The Rise of Induction Cooktops in Caravan Cooking

Article by Rob Smith - Caravans Plus

Read Time: 5 mins

Update May 2026: This article has been kept because the buying questions are still useful. The original Thetford Topline 902 induction cooktop is no longer the current Thetford option; the current Thetford path is the Thetford Domino MKII induction cooktop. Current two-zone induction options also include models from Dometic, Camec and Aussie Traveller.

Induction cooktops suit some caravan kitchens very well, but they are not automatically the best answer for every van. The main questions are power supply, bench space, cut-out size, cookware, ventilation and how often you cook away from mains power.

The big attraction is the flat glass surface. It is easy to clean and can give you more usable bench space when the cooktop is not in use. Induction also avoids an open gas flame inside the van, which can be a good fit for compact layouts.

The trade-off is electrical load. A caravan induction cooktop needs a suitable 240V supply and installation by a licensed electrician where wiring or a new power point is required. If you mostly free camp, check your inverter, battery capacity and charging setup before assuming induction will suit the way you travel.

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1. What changed since this article was first written

Early RV induction choices were fairly limited. Thetford was one of the first major RV suppliers in this space with the Topline 902 two-zone induction cooktop. That older model has now been superseded by the Thetford Domino MKII induction cooktop.

Dometic, Camec and Aussie Traveller now also have current two-zone induction cooktops, so the choice is no longer just Thetford versus Dometic. The practical comparison is now:

Bench shape and cut-out: some units are narrow and deep, while others are wider and shallower.
Power supply: most RV induction cooktops are 10A, but some higher-output models need 15A.
Cooking layout: check whether the zone sizes and control position suit your bench and pots.
Off-grid use: induction can work off-grid only if the inverter and battery system are sized for it.

2. When induction makes sense in a caravan

Induction is worth considering if you usually stay on powered sites, have a capable inverter system, or want a cleaner bench-top cooking surface. It can also be a good option where avoiding LPG inside the van is part of the build plan.

Gas still makes sense for many vans, especially where cooking away from mains power is common. A common compromise is to use induction when connected to 240V power and keep gas or portable outdoor cooking available for longer off-grid stays.

Thetford induction and gas cooktop combination in a caravan bench — The older Thetford layout was popular because it could sit beside a matching gas cooktop in some bench designs.

3. Current two-zone cooktop options

The table below is a practical starting point only. Always check the current product page and installation sheet before cutting a bench or arranging electrical work.

Model	Overall size	Power supply	Best suited to
Aussie Traveller dual zone induction cooktop	300mm W x 520mm D	2.3kW / 10A	A value-focused 10A option with a narrow front-to-back layout.
Dometic 2 zone induction cooktop	525mm W x 350mm D	2.3kW / 10A	Wider side-by-side bench layouts where a shallow depth suits the cut-out.
Thetford Domino MKII induction cooktop	305mm W x 500mm D	3.0kW / 15A	Narrow bench layouts where a Thetford-style front-to-back design is preferred.
Camec 2.3kW induction cooktop	300mm W x 520mm D	2.3kW / 10A	A 10A Camec option for common RV bench installations.
Camec 3.3kW induction cooktop	300mm W x 520mm D	3.3kW / 15A	Installations where a 15A supply is available and higher output is wanted.

4. 10A or 15A power supply

This is the detail that can change the installation cost. A 10A cooktop may be simpler where there is already a suitable outlet and circuit. A 15A cooktop can offer more output, but it may require a dedicated 15A outlet and electrical work.

Do not change plugs, sockets or wiring to make a cooktop fit. If the installation needs a new outlet, circuit check or hard wiring, use a licensed electrician. This is especially important in caravans because the cooktop, inverter, battery charger and other 240V appliances may all be sharing limited supply.

5. Bench cut-out and layout

Before ordering, compare the overall size and the required cut-out size against the existing bench. A 300mm x 520mm front-to-back cooktop is a very different fit to a 525mm x 350mm side-by-side cooktop.

Thetford and Dometic caravan induction cooktop layout comparison — Different two-zone layouts can suit different benches, even when the cooktops have similar total output.

Also check what is below the bench. Allow space for the body depth, ventilation, mounting hardware, wiring access and any drawers or cupboards underneath. If replacing a gas cooktop, the old cut-out may not suit the new induction unit without bench work.

6. Before you buy

Confirm whether you want a 10A or 15A cooktop.
Measure the overall bench space and the cut-out area.
Check body depth and clearance below the cooktop.
Make sure your cookware is induction compatible.
If using an inverter, confirm it can handle the cooktop load.
Use a licensed electrician for any 240V wiring, outlet or circuit changes.

For current options, browse our caravan gas stoves and induction cooktops category. If you are not sure whether induction suits your van, the safest first step is to confirm your available 240V supply and the bench cut-out before choosing the model.