Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

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Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

November 14, 2019, 09:13:07 pm

Has anyone replaced their Gaggenua cooktop with two burner induction cooktop?

In our U320, we only have the fridge and cooktop on propane. We might be changing the fridge to a compressor. That would only leave the cooktop on propane. We seldom use it and I'd prefer to switch it to electric and remove the GIANT propane tank from the basement and add some batteries. Thoughts?

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #1 – November 14, 2019, 09:39:04 pm

Tim F. has a single, Roger has a double, I am sure there are more.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #2 – November 14, 2019, 09:44:49 pm

One thing to keep in mind with the induction cooktops available for RVs, you will not be able to run both "burners" on high at the same time. They are 120VAC units so both burners will share a single 15 amp circuit. That means one on high and the other likely on the minimal setting or both at no more than mid-range temperature. Might not be a big deal for the way you like to cook, but it could be an issue if you like to boil water to make pasta plus saute something for the sauce.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #3 – November 14, 2019, 09:53:15 pm

We went with a single burner and love it! You gain a lot of storage area with the propane tank removed. I went with lithium batteries and placed them behind my joey and used the old propane area for storing my tools in plastic containers. The propane area in my coach is open to the elements as the joey area is heated and closed from the elements which is good for lithium batteries and solar components.

When you finish your remodel please be sure to post your results!

Good luck,
Oscar

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #4 – November 14, 2019, 09:59:24 pm

Michelle raises an excellent point-- power supply required/recommended for the new induction cook top.

You could look into "work arounds" after studying the cooktop wiring. It MAY be possible to wire each burner to a separate hot (pulling one extra hot wire from available breaker in breaker box). Again, just thinking out loud.

I know when Dianne wanted a new 4 burner high output glass top stove for our house I had to pull new wires from the house breaker box.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #5 – November 14, 2019, 10:11:15 pm

We replaced the cook top with a double induction but made it portable. Ours worked well for what we did and never had an issue with not enough power. We had to source one that would run on a 15 amp outlet though. We made it removable so we could take it outside and cook if we wanted and we had the whole top as a counter that way.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #6 – November 14, 2019, 10:30:00 pm

We have two portable induction cooktops. I ran an extension cord from the microwave outlet. That's worked for us without any issues.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #7 – November 14, 2019, 10:42:27 pm

All the circuits are 20 amps and larger in my rig with 12 gauge wire. If my fridge gives me any trouble I will put in a compressor
style fridge and put in an induction range and get rid of the propane.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #8 – November 14, 2019, 11:04:06 pm

Two burner induction. If using both elements, power will be reduced on them to keep draw under 15 amps.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #9 – November 14, 2019, 11:11:12 pm

Dave K. did a wonderful install for his double. Might try to search - probably 2/3 years ago by now.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #10 – November 15, 2019, 06:01:44 am

Quote from: Carol & Scott – November 14, 2019, 11:11:12 pm

Dave K. did a wonderful install for his double. Might try to search - probably 2/3 years ago by now.

Dave K's installation and write up. A great job.
Built-in drawer for 2 burner induction cooker

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #11 – November 15, 2019, 09:23:29 am

DW has been expressing mounting interest in converting to induction cooking. At the recent "Gone Fishin' RV Resort" gathering Dave Cobb was luring (oops...I mean "inviting") all the ladies into his coach to show off his induction cooktop setup. My DW is sold on the concept.

SO, can any of the early adopters provide some "current" (ha, ha) thoughts on their overall satisfaction with their unit of choice? Would they pick the same unit again, or do they have some "Buyer's Remorse". Reading through the buyer comments on Amazon for various induction products (Yes - I always take them with a grain of salt) I see two recurring "gripes".

First, the size (diameter) of the individual "burners". Apparently not big enough to handle a large (12") pan with even heating?

Second - reliability. Lots of complaints about relatively early failure and hassles with returning for replacement/refund.

I open the floor to comments.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #12 – November 15, 2019, 09:43:51 am

We have a single burner induction cook top that we can use in the coach or outside on a picnic table (most often used place) in addition to the two burner gaggenau gas cooktop. We like cooking with gas and since the Gag is the only gas appliance (plus the gas fire pit) we got rid of the big LP tank and in its space were able to get 4 L16 6 volt batteries (830 amp hrs of capacity) and an 11 lb LP tank with a secure mount. They are 9" in diameter and 18" tall. There are 5 lb tanks as well. With some fire pit use this tank lasts us about 3 months. We take it out and go get it filled anywhere, much easier than taking the coach to get it filled. They are small enough that you can take a second one as well.

