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Induction Stoves

Discussion in 'Energy, Environment, and Policy' started by nwdiver, Nov 13, 2020.

  1. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

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    I have 8/3 going to the range
    Both my ovens (one single wall, one the range w/ electric oven & gas cooktop) have plate ratings of 30a.

    Both are wired on 8/3 romex. Found it all in the attic. One is on a 40a breaker, one is on a 50a breaker - not quite sure which yet.

    My kitchen lights are also on 8/3 with the red capped at the breaker. I haven't found where that terminates yet. All my switches are 14/2 from what I remember when I replaced them with smart switches.

    I'd really like to fix some of this stuff, starting with upgrading the 200a service (requires new conduit to the transformer and ripping up the exposed aggregate concrete drive to do it). That part in itself is expensive, but I'm afraid it would open a huge can of worms. Did I mention no professionals involved in building this house? And the city apparently doesn't have any real checking during the inspection process.

    Again, spec house (due to previous buyer moving due to job change), purchased when it was complete.

    Have two sub-panels that are on 6/3 - one on a 50a breaker, one on a 60a breaker. I didn't think 6/3 was supposed to go up to 60a? Or is that continuous - this is all lighting load.
     
  2. Dave EV

    Dave EV Active Member

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    Getting off-topic here (maybe time for a dedicated thread?), but NM-B (Romex) 6/3 is good for 55A, which means you can round up and use a 60A breaker. If it's in conduit, it can support 65A, which means 70A breaker. Most houses will use 6GA NM-B/Romex for 50A circuits. It's not uncommon to see 6GA aluminum for these 50A runs, too.

    Charts here: Ampacity Charts - Cerrowire

    For constant loads like charging your car, you have to derate 20% off the breaker rating.
     
    • Helpful x 1
  3. jerry33

    jerry33 (S85-3/2/13 traded in) X LR: F2611##-3/27/20

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    And you have to check the length of the cable run. Longer run needs heavier wire.
     
  4. SSedan

    SSedan Active Member

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    I was trying to explain induction cooktops to a friend and he wasn't getting it.

    Would comparing warming ferrous metal to how a microwave warms food be a reasonable analogy?
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush REJECT Fascism

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    Perhaps you should ask your friend what he does understand, and go from there.

    A radio, perhaps ?
     
  6. jerry33

    jerry33 (S85-3/2/13 traded in) X LR: F2611##-3/27/20

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    Only if he is an engineer. Best way to explain it to most folks is that with induction, the pot is the burner so almost all the energy goes into cooking the food rather than heating the air and the pot. Induction skips a whole step.
     
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  7. nwdiver

    nwdiver Well-Known Member

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    A picture is worth a thousand words...
    Screen Shot 2020-12-16 at 2.36.19 PM.png
     
    • Like x 2
  8. Ostrichsak

    Ostrichsak Active Member

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    I know there's people in this thread who have this so I'm hoping to solicit some first-hand input on the costco dual burner set specifically.
     
  9. nwdiver

    nwdiver Well-Known Member

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    The Tramontina 8 piece? There's like 5 or 6 on this thread that just got one :) It's sold out online... did you find one in a store?

    I've only used it a few times but it seems really nice. I mostly got it because it came with induction ready cookware. All my pots are Aluminum.

    It boiled 2 cups of water in ~2.5 minutes and the temperature control seemed very good.
     
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  10. Ostrichsak

    Ostrichsak Active Member

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    That's the one. Read my post that I shamelessly quoted to see if you can speak to my concerns with your first hand experience.
     
  11. nwdiver

    nwdiver Well-Known Member

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    Ah... sorry... missed that...

    Not sure about your first concern... some of the induction cooktops aren't too bad. I was just looking at hardwired 240v one on amazon for <$200.

    With regards to the reviews the controls are a little better than my resistance electric but probably not as fine as gas or a high end induction cooktop, I was able to simmer very easily which I always struggle to do with my electric range, it does have fans that run continuously when cooking but I wasn't really put off by them. I really think it's more than powerful enough. It can't boil water in 90 seconds like some of hardwired 240v ranges but 2.5 minutes is plenty fast for me. I only used mine for a day before loaning it out. I'll let you know if I hear anything... hopefully someone else will respond.
     
    • Like x 1
  12. SimoRAV

    SimoRAV Supporting Member

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    My additional thoughts on the 14/50 socket route:
    Since there are many cheap sockets out there and threads on EVSE installations; I'm thinking the socket should be eliminated and the range hardwired in because bad connections in a plug socket is not good. Of course, self install may not be an option for some people depending on local code and your abilities.
     
  13. SimoRAV

    SimoRAV Supporting Member

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    That is probably true. Manufacturing is driven by the swear phrase, "The Bottom Line". Once accounting is relaced with real resource accounting, the paper money bit in the middle will be irrelevant and people will watch their foot prints??!!!
    The inertia of manufacturing should be overcome with modern advances in engineering design tools. rapid product development is not outside the realms of possibility!
     
  14. SimoRAV

    SimoRAV Supporting Member

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    What actual pans work with induction 'burners'?
     
  15. jerry33

    jerry33 (S85-3/2/13 traded in) X LR: F2611##-3/27/20

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    #175 jerry33, Dec 21, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2020
    Any pan that a magnet will stick to the bottom of will work.
     
    • Like x 1
  16. jerry33

    jerry33 (S85-3/2/13 traded in) X LR: F2611##-3/27/20

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    The range or cooktop is plugged in once during it's lifetime (maybe as many as 3-4 times if service is needed). The EV comparison isn't relevant because of that.
     
    • Like x 3
  17. nwdiver

    nwdiver Well-Known Member

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    Also if you're pulling >20A for several hours.... you're probably not cooking food....
     
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  18. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

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    Anyone have a recommendation for a 120v countertop model? Would like to try induction - and we have central propane that keeps going out so need a backup.

    The Costco deal is long gone.
     
  19. willow_hiller

    willow_hiller Active Member

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    • Informative x 1
  20. nwdiver

    nwdiver Well-Known Member

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    Amazon makes a single 'burner' model. I've never used it but it has good reviews.
     

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