I tested it
Portable · RV and camping
NuWave PIC Flex
The Flex is light and round, so it slips into a tote bag or a camper cabinet. Its real advantage is the power limit: you can cap it at 600 or 900 watts, so it won’t overload a small power station or a weak campground outlet.
My verdict
My verdict: Buy it if you camp or cook on weak power. Skip it if it will be your main burner at home.
My test results
1 quart boiled in 6 minutes and 10 seconds at full power; simmer drifted about 12°F.
| Most it pulled | 1,310 watts |
|---|---|
| Boils 1 quart in | 6 min 10 sec |
| Battery per quart | about 12 amp-hours |
Quick facts
Power: 600, 900 or 1,300 watts, so you can match it to your power supply · Temperature settings: 100°F to 500°F in 5-degree steps, plus 6 presets · Coil: 6.5 inches across · Size: About 12 by 10 by 2 inches
Pros and cons
What I liked
- It’s light and easy to pack.
- The 600- and 900-watt settings work on campground hookups and power stations.
- Wind doesn’t affect it the way it affects a gas flame.
What I didn't like
- It’s slow and small for family meals at home.
- The display is hard to read in bright sun.
My notes
The Flex is light and round, so it slips into a tote bag or a camper
cabinet. Its real advantage is the power limit: you can cap it at 600 or
900 watts, so it won’t overload a small power station or a weak
campground outlet.
I took it on a weekend camping trip with my family. At the campsite,
I ran it from a 1,000-watt portable power station on the 600-watt
setting. It heated water for our morning coffee in about 9 minutes and
cooked scrambled eggs for six in two batches. On the site’s 30-amp
electric hookup at full power, it handled a pot of pasta, but slowly.
The breeze made no difference to the cooking, which is one big advantage
over a camp gas stove. In bright sun I had to shade the display with my
hand to read it.
At home, its 1,300-watt maximum and small 6.5-inch coil make it the
slowest burner in my test, and it browned only the center of my 10-inch
skillet. Wirecutter came to the same conclusion: it’s great for travel,
but too small for everyday family cooking.
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