Thursday, August 20, 2020

7 Tiny House Cooktop Options For a Downsized Kitchen

One of the most exciting parts about moving into a tiny house is choosing the right appliances that match your lifestyle and fit into your tiny home. Luckily for downsizers, there is already a wide variety of gadgets meant for tiny living. Among the most popular tiny house choices are miniature appliances, which were built for RV or marine living but can easily be adapted into tiny homes.

Having a range is a must-have appliance for kitchens but its size makes it challenging (if not impossible) to fit one in such a small space. But for tiny house kitchens, you can swap the traditional bulky range for a miniature cooktop. 

So what are the best cooktop options for a tiny house? We have compiled some of our favorite electric, induction, and gas countertop cooking appliances that will go well in any tiny home or RV. Our top seven tiny house cooking options are: 

  1. Cusimax Stainless Countertop Burner
  2. Duxtop 9300ST Ultrathin Portable Induction Countertop Burner
  3. Atwood (56472) DV 30S Stainless Steel Drop-In 3-Burner Cooktop
  4. Flame King YSNHT600 2 Burner Built-In RV Cooktop Stove
  5. Koblenz PFK-400 Victoria 4 Burner Gas Stove
  6. GAS ONE GS-3000 Portable Gas Stove
  7. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Countertop Burner

Electric, Induction, and Gas Stovetops: Which Is Better For Tiny House Living?

With different options available on the market, making the right choice for your tiny house kitchen can be overwhelming. Cooktops are a good option if you want something more portable than a full range. They're much easier to squeeze into a tiny house kitchen, and are powered by electricity, induction, or propane gas. Here is what makes tiny house cooktops different:

  • Electric: Depending on your power situation and availability of electrical outlets, you should consider electric cooktops if you're using grid-tied electricity or solar energy. They're very easy to clean and don’t require anything more than a 220-240V outlet. The upfront cost of cooking with an electric unit is much cheaper compared to other options, and it’s overall safer compared to gas. 
  • Induction: Induction cooking is considered the safest and most efficient way to cook in a tiny house, since it offers more control and doesn't waste a lot of heat compared to electric cooktops. It's especially safe if you have kids who like to be around the kitchen, since its direct electromagnetic transfer technology keeps the surface cool even while it is in use. Induction models may be a little bit pricey, however. You will also need cookware that works with induction technology.
  • Gas: Gas stovetops can either be permanently installed on top of a kitchen counter or portable. These models usually don't take up a lot of space, which is why they are perfect for any tiny house. Natural gas-fueled cooktops are also ideal if you're planning to go off-grid with your tiny house.

The Best Cooktop Options for Tiny Houses

1) Cusimax 1800W Stainless Steel Silver Countertop Burner

Who Should Buy It: First-time tiny house owners looking for an easy-to-use stove in their tiny house

The Cusimax 1800W model is among the best electric stoves available because of its lightweight and portable design. Each burner is individually controlled so you can cook with two different settings, and the unit has an automatic safety feature that will shut it off for you if it ever gets too hot. 

It's also equipped with a thermostat so you can control the temperature of your food when you cook. This model is compatible with any type of cookware. Overall, it’s easy to clean and convenient to travel with, so you won’t have any problems stowing it away in your tiny house when not in use. 

Product Cusimax 1800W Stainless Steel Silver Countertop Burner
Wattage 120V
Dimensions 21.1 x 14.6 x 4.1 inches
Number of Burners Two
Type of Burner Electric
Average Amazon Score 4.4

2) Duxtop 9300ST Ultrathin Portable Induction Cooktop

Who Should Buy It: Tiny house dwellers who want to keep their kids safe in the kitchen

With its glass top, lightweight design, and wide cooking surface, the Duxtop 9300ST is an ideal tiny home appliance for a tiny house with kids. It has built-in safety features that make it perfect for tiny house families with young children. 

This product has a child lock, a diagnostic error message system, and a voltage warning system designed to keep you and your house safe from electrical fires. The Duxtop 9300ST will shut itself down if no cookware is detected within 60 seconds. The digital control panel allows you to easily navigate the power levels and temperature range for controlled cooking. 

Product Duxtop 9300ST Ultrathin Portable Induction Cooktop
Wattage 120V
Dimensions 18 x 13 x 3.4 inches
Number of Burners One
Type of Burner Induction
Average Amazon Score 3.8

3) Atwood (56472) DV 30S Stainless Steel Drop-In 3-Burner Cooktop

Who Should Buy It: Tiny house owners looking for a time-saving gas cooktop 

The Atwood 56472 is ideal if you want to prepare three different dishes at once. It’s a propane gas-fired stove that you can easily adjust for precise cooking with its lineament valves and infinite control knobs. It’s a fantastic propane option for a busy tiny house that lives off the grid.

It’s perfect for a tiny house family that enjoys cooking but wants to spend less time cleaning, since you only need a damp rag to wipe down the stainless steel surface. It comes equipped with a wind guard so you can keep it covered when not in use, freeing up some much-needed counter space.The Atwood 56472 will also fit well in tight spaces for easy stowing.

