Ceramic hob v gas heating and cooking

[Saint Paul]

Looking into my future build spec. New van coming end of May! what are thoughts between a more trad gas hob and webasto heating v a ceramic hob combined heating like the wallas xc Duo. interested in benefits and user issues from both choices. Thanks in advance!

 

[Phil_G]

But what if theres no hookup at the site? Fine if you only ever use proper sites, but what about hideaway sites , picnics & wild camping, and dont you occasionally pull over for a brew?

 

[VanDamMan]

You might spend a fortune on a lovely fitted cooker for the van. ..........and in the summer mainly cook and socialise outside....being warm in your van...Oh yes great idea but storage and a great comfy bed gets my vote

 

[Saint Paul]

But what if theres no hookup at the site? Fine if you only ever use proper sites, but what about hideaway sites , picnics & wild camping, and dont you occasionally pull over for a brew?

Thanks for the response but I am a novice. Presume you are saying that a ceramic version would need to have mains connection and not work from batteries?

 

[ThreeBridgeT6]

Thanks for the response but I am a novice. Presume you are saying that a ceramic version would need to have mains connection and not work from batteries?

I've got an induction hob in mine (all electric using LiFePo4 twin leisure batteries with solar on roof) together with a grill/microwave/oven combo unit. I also have a Webasto diesel night heater. We've used the kit successfully once since we got the van back from the converters last July, but we also have the brilliant @evans1089 fire pit now so I imagine we'll be doing a lot more 'al-fresco' cooking. I'm tempted to get a Cadac too - just to cover all bases!

 

[Sim60]

Thanks for the response but I am a novice. Presume you are saying that a ceramic version would need to have mains connection and not work from batteries?

Wallas Xc duo uses diesel (probably from your main fuel tank - depending on how you install it), but also draws power from your leisure battery, just like a stand alone diesel heater such as webasto.

I'm a total novice, but I've just converted my van from scratch and installed a wallas xc duo - I'm still trying to figure out its good/bad points.
It's a bit slow to start up as a cooker - it takes time to warm up.
The heat output is at worktop level, rather than down at the floor ( and heat rises) but no need to carry gas cylinder which was a big plus for me.

Simon

 

[Pete C]

Thanks for the response but I am a novice. Presume you are saying that a ceramic version would need to have mains connection and not work from batteries?

Almost certainly. Do you have a specific ceramic hob in mind ?

Pete

 

[Saint Paul]

You might spend a fortune on a lovely fitted cooker for the van. ..........and in the summer mainly cook and socialise outside....being warm in your van...Oh yes great idea but storage and a great comfy bed gets my vote

Thank you for the response. I’m not sure which version you believe has the advantage from your response. I’m a novice you see so I do not have an appreciation for either!

Almost certainly. Do you have a specific ceramic hob in mind ?

Pete

yes just read about the wallas xc duo as an option and wondered what the benefits would be. We do intend to wild camp so I assume sticking with gas would be best ?

 

[Pete C]

yes just read about the wallas xc duo as an option and wondered what the benefits would be. We do intend to wild camp so I assume sticking with gas would be best ?

Gas or diesel. Have a read around the forum using the search function to get some ideas.

Pete

 

[DXX]

Did you have a search on the Forum, there’s a considerable content on the comparison.
Here’s one of them. The Wallas is still the best piece of equipment in my van.

I’ve being using a Wallas XC Duo for 14 months and I simply can’t fault it as a hob or a heater.
No gas filling or installation cost.
You will always have fuel otherwise you’re not driving anywhere anyway.
Low running cost, very low Diesel consumption.
Low electrical power consumption.
No explosion risk.
No carbon monoxide inside the van.
Almost no fire risk.
No condensation from gas combustion so no need to ventilate van - huge bonus in bad weather.
Child safe with the heater hood.
No maintenance.
No external noise and minimal internal noise when it has reached set point operating temperature.
Easy to clean.
Established manufacturer with comprehensive parts availability.

The only issue I’ve had is a few screws on the hood coming loose on rough Portuguese roads, simply tighten them up when you install.
Initial outlay is not cheap but it won’t take long to realise it’s a massive bonus over gas.

 

[VanDamMan]

Thank you for the response. I’m not sure which version you believe has the advantage from your response. I’m a novice you see so I do not have an appreciation for either!

yes just read about the wallas xc duo as an option and wondered what the benefits would be. We do intend to wild camp so I assume sticking with gas would be best ?

Hi @Saint Paul ...if given the choice I’d go gas for a small cooker ....we don’t cook in the van choose to go alfresco or in the awning/tent using both a cadac and portable thetford grill ...gas comes in many different size containers( we use patio gas ) as for heating and this applies only when on hookup...use 500w very small oil radiator on the cooler evenings...we have a very thermal efficient van as we don’t have a pop top....a really good bed/mattress and sleep system will give you a cosy nights sleep ...we have kept the whole outdoor camping experience separate from the vans own systems to allow the maximum flexibility..using gas and solar power this enables us to choose hookup on some sites or off grid...but do enjoy the facilities a campsite can give....but no one setup is right for everyone....Cooking in the van for some is ideal for others it’s the after cooking smells that can put you off sleeping in the van...it’s all very personal...but what ever you decide..Enjoy it

 

[Phil_G]

Thanks for the response but I am a novice. Presume you are saying that a ceramic version would need to have mains connection and not work from batteries?

