Kitchen--how to maximize space for cooking?

[floyd]

I modified my stovetop cover so that it locks into the left cabinet drawer and can be used as extra counter space or a small dining table...

[jenbooks]

The bed is very cozy and I like it. The bathroom and dinette are fine. Its the tiny sink and no counter that are vexing at the moment. Got to get creative!


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[Kai in Seattle]

Since we'll be rebuilding all our "furniture" and cabinets, we're considering making the galley several inches longer to start with, and possibly re-use the flip-up countertop that came with the trailer. We're also probably going to use only a microwave and possibly a butane stove for outside only...the power strip idea is super! (Well, ALL the ideas are super, YMMV!)

[jenbooks]

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[jenbooks]

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[jenbooks]

So you can see, my fridge is a very nice size. If my fridge were smaller the top could be counter space. Atop the fridge is my microwave cabinet which is very convenient. Therefore I have very little counter space!


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[Jon Vermilye]

One of the neat things Escape does is take the counter cutout for the sink & route a cove on the bottom so it fits as a sink cover. Something to consider if your are doing your own restoration.

[Glenn Baglo]

Pix of 17B sink cover, with folding counter extension on left.

[Darwin Maring]

Eat Out

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

Eat Out

I don't think you mean outside!

I'm a fresh food eater. Counter space is primo to me A removeable cover on the stove and something that allows me to use the sink a bit is

[Mary F]

Sorry, Jen. I forgot my most important suggestion: I use a cookie cooling rack over the sink. The sink will still catch water from the faucet, but the rack makes a decent work surface.

I've posted this pic before...

[David B.]

SMEV makes a very nice flush mount cook top that has a hinged glass cover for when not in use. They also make a sink/cook top combo, but I felt the sink was way to small, so I went with this one for our Lil Snoozy.
Dave & Paula

[jenbooks]

Glenn, that's nice.

Floyd--how can one modify something or create something that locks onto a drawer? That's an idea, too.

David B yours is beautiful. My two burners seem to be elevated a bit. I am not sure if that would work on a SD but it's nice. That's a lot of counter space.

Donna D., me too. I cook with a crockpot (which could be set on the dinette), and make a lot of my own meals.

Mary that's a good idea, too, though if you look at my little sink, the drainer/metal colander plus cutting board sort of serves that purpose. Can cut, toss refuse into the colander, still run water. It's still really small!

[jenbooks]

Flush Mount Glass Top Stove vs. regular stove - Four Wheel Camper Discussions - Wander the West

[jenbooks]

This is too expensive for me right now just for convenience

SMEV PI8022US 2-Burner Hob Propane Cooktop w/ Glass Lid

[Denece]

Has anyone thought of using a single burner stove? We have been looking at the side burners for BBQ installations with some interest. We usually only really need one burner at a time and right now the three burner stovetop seems like a real space hog in our Compact II.

In addition I want to move the water spigot up the wall to give a little more clearance when dishwashing. We use a foot pump and did something similar on our sailboat which was also afflicted with a tiny sink.

I also have a cutting board that fits over the silverware drawer which adds a tiny bit more counter but really makes you pre think which utensils you will need!

Cooking in an egg is challenging. But we tend to do most of it outdoors.


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[tractors1]

Originally Posted by jenbooks

Rich--is that thing over your stove? Did you make that? That would really help me if I could jerryrig something like that.

You can order one built to your dimensions from my website. Many add a cutting board and have a combo serving tray/cutting board.

[jenbooks]

I agree on a single burner stove, but for resale that worries me as others may want both burners.

I discovered if I open the cabinet door where the microwave is, it serves as a counter. And maybe they planned it that way as it has two wooden knobs that perfectly balance on the fridge top, giving it stability. Its still a small kitchen and getting something over the burners when not in use would help. Even a wooden cutting board would suffice.


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[CampyTime]

I just checked my photos and unfortunately cannot find a pic of this, but I had cedar plywood left over from making shelves in my closet. I cut and sanded this to fit the silverware drawer top when pulled out of its recess. I then measured where little rubber "bumpers" should go to sit just inside the edges of the silverware drawer and screwed them in (4) to the bottom of the cedar ply. The "bumpers" (picked up at HD) allow the cedar ply to sit on top of the silverware drawer without moving. In the morning, I can put my coffee there, use as rest for a cell phone, or just extra space for whatever when I'm sleeping on the sofa and others have my dinette bed. I take no credit for the idea...I think I stole it from Floyd.

For the stove top, I stole another idea and went to Sam's Club and purchased a cookie sheet/pan which sits over the top of the stove nicely. I don't use it for prep, but because it offers a flat surface, it allows me to get items off the counter top to use it for prep. I bought little colored cutting boards at Wally (red for meats, green for veggies, blue for ?) that are flippy floppy material and cut on those either above the sink or on the counter itself. I modified the cutting board Scamp sells by adding those little bumpers mentioned above, and that keeps the board "still" on the sink top for cutting as well.

I cook most dinners outside on the grill, but breakfast and lunch are often inside the trailer. I guess I'm a person who doesn't mind the confined space, and takes pride and finds fun in finding new ways to be organized.

I bought command hooks to hang coffee cups on (under upper galley cabinets) and used zip ties to hang little red baskets to the iron sink supports, which I put spices and other doo dads in. All stolen ideas from this forum, and I am grateful for the inspiration!