Emeryville Programs

• Induction Cooktop Lending - borrow a free home induction cooktop!
• Trash Cleanup Equipment Lending - use city tools to host your own neighborhood or group cleanup!

Induction Cooktop Lending Program

The City of Emeryville is collaborating with East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), Emeryville's local power provider, to offer an induction cooktop lending program for Emeryville residents. Any resident can try out an induction cooktop for free. Learn more below.
 
If you haven't heard of induction cooktops, don't worry--you're not alone. Induction cooktops use electromagnetism to transfer energy directly to a pot or pan. The cooktop doesn't create heat unless it touches a magnetic surface, such as an iron or steel pan. Watch this video to learn more about the power of induction cooking. Induction cooktops are safer, more efficient, and produce fewer emissions than natural gas cooktops. Try one out for yourself! 

How the Induction Cooktop Program Works

If you are an Emeryville resident, you are eligible to try out one of our free induction cooktops! Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for this program using this Google form. Signing up is free and all you need is some basic contact information. If you cannot access the Google form, you can also call a City staff member at (510) 596-3795 and leave your name, address, and phone number to be added to our loaning list. This is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so sign-up early!

2. A City staff member will contact you to confirm your reservation. Once contacted for your pickup, you can come to City Hall (1333 Park Avenue, Emeryville) to retrieve the cooktop unit. For individuals with physical limitations, you can arrange a socially distant pickup and/or drop-off.  

3. Use your induction cooktop! The cooktop can plug into any standard electrical socket. The cooktop will come with additional usage instructions, and there are some handy resources linked below. If you haven’t used one before, don’t worry--the induction experience is new for a lot of people. We encourage you to try using it for different things, such as boiling water, sautéing, or frying your favorite dishes. Click here to learn more about how to use your induction cooktop, and what is included in the program. 

4. After 2-3 weeks, you must return your cooktop unit to the City. Please be respectful of the loan timeframe. We want as many Emeryvillains to have the chance to use the cooktop as possible!

What is included?

In your cooktop package is: one single-burner induction cooktop (Max Burton 1800 Watt Digital Induction Cooktop, PN 6450), one 8” stainless steel stir fry pan, one 2¾ quart sauce pan, instructions on how to use and clean your cooktop, and additional educational materials about induction cooktops. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I have to pay to use this service?
A: No, you do not. This is a free opportunity to try out a new, modern kitchen appliance.

Q: Why is the City doing this?
A: The City is pursuing this project because appliances that use natural gas (such as gas stoves) emit greenhouse gas emissions and are less healthy than electric alternatives. Electric appliances can use electricity that is generated from carbon-free sources, such as rooftop solar or EBCE's Renewable 100 service plan. Replacing gas stoves with electric alternatives like induction cooktops is an important climate action you can take at home.

Q: Are there other ways to reduce my greenhouse gas emissions?
A: I’m glad you asked! You can check out another useful webpage here.

Q: I love my induction cooktop! Do you have any information on how to buy one?
A: BayREN offers a $300 rebate if you choose to purchase a new cooktop. There are a few types of induction cooktops you can install. The ones we loan out plug into a typical kitchen outlet. If you want a larger unit, you may have to change your electrical outlet. Please do additional research before making a final decision.

If you have further questions, please email zerowaste@emeryville.org, or visit the resources below.

Additional Resources on Induction Cooking

• Detailed description of the science behind induction cooktops, including how they work, their benefits, and their drawbacks. (Explain That Stuff, 2021)
• Factsheet about home electrification: induction stoves and cooktops. (Berkeley Electrification Working Group, 2019). 
• Factsheet about induction cooking safety and radiation concerns. (Rocky Mountain Institute, 2020). 
• Factsheet about the benefits of induction cooking. (Ecology Center and City of Berkeley, 2019)
• Infographic: Get Cooking with Induction. (EBCE, 2021)
• Overview of East Bay Community Energy (EBCE)'s residential  induction cooking program. (EBCE, 2022)
• BayREN currently offers a $300 rebate on induction cooktops. Find out more on their website here.
• Consumer Reports' review on induction cooktop and ranges can be found here.
• WireCutter’s review of portable induction cooktops can be found here.
• Here is an appliance expert explaining some of the benefits of induction
• Here are two professional chefs teaming up to cook a zero-waste and emissions-free meal using induction cooking and seasonal ingredients
• Another brief overview of induction cooking
• A test of how the cooktop functions while boiling water
• Watch a grilled cheese tutorial here.

Trash Cleanup Equipment Lending

The Trash Cleanup Equipment Lending Program is designed to enable community groups, businesses, churches, schools, and other organizations to play an active role in keeping public spaces clean and beautiful, while allowing them to set their own schedule. 

Similar to 'adopt-a-spot' in other cities, the City of Emeryville has free equipment for loan including trash grabbers, pails, bags, and other materials for groups wanting to do one-time or ongoing cleanups. If you have a group of 5+ persons interested in conducting a cleanup, please contact zerowaste@emeryville.org for more details. Prior to the event persons using City equipment will need to complete a waiver. Thank you for your interest in keeping Emeryville clean, we look forward to hearing from you!