The frugal sailors stove

[sailorchic34]

Today I replaced my 42 year old RV stove with a New RV stove. I went with an RV stove for several reasons. First and most importantly cost. The new stove (a scratch and dent model, really just a few scuffs on the door) was less then $290 including shipping from a seller on ebay. Marine stoves start at about $1200 and go up from there. Second, being an RV stove parts when needed will be far less expensive then the equivalent marine version.

The old Trav'ler RV stove had gimbals and a latch installed. I was able to reuse both the gimbals and the latch ( simple sliding door latch) on the new stove).

Of course it helped that the boats galley was designed around an RV stove in the first place. My boat being the yachtcraft kit version of the Islander 34. But the dimensions for the RV stoves are pretty close to a marine stove, so others can do this too. It was surprisingly ease to do.

I pop riveted the old gimbals plates to the new stove using steel rivets. The balance point sits a little more toward the front of the stove, but its not bad at all.

Below are photo's of the old stove and new stove. I used the boom vang to hoist the old stove up and to lower the new stove down, using the boom and main halyard, much like how an engine is pulled.

The whole remove and replace only took a few hours too. I still have to rework the fiddles on the new stove. But that will be for another day (real soon)

I am a very happy camper. First for saving a ton of money and second for having a shiny new stove. Happy Happy.

[CS Cruiser]

Looks great nice job!

[robert sailor]

Good on ya!

[letsgetsailing3]

Nicely done, and useful input for others.

[Jim Cate]

SC, does the RV stove have "flame-out" cutoffs? And what brand is it? Sounds like a pretty good deal if it has the appropriate safety features.

Jim

[boatman61]

Good one..
You can also re-jet domestic cookers for those with cats who may want a Bigger cooker.. tho' a couple of friends have done it in their mono's..

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

SC, does the RV stove have "flame-out" cutoffs? And what brand is it? Sounds like a pretty good deal if it has the appropriate safety features.

Jim

Alas, it only has a thermocouple on the oven, the top burners do not have thermocouple cutoff. But then nether did my old stove. I don't leave the stove unattended when cooking and will close/ lower hatches when the winds are up.

I do have a propane sniffer near it to cut the gas off should it go out. One nice feature is the knobs have to be pushed in to turn them on. So cats can't walk on them and turn the knobs.

The stove is an Atwood wedgewood vision (the base unit without electronic ignition). It has a rotating clicker to light the burners. My preference is to have a simpler stove with fewer safeties or things to fail. Weird I know. But then I sit directly across from the stove, so it's always in line of sight.

I've a friend who complains that her newer propane stove in her house, needs power to light the burners and will not light if there is no power. Yes its safer, but useless when the power goes out during a winter store which is common where she lives.

Edit: the stove is 21" wide, 20" deep and 17" high. They make a 20" high model too with a slightly higher oven. Plus the electronic ignition option. Normal price online ranges from $440 to $700. $700 being list I think. Ebay has some at lower price, either scratch and dent or pulled from an RV.

[garrobito]

Smart girl! Congrats!! Hum... I really need a new one around... (stove..)

[weavis]

Its not pink.

[travellerw]

I have that exact stove in my RV...

One observation.. Ours will not light if we have the overhead fan turned on in the RV. The ignition system relies on the heavier (than air) propane flowing down some tubes to a pan in the center of the stove where the piezo spark is. Its seems that even a small amount of wind will stop the propane from flowing down the tubes. If you are having issues with it igniting, make sure there is not any air movement.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by weavis

Its not pink.

Well actually pink would have clashed with the interior. Pink stoves are REALLY hard to find.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by travellerw

I have that exact stove in my RV...

One observation.. Ours will not light if we have the overhead fan turned on in the RV. The ignition system relies on the heavier (than air) propane flowing down some tubes to a pan in the center of the stove where the piezo spark is. Its seems that even a small amount of wind will stop the propane from flowing down the tubes. If you are having issues with it igniting, make sure there is not any air movement.

Hum, are your burners part of the stove top, or are they connected to the feed tube. Adwood makes two types of burners. The electronic ignition burner's are part of the stove top, no hole between burner and top plate. Mine is the non-electronic ignition type with the burner attached to the feed tube and a larger opening in the top. Makes for a messier cleanup sometime.

I will keep an eye on it in any case.

[a64pilot]

Anyone who leaves a stove burning on a boat un-monitored is foolish, and with the propane solenoid, the thermocouples for the burners are un-needed.
You need it for the oven of course as you can't observe that flame.
Understanding the operating principle of a thing is safer than relying on safety devices that can fail.

Hope you enjoy it

[Jim Cate]

Anyone who leaves a stove burning on a boat un-monitored is foolish, and with the propane solenoid, the thermocouples for the burners are un-needed.

IMO, anyone who believes that a cook will ALWAYS be monitoring the flame on a stove is foolish, and the tank solenoid valve serves a completely different purpose than the thermo cutoffs.

I sometimes simmer things for hours and I don't want to stand there staring at the burner for all that time... or even much shorter time periods. I reckon that the cutoffs are a worthwhile safety device, and I'm no safety at all costs nut.

I'm kinda surprised at your attitude, A64!

Jim

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Anyone who leaves a stove burning on a boat un-monitored is foolish, and with the propane solenoid, the thermocouples for the burners are un-needed.
You need it for the oven of course as you can't observe that flame.
Understanding the operating principle of a thing is safer than relying on safety devices that can fail.

Hope you enjoy it

I am. Got biscuits in the oven. temperature seems right on the money and the oven door is only warm to the touch (at 400 degrees F). I like it LOTS...