A couple of ceramic rings will take maybe 3 kilowatts. Thats 250 amps at 12v, and a huge current like that needs a serious battery installation, and an equally serious method of replacing that charge ready for the following day. Even a 100Ah lithium could only sustain that load for twenty minutes or so. Use gas or diesel!
Cheers
Phil

 

[Saint Paul]

Did you have a search on the Forum, there’s a considerable content on the comparison.
Here’s one of them. The Wallas is still the best piece of equipment in my van.

Thanks

 

[Saint Paul]

Hi @Saint Paul ...if given the choice I’d go gas for a small cooker ....we don’t cook in the van choose to go alfresco or in the awning/tent using both a cadac and portable thetford grill ...gas comes in many different size containers( we use patio gas ) as for heating and this applies only when on hookup...use 500w very small oil radiator on the cooler evenings...we have a very thermal efficient van as we don’t have a pop top....a really good bed/mattress and sleep system will give you a cosy nights sleep ...we have kept the whole outdoor camping experience separate from the vans own systems to allow the maximum flexibility..using gas and solar power this enables us to choose hookup on some sites or off grid...but do enjoy the facilities a campsite can give....but no one setup is right for everyone....Cooking in the van for some is ideal for others it’s the after cooking smells that can put you off sleeping in the van...it’s all very personal...but what ever you decide..Enjoy it

Cheers

 

[Saint Paul]

A couple of ceramic rings will take maybe 3 kilowatts. Thats 250 amps at 12v, and a huge current like that needs a serious battery installation, and an equally serious method of replacing that charge ready for the following day. Even a 100Ah lithium could only sustain that load for twenty minutes or so. Use gas or diesel!
Cheers
Phil

Thanks for the tip Phil

 

[Phil_G]

Some are quite happy with huge battery installations and multi-kilowatt inverters, but personally I wouldnt have anything that draws a constant 250 amps in my van - to me, such enormous current flows make the chance of fire too great. I think that maybe for the average punter reading the inverter adverts, a figure of 250 amps continuous is meaningless - but I've spent much of my working life in extreme current environments and it needs real respect. Because you dont get a shock from 12 volts people assume its perfectly safe, but I've seen fingers lost by smaller currents through wedding rings. Unfortunately you still cant beat the energy density, safety and ease of use of fossil fuels

 

[DXX]

Some are quite happy with huge battery installations and multi-kilowatt inverters, but personally I wouldnt have anything that draws a constant 250 amps in my van - to me, such enormous current flows make the chance of fire too great. I think that maybe for the average punter reading the inverter adverts, a figure of 250 amps continuous is meaningless - but I've spent much of my working life in extreme current environments and it needs real respect. Unfortunately you still cant beat the energy density and ease of use of fossil fuels

I agree entirely especially after some of the DIY battery installations I’ve seen. High current DC burns flesh off pretty damn quick.
My Wallas XC Duo diesel hob/heater uses between 0.09 - 0.18L / hour and provides 900 - 1800W, more than adequate for a T6. Way cheaper and safer than electrical installations.
The most valuable resource in a T6 campervan is space, filling it with batteries and gadgets to monitor, charge and keep things safe is going to fill up that space fast.

 

[Saint Paul]

Some are quite happy with huge battery installations and multi-kilowatt inverters, but personally I wouldnt have anything that draws a constant 250 amps in my van - to me, such enormous current flows make the chance of fire too great. I think that maybe for the average punter reading the inverter adverts, a figure of 250 amps continuous is meaningless - but I've spent much of my working life in extreme current environments and it needs real respect. Unfortunately you still cant beat the energy density and ease of use of fossil fuels

Thanks Phil, having spent last night researching it will be a diesel hob v gas hob decision.

 

[Long tall John]

I believe the diesel cooker takes a long time to warm up just for a brew and takes a long time to cool down which could be obnoxious in summer. Gas is simple and easy but it does cause a bit of condensation. We went for gas and I’m glad we did. It does mean that you need a separate diesel heater as being in the van when it’s cold it’s not pleasant at all.

 

[DXX]

Burn 1Kg of gas and get 1Kg of water vapour, OK in the summer but in the winter with the windows shut?

My morning routine, wake up, flick the power switch with my toe, start the Wallas with my toe, kettle already filled on the hob.
Get up, have a piss, put the Cali bed away, get dressed.....the kettle is now boiled, hob is hot ready to cook breakfast.
Eat breakfast while the next kettle is boiling for more coffee or dishes.
No waiting, more a case of planning.
If the heater has been running it’s even quicker.
The hob has the heater unit as a cover so the residual heat released is negligible.