Why do all replacement ranges look so cheap?

[Starstream]

I've insisted on keeping our Magic Chef 4-burner because you can't get that many burners on an RV range anymore. Right now it's sitting in our house while we build new cabinets etc. and will get a high-heat stainless steel paint job on the top after we test it.

However, Mama's recently been seduced by a sexy Italian siren. Last spring Trailer Life
and MotorHome (May 2015) had an article about a SMEV 3-burner with an oven. Dometic is importing to the US with it's name on it. You can see it here:

http://www.dometic.com/USA/MS-7207-R...ss-Steel-Range

Their site can be slow, but it's worth the wait. (Grrrrrrr!) She's not as expensive as some of the above models, but MSRP is supposedly $975. Haven't found it in anyone's inventory yet, though the Dometic site lists several dealers in our vicinity. I'm guessing it's a special order item right now. Sadly, this little number will need to wait for some more pennies in the piggy bank, since our trailer is in the shop getting new axles right now.

(Not sure how I missed those articles last spring. My husband just happened to leave one magazine open on that article the other day. He's a terrible tease.)

[SCOTTinNJ]

Anyone know how well the ovens in these higher end marine stoves work? Better than the typical RV oven?

[Starstream]

According to Trailer Life magazine the SMEV/Dometic oven works very well. This unit also has jet-flow-sealed burners and built-in igniter. Sounds like the igniter is electric.

Until I can get the fancy stove, I plan to keep an oven thermometer and 1/2" pizza stone in the Magic Chef. I already do that at home because I bake a lot of bread. Pretty sure the stone I have is a bit too big for the RV oven, but will make a trip to the restaurant supply store after I have dimensions.

[Caroyl]

Starstream,
I agree with Mama 😃 the SMEV 3-burner with an oven is a sweet looking range! Thanks for sharing. Let us know if you get one, how you like it.


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[Starstream]

Will do.

We have plans to craft a custom countertop. It's kind of a one-and-done type of project. So I need to check all the dimensions of the old Magic Chef and see if the Dometic site has actual measurements. The Travel Life article was comparing the SMEV to more recent models. If the two are close enough in size, and the MC functions properly when we test it, we'll keep the old girl for a little while. Otherwise, if I can get Hubs to agree we'll make the space to fit the shiny new model and use it for additional storage until the new range is within reach.

Just wish the dream girl didn't have the dream girl price. Besides the oven, it has some nice safety features. If a control knob gets bumped on the gas doesn't come on with it. One of our fur kids is a hard-core counter-top cruiser.

[Caroyl]

How does the price of the SMEV compare to most modern RV ranges? We bought a '64 Overlander in November. It's gutted and needs everything. We don't have an old range to keep so the main thing is not to overspend too much on any one thing as there are so many things left to buy.


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[switz]

I have been quoted by one vendor a price around $1,400 for the Dickinson Mediterranean plus freight.

http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/m...ner-gas-stove/

The Atwood stove in the Classic is nearly identical to the one in the 23D (they list for over $800) except for the lift lid over the burners. The right rear hinge metal tab broke off several weeks after the Classic arrived. A warranty claim was raised with the local dealership. Two years later still NO part. I fixed it myself with a stainless steel screw and nut. Screws are missing under the lid that hold the burner gas feed tubes in place. Just cheaply and not well built.

I bet the family owned and run Dickinson Marine Company would have a replacement part out the same day.

[Starstream]

Hey Caroyl,

From what we've seen the prices of RV appliances are just high in general. They are a specialty item and are sold to a relatively small part of the population. (RV owners). For a bit of research check vendors like Camping World and look for local RV specialists who have parts stores. Here in Texas, we have PPL Motorhomes (3 locations in the state. Were at the Houston store today). When they have sales, their prices are pretty good. They do also have a web-site for parts ordering.

I wanted to keep a propane cook-top and oven, but Hubby was worried about safety. He was never really comfortable with the idea of putting the MC back in. When looking at different RV stove/ovens, ask the sales people to show you exactly how they operate. With the exception of the SMEV/Dometic it sounds like most of the models on the market are still lit manually. The SMEV (Dometic model CU-434) has a 12V electric ignition. I believe one for the burners and one for the oven. This range supposedly uses 33% less fuel, yet heats quickly, good results from the oven and safer in general. After he fussed a bit, I had Hubby re-read the Trailer Life/MotorHome review again. He's now sold on the sexy Italian as being a good investment. Other than being stylish, safer is a big deal. He's willing to spend money on that.

