Example Shopping Plan: Two-Person Kitchen with Induction

What this page is

This is an example shopping plan, not a tested build. Nobody at VanLifeKitchens has built or cooked in this exact kitchen. It's a researched list for two people who want to cook indoors on induction, put together from manufacturer manuals and the reviews on this site, with the compatibility checks and power arithmetic you need before you buy. There are no prices or totals; use the "Check price on Amazon" buttons on each review for current prices.

For a full build narrative at the far end of the scale, the Off-Grid Chef setup describes a premium two-person galley with two induction burners, a large battery bank and a range hood. This plan is the portable, single-burner version: nothing has to be built in, and the electrical system is sized from your own numbers rather than copied from someone else's van.

Who it suits

• Two people cooking one or two hot meals a day.
• A van with room for a 40-quart-class fridge, a counter or table for a single induction cooktop, and two storage boxes: for example a Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster or Mercedes Sprinter, or a high-roof compact van.
• People who want to cook inside when it's raining, cold, windy or late, without combustion inside the van.
• People who have, or plan to install, a lithium battery and an inverter big enough for the cooktop (the power section below shows how to size it).
• Travel with regular recharging: daily or every-other-day driving with a DC-DC charger, solar, or campground hookups.

Who should choose another approach

• You don't want a large battery and inverter. Induction is the most power-hungry thing in most van kitchens. A butane stove used outside, like the one in the one-person compact plan, needs no inverter at all.
• You want two burners at full power at the same time. Two 1,800 W cooktops together draw 3,600 W, which is beyond many inverters. That's a different, much larger electrical project.
• You spend weeks parked in winter with little sun and no hookups. Recharging may not keep up. Plan a fuel stove for outdoor cooking as well.
• Someone in the van has a pacemaker. Duxtop's manual says the cooktop emits an electromagnetic field and that people with pacemakers should consult their physician before using it.

Assumptions

• Travel style: two people, a mix of driving days and one-to-three-day stays.
• Space: a floor or slide position for a wheeled 40-quart-class fridge with ventilation space around it; a stable, non-metal, non-combustible surface for the cooktop with 4 in of space around it; two stackable storage boxes.
• Cooking habits: breakfast and one main meal, cooked one pan or pot at a time on a single induction burner. Occasional outdoor cooking on butane.
• Power: a 12 V lithium house battery, an inverter with a continuous rating above the cooktop's highest setting, and at least one charging source. All energy figures here are at 12 V nominal (Ah = Wh ÷ 12).
• Water: carried in jugs or a simple tank from treated sources.

Essential products

Induction cooktop: Duxtop 9100MC

The Duxtop 9100MC Portable Induction Cooktop is the main cooktop. Duxtop's manual (which covers the BT-M20B, 9100MC and 9120MC) lists:

• output of 200–1,800 W across 15 power levels, from 200 W at level 1 up to 1,800 W at level 10;
• a 120 V, 15 A power source, with instructions to use a dedicated outlet and not run another appliance on the same circuit;
• 11.4 x 14 x 2.5 in and 5 lb 12 oz;
• at least 4 in of space around the unit for ventilation, and no placing it on a metal surface;
• "household use only," and no use in a wet outdoor environment.

Lower-power alternative: the NUWAVE PIC Gold 1500W Induction Cooktop. NUWAVE's manual gives a 1,500 W default that can be switched to 900 W or 600 W, which makes it easier to match to a smaller inverter. NUWAVE's manual also says it is for household use and not intended for outdoor use.

Cookware that works on induction

• The Magma Nesting 10-Piece Stainless Cookware, model A10-360L-IND. Magma's product page says the induction version has an encapsulated tri-clad base with a ferromagnetic stainless layer. The set includes a 5 qt stock pot, a 10 in sauté/frying pan, 3 qt, 2 qt and 1.5 qt saucepans, two lids and two removable handles. Magma gives the nested size as 13 x 10-1/4 x 7-1/4 in and the weight as 13 lb.
• The Lodge L8SK3 10.25-inch Cast Iron Skillet for searing. Cast iron is magnetic, and it also works on a butane stove outside.

12V fridge: ICECO JP40 Pro

The ICECO JP40 Pro (37 L / 40 qt) Wheeled 12V Fridge Freezer has wheels, which helps if you need to move it in and out. ICECO's manual (where it's called the JP40 ProS) lists 37 litres (40 quarts), 28.5 x 13.8 x 18.0 in, 39.1 lb, and a -4°F to 68°F range. Note that the "40" in the name is quarts, not litres.

Prep and storage

• Knife: the Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef Knife. Store it in a sheath or a knife block that can't open while driving; see knife storage and safety.
• Storage: two Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Boxes, one for cookware and one for dry food.

Outdoor backup stove

An induction-only kitchen stops when the battery runs low. The Iwatani Cassette Feu Butane Camp Stove (Gray) is a compact backup for outdoor cooking. Iwatani's manual for its earlier ZA-3HP cassette stove labels that model an "outdoor only camp cooking appliance" that "may not be used indoors in tents, campers, apartments or other confined areas." We couldn't find a manual for the current gray model, so read the label and manual in the box. Do not use it inside the van, even with the doors open; a CO alarm or roof fan doesn't change that.

