I'm putting an oven in my rv where there was none

Bob86ZZ4 · 02-15-2011, 06:45 PM

My truck was built with a 2 burner cooktop set into the counter top. And a microwave above. No oven. The first thing I did was convert the microwave to a convection/microwave. That's only been somewhat succesful. The oven is too small for proper baking and MrsBob86ZZ4 does not like baking in it. She's been wanting a regular gas oven, like we have at home and like we had in our old Allegro. So, that's my big project this winter. I cut out the counter top and took apart the drawers and cupboard first:

I didn't take any pictures before starting, sorry. This first picture also shows some of the 2x4 framing I put in for the oven.

I used a bunch of L brackets and 1" screws. And some glue too.

I had to do some fancy framing and notching to allow the hot air hose to keep that heat going into the bathroom.

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_-wX3ZrJaA20/TVr-QP29R4I/AAAAAAAAM_0/YKJb_2islsA/s640/SDC11363.JPG[img]

And here's the new stove in place:

The gas line from the original cooktop is almost perfect in the spot to connect to the new stove. I've got to shorten it about an inch and re-flare the end. The new stove has ignitors similar to a barbecue grill so it doesn't need a 12v supply. That section on the right side I'm going to panel in and build a nice door for it so we can store cookie/baking sheets there. The area underneath I'm just going to cover up, not enough room to build any storage space into that. We're losing our silver wear drawer but we've got a basket kind of thing that we plan to just leave on the dinette table with our flatware in it. I'd love to have more drawers/cupboards but that's the breaks. When I unhooked the gas line I saw whoever put it together at the builder used pipe putty in the flare! Shame on him. Flare fittings aren't supposed to have any dope on them.

GENECARP · 02-15-2011, 08:14 PM

Nice job Bob, let the baking begin.....G

mmmc101 · 02-16-2011, 08:38 AM

That looks great Bob. Very Professional looking installation. MMM

HawkEng · 02-19-2011, 08:33 PM

Looks great Bob. That should make the wife happy.

Bob86ZZ4 · 03-10-2011, 09:27 PM

You guys are too kind. I'm notoriously a hack when it comes to doing anything wood related. I'm much better with metal. I worked some more today and got the framing in for the cupboard and the water/propane monitor panel in.

Figuring out something for the under oven area and a door over that side cupboard is next. I'm trying to decide if I should box in that area underneath and put a door on it, or just block it off with a board. It would be a lot of work and there's not much room after I would finish it. But, you can never have too much cupboard space. I think that panel for the tanks turned out okay. I hope I can make a door look okay.

blizzardND · 03-10-2011, 10:49 PM

would a small fire extinguisher box fit in that space?

if it was my wife cooking I'd want a fire ex handy.

blizz

Bob86ZZ4 · 03-11-2011, 10:17 AM

There you go thinking again, Blizz. I do have the extinguisher mounted on the wall just next to the stairs, right around the corner from the fridge so I think I'm okay there. I actually was kind of hesitant to mount that monitor panel anyhow since I never use it to check my tanks or propane or batteries anyhow. It's never been accurate as far as I can tell. The only thing I use it for is turning on the water pump. But I figured some day I might put in one of those see level things that are supposed to work better. I cut out a area on the side of the bed and put a door on that and I just lift that up and look at the fresh water tank to see what I've got. And it's pretty easy to look down the hole to check the black tank. Hay Blizz, we're coming up to Detroit Lakes March 6-8 and I think we're bringing the rig. Maybe you can come over and visit? I'll buy you lunch (this new oven is going to be great for Jack's Pizza).

dgorila1 · 03-11-2011, 10:22 AM

Bob,
Nice work, the oven looks great. In order to get my wife to tolerate the camping experience I'm going to have to install amenities like this in my build. What brand/model is the stove for future reference? Thanks.

Bob86ZZ4 · 03-11-2011, 10:34 AM

It's an Amana rv type unit. I got it at Camping World. Whirlpool Corporation - Amana 22" Sealed Range - Black Top - Ranges & Cooktops - Camping World

It's kind of neat because it uses one of those piezo type spark ignitions for the burners, similar to a gas grill. So you don't need any 12v hookup, just the gas. There is a pilot light for the oven but I foresee just lighting that when we need to use the oven, that's how we did it with our Allegro. I got the 22" one so it's got the tallest oven. But they make a 16" one that would have left more room underneath for storage. In hindsight that might have been the better route. I should have taken Mrs. to the store when I went so she could check each one and see if the shorter one would be okay. Oh well.

It seems like more and more builders are going to the electric convection microwaves and getting away from the gas ovens. I guess if the conv. ones are bigger that might be okay, but mine is a pretty small unit. Also they require generator use or hookups for all cooking. I think having that gas oven is better for our lifestyle.

Bob86ZZ4 · 03-11-2011, 11:02 AM

I just remembered. We usually use the micro (and now oven) to store stuff too. So it's not totally wasted space. We normally keep our bread in the micro. And stuff junk into the oven. Since we lost our silverware drawer I picked up a nice wire mesh basket thing with seperate areas that we intend to keep our flatware in. I'll put a cushion on the bottom of some sort and we can keep it on the dinette table I think. Or maybe we'll keep that in the oven when driving and move to the dinette when parked.

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