Can I Run an Air Fryer, Induction Hob or Kettle in My Campervan?
Yes — but whether your electrical system can handle it depends on three things: your inverter, your battery, and how much you want to run at the same time.
The Short Answer
An air fryer, induction hob, or kettle will run from a van's electrical system — but only if you have a proper inverter capable of handling the load. Without one, you're limited to 12V appliances only.
The longer answer is that sizing matters. The rated wattage printed on most cooking appliances isn't the same as the load they actually draw during normal use. Understanding that difference is what determines whether you need a 2000VA or 3000VA inverter — and whether you can run more than one appliance at the same time.
The component that makes this possible: A low-frequency inverter like the Victron Multiplus. It converts your 12V or 24V battery into 230V AC — the same power your appliances use at home.
Rated Wattage vs Real Draw — Why They're Different
Every appliance has a rated wattage stamped on it. That's the maximum it can draw — not what it draws continuously during normal use. Air fryers and induction hobs cycle their heating elements on and off throughout a cook. Their average draw over a 5-minute use window is significantly lower than the plate rating.
For inverter sizing, the figure that matters is average draw — not the plate rating.
| Appliance | Rated Wattage | Realistic Avg Draw | 2000VA Multiplus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air fryer | 1,400–1,700W | ~900–1,050W | ✓ Runs comfortably |
| Induction hob (medium heat) | 2,000W | ~700–900W | ✓ Runs comfortably |
| Induction hob (full power) | 2,000W | ~1,400–1,600W | ✓ Within range |
| Kettle | 2,200W | ~2,200W (continuous) | ⚠ Short bursts only |
| Air fryer + induction hob together | — | ~1,600–2,000W combined | ⚠ Consider 3000VA |
| Microwave (800W) | ~800W | ~1,000–1,100W draw | ✓ Runs comfortably |
A kettle is the outlier — it draws its rated wattage continuously until it boils, which is typically 2–3 minutes. A 2000VA Multiplus handles a kettle fine as a short burst. Where you need to be careful is running a kettle while something else is already drawing heavily.
The Three Things That Have to Work Together
Running cooking appliances from a van isn't just about having an inverter. Three components have to be sized correctly for the whole thing to work reliably.
The Inverter
The Victron Multiplus 2000VA covers most cooking loads. If you want to run an air fryer and induction hob simultaneously, the 3000VA gives you the headroom. A low-frequency design matters — high-frequency inverters degrade under sustained heat loads.
The Battery
A 105Ah lithium battery will run an air fryer for around 40–50 minutes before needing to recharge. For daily cooking use, 200Ah+ is a more realistic minimum. Lithium is strongly preferred — it can deliver high current without damaging voltage sag.
Solar Recovery
Cooking draws a significant chunk of your battery. 150–200W of solar will recover a meaningful portion of that on a good day. It's not essential, but without it you're relying on hook-up or driving to recharge between cooking sessions.
The simplest route: A pre-wired power board from our Builder or HD Builder range includes the Victron Multiplus, a correctly specified mains consumer unit, T-class fusing, Victron isolators, and pre-programmed settings for your battery chemistry — ready to connect.
What Happens on a Campsite Hookup
A standard UK campsite hookup is 10A — roughly 2,300W of available power. That sounds like plenty, but factor in your charger, fridge compressor, lighting and devices, and you're already using 500–800W before you turn the hob on.
The Victron Multiplus solves this with PowerAssist. Using a Victron Digital Multi Control panel, you set your maximum site input to 9A. When your total load would exceed that limit, the Multiplus draws the balance from the battery via the inverter. When demand drops, it silently recharges from the site. You never trip the hookup.
In practice: You can boil a kettle, run the air fryer, and have the fridge on — all on a 10A hookup — without ever thinking about it. The Multiplus manages the balance automatically.
This only works with a Victron Digital Multi Control (DMC) panel — it's what lets you set and adjust the site input limit. Without it, PowerAssist can't be activated or managed. Our Builder and HD Builder boards include the DMC as standard.
What to Choose for Cooking in a Van
If cooking from mains appliances is important to your build, the decision usually comes down to two things: how much you want to run simultaneously, and whether you're mainly on hookup or off-grid.
| Use Case | Recommended Board | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional cooking, mainly on hookup | Builder Board (2000VA) | 2000VA covers all standard cooking loads. DMC included for PowerAssist on site. |
| Regular off-grid cooking, air fryer daily | Builder Board (2000VA) + 200Ah+ lithium | Battery capacity is the limiting factor off-grid — size the battery, not just the inverter. |
| Air fryer and induction hob simultaneously | HD Builder Board (3000VA) | 3000VA gives the headroom for both running together without pushing limits. |
| Full-time van life, cooking every day | HD Builder Board + 300Ah+ lithium + solar | Daily cooking is a significant draw. Match battery and solar to your actual usage pattern. |
Not sure which applies to you? The Electrical System Builder asks the right questions and recommends the correct system for your specific build in about 10 minutes.