Optional upgrades

• A dual-zone fridge: the ICECO VL60 Dual Zone 60L 12V Fridge Freezer gives you a separate freezer compartment. ICECO's catalog lists the VL60 at 31.2 x 19.5 x 18.9 in, so it needs a much bigger space, and it uses more energy with both zones running.
• A larger cutting board: the John Boos R-Board Edge-Grain Maple Cutting Board 18x12, if you have counter space for it.
• A drinking-water filter pitcher: the LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Gravity-Fed Water Filter Pitcher, if you fill from taps whose taste or quality you're unsure of. Check the review for what it does and doesn't remove.

Exact variants

Names match the site's product data and the Amazon listings our review pages link to.

Magma: make sure the listing says A10-360L-IND. Magma also sells non-induction nesting sets, and those won't work on the Duxtop or NUWAVE. Iwatani: our review found that the gray listing gives a model number of VA-30 and pictures a stove branded Fore Winds FW-SS01, not the older ZA-3HP.

Compatibility checks

1. Induction needs a magnetic base. Duxtop's manual says the cookware base must be ferrous and magnetic, flat, at least 5 in across, and recommends a flat bottom of 5–9 in. It lists cast iron, iron, magnetic steel, enameled iron and stainless with a magnetic bottom as suitable, and glass, ceramic, copper, aluminum and non-magnetic 18/10 or 18/8 stainless as unsuitable. Test every pan you already own with a fridge magnet. Our reviews note that GSI and MSR don't list their camp pots on this site as induction-compatible, and titanium cookware such as Snow Peak's isn't magnetic; test before you rely on any of them.

2. The fridge's external size plus ventilation clearance vs your space. ICECO's manual asks for more than 5 cm (about 2 in) of space on the left and right sides and 10 cm (about 4 in) at the front air outlet. For the JP40 Pro at 13.8 in wide, plan on about 17.8 in of width (13.8 + 2 + 2), the full 28.5 in length plus about 4 in in front of the vent, and room above to open the lid. The VL60 at 19.5 in wide needs about 23.5 in on the same basis.

3. The cooktop's continuous watts vs the inverter's continuous rating. The Duxtop can draw up to 1,800 W at level 10 for as long as you leave it there, so treat that as a continuous load. Your inverter's continuous rating, not its surge rating, must be above 1,800 W plus anything else on the AC side at the same time. If your inverter is smaller, either choose the NUWAVE and set it to 900 W or 600 W, or never use the Duxtop's top levels, and accept slower cooking. Duxtop says not to share the outlet or circuit with another appliance, so don't run an electric kettle at the same time.

4. DC current and wiring. At 12 V, 1,800 W of AC output is about 150 A from the battery before losses, and about 170 A with an assumed 88% inverter efficiency (1,800 ÷ 0.88 ÷ 12). At 900 W it's about 85 A. Cable size, fusing and the battery's discharge rating all have to suit that current. Follow the inverter and battery makers' installation instructions, and use a qualified electrician where codes or your insurer require one.

5. The cooktop's surface and airflow. Duxtop asks for a dry, stable, level, non-combustible, non-metallic surface, 4 in of space all round, and nothing over 25 lb on the glass. If you recess it into a counter, don't block the cool-air inlet and fan underneath.

6. Cooking ventilation still matters. Induction produces no combustion gases, but cooking still makes steam, grease and odour. Run a roof fan or open a window while you cook to keep moisture and smells down. That's general cooking ventilation, a different issue from the combustion ventilation that rules out camp stoves indoors. See the ventilation guide.

How to work out your battery and inverter size

This plan doesn't prescribe a battery or inverter size. Here's an example with every assumption stated; replace the numbers with your own.

Step 1: estimate cooking energy from the cooktop's power levels. Duxtop's manual maps power levels to watts (for example, level 4 = 800 W, level 6 = 1,200 W, level 10 = 1,800 W). Energy = watts x hours.

Allowing for inverter losses (assumed 88% efficiency): 767 ÷ 0.88 ≈ 870 Wh from the battery, about 73 Ah at 12 V. These assume the cooktop holds each setting the whole time, which makes them a conservative planning figure. Short cooks and lower settings use less.

Step 2: add the fridge. ICECO's manual lists the JP40 ProS at 0.323 kWh per 24 hours and says the figure "is only suitable for laboratory testing." It doesn't state the test conditions. For warm-weather planning this example assumes 450 Wh per day (about 38 Ah). That's an estimate, not a measurement. The fridge battery calculator lets you set your own conditions.

Step 3: add everything else. Lights, phones and a laptop: assume 120 Wh (10 Ah).

Step 4: total, then multiply by days without charging. About 1,440 Wh (120 Ah) per day in this example. Two days without any recharge is about 2,880 Wh.

