Induction Hobs in a Campervan — Do You Need an Inverter?
Induction hobs are fast, efficient, and safer than gas in a moving vehicle. But they need serious electrical power. Here is the full breakdown of running an induction hob in a UK campervan.
How Much Power Does an Induction Hob Draw?
A standard portable induction hob draws 1,200-2,000W on full power. Most have a "booster" mode that draws the maximum for rapid heating. Typical single-ring hobs:
- IKEA Tillreda: 1,200W max — the smallest portable induction hob available. Good for van use.
- Russell Hobbs 1-Ring: 1,500W max — the most common portable model in UK shops.
- Duxtop 1800W: 1,800W max — powerful single ring, popular with van builders in North America.
- Double-ring hobs: 2,800-3,400W combined — do not attempt these on a van inverter unless you have 600Ah+ of battery.
The Inverter You Need
An induction hob needs a pure sine wave inverter. Modified sine wave inverters cause the hob to buzz, underperform, or refuse to turn on. Pure sine wave inverters are mandatory. Inverter size:
- 1,200W hob: Minimum 1,500W continuous inverter (Victron Phoenix 1200VA or Renogy 2000W). The surge rating handles the induction coil start-up current.
- 1,500W hob: Minimum 2,000W inverter (Victron MultiPlus 2000VA or Votronic 2000W).
- 1,800W hob: Minimum 2,500W inverter. These are expensive (Victron MultiPlus 3000VA is £800+). Real-world test: A 1,500W Russell Hobbs hob on a Victron 2000VA inverter draws 145A from a 12V battery (1,500W ÷ 12V ÷ 0.86 inverter efficiency). This drains a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery fully from 100% to 0% in 41 minutes at full power.
Battery Requirements
| Hob Power | Inverter Size | Current Draw (12V) | 100Ah LiFePO4 Runtime | 200Ah LiFePO4 Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200W | 1,500W | 116A | 51 minutes | 1 hour 42 minutes |
| 1,500W | 2,000W | 145A | 41 minutes | 1 hour 22 minutes |
| 1,800W | 2,500W | 174A | 34 minutes | 1 hour 8 minutes |
| In practice: Nobody cooks at full power for 40 minutes. You boil water on max (5 minutes), then simmer at 500W (the hob cycles on and off). Real-world usage is 30-50Ah per meal. A 200Ah LiFePO4 battery gives you 3-4 days of cooking before needing a charge. |
Gas vs Induction Comparison
| Factor | Gas (Campingaz 907) | Induction (200Ah system) |
|---|---|---|
| Boil time (1L water) | 4-5 minutes | 3-4 minutes (faster) |
| Running cost per meal | £0.50 (£8 per 907 cylinder, 16 meals) | £0.00 (solar) / £0.15 (EHU) |
| Heat in the van | Significant | Minimal (only the pan heats) |
| Safety in transit | Gas bottles must be off / in a sealed locker | No gas, no leaks |
| Installation | Gas locker + copper pipe + regulator (£150) | Inverter + cabling (£400-800) |
| Weight | 2.7kg (full cylinder) | 15-25kg (battery + inverter) |
What Works in Practice
The best van life cooking setup is induction plus gas. Use induction when you have shore power or full batteries (summer with solar). Use gas when you are off-grid in winter with limited battery. A single portable induction hob (IKEA Tillreda, £30) paired with a 2,000W pure sine wave inverter works well for most van lifers. The key is having enough battery. A 200Ah LiFePO4 system gives you genuine cooking flexibility.
Induction Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Boils water 30% faster than gas
- No moisture or fumes in the van (less condensation in winter)
- Safer — the hob surface does not get hot (just the pan)
- Easy to clean — wipe with a cloth
- The pan is the only thing that heats up — less heat in summer Cons:
- Needs a large inverter and battery bank (£500-1,000)
- Only works with ferromagnetic pans (cast iron, steel — not aluminium)
- The hob makes a buzzing sound (inverter + induction coil)
- If your battery dies, you cannot cook (no backup)
The Pan Issue
Induction hobs only work with magnetic pans. Test with a fridge magnet: if the magnet sticks to the base of the pan, it works. Cast iron pans are ideal (Lodge, £25). Stainless steel with a magnetic base works (Tefal Ingenio, £40-60). Aluminium and copper do not work at all.
Verdict
Induction cooking is viable in a campervan if you have at least 200Ah of LiFePO4 battery and a 2,000W pure sine wave inverter. The IKEA Tillreda at £30 is the best value induction hob for van use. Pair induction with a gas backup for winter off-grid flexibility. The total cost for induction capability is £600-1,200 (inverter + battery + cabling + hob). It is worth it if you cook daily and hate dealing with gas.
