Induction cooking systems to help Railways curb pantry car fires

The decision to switch over to induction stoves was taken after a fire gutted Mumbai Rajdhani in 2011. The fire reportedly broke out in the pantry car and spread to four other coaches.

In the induction cooking range,electricity powers a coil that produces a high-frequency electromagnetic field,which penetrates the metal of the ferrous (magnetic material) cooking vessel and sets up a circulating electric current. This generates heat in the cooking vessel and the heat is transferred to the vessel’s contents.

“Induction is a safe cooking technology. Nothing outside the vessel is affected by the field. As soon as the vessel is removed from the base,or the stove is turned off,heat generation stops. The coils

are not overheated and hence it is also safe in case of an oil spill,” Delhi Divisional Railway Manager

A K Sachan said

Induction cooking uses heat-resistant ceramic plates on top,which are electrically insulated. Even when one touches the surface of the stove,they face no risk of electrocution,Sachan said.

Northern Railway has also written to the Rail Coach Factory,Kapurthala,asking it to fit induction cooking systems in new trains. The Research Design and Standards Organisation has been asked to issue standard specification for the new cooking system. “Once the specifications are issued,the induction system could be installed in all the trains. It would also be retro fitted in pantry cars,” another railway official said.

The cost of an induction cooking system is twice that of traditional equipment. Fitting induction based stove in a pantry car costs Rs 3.55 lakh. But authorities claim that since this new system is energy efficient,the cost would be recovered within two years.

“Frying on the induction system is found to be 300 per cent faster and 400 per cent energy efficient. Cooking and boiling is also faster and 40 to 100 per cent energy efficient. There would be savings of around 25 units (Rs 325 at Rs 12.5 per unit) and just one unit will be consumed on three activities. The new system also provides better cooking ambience to the staff,” the official said.

The life span of this system is around eight years and in case of failure of electronic module,it can be replaced within 10 minutes.