What's a good propane cooktop?

[nelstomlinson]

I'd like a small two burner propane cooktop to set into the counter. Most RV stuff is flimsy garbage, what's a decent quality make?

I also want a propane grill to use outside, probably on a surface that will fold down out of the right rear compartment. Again, what's a decent quality alternative?

Made in USA or Europe would be nice. Budget is $1-2 hundred for the cooktop, maybe up to double that for the grill.

This is for the ambulance I'm converting into a camper. https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/subarctic-ambulance.245126/

 

[Herbie]

I like the Dometic 2-burner hob that's in my 4WC. It's one of the glass-top low-profile models that's more or less flush to the counter when closed. It is, however, outside your given budget - seems like they run $400+, depending on the model now. (Though if you're willing to do a little google legwork, I see some of the older models (w/o the piezo igniter) may be available for ~$300, or less if you can accept a used model from eBay). Amazon seems to have some other 2-burner Dometic units for less, but these are the "open grate" kind, so you won't be able to use them as counter space unless you fitted a cutting board or something to cover them.

Dometic Cooktop

Dometic Cooktop - 2 Burner Cook Top - Manual Ignition

www.dometic.com

 

[nelstomlinson]

Sounds as if Dometic is a solid brand, better than the run of the Chinese mill? I'm not real fond of glass top stoves, so the cheaper version might be just right for me.

 

[DirtWhiskey]

Make no mistake, anything Dometic is Chinese garbage marked up 4x. I have the 3 burner in my Northstar flatbed camper. 3rd burner is useless as there isn't space for 3 decent sized pots at the same time. It works but is slow and I don't think it really high quality. I'd search AliExpress for a unit with good reviews and better BTU output. BTW they don't sell ANY parts and have zero post purchase support. I have no idea how they came to dominate the RV industry.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Sounds as if I may have to increase the budget? Any pointers to stuff that's not garbage, and ideally not Chinese?

 

[llamalander]

though not built-in, the camp chef everest is an awesome stove, excellent control/simmer and 20k BTU per burner, basically twice what anyone else offers. It is faster than my built-in gas range at home.
You could make a tray area to house it flush with the counter (probably remove the lid), and hook-up the propane to your tank. There is plenty of info on how to modify the propane line available, the price is about $170, mine's been going strong for almost 8 years now.
The cook partner, also by camp chef, is a little more classy, similar output and control, but more expensive, and probably easier to fit into a countertop, being square instead of rounded metal. Either stove is a pleasure to use--

 

[highwest]

though not built-in, the camp chef everest is an awesome stove, excellent control/simmer and 20k BTU per burner, basically twice what anyone else offers. It is faster than my built-in gas range at home.
You could make a tray area to house it flush with the counter (probably remove the lid), and hook-up the propane to your tank. There is plenty of info on how to modify the propane line available, the price is about $170, mine's been going strong for almost 8 years now.
The cook partner, also by camp chef, is a little more classy, similar output and control, but more expensive, and probably easier to fit into a countertop, being square instead of rounded metal. Either stove is a pleasure to use--

Cook Partner and Camp Chef aren’t the same company, but I think they’re both good stuff. I have both and think they’re good, Partner Steel / Cook Partner is better. If I was starting from a clean slate, I would build a solid place for my Cook Parnter to be used in the camper, but make sure it could be removed so I could still cook outside if the situation called for that.

 

[86scotty]

I like the Dometic 2-burner hob that's in my 4WC. It's one of the glass-top low-profile models that's more or less flush to the counter when closed. It is, however, outside your given budget - seems like they run $400+, depending on the model now. (Though if you're willing to do a little google legwork, I see some of the older models (w/o the piezo igniter) may be available for ~$300, or less if you can accept a used model from eBay). Amazon seems to have some other 2-burner Dometic units for less, but these are the "open grate" kind, so you won't be able to use them as counter space unless you fitted a cutting board or something to cover them.

Dometic Cooktop

Dometic Cooktop - 2 Burner Cook Top - Manual Ignition

www.dometic.com

I'll second this. I do not believe Dometic is Chinese garbage. It's easily as good, and really better, than most built in camp stoves I've had. I am referencing the one linked above with a glass top. Camper stoves aren't going to be like Viking ranges in an expensive home, they are light and designed to do the job they do, and they do it well.

Keep in mind with any camper stove (in a van) you'll have to fight some rattles. I've silenced my Dometic with carefully placed foam rubber feet and a few tabs of the soft side of velcro. The glass in these, and any glass top camp stove, is very sturdy. It's designed for campers. It's very unlikely you'll break it and you certainly won't from driving the vehicle offroad.

If you insist on spending more look to the marine world and go for a Wallas or the like.

 

[86scotty]

Make no mistake, anything Dometic is Chinese garbage marked up 4x. I have the 3 burner in my Northstar flatbed camper. 3rd burner is useless as there isn't space for 3 decent sized pots at the same time. It works but is slow and I don't think it really high quality. I'd search AliExpress for a unit with good reviews and better BTU output. BTW they don't sell ANY parts and have zero post purchase support. I have no idea how they came to dominate the RV industry.

The RV industry is dominated by whoever can supply the most in the cheapest manner. Americans get exactly what they pay for. I say this because I'm mostly familiar with garbage American RVs. Pretty much everything made abroad or custom campers made here are much better, but they still have Dometic appliances most of the time.