Replacing cooktop in 2020 19’

[outwiththedogs]

Hello all,
I am requesting advice on cooktop replacement of our 2-burner Suburban.

The Suburban 2-burner size is 18.75” x 14 1/6”.
The only cooktop replacement that fits is the Dometic 2-burner that ETI is now using (confirmed with Dustin today). The critical issue for us is that the Dometic does not reliably work above 4,000’ elevation. Since we live in Denver (5280) and camp even higher this is a nonstarter. There is also Dometic’s reputation for less than stellar support but that’s another story.

Alternatives include:
Dickinson at 21+ x 12+ (don’t have the exact measurements, but it is longer and shorter front to back)
ENO at 17.7” x 14.6”

The ENO is the closest fit, but there is an inch gap that would have to be filled somehow. We would prefer to go with the ENO than to replace the entire counter as Perry did for the Dickinson. Has anyone replaced a Suburban with an ENO? If so, how did you manage the gap? Mind the gap?

Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Catherine

[WillyB]

Originally Posted by outwiththedogs

Hello all,
I am requesting advice on cooktop replacement of our 2-burner Suburban.

The Suburban 2-burner size is 18.75” x 14 1/6”.
The only cooktop replacement that fits is the Dometic 2-burner that ETI is now using (confirmed with Dustin today). The critical issue for us is that the Dometic does not reliably work above 4,000’ elevation. Since we live in Denver (5280) and camp even higher this is a nonstarter. There is also Dometic’s reputation for less than stellar support but that’s another story.

Alternatives include:
Dickinson at 21+ x 12+ (don’t have the exact measurements, but it is longer and shorter front to back)
ENO at 17.7” x 14.6”

The ENO is the closest fit, but there is an inch gap that would have to be filled somehow. We would prefer to go with the ENO than to replace the entire counter as Perry did for the Dickinson. Has anyone replaced a Suburban with an ENO? If so, how did you manage the gap? Mind the gap?

Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Catherine

If you need to cover a larger hole in the laminate countertop by using, for example, the Dickinson unit