Propane explosion below cooktop

[Perry Butler]

Count me in as another Suburban stove owner who has singed hair and eyebrows!

I have contacted Escape and they promised to have a representative call me before Tuesday. I've looked at options and the only viable one we've found and are willing to accept is the Dickinson two-burner drop-in stove. Terry loves to cook though!

If you know of another viable option let us know.

Enjoy,

Perry

[cpaharley2008]

I'm not sure why, but I have never experienced any problems with the stock Suburban cook top in any of my 4 Escapes? Maybe I should start buying lottery tickets..........

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I'm not sure why, but I have never experienced any problems with the stock Suburban cook top in any of my 4 Escapes? Maybe I should start buying lottery tickets..........

Jim, I don't think you keep them long enough for problems to show up.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I'm not sure why, but I have never experienced any problems with the stock Suburban cook top in any of my 4 Escapes? Maybe I should start buying lottery tickets..........

This might be your first Suburban (the SDS2 was used April 1, 2018 and later). Earlier trailers typically had Atwood DV20 (2 burner) or DV30 (3 burner) models.

[oldwave]

We have an Atwood and it’s worked flawlessly.

[Omi]

My husband and I are a little intimidated fooling around with gas and electricity and we didn't want to lift the cooktop out for inspection so we invested in a small digital 39 inch digital inspection camera at Harbor Freight. Took a bit of practice but we did get a look at those connection points for the aluminum tubes feeding the burners. Ours looked O.K. I didn't want to use the cooktop until I had some assurance about it. As first-time trailer owners we sure have learned a lot in two years !!!

[h2owmn]

My March 2018 E17 has the Atwood two burner stainless. I was glad then, and "gladder" now that I don't have the inset one.

[j3cub]

I think the problem is with the flare in the aluminum tube at the burner. Tightening the nuts at the valves is great but it could be just postponing an explosion!!!

[j3cub]

I also wanted to point out that if the aluminum tubing breaks and starts leaking it can only leak if you turn the burner on and it leaks directly into the cabinet below. So to check it you have to light the burner and open the cabinet and sniff inside it. Sounds like a dangerous dilemma to me!!!

[j3cub]

I am wondering when Escape Trailers says that they check the Pressure in these stoves how they could do it. Certainly not the way that we have to because that would be really dangerous.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by j3cub

So to check it you have to light the burner and open the cabinet and sniff inside it. Sounds like a dangerous dilemma to me!!!

That's exactly what I did! Singed half the length of the hair on my forehead and half my eyebrow hair. It will grow back though.

Enjoy,

Perry

[j3cub]

Perry, If I singed my hair testing the exploding suburban SDS2 stove. That would bit it. It ain,t growing back.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

That's exactly what I did! Singed half the length of the hair on my forehead and half my eyebrow hair. It will grow back though.

Enjoy,

Perry

"He lit a match,
To check his tank,
And now they call him,
Skinless Frank".

--Burma Shave

[j3cub]

Just think, Escape could type 2 sentences into a computer and push a button and every escape owner who has this suburban SDS2 cooktop can decide for themselves if they want take a chance at getting burned or maimed.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by SA54

If you're relying on a cheap propane detector, you are already putting too much faith in technology. Your nose is the first and best detector (trust your nose). These units are expensive, cheaply made and go off whenever the trailer voltage drops below a couple percent of full charge (usually at 2am!). I'm on my third one for the same problem and after two days, once again, got awaken in the dead of night because my battery charge dropped below full charge. I no longer use it (snipped the wires). These things look good, make regulators feel good, and lull people in to a false sense of security. (Like soooo much else these days). Old school it, trust your senses and frequently check ALL of you important connections. I'm happy to hear you are doing well and hope you've learned an important lesson. If I were you, I'd spend a few bucks consulting an attorney, warranty or no warranty.

Simply brilliant!
And how ironic is it that you live in an aptly named town/city?
Perhaps you can also hardwire the trailer to eliminate those pesky, obnoxious circuit breakers from tripping in the middle of the night. Sorry, but IMO you are dispensing bad advice; I only hope most people are discerning enough not rely ONLY on their senses when their personal safety is at stake.

[Mike G]

See Dick.
See Dick cook.
See Dick light his Suburban cooktop.
See Dick perform his "mummy" schtick in the Burn Ward.

[Sean Murry]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Count me in as another Suburban stove owner who has singed hair and eyebrows!

I have contacted Escape and they promised to have a representative call me before Tuesday. I've looked at options and the only viable one we've found and are willing to accept is the Dickinson two-burner drop-in stove. Terry loves to cook though!

If you know of another viable option let us know.

Enjoy,

Perry

If one wanted to swap out the Suburban SDS2 for the Dickinson 2 Burner Drop In, is it an easy switch? Is the cut out in the counter top sufficient for the Dickinson or is the cut out too big or too small?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Sean Murry

If one wanted to swap out the Suburban SDS2 for the Dickinson 2 Burner Drop In, is it an easy switch? Is the cut out in the counter top sufficient for the Dickinson or is the cut out too big or too small?

I looked at this for another forum member a ways back. The cut out might be slightly big in depth (this includes the Dickinson flange) by about 1/16 - 1/8”. Because the SDS2 cutout has rounded corners and the Dickinson is rectangular it should still land on and be supported at those corners. It is a very well built appliance and I believe it would have no problem spanning the opening. Either way some angle or other support could be furnished. I know other owners are contemplating the swap but the trouble is availability of the cooktop.

[oldwave]

I think what I heard was the location of the propane line being in the wrong place.

[rbryan4]

The cutout is a concern, but some stainless angle used as a flange would probably work if the cutout is too large. Might ruin the flush look however, since the Dickinson has a built in stainless flange.

In my case I went from a stock Atwood surface mount two burner (not the newer SDS2) to the Dickinson, so I had to enlarge the hole - not make it smaller.

The gas connection is on the bottom right rear area, and so you'd need a very shallow elbow fitting to route the connection to the side. If you bend the copper line properly, it should clear any drawers under the stove, but not by alot.