The main drawback I see to an induction cooktop is that it uses AC power. A lot from your inverter or you have to be connected to a land line or running your generator. You need to have induction ready cookware with flat bottoms. One of our cast iron frying pans does not work well because it is not as flat as it could be. Magma makes a nice nesting induction cookware set.

The size of the "burner" does not seem to be relevant. It puts out power in a way that excites the materials in the pan and they get hot. A good quality induction ready pan is important. We use a 12" frying pan our side to do fish frequently. Works great. Boiling water and you don't want all the steam in the coach? Out side works and it is fast.

They work well, take some getting used to and for us is a nice second cooking method.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #13 – November 16, 2019, 12:42:03 pm

My previous owner installed a single induction cooktop in the cutout space on the 99 320. There's not enough room to put a double unless I replace the entire countertop. I do have a separate countertop induction unit so I could potentially use both. The way induction cooktops work is that you would rarely need to use either of them on high for very long and only when boiling water or trying to get a pan up to speed and it doesn't take long. Induction cooking is tremendously better than electric resistance or gas, and I love gas. I use it at home. But with induction there's no residual heat you don't have to worry about filling an LP bottle or running out and I don't have to worry about blowing up the coach with LP fumes. It's a win-win. Yeah you do have to have induction ready cookware but for me that wasn't an issue. One day I might decide to change out my countertop and therefore put it to burner induction in, but for now one burner does pretty much everything I wanted to do, and if I really need another burner I can pull out the other countertop one. Listen to your wife you won't be sorry.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #14 – November 16, 2019, 11:29:04 pm

We have a portable single induction burner. I have the stackable Magma pans and my cast iron works on our burner. I haven't used the propane cooktop since we started living in the RV almost two years ago.

Deb

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #15 – November 17, 2019, 08:24:21 am

Like Deb, I have a single portable induction plate and the magna Pans. I also carry my electric pressure cooker and Crisplid. I dislike using my Kenyon glass cooktop as it is slow to heat and long to cool off. Between these 3 items I have no problem keeping my DH happy at meal time. Plus the MW is an extra help too.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #16 – November 17, 2019, 10:57:49 am

If you've gotten rid of your lp all together, how does your furnace work? Or is your climate warm enough where you never need it?

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #17 – November 17, 2019, 11:49:25 am

Previous owners had installed a dual burner electric cook top. It is a true heating element and not induction. We would have preferred it be induction but is is nice as it has a nice low profile smooth surface.

It has its own breaker under the bed that we normally leave off unless we are planning to cook. Although the burners require 2 touches to turn on, it is easy enough that we don't want to inadvertently turn it on cleaning or putting stuff on the counter.

We also have a single burner portable induction burner that we can use inside or outside.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #18 – November 17, 2019, 11:52:00 am

I would venture to guess those guys have Aquahot heating. So if they've replaced the cooktop and gone with a residential fridge, there is no need for propane. Other than a bbq or firepit.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #19 – November 17, 2019, 01:06:35 pm

Quote from: folivier – November 17, 2019, 11:52:00 am

I would venture to guess those guys have Aquahot heating. So if they've replaced the cooktop and gone with a residential fridge, there is no need for propane. Other than a bbq or firepit.

Haha, that explains that!

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #20 – November 17, 2019, 01:17:35 pm

If you only boon dock you still need to have a propane stove. We have AH and residential refrigerator and only use propane for cooking. Filled it in '15 when we bought the coach and still have over a half tank. Thought of doing the same as Roger and putting a small tank in place of the big one. But without adding more batteries I will just KISS.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #21 – November 17, 2019, 02:42:31 pm

4 L16 6V Full River batteries, 830 amp hr capacity and an 11 lb LP tank where the big LP tank was.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #22 – November 17, 2019, 11:12:01 pm

Craneman, I have an all electric coach. If I run out of sun, I will start the genny. If I want to grill, I will use wood in my small weber bbq.
Never was comfortable with gas in a boat or RV. But then thats just me.

Re: Replacing Gaggenua cooktop with induction?

Reply #23 – November 17, 2019, 11:42:49 pm

Quote from: Bob and Julie – November 17, 2019, 11:12:01 pm

Craneman, I have an all electric coach. If I run out of sun, I will start the genny. If I want to grill, I will use wood in my small weber bbq.
Never was comfortable with gas in a boat or RV. But then thats just me.

My '81 is all electric with a 13.5 KW Yanmar generator. over 10,000 hrs. of use over the 18 years we used it. I bought one of the counter top induction cook tops posted on the forum and even with my solar was using in my opinion too much generator time. Took it out and have it here at home along with the nesting cookware that Roger posted about. We always dry camp and the DW isn't going to fix pork chops or cook spaghetti out on a bbq. I do grill steaks and cook trout on one but as they say dwmyh.

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