WHY

Who wants propane or butane on board these days? (Especially if you’ve got lithium on board!) We’ve banned gas on TALATA and anyway, induction is significantly more efficient. So electric is the way to go and today, electric cooking is done with induction technology. A no-brainer.

Many boat owners are switching away from gas and if you’re not yet convinced, I offer some more reasons.

Induction versus Gas on a boat

• Cooking on induction is direct cooking whereas cooking with gas is indirect.
• Roughly 90 % of the heat generated with induction gets to the food as opposed to only 40-55% for gas.
• Open flames are not welcome in a galley. Besides generating a lot of unwanted heat,  burning fossil fuels pollute the air of your cabin with additional CO2, and humidity (in summer less of a problem than in wintertime) and sometimes soot is generated.
• There is more (vital) maintenance involved with a gas installation.
• Having something more to source –  Refilling gas- in your own bottles can be a headache getting rusty old bottles in return.
• An electric cooktop with a decent boat solar energy generation and a robust battery bank gives you independence and is a big step forward in avoiding fossil fuels.
• We never need the generator to cook. Read all about our electrical set-up here.

PRO’s

• The Kenyon USP for us was the power sharing function. Each burner is rated at 1300W but the maximum load is automatically limited to 1800W which can never be exceeded. The power of the previously set burner is automatically decreased if the other burner is activated and turned to a high level. Smart. The cooktops display flashes to show the adjustment.
• Kenyon’s fantastic customer service. The team in US are so supportive and fast to respond if you have any questions. When our silicone mat was worn out, they shipped a brand new ‘latest improved version’ mat to us at no charge.
• We have extra space in a galley cabinet where gas fittings would normally be. And no heavy gas bottles means weight savings.
• Kenyon’s three-year product replacement guarantee.

CONS

With regards to the Kenyon it might be the price. Otherwise, standalone induction cooktops are available for much less than 100 €.

As Neel is still stuck in the propane-age and refused to install induction, we had to do this ourselves. (At least they were good to not install the gas cooktop or fittings from the start).  So this means:

– Source the Kerrock counter top section (in Polar White 101) from Neel’s supplier and get them to custom-cut to size. Cost approx. Euro 200

– Have a separate dedicated AC circuit with breaker installed beforehand.

WOULD WE DO AGAIN

No question. It’s about time all boat builders come around to start offering induction an an option from the start.

More details at www.cookwithkenyon.com

PS: Oven is also electric.

Isn’t easy to find a multifunction electric oven that fits the niche on the Neel 47. But we did 😉 . Ours is the Panasonic NN-CS894S. Has Steam, Microwave with Grill and Convection. We’re very happy with it.

Details  Panasonic Microwave Combi Oven

PPS:

And if you’re keen on an open flame now and then (who doesn’t love a smoky, flame-grilled steak or fish!) there’s always a campfire on a beach. Otherwise, we’d highly recommend to add a tabletop BBQ such as COBB GRILL to your galley arsenal.

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