Hi, I fulltime, mostly stationary, but also travelling alone. There are so many choices it's sometimes hard to decide what to do. I'm making some modifications in my 2006 FB SE and I've mentally played around with a lot of options. SPACE is always going to be the prime consideration. I've learned I can't buy a blouse without throwing another one out.
- SPACE SAVERS: Smaller Airstreams use a two burner cooktop - Do you really need three? A two burner cooktop increases your counter space which might allow you to simply put a convection microwave on the counter. A Single sink - New CCD's have a big deep round single sink called the "lobster bowl" - if you want this as opposed to two small shallow sinks, again you gain counterspace to use for the convection microwave.
- A convection/microwave replaces a propane oven - except when you don't have an electrical hookup... but there are out of doors alternatives.
- I've become a fan of dutch oven cooking recently and am actually doing a whole lot more outdoor cooking. (How to win friends and influence people... let them get one whiff of cherry cobbler or stew cooking!) Do a search for Dutch Oven Cooking.
- INDOOR cooking problems: odors permeate everything and linger. In summer, baking or broiling inside turns your whole Airsteam into a Turkish bath. In winter, condensation from cooking, bathing and simply breathing can be an issue. Frying anything greases up half your trailer. In decent weather you'll prefer to cook outside, you will have a dutch oven, a gas grill, or both so perhaps two ovens inside aren't as necessary as you think now.
- If you're a freewheeler (single person) cooking for one is the BEST reason for having a microwave. You make as much mess cooking one portion as four or six - and reheating leftovers or heating water for a single cuppa tea is what a microwave does best and fastest.
- I've seen one mod where the user actually cut out the door of the overhead cabinet and put a microwave in it.... Worked beautifully short term, but I think the cabinet worked loose from the wall due to the extra weight after a long bumpy trip. Most convection microwaves are bigger and heavier than just microwaves, so bracing would be essential.
- I'm not a big fan of cooking appliances that much above countertop height. A friend who is an E.M.T. told me that under cabinet coffee makers and microwaves may save space, but he's taken too many burn victims to the ER to want them in his house. He has kids that are 8 and 11 - their short stature makes those appliances especially hazardous. General safety rule - fuzzy blankets and clothing in the upper cabinets - anything that would concuss you, store it below eye level.
- Spacious interior vs. storage capacity. Upper cabinets can give an airstream a closed in feeling. If you look at the 27' CCD bedroom with vs without the wrap around windows you'll get a good visual. There are two extra closets on the one with a single window - but just looking at the bed makes it appear closed in.
I also noticed "Missoula Montana" on your profile.. so if you're spending any part of the cooler 11 months there, you'll have to seriously think about indoor vs outdoor cooking. Happy trails whatever you choose.
Paula