Why do all replacement ranges look so cheap?

[trekerboy]

We're at the end of the renovation of our '79 Excella and at the point where I need to find a replacement for our MagicChef cook-top/oven. We actually didn't mind the way the oven looked, and it felt quite sturdy, but it seems like all the modern replacements out there look and feel so cheap! I chalk it up to cost cutting measures over the years, but essentially we're stuck with either an Atwood or Suburban cook-top/oven if we go with a model that's made for an RV.

In search of a visually appealing replacement, we've broadened our search to include cook-top/ovens for boats.

Has anyone gone this route (using a marine cook-top/oven in your airstream)? If so anything I should consider that you normally wouldn't?

Lastly, can anyone recommend a source to find good selection of marine appliances? To date I haven't found many...

[SCOTTinNJ]

Agree 100%. I think it's because few rv'ers use the propane oven. I just came back from a local rv show and was shocked to see almost all higher end rv's had cook top only (often induction) and a convection microwave. It's as if they expect to always be hooked up to 50 amp service.

I just don't think there is a big market for those of us that actually use the oven.

[HowieE]

You might try appliances for apartments. They might fit.

[idroba]

And everything RV is built down to a price. The SOB RV factory buyers demand a lower price, and the appliance manufacturers make the product cheaper. Or, if demand is low, discontinue making it at all.

[jmelliott07]

I have an original Magic Chef cook-top/oven with 4 burners from our '77 Overlander. It looks like it is in great shape. Is there a good enough market to sell it to fund other reno projects (we aren't doing an original restoration) or given the sounds of this thread, should we consider keeping it to put back in once we re-do the inside?

I'd consider shipping if you were interested TrekerBoy but I have no clue what it would cost for something this heavy.

[cameront120]

You could look into Marine appliances. Durable and usually a lot nicer to look at than their RV counterparts. For example:

Mediterranean Three Burner Gas Stove - Dickinson Marine | Dickinson Marine
FORCE 10 - Cooking Without Compromise - Products

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by trekerboy

In search of a visually appealing replacement, we've broadened our search to include cook-top/ovens for boats.

Defender Marine (Marine Stoves / Ovens on Sale) is a reputable source for all things boat-related. And usually with better pricing than West Marine.

[Belegedhel]

I have been lusting over the Dickinson Mediterranean stove for some time... They are proud of them, even when on "sale."

Dickinson Marine - Mediterranean 3 Burner Marine Propane Galley Range

Dickinson 00-MED3B Mediterranean 3 Burner Propane Galley Range

[cameront120]

Keep in mind that both Dickinson and Force 10 are Canadian companies and with the Canadian Dollar being so low right now, you might be able to get a good deal on one of their products.

[Phoenix]

We have an Origo 2-burner alcohol stove in our boat. All stainless steel, very sturdy and built to last; and it's less expensive than larger, gimballed marine stove/oven units. However, it's not quite as convenient as propane (kind of like big, blow-torch-like "sterno" burners on steroids), it requires carrying another different kind of liquid fuel (stove alcohol), and it sometimes emits a slight alcohol odor.

The stainless is beautiful, it's rugged, and alcohol stoves are safer than propane (alcohol is lighter than air, versus propane being heavier; thus, it's less prone to explosion, which is why alcohol stoves are used in boats instead of propane).

Note: Made in Sweden.

[dannydimitt]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Agree 100%. I think it's because few rv'ers use the propane oven. I just came back from a local rv show and was shocked to see almost all higher end rv's had cook top only (often induction) and a convection microwave. It's as if they expect to always be hooked up to 50 amp service.

I just don't think there is a big market for those of us that actually use the oven.

We use our gas oven almost daily when on the road

[Caroyl]

Does anyone know how much the old gas range/ovens weighed, circa 1964? What would be the downside of installing an apartment size (20') gas range like this one... https://www.atgstores.com/ranges/dan...160125191219:s
It weighs 124#, more than double the new RV range/ovens.

[montanablue]

I would look at Smev cooktops. Very beautiful and they have a glass cover over eyelets when not in use. Comes in two and three burners, and burners and sink combos.

I have the three burner in my Globetrotter and it is great!

[BoscoMN]

Here are some high priced models from Wallas. I have no experience with them and I couldn't get my brother to spend the bucks when he was replacing his camper's appliances. They also can be used as a secondary heat source.

Wallas Heater | Boat | Stoves | Cooking Equipment | ScanMarineUSA.com | Wallas Heater | Boat | Stoves | Cooking Equipment | ScanMarineUSA.com

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by cameront120

Keep in mind that both Dickinson and Force 10 are Canadian companies and with the Canadian Dollar being so low right now, you might be able to get a good deal on one of their products.

Good point! $1,624.95 Canadian for the Dickinson from this Canadian Supplier is only about US$1140, compared to US$1,489.91 on this American site.

[trekerboy]

Thank you for all the replies everyone! I am considering both the Dickenson and the ENO marine range/ovens. There's just not a lot of options in the marine world either, but definitely better than what's available in the RV market.

[Jammer]

Atwood has redesigned their ranges in the last year or two. There is some improvement over the Amana one that the mother ship installed in my 2010 when it was new, enough so to make me consider replacing it. They have a better grate, better valves, a glass oven door, and spark ignition for the surface burners that runs off 12v.

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/ranges-a...put-ranges.asp

Not perfect but an improvement over much of what's out there.

[PaulnGina]

That Dickenson stove looks really nice. For some reason I couldn't link to the ENO stove. Not sure if it's something with my phone??


PaulnGina
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke

Blessed and highly favored

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Atwood has redesigned their ranges in the last year or two. There is some improvement over the Amana one that the mother ship installed in my 2010 when it was new, enough so to make me consider replacing it. They have a better grate, better valves, a glass oven door, and spark ignition for the surface burners that runs off 12v.

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/ranges-a...put-ranges.asp

Not perfect but an improvement over much of what's out there.

Your description fits my original Maytag, installed by the factory in 1998.

[trekerboy]

Hoping this post will save somebody some time in the future...

After extensive research looking for a more visually appealing RV Range with an Oven, here's what I found:

Dickinson Marine Mediterranean 3-Burner Propane Gas Stove With Broiler - Model #00-MED3B

It's pretty expensive (about $1650 plus freight shipping), but in my opinion in looks the best of those available out there. It's meant for boats, but fits in in the 22x22x22 cutout I have from my old Magic Chef stove. Below is the 3 burner version, and expect to pay $100 less for the 2-burner version. It also has a protection mechanism to shut off the propane if it detects no flame.



Timeless Travel Trailers did an Airstream with this unit:



Next up is the ENO Gascogne 3-Burner Propane Gas Stove With Oven Model #18634

I personally don't like the black front, but it's much cheaper than the Dickinson at $1099 plus freight shipping. Again, meant for boats, but works in a AS as well. This is the 3-burner version, but comes in 2-burner variant as well (less expensive by about $100). Same propane shut off protection as the Dickinson.



Last is the Force 10 3-Burner North American Standard Propane Gas Stove with Oven Model #63356

Priced above the ENO unit, but slightly below the Dickinson at $1499 plus freight shipping for the 3-burner version. Comes in 2-burner variant as well for about $100 less. Also has the propane shut off protection.



Am I missing any others that people have found that aren't the usual suspects from Suburban or Atwood?