used out on the picnic table for pancakes, eggs, toasted cheese, and just about everything else you can cook in a pan.

We haven’t done this yet, but I guess I could bring along a toaster from home. ๐Ÿ˜‰

========================================================

17 โ€“ Propane
18 โ€“ Cooking
19 โ€“ Refrigerator

Return to Walk-thru Main Page

Scroll to Top