Product Atwood (56472) DV 30S Stainless Steel Drop-In 3-Burner Cooktop
BTU 5200 - 7200 
Dimensions 20 x 16 x 24 inches
Number of Burners Three
Type of Burner Gas
Average Amazon Score 4.2

4) Flame King YSNHT600 2 Burner Built-In RV Cooktop Stove

Who Should Buy It: Tiny house families who are more inclined to cook outdoors

The Flame King YSNHT600 has a 5200 BTU circular grate and an 7200 BTU oval gate designed for powerful cooking on the go. It has a compact design so you can conveniently store it when you’re on the road. It’s a classic among RV and camping enthusiasts.

If you enjoy cooking outside your tiny house, the Flame King YSNHT600 also has a wind guard that can stabilize the flames while you cook up a great meal. 

Product Flame King YSNHT600 2 Burner Built-In RV Cooktop Stove
BTU 5200 - 7200 
Dimensions 18.5 x 13 x 4.5 inches
Number of Burners Two
Type of Burner Gas
Average Amazon Score 4.0

5) Koblenz PFK-400 Victoria 4 Burner Gas Stove

Who Should Buy It: Tiny house dwellers who want a heavy-duty gas stove for simultaneous cooking 

If your tiny house loves to cook and has an off-grid system with a sizable propane tank, then the Koblenz PFK-400 is a no-brainer option. With propane, you can do anything pretty quickly -- from heating up meals to cooking entire meals from scratch.

The grill cover is removable for easy cleaning. It’s made with sturdy material and comes with a porcelain cover for protection. If you’re planning to attach it to the gas line, be sure to allot extra space in your tiny house for this stove. 

Product Koblenz PFK-400 Victoria 4 Burner Gas Stove
BTU 1600
Dimensions 20.08 x 24.6 x 5.12 inches
Number of Burners Four
Type of Burner Gas
Average Amazon Score 4.3

6) GAS ONE GS-3000 Portable Gas Stove

Who Should Buy It: New tiny home owners who don’t know what to buy yet 

The GAS ONE GS-3000 is a great starter cooktop for newbie tiny house dwellers. While it’s usually used for camping or home emergencies, this model can last for 4-6 hours on a single canister of butane. It’s particularly useful if you would prefer not to cook oily or smelly foods inside your tiny house, since you can bring it outdoors. 

This product has a lot of built-in safety features. It has an automatic shut-off mechanism for when it detects irregular gas flow, a safety lever that ensures the can is set correctly to prevent leakage, and a fail-safe ejection system that will eject the fuel canister in case something goes wrong. It’s simple to light up, and you can even use a cast iron skillet or 13-inch pan with no problems - perfect for cooking delicious food in your tiny house.

Product GAS ONE GS-3000 Portable Gas Stove
BTU 9000
Dimensions 13.5 x 4.4 x 11.2 inches
Number of Burners One
Type of Burner Gas
Average Amazon Score 4.6

7) Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Countertop Burner 

Who Should Buy It: People who want an energy-efficient countertop burner

The Duxtop 1800W has an 83% energy efficiency rating. Unlike other induction cookers, this device heats up rapidly for quick cooking. It can be plugged into a 15 amp electrical outlet - the standard for most tiny houses in the US. It’s a lightweight and portable induction model with 15 preset power levels and 15 preset temperature settings. 

Since it doesn’t use an open flame for heating, it’s a friendly option for people who want to multitask while cooking. You can clean it by wiping a damp towel and control it through its display screen. 

Keep in mind that the Duxtop 1800w is compatible with induction cookware only. Like most induction cookers, it has an auto-pan detection mechanism that will turn off the device in 60 seconds if no cookware or incorrect cookware is detected. 

Product Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Countertop Burner
Wattage 120V
Dimensions 13 x 11.5 x 2.5 inches
Number of Burners One
Type of Burner Induction
Average Amazon Score 4.3

Tips for Finding Appliances For a Small Kitchen 

Appliances for small kitchen areas don't need to be fancy or complicated. Most of the time, what you need is something functional enough that will suit your habits and the available space.

If you're a tiny house dweller who enjoys dining out, you'll be fine even with just the smallest electric stove on hand. 

However, a larger family should carefully consider having a full cooking range and oven for their tiny house, since this makes it much cheaper and more efficient to prepare meals at home. 

Considering your needs over your wants is the key to being happy with the smallest kitchen appliances. Here are some tips that can help you find the best appliances for small kitchens: 

Work with your floor plan 

A tiny house doesn't have a lot of room to work with, so you have to be creative with your appliances. 

Consider where you're going to place your appliances: Will there be a lot of extra space after? Will your need to reach up or bend down whenever you use it? Remember, you will only have a limited counter space, so bulky appliances are a no-no in tiny houses. Tiny living also means less storage space in your house, so gadgets that aren’t built-in should be easily tucked away. 

Understand your power supply 

Fuel and solar power are usually combined to run a tiny house, so you have to find appliances that work efficiently with the power you have. Consider if your tiny house has the right plugs and outlets for the products you want. Choose your appliances based on your power supply and the type of cooking you plan on doing in your tiny house.  

Prioritize ease of use

When picking out appliances for your tiny house, the rule of thumb is to choose something you already know how to use. You should already have a good idea of how to operate and maintain these appliances, because this will save you a lot of time and money. Before buying, ask questions or read through the manual so you understand how to use your gadget. 

The post 7 Tiny House Cooktop Options For a Downsized Kitchen appeared first on Tiny House Bloom.

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