Replace Gas Range

[Jake]

Want to replace the range in my 2004 Safari with just a three burner cook top. The vacated oven space would be used for additional storage. Anyone tried this??

[triplenet]

Our coach was converted for corp. marketing, so oven etc. was missing.
We had a SS counter top built with intergral sink and installed a 1 burner Seaward Princess LP cook top. Micro wave and a frying pan drawer now reside where the oven was.

Bob

[Air Cruiser]

We are planning to do some major remodeling in our '71 Safari this winter. We have talked about doing similar as you have done, Triplenet. I am wondering, when adding a microwave in an older AS, would it be best to rewire the entire thing? (Thinking of safety.)

We are also adding AC and changing out the frig.

Thanks.

D. Hall

[triplenet]

If you're doing a major rehab of any kind, its best to get all systems checked out. My electrical system was in place, but did have to rerun LP Lines.
Good luck,
Bob

[Air Cruiser]

Thanks Triplenet. I've never been fond of propane, so that's a really good idea to get those lines checked out.

D. Hall

[Blanchard]

We replaced the original oven/stove unit in our 64 Tradewind with a Smev two burner combination sink/ cooktop and microwave in the space underneath. Since the photo was taken we added a panel below, stained to match, that hides the plumbing and wiring. Since our unit was older, we added new electrical for the microwave.



We also have a little convection toaster oven and get a lot more use out of that, than the microwave. Toaster oven sits on the counter above the fridge. If I had this to do again, I think I'd put the toaster oven where the oven was, and not bother with the microwave.

[Air Cruiser]

Blanchard, thanks for that information. I've read others saying the same thing about their microwaves. The more I think about it, that just may be the way we'll go too.

Also, thanks for that info on adding new wiring for the microwave, that's some reinforcement as to what I thought. Actually, I'd like to rewire the whole thing. Do you personally know anyone who has rewired their entire AS? I'm wondering if you can just "pull" the wiring, or is it stapled in place and the inside skins need to be removed?

Thanks.

D. Hall

[1hank1]

We're in the process of doing this to our 71 Tradewind. I wish I had some pictures to share, but I've sent the counter tops I built away to be laminated and will not get them back until early next week.

But we got a Smev 2-burner cook-top off ebay. It's a flush mount unit on top, and sits very shallow on the bottom. It's going in the same location as the original stove.

Underneath, where the oven once was, I built a level floor that extends over the top of the wheel well. I'm also considering placing an electrical outlet in the cubby, too, for future use. We have not decided if we really want a microwave or not, but if we have the electrical outlet in place we'll have that option later.

I had two spare overhead bins from an Airstream that had the roll-up doors. I took those two roll-up doors, cut them to size, turned them vertically, and mounted them in the area where the oven door once was. This way we can hide what ever we decide to put in this new cubby area. This kind of tied everything together to make the base cabinets look finished.

If I remember, I'll post some pictures later next week when I'm done with the project. Maybe that will help you envision getting rid of the oven.

[Air Cruiser]

1hank1,

That would be great to see your pictures, can't wait.

What I keep tossing around is that I don't think we'll use the oven anytime in the near future, but later, when we're retired and on the road more, I think possibly we would. That space would be nice to have for storage, but so might an oven later.

I'll watch for your pics.

BTW, you said you're having your countertop laminated. Is it a solid wood countertop and you are having the layers laminated together? Or is it plywood and you are having someone place some formica (or something else) on top of that?

We are seriously thinking of building new cabinets and having stainless steel for the outsides and doors as well as the countertop.

Thanks for sharing the info.

D. Hall

[1hank1]

D. Hall.
I rebuilt the counter tops out of 3/4" plywood. I could have probably used OSB board and saved some money, but I was not sure how OSB board would hold up over time with all the shimmy-and-shaking the cabinets would see when towing. So I played it safe and used plywood.

I used poplar on the edges which will be routed and stained. I liked this idea over the aluminum track with plastic insert that came in the trailer.

The tops were covered in Formica.

I'll be sure to post pics as soon as everything is installed. Should not be too much longer.

[1hank1]

It's a mess, but here is a picture that I promised.

[Air Cruiser]

1hank1,

Your new countertop, cabinet, and stove top look great, thanks so much for sharing. I really like the two recycled cabinet door fronts you turned on side for your under-the-range top storage. Those will really come in handy.

Deb

[triplenet]

This is my first attempt to post a picture.

We installed a microwave and a drawer in the oven space.

Bob

[Air Cruiser]

Bob,

Love that look, you did a great job!

Deb

[Air Cruiser]

Bob,

So sorry for adding another reply, but I went back to look at your work again, and you said you added a microwave and a drawer in the oven space, that drawer matches perfectly! How did you come up with a drawer face that matches the cabinetry?

Again, great job.

Deb

[TG Twinkie]

Check out my blog, I did exactly what you are wanting to do. I have a microwave stored below the cook top. We just slide it out and set it on the counter top opposite of the cook top when we are at the camp site.