Dickinson Marine 2 burner cooktop

[brroberts]

I don’t have my trailer yet, but I would rather have the Dickinson than the stock Suburban cook top. It appears the Suburban sits in an 18” X 14” cut out. It looks like the Dickinson requires a 22” X12 1/2” cut out. If someone has made this change, how did you fill the 1 1/2” gap? Also, is this likely something Escape would do for a new build, or is this something that I would need to retrofit?

[Jim Bennett]

Escape has installed that cooktop a few times in the past under Reace. Not sure they still would, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask them.

[MadCAT3]

We were able to specify the Dickinson 2-burner drop-in cooktop for our E21C build in 2018. Really like it for the burner BTU values. Has worked wonderfully and caps over with a cutting board when not in use, giving more flush counter space. If ETI no longer accommodates this substitution, you could have them finish the gas line and install it yourself without too much trouble.

[brroberts]

Thanks guys.

[Centex]

FWIW I inquired about this ~2 months ago and ETI stated they will install the Dickinson 2-burner in lieu of the standard cooktop - I just have to get it delivered to them timely for the build. At that time there was no cost credit or addition for this change, and the Stainless Steel vent hood that's now standard with the OE 2-burner cooktop would be installed. That in the context of a 5.0 build discussion.

[MadCAT3]

This description matches our experience. Sourcing was not an issue as Dickinson is not far from ETI, and the cooktop does not need to cross the Canada/US border. Still planning to glue up a nicer cutting board for it sometime, but the provided board is functional.

[brroberts]

Thanks, this is good to hear.

[kavm]

Can you share what makes this cooktop more attractive? We like to cook and are interested in the best cooktop we can get in our 5.0.

[Rossue]

Been looking for 5 years for a better cooktop and price isn't the most important thing. Just cant get excited about the Dickinson from reviews and at $739 on Amazon it just seems like another high priced piece of Marine hardware.

[MadCAT3]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Been looking for 5 years for a better cooktop and price isn't the most important thing. Just cant get excited about the Dickinson from reviews and at $739 on Amazon it just seems like another high priced piece of Marine hardware.

Agree that the Dickinson line of products are directed at marine boating applications and are creatively being applied in the RV setting. I believe our cooktop came with some brackets to keep your pans from rolling onto the galley floor during those deep swells…

We were primarily attracted because we wanted a hotter burner and the recessed design allowed a nearly flush top when the cutting board is placed, extending the functional counter. I’ve sailed keel boats of various sizes on the Great Lakes, so a marine stove was not much of a reach for me.

There are several others on the forum with longer experience with this stove and the Caribbean range/oven combination that can comment on their experience with this brand. Ours has performed as expected so far.

We were evaluating cooktop offerings in late 2017 when designing our trailer. There certainly have been newer designs to the market since then. Having said that, we would make the same choice again based on our experience to date.

The price in 2018 was ~550 USD, and current prices may be more than some care to spend.

I invite those considering this option to make their own evaluations of reviews and invite forum members who have been using these products to chime in.

As Donna is fond of saying, “Your mileage may vary.”

Thanks,

Claude

[brroberts]

Some of the reviews are great, some really don’t like it. It does seem better built than the typical RV junk. It certainly has better output. It has a wood flush top. IMHO that is much better for an RV than a glass top. The large burner allows a bigger pan than the stock suburban. It can be had for just over $500 USD. It can ship to ETI from Canada to avoid duties. It might need a 90 for gas hookup to avoid a drawer depending on your install.

[MadCAT3]

I have a foodie spouse who wanted the BTUs! [emoji4]

[gbaglo]

For what it's worth, for pricing, I purchased the Dickinson Spitfire 180 BBQ at Steveston Marine in Vancouver, on sale. The price was considerably less than the price available to me from Dickinson. When I asked Dickinson about that, they told me to buy it from Steveston. They could not, would not match the price.
https://www.stevestonmarine.com/?gcl...SAAEgKaOPD_BwE


BTW, I gave the BBQ away and got a Napoleon.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by MadCAT3

I have a foodie spouse who wanted the BTUs! [emoji4]

All you have to do for more BTUs is drill larger holes in the burners.
Often a feature of cheap box store BBQs.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by brroberts

.... The large burner allows a bigger pan than the stock suburban. ....

The pan size allowance (10" on the Dickinson, 8.75" on the Suburban) with the larger burner is a particular attraction for me - pots of pasta, dried beans, etc.

I suppose lots depends on your cooking habits / preferences, so yeah, YMMV.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by kavm

Can you share what makes this cooktop more attractive? We like to cook and are interested in the best cooktop we can get in our 5.0.

Theses cooktops are fantastic. Here are some DIY installs:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tall-9375.html

For starters:
- Heavy duty construction; 100% stainless steel
- 11,000 BTU large burner, 7,000 BTU small burner
- Very even, triple flame burners with good resolution for turndown
- Electronic ignition
- Safety flame out system (shuts off propane)
- Flush mount with cutting board top

These can be found cheaper than list price but they are still pricey. You get what you pay for though.

Our original Atwood DV-20 stove did the job but it stuck up above the counter, had to be match lit, and had a small built in regulator that would vent a small amount of propane inside the trailer that you could sometimes smell. The newer Suburban cooktops supplied stock might be a little bit better but they are still no where near the level of quality and performance of a Dickinson.

[kavm]

Thank you for this discussion. I have been asking ETI folks about the cooktop. We cook daily when camping and have been concerned with the narrow pan limit. So, the bigger pan size is very worthwhile for us.

Modifications are not in our toolset. So, the possibility that ETI might be willing to install is very important.

Just to confirm I got it right - it is the Dickinson Marine 2 burner propane drop in - Product code 00-2BP. Correct?

[MadCAT3]

Hello Kavindra:

I found our invoice and that is the model we have.

We use a Swiss Diamond 10-inch nonstick skillet with ours regularly, so can confirm the pan size limit.

Thanks,

Claude

[kavm]

Thank you so much for the quick response!

I will try to see if ETI could install this cooktop instead...

[kavm]

Sorry but one more follow up: I see a cap/cover in the pictures. I did not see that on the Dickinson Marine website. Is that something you installed yourself? Had ETI install it for you?

Thanks again!