We're picking up our trailer Tues. The repair shop is a Dometic dealer. I have a print-out of the SMEV and will be asking them if they've seen it at any trade shows or have possibly installed one.

If you want to find the review, the article is titled is "One Hot Italian." It's in the May 2015 MotorHome magazine. Trailer Life was sometime last spring too. (Both have same publisher) In the event, you can't find the article online they might be able to send you a past issue.

[trekerboy]

Originally Posted by Starstream

According to Trailer Life magazine the SMEV/Dometic oven works very well.

Thanks for turning me onto this unit! I hadn't come across it in my research. Here's some information about it:

Stove SMEV Moonlight Three Burner w/Oven/Grill/Hob Gimballed Propane

More information available from the manufacturer here: DOMETIC MOONLIGHT THREE. The cheapest of the bunch, around $900 for the 3 burner version. Has oven light, electric ignition, and ignition protection (presumably shuts off gas if no ignition).

[trekerboy]

Originally Posted by trekerboy

The cheapest of the bunch, around $900 for the 3 burner version.

The European version is evidently half the price, including shipping, from the United Kingdom! Here's the link. 399 British Pounds + 20 Pounds for shipping to the US. Looks a tad different...

US Domestic Version (CU-434):



European Version (CU433, Part Number 99297299):

[truckasaurus]

Pretty much the same dilemma for me. My Sovereign has a 3 burner Princess range so I took it completely apart ready for new porcelain and was planing to remake the flat steel from stainless and even get new valves etc. Ultimately it's tough finding something functional, safe and not overly hideous but I'm liking the look of the new Dometic CU-434 Stainless-Steel Range that was linked above. I'm not even going to check the Canadian MSRP just yet though...

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by truckasaurus

Pretty much the same dilemma for me. My Sovereign has a 3 burner Princess range so I took it completely apart ready for new porcelain and was planing to remake the flat steel from stainless and even get new valves etc. Ultimately it's tough finding something functional, safe and not overly hideous but I'm liking the look of the new Dometic CU-434 Stainless-Steel Range that was linked above. I'm not even going to check the Canadian MSRP just yet though...

You could always support the Canadian companies that produce ranges for sailboats (equally capable of serving in an RV) like Dickinson or Force 10.

http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/m...ner-gas-stove/

http://www.force10.com/gas_gimballed_5burner.html

[switz]

The reason they look cheap is because they are.

I was reading the Dickinson web site and I think they acquired the SMEV stove line.

[Starstream]

Mama's all for a good deal, but I like the sleek appearance of US model Dometic (and it's silver). I would also prefer to keep the burners covered when the stove isn't in use. It's work space on an already cozy counter top. We're also traveling with a small herd of fur kids, who don't stop shedding just because we're on vacation. (Need to talk to them about that.) Then there is still the matter of our hard-core counter top cruiser.

[Starstream]

My bad! Where are my manners?

You're welcome!

[Caroyl]

Referring to the One Hot Italian (Dometic CU434I0730000US) 😉 I want one 😃👍🏻 so now the question is who sells them? Preferably near LA as we live 45 miles NW of LAX.


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[Starstream]

Since I haven't found readily available, I'm thinking it's special order. Go to the item on the Dometic site and click their find a dealer button. Enter your zip code and see who pops up. If you have one anywhere in the area, try starting with Camping World. "One Hot Italian" was in their publications. Trailer Life and MotorHome are Good Sam publications. Camping World belongs to them too. Then try calling other dealers to see who gives you a better price and how soon they will have it for you.

[AtomicNo13]

www.jade.com

Better have a good fico, and a high credit card limit..... Their products are the toppest of all top shelf!

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

www.jade.com

Better have a good fico, and a high credit card limit..... Their products are the toppest of all top shelf!

This just takes you to a web site sales site.

[trekerboy]

Originally Posted by trekerboy

The European version is evidently half the price, including shipping, from the United Kingdom! Here's the link. 399 British Pounds + 20 Pounds for shipping to the US.

Confirmed with the above supplier that the SMEV "Moonlight" (European equivalent of the dometic) that price is 399 pounds ($562.44 in US currency) plus 70 pounds for shipping ($98.67 in US currency) and arrives in the US in 3-5 business days. That's about half the price I could find it in the US!