Kitchen--how to maximize space for cooking? - Fiberglass RV
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Old 12-30-2015, 08:19 AM   #1
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Kitchen--how to maximize space for cooking?

I find this kitchen really small, lol.

Seriously, how can I maximize counter space? Because there is hardly any. I bought a sink drainer thing that has a cutting board on it, that hooks onto the sink. But even so...
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Old 12-30-2015, 08:22 AM   #2
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Drop or folding shelf brackets. We extended the counter top 16". That piece then folds down, out of the way. Not a perfect solution, but it's something.
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Old 12-30-2015, 08:47 AM   #3
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I built a 12" shelf from the end of counter by the stove to the back wall just under the side window (perm. bed). I am getting ready to install a shelf in my new to me Scamp DX and I am going with a 16" shelf on this trailer.
On a Casita 17 there is a louver for make up air for the furnace on the rear end of the kitchen counter. You may need to open a lower cabinet door for furnace make up air with a dropped down counter extension when you run the furnace. (Just an observation.)
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Old 12-30-2015, 09:41 AM   #4
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Some folks put a cutting board or their sink cover on top of the opened silverware drawer...

Two things about the Liberty floor plan: on the 17', there's a few extra inches of countertop between the sink and stove; and, the galley's close proximity to the bath makes it easy to put a dishpan on the shower floor, for collecting dirty/no longer using utensils, dishes, etc. while doing meal prep. (It might be easy enough to accomplish the latter with an SD - I don't have experience with it.)
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Old 12-30-2015, 09:56 AM   #5
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Thanks--bpfick--it extends outward across the camper?
Eddie--thanks, not sure I want a shelf along my bed...
Mary F that's a good idea!
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Old 12-30-2015, 09:57 AM   #6
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what we did

when remodeling the Scamp Fiver we removed the stove, never use it, prefer grilling or microwave, have added a small toaster oven for our winter trip .... but, by removing the cooktop we now have over 6' of countertop with just the sink at the far end, added a powerstrip above the backsplash, ready for coffeemaker, bullet, etc. Have bot a BUTANE burner but not tried it yet. Microwave permanently mounted above the fridge.
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Old 12-30-2015, 10:04 AM   #7
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Or, you can go outside and use a picnic table. Lots of space. ;-)
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Old 12-30-2015, 10:04 AM   #8
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We have always found it easier to sit at the dinette to prep food than to work with limited counter space. Then again, we spend as much time as possible outside when camping (isn't that what it's all about) so most if the time we grill whatever we are eating. Occasionally we use a camp stove, like for certain breakfast fare. We have a good sized vinyl mat we put on the usually grungy campground supplied picnic table or the tailgate of our truck to provide outdoor "counter space."


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Old 12-30-2015, 10:06 AM   #9
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cchandka that sounds enterprising, but in the SD, the two burners don't really take up *that* much space...I agree w/ you all about outside, but it's been raining endlessly here in GA...
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Old 12-30-2015, 10:23 AM   #10
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I was thinking about the side dinette table, too... What about a flip out or slide out extension there? What if the table itself could rotate or slide on a pedestal so you could stand in the aisle to use it as a prep "island"?
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Old 12-30-2015, 10:26 AM   #11
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Do you have an option to build up? Here is a photo of a removable shelf I added to my Scamp. The legs attach using velcro, the thin edge of the back of the shelf grabs the wall with velcro. The whole thing comes apart and stores in the closet while we are on the road.
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Old 12-30-2015, 11:33 AM   #12
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Rich--is that thing over your stove? Did you make that? That would really help me if I could jerryrig something like that. And then open my drawer and add a cutting board.

I have a stove vent hood over my stove so I don't think I can add anything there.

I'm so used to facebook I wanted to click a like on your post.
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Old 12-30-2015, 11:35 AM   #13
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Jon, the dinette table seems a little low? Good idea though.

I've got the bed down permanently, so can't move out in that direction.
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Old 12-30-2015, 11:56 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jenbooks View Post
Jon, the dinette table seems a little low? Good idea though.
How about this: Garelick Eez-In adjustable table pedestal

Name:   Pedestal.jpg
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Found it in this old thread: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...als-61614.html
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Old 12-30-2015, 12:05 PM   #15
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Jen– The shelf does extend a bit over the stove. We do all of our cooking outside and would never use it if we had to cook inside due to bad weather. It is a homemade solution for the space we had. All the parts came from a local big box store and cost less than $10/US.
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Old 12-30-2015, 12:13 PM   #16
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I have installed a fold-up/fold-down countertop extension in every trailer I have owned. On my current trailer I used a bamboo cutting board I bought at Walmart. I found brackets and hinges at Home Depot or Lowes (can't remember which). The total install took about 30 minutes. Be sure to measure space available before you buy materials.
This added about 18 inches of countertop space.
I have yet to see any great kitchen space in travel trailers.
The bathrooms are so small you have to go outside to change your mind !

Happy camping!
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Old 12-30-2015, 12:23 PM   #17
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Wow, Jon, that is cool.
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Old 12-30-2015, 12:26 PM   #18
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Uplander ha ha...
Do you have a photo? That's an interesting idea but it would stop me from opening the cabinet door.
I like John's idea of an adjustable height table.
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Old 12-30-2015, 12:52 PM   #19
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work with what you got....

you have to work with what you have and use your imagination....

that is a very small of counter space alright!!! if it was me I would be tempted to make an extra counter fastened with a piano hinge that would fold UP...and rest/be secured to the side of the range hood when not in use...for support somerhing as simple as a small chain or rope tied back to the range hood would hold it up (it's not like you're going to put a lot of weight on the thing)

when you're cooking that side of the dinette seat would not be available (or whoever was there would be in there for the duration!)

just an idea...

my circumstances were different....and I worked with them...my counter extension also doubles as a serving tray to take stuff outside and back inside the trailer....worked out very well

put your thinking cap on!
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Old 12-30-2015, 02:23 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jenbooks View Post
Wow, Jon, that is cool.
A caution after looking more at the product Q&A… It will only lower to 20" unless you drill a hole in the floor to allow the top section of the post to drop below floor level. So it looks like it would allow you to adjust between dining level and counter level, but not drop all the way down to make a bed.

I don't think think it swivels, either. Not sure if you can pull the whole top section out and reinsert it in a different direction, or perhaps a fixed plate attached to the pedestal and a sliding attachment for the table would allow it to slide out into the aisle for prep and back against the wall for dining…

As Franswa says, in these tiny spaces, you have to get creative. Make every square inch do double (or triple) duty!
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