Step 5: divide by the usable fraction. Assuming you plan to use about 85% of a lithium battery's rated capacity: 2,880 ÷ 0.85 ≈ 3,390 Wh, about 283 Ah at 12 V. With daily driving or reliable sun you can count on, you need less storage. With cloudy weeks and no hookups, you need more, or a fuel stove for outdoor cooking.

Step 6: size the inverter for the peak, the battery for the total. The inverter's continuous rating is set by the biggest simultaneous AC load (Step 3 of the compatibility checks). The battery is set by daily watt-hours and days of autonomy. Use the power calculator to run your own figures, and see the power budget guide and battery guide for background.

Gear you may already own

• Cast iron and magnetic stainless pans. If a magnet sticks firmly to the base, they'll work on induction, and you may not need the Magma set at all.
• A stovetop kettle with a magnetic base for coffee water on the induction plate.
• Knives, a board, utensils, a dish tub.
• A portable power station, if it has a continuous AC rating above your cooktop setting and enough watt-hours (Steps 1–5).
• A butane or propane camp stove for outdoor backup cooking. Check its manual for the operating location.
• Storage bins you already own can replace the Wolf Pack Pro boxes if they latch shut and stack securely.

Supporting reviews

• Duxtop 9100MC Portable Induction Cooktop
• NUWAVE PIC Gold 1500W Induction Cooktop
• Magma Nesting 10-Piece Stainless Cookware
• Lodge L8SK3 10.25-inch Cast Iron Skillet
• ICECO JP40 Pro (37 L / 40 qt) Wheeled 12V Fridge Freezer
• ICECO VL60 Dual Zone 60L 12V Fridge Freezer
• Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef Knife
• Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box
• Iwatani Cassette Feu Butane Camp Stove (Gray)
• John Boos R-Board Edge-Grain Maple Cutting Board 18x12
• LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Gravity-Fed Water Filter Pitcher

Background reading: induction vs butane vs propane, cooktops guide, cookware guide, 12V fridges guide, van cooking safety guide.

What you still need to verify

• Your inverter's continuous rating (not surge) against the cooktop setting you'll actually use, plus any other AC loads.
• Your battery's usable capacity, maximum continuous discharge current and low-voltage cut-off from the battery maker.
• Cable, fuse and installation details with the equipment manuals or a qualified installer.
• Each pan with a magnet, including anything you already own.
• The fridge space, including ICECO's ventilation clearance and lid-open height, and how the fridge will be secured for driving.
• The fridge's real energy use in your climate. ICECO's figure is a lab rating without stated conditions.
• The Magma listing says A10-360L-IND before you buy.
• The backup stove's label and manual for its operating location.

FAQ

Is this a tested build? No. It's an example shopping plan built from manufacturer documents and our product research. Nobody at the site has built or used this exact kitchen.

Will a 2,000 W inverter run the Duxtop? On paper, a 2,000 W continuous rating is above the Duxtop's 1,800 W maximum, but the margin is small, and anything else on the AC side counts against it. Check the inverter maker's continuous rating at your expected temperatures, and the battery's discharge limit. The NUWAVE's 900 W and 600 W settings give more margin.

How many amp-hours does an induction dinner use? It depends on the settings and time. In the example above, a 10-minute boil at 1,800 W plus a 20-minute simmer at 800 W is about 567 Wh at the cooktop, or roughly 54 Ah from a 12 V battery with an assumed 88% inverter efficiency. Use the power calculator with your own times and settings.

Can I use my existing pans? Yes, if a magnet sticks firmly to the base. Duxtop's manual lists cast iron, enameled iron and magnetic-base stainless as suitable, and aluminum, copper, glass, ceramic and non-magnetic stainless as unsuitable.

Why not two induction burners? Two 1,800 W cooktops at full power need 3,600 W of continuous inverter output and roughly double the battery current. That's possible, as the Off-Grid Chef setup shows, but it's a much larger electrical system. One burner plus good sequencing covers most two-person meals.

Sources and verification

Manufacturer documents and pages we opened for the specs and safety statements above, each checked 2026-10-09:

• Duxtop BT-M20B / 9100MC / 9120MC user manual (Secura, the manual attached to the Amazon listing): power-level wattage table, 120 V / 15 A dedicated outlet, dimensions, weight, 4 in clearance, cookware requirements, pacemaker caution, household-use statement. Checked 2026-10-09.
• NUWAVE PIC Gold owner's manual: 1,500 W default with 900 W and 600 W settings; household use, not intended for outdoor use; induction-ready cookware. Checked 2026-10-09.
• Magma 10 pc Nesting Induction Cookware Set product page: A10-360L-IND contents, tri-clad ferromagnetic base, nested size, weight. Checked 2026-10-09.
• ICECO JP30/40/50 ProS user manual: JP40 ProS capacity, dimensions, weight, temperature range, 0.323 kWh/24 h lab figure, compressor ventilation space, and the catalog dimensions for the VL60. Checked 2026-10-09.
• Iwatani Cassette Feu ZA-3HP instruction manual (Iwatani Corporation of America): outdoor-only camp-use statement and carbon monoxide warning. Earlier model; no manual found for the current gray listing. Checked 2026-10-09.