Overlanding / Camping Group Question: Induction Grilling

[SafariJeff]

I wanted to throw out a question to the group: Is it worth going to induction style cooking now that you are already going to be using generators / lithium battery packs to power LED lights, etc., not have to carry around LP tanks, can cook in windy conditions, no flames to worry and have a grill that doesn’t get hot and can be put back into the Bronco after breakfast????

I have seen the Aussie vids of running induction cooking while overlanding; seems you need a $2-3K battery pack, the ability to invert power / recharge while driving, possible solar panels to recharge, etc.

Realize the Coleman grill and a few small LP tanks are the standard, just examining the future since we just went through a forest fire here in Tahoe from the campground, or course, irresponsible homeless cooking with branches, but thinking about new ways to be safe in the pine needles.

Comments...

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[HighVelocity]

Bah humbug.

It's fine for certain things, such as side dishes, but will never replace my charcoal grill.

 

[The Beaz]

I love cooking over the fire, a whole dutch oven meal or any of the many stoves I've collected over the years. Fire restirctions are making that more and more difficult. I'm not in the mood to convert over to full electric, but Brad at TrailRecon did a nice video on the topic:

 

[HotdogThud]

It's not that big of a deal honestly, just takes some juice to run it, and a good inverter to deal with the current it'll need. I've got a buddy that's got a 200Ah setup in his LC that can happily run a 1200W induction burner without issue, just a matter of getting the wiring right. From his perspective it's nice not having to carry the little coleman bottles, or an ignik growler, and just having what you need for cooking all the time

 

[popo_patty]

For us in Cali like you mentioned. It’s going to be the future with all these fires we’ve been having. I love me a campfire but I have no problem switching my cook stove out for an induction stove. Only difference is that it’s currently insanely expensive to get enough power to run one… hopefully that changes with time

 

[Dral97]

If you don't want to worry about flames, look into things like the Cobb grill.

https://www.cobbgrillamerica.com/

 

[HotdogThud]

For us in Cali like you mentioned. It’s going to be the future with all these fires we’ve been having. I love me a campfire but I have no problem switching my cook stove out for an induction stove. Only difference is that it’s currently insanely expensive to get enough power to run one… hopefully that changes with time

Lol, I feel ya. I sourced all the parts and built my system into the back of the truck to not have to spend money on a big luggable battery.

And then managed to spend a grand doing it. whoops.

But, I'm very pleased with the results:

 

[Poppavein]

I like a campfire and when there are burn restrictions then I would bring a propane fire.
I’ll likely always need to bring a propane tank.

 

[KABQ]

I wanted to throw out a question to the group: Is it worth going to induction style cooking now that you are already going to be using generators / lithium battery packs to power LED lights, etc., not have to carry around LP tanks, can cook in windy conditions, no flames to worry and have a grill that doesn’t get hot and can be put back into the Bronco after breakfast????

I have seen the Aussie vids of running induction cooking while overlanding; seems you need a $2-3K battery pack, the ability to invert power / recharge while driving, possible solar panels to recharge, etc.

Realize the Coleman grill and a few small LP tanks are the standard, just examining the future since we just went through a forest fire here in Tahoe from the campground, or course, irresponsible homeless cooking with branches, but thinking about new ways to be safe in the pine needles.

Comments...

We flew on that fire!

 

[Aonarch]

Induction is cool, but as stated you will want a sizeable battery.

Something like the Bluetti AC180 is plenty, and on sale right now.

I have the AC70 which is 1000W, but with 2000W lifting power. This is very important for things like appliances, or hair dryers, they have intense initial power demands to get started, up to 1800W.

An AC70 will be good too for a weekend trip. Just bring a solar panel just in case.

 

[Roach011]

i run an induction single cooktop and amazon kettle (to boil water) off my bluetti ac240 and expansion battery. Its awesome.

The bluetti will recharge while I drive. I don't camp in a single spot more than 1 night often, but if i did, maybe a small solar setup would be necessary.

I was able to get my bluetti setup for a steal from a youtuber who was clearing out some of their review units.

edit to add: i use the bluetti setup as a backup for my home when not camping so its become quite valuable.

 

[Brian_B]

Only thing I’ve found induction good for is boiling water. For everything else - it’s worse than a standard propane cooktop or any sort of grill.

It does use less electricity than a hot plate electric burner would - but that’s about the only real benefit. They are very good at boiling water though.

if it’s fire safety you are worried about - any sort of camp stove, used properly, is perfectly safe in high fire hazard environments. You do need the permit in CA, but it’s self serve (watch a video and print out the cert). Just don’t do campfires or open burns

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