We are long-time induction users.  Before we moved onto the boat, we
lived in an RV where we used a table-top single hob for most of our
cooking.  It was a Sunpentown "Mr. Induction" and had the advantage that
it could be moved around, and also required only a standard 120vac
household receptacle, easily powered by our inverter.

When we moved aboard the boat, we quickly removed the three-burner
radiant electric range and replaced it with a dual-hob induction model.
We wanted to run it from our inverter, which supplies only 120 volts,
but every multi-burner model on the market at the time required 240 (US
models) or 220 (European models).  We ended up buying a German "Indufix"
dual hob, which is rated at 3kW with both burners going full-bore.  I
then wired up an inexpensive 2:1 transformer to supply the unit with 240
volts from our 120-volt inverter supply.

We are extremely happy with the results.  That was about a year ago, and
I have learned that Kenyon has since come out with a dual hob for the US
market that only requires 120, it is the "Artic" (sic) B41603 model.

If you have 240 available you have a lot of options.  If you have only
120, then you can (1) buy the Kenyon unit, (2) do what I did and use a
3kW transformer to supply the cooktop, or (3) buy two individual hobs,
which are commonly available in the US in 120-volt.

Any way you go it will be extremely efficient, heat up the galley less,
and be safer than radiant (less risk of a burn from a hot burner).
However, you will need ferritic steel cookware, such as All-Clad or Le
Creuset or their knock-offs.

As far as power consumption, single hobs made for standard receptacles
run from around 1,200 watts all the way to a full 1,800 watts (100% of a
15-amp circuit), and dual hobs run from 2,500 to 4kw.  We very seldom
use full power on either burner and never on both; these hobs use very
little power on their low settings, and induction does not need to be
pre-heated.

A side benefit of induction is that a silicone baking sheet placed
between the hob and the pan will very nicely keep the pan from sliding
around in moderate seas, eliminating the need for pot fiddles.

There's a photo in this post on installing the induction cooktop (and
the dishwasher that replaced the oven portion of the aforementioned range):
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/2013/06/alive-amid-chaos.html#Dishwasher

I used a cheap Chinese transformer to power it, and ended up having to
rewire part of the transformer for safety:
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/2013/07/ebay-can-kill-you.html

We've since replaced the countertops, so it all looks nice and built-in now.

Hope that helps.

-Sean
m/y Vector
on the hard in Deltaville, VA
http://OurOdyssey.blogspot.com

On 11/10/2014 07:55 PM, Barry Young via Trawlers-and-Trawlering wrote:

On 11/11/2014 08:42 AM, Sean Welsh wrote:

Sorry, that's the wrong part/model number.  That's for a radiant ceramic
unit.

Apparently, the two-burner 120v Kenyon induction unit is not yet
available.  When it is, it will probably be part of their SilKEN line
(where you can get a 240v 2-burner model today).  I would guess pricing
would be comparable, IOTW north of $1,500.

We have some friends who have received a pre-production unit from
Kenyon.  It's still in the box, so I don't have any first impressions yet.

Therefore,

becomes

"wait for the Kenton unit to be available"

Sorry for the mix-up.

-Sean