Cooktop Irony

[bborzell]

It appears that while the sometimes problematic Suburban cooktop is certified for RV installs in Canada, the Dickinson that many here would like to have as a choice for Escape builds is not.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by bborzell

It appears that while the sometimes problematic Suburban cooktop is certified for RV installs in Canada, the Dickinson that many here would like to have as a choice for Escape builds is not.

I’m curious as to what qualifies a cooktop as certified for RV’s. The Dickinson appliances are installed in boats all over the world subjected to very harsh conditions. Is it simply something that Dickinson just chose not to pursue?

As someone who installed a Dickinson 2 burner cooktop I’m certifying it as totally fantastic.

[Craiger]

On one of the videos out of escape they discussed the matter of the Dickerson stoves. I would have to go back to that exact conversation to be accurate. But my memory tells me it was something along the lines of supply chain issues. Even though they were about 20 miles apart from each other. I am aware of several individuals who have changed out the stove and put in a Dickerson. They have identified themselves on the forum and Facebook

[bborzell]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I’m curious as to what qualifies a cooktop as certified for RV’s. The Dickinson appliances are installed in boats all over the world subjected to very harsh conditions. Is it simply something that Dickinson just chose not to pursue?

As someone who installed a Dickinson 2 burner cooktop I’m certifying it as totally fantastic.

The impression I got was that Dickinson simply did not apply for the certification.

Originally Posted by Craiger

On one of the videos out of escape they discussed the matter of the Dickerson stoves. I would have to go back to that exact conversation to be accurate. But my memory tells me it was something along the lines of supply chain issues. Even though they were about 20 miles apart from each other. I am aware of several individuals who have changed out the stove and put in a Dickerson. They have identified themselves on the forum and Facebook

I got the impression that ETI staff were very interested in adding the Dickinson as an option, but the lack of cert put it dead in the water.

[JeffinBC]

Agreed. (I believe) Karl said in the last video that they weren’t CSA approved. He also mentioned supply issues in a previous video so not really sure which is for real. Hard to believe they aren’t approved but I also haven’t checked.

[bborzell]

And if that ain’t weird enough, the Dickinson Sea-b-Cue is CSA approved.

http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/sea-b-que-small/

[Perry Butler]

I believe ETI will install the gas line without a stovetop. You can go home and install a Dickinson yourself. Do you know how to use a tape measure, jig saw, wrench and screwdriver?

Ass u me ing ETI will bring the gas line up through the floor in the same spot, I would ask them to have the line facing the outside wall (our Suburban line faced the center aisle).

I'd bring the Dickinson with and install in the first campground, or just use a campstove for cooking on the way home. The biggest problem I had was bending the gas line that was facing the wrong way to fit the Suburban stove. Living in a small town I just went to VIS Plumbing and borrowed their gas line bender over noon hour (they seem to be repairing/installing a lot of air conditioners these days).

Using a square, Terry made a perfect cardboard template. It took about 1 hour to cut the stove in the existing Suburban stovetop hole. Once I figured the gas line length I went to a fireplace dealer to buy a flexible gas line. We needed an 18" line, but your's will depend on where ETI terminates the gas line.

We purchased a gas sniffer to check for leaks, but there were none. After our Suburban gas explosion I'll be checking for gas leaks more often!

It's really an easy install. Oh, and relax folks, Bob and I are friends.

Enjoy,

Perry

[rbryan4]

Allow me to "certify": the Dickinson Marine 00-2BP Cooktop is the BEST component in my trailer, period.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by JeffinBC

Hard to believe they aren’t approved but I also haven’t checked.

"Not approved" doesn't mean "not worthy of approval"; it likely just means that the manufacturer has not gone to the effort and expense of the approval process, because the RV market isn't important enough to them to bother... especially if they have limited manufacturing capacity and lots of boat owners with deep pockets to serve.

[JeffinBC]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

"Not approved" doesn't mean "not worthy of approval"; it likely just means that the manufacturer has not gone to the effort and expense of the approval process, because the RV market isn't important enough to them to bother... especially if they have limited manufacturing capacity and lots of boat owners with deep pockets to serve.

I completely understand the difference and it sounds like an excellent stove. For me it’s more about insurance risks. I know it’s probably highly unlikely to occur but should the trailer catch fire due to a stovetop malfunction and the stove is not CSA approved (for example), I would be worried about that possibly coming back to bite me on the insurance claim. Just me and possibly not a real issue… I thankfully have little experience with insurance claims. Regardless, I’m interested in having a higher quality appliance.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by bborzell

And if that ain’t weird enough, the Dickinson Sea-b-Cue is CSA approved.

Sea-B-Que Small | Dickinson Marine

Hi: bborzell... It's ok by me if you want to rock the boat. There's probably more of them than trailers. Our Dickinson Spitfire 180 Grille w/ hi low flame control, is one cracker of a cooker!!! Stows in the 5.0TA storage compartment above the propane tanks. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[escape artist]

Hi: bborzell... All of our camping trips are "Wash-n-wear". No irony allowed!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Mike G]

Real cooktop irony...

[rbryan4]

I'll take the Dutch Oven, Mike, provided the ground is soft enough to dig a hole for it and line it with coals. One of the best cooking methods ever.

[cpaharley2008]

and those silicone cleaners pictured really work well on them.........

[rjbny]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

As someone who installed a Dickinson 2 burner cooktop I’m certifying it as totally fantastic.

Completely agree. We think the Dickinson is fantastic!

[bborzell]

Perry who?

[kavm]

Originally Posted by bborzell

The impression I got was that Dickinson simply did not apply for the certification.



I got the impression that ETI staff were very interested in adding the Dickinson as an option, but the lack of cert put it dead in the water.

FYI, ETI installed the customer-supplied Dickinson Marine cooktop for us earlier this year. I did not hear of any missing certification...

Very happy with that choice!

[kavm]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: bborzell... It's ok by me if you want to rock the boat. There's probably more of them than trailers. Our Dickinson Spitfire 180 Grille w/ hi low flame control, is one cracker of a cooker!!! Stows in the 5.0TA storage compartment above the propane tanks. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Very impressed with neat and nice your storage area above the propane tanks looks! Ours has the full kitchen sink in that space.

Now starting to appreciate your escape artist moniker