2 burner electric cooktop

patrick and linda · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject: 2 burner electric cooktop

seeking wisdom! i'm thinking about replacing my 2 burner alcohol cooktop for an electric 2 burner cooktop. i have a 30amp shore power, one 20 amp circuit and one 15 amp circuit. i know, that's 35amps total. i'll never use total capacity on both lines at the same time. so, has any one changed over to an electric cooktop? westmarine has a small 2 burner black ceramic cooktop for about $500, although eg has a 21" electric 2 burner coil type for $220 or thereabout. doesn't look to be a big deal but any advice is always welcomed.
thanks
pat

SEA3PO · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject:

But how you gonna run the cord out to sea ?? I don't recall ever seeing full hookups on any buoys.

You already have that swell Dinkerson Fireplace/Heater...now go one step further and install their gas range...it's great..

Really I think it might hurt your resale to go electric.

Joel
SEA3PO

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:00 pm Post subject:

Do you plan to cook anywhere you won't have the shore power available?

An electric unit is convenient and easy to use.

It's also much less messy, and much less dangerous than a propane, white gas, or alcohol stove.

But you have to have that shore power, unless you add a generator.

And even with a generator, a 2000 Watt generator will run one 1200 Watt "burner" and something else small, but not two burners.

If it were me, I'd keep the alcohol stove, and just buy a portable electric cooktop and put a nice cutting board over the alcohol stove (The Origo already has one).

That way, you still have the alcohol stove for cooking on the hook, and have the electric one in port.

If you take the alcohol stove out and install a permanent/built in electric stove, the boat may loose some of it's resale appeal to potential customers when you decide to move up to a larger C-Dory or get serious "two-foot-itis" and purchase that trawler or tug someday!

My Sea Ray has an electric/white gas stove, but I cook outside anyway on a portable propane stove to keep the cooking odors outdoors. The thought of 1 pint of white gas 7 inches below a couple of hot electric burners in a little copper tank can be pretty scary if you think about it! The previous owner of my boat was so afraid of it he cut the 120 VAC wires to disable the electric part(!) I re-connected it, but have never refilled the reservoir with gas, though I keep a gallon of it under the sink (!) There's enough energy in that can to raise the whole 26-1/2 foot, 8,500+ lb. boat about a mile into the sky!

I have propane in my CD-22 with a Force 10 Cozy Cabin heater and a three burner Wedgewood cooktop. That solves both the heating and cooking issues, in and out of port. Just use the propane with judicious care!

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

Joe. Teeth

patrick and linda · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:03 pm Post subject:

hi joel,
each burner requires 1200 watts, so if i use only one burner, then the 2000 honda generator should do just fine. when on shore power the 20amp circuit will handle both burners. as far as resale, the electric cooktop should be more desirable than the alcohol top, for me it's a pain, always need to store and add alcohol. hodges marine, out of florida, has a black ceramic, two burner for $369. no tax and can ship tomorrow. trying to make the boat more linda friendly!
looking forward to seeing your finished project!
pat

colobear · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject:

deleted by poster

colobear · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:29 pm Post subject:

Patrick,

Just my two cents but if I were looking at a 22 and saw the only way to cook was an electric cooktop at a marina I'd automatically figure on replacing that at what is probably a significant cost. That would move that boat down a notch on my list. Yes I know you have a generator and can run it for power away from a marina but generators are not for everybody.

I'd consider Sea Wolf Joe's thought about getting a separate stove and keeping the alcohol burner. We have a 1 burner Kenyon butane stove in the galley and a 2 burner Coleman "fold and go" propane stove we put in the cockpit where we do most cooking.

Papillon · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject:

Hi Pat,
I think it is a wise man that tries to make his boat more Admiral friendly. But I see no need to comprimise on your desire to go electric....when you can do both with this combo fuel cooktop and there is a pretty good chance that it will fit in the hole where your old cooktop resides now.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject:

Mike-

That the same unit that's in my Sea Ray!

Guess it is alcohol instead of white gas!

My bad!

No changing the post from two days ago with the 30 minute time limit !!!

Joe. Teeth

hardee · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:28 pm Post subject: Deena loves ours.

Mabe I missed something but is Linda allergic to the Wallas?

patrick and linda · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 1:03 pm Post subject:

no, both linda and i are fine. don't want to mess with diesel and/or propane. although i will occasionally use small canaster of propane for our dickison fireplace heater. open flame requires opening of window while cooking and/or heating, except for the dickison, which draws outside air for the combustion process. regarding resale, currently have the 2 burner alcohol stove and that would go to the buyer, in addition to the electrical cooktop. think i'm going with the kenyon B40510 mediterranean series black ceramic 2 burner electric cooktop. approx. $339. range. will work on our dedicated 20amp circuit. may have to widen the cutout slightly. i have a single burner, self contained alcohol stove, if needed when on the hook and don't want to use generator. appreciate the responses, will post pictures when project is completed.
pat

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:24 pm Post subject:

All good feedback and several points of views... Now Pat.... my 2 cents will follow the ....."electric makes Miss Linda happy" route. Forget the value of the boat if she is not happy on it. If she is happy on it... WOW..that is priceless.

But, others bring good points to the table, as to keep the other fully functional stuff handy and properly stored...as, some day.... you may want some type of different and/or larger or smaller boat once you get on the Cumberland....

Note to self: If Momma ain't happy....ain't nobody happy.

Byrdman

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:24 pm Post subject:

Mr. Byrdman, Patrick, SIR:

If you're having trouble remembering this little all-important axiom.......

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject:

Just a thought... paint it on the mirror. You won't have to worry about writing it in a "mirror image", you'll still see it when you look in the mirror every morning, AND you won't look so whipped when you walk down the docks. Wink

Some of us have it memorized.

patrick and linda · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:18 pm Post subject:

byrdman,
you are truly wise beyond your years.
hope all is well in your neck of the woods. seems like we might need a june cumberland river cruise to sort things out.
pat

patrick and linda · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject:

today i received my kenyon mediterranean b40510 electric two burner black ceramic cooktop. purchased it from defender marine supply. this past weekend i removed my two burner alcohol stove, which happened to be a son of a gun, had to remove 2 screws with pliers. while i was doing this i also installed a dedicated 20 amp circuit breaker as well as an additional electrical receptacle box for my 15 amp circuit. i have taken pictures and will post when the install is completed. like many other c-brats, i enjoy doing these projects and hope others can benefit from seeing the process, as i have over the past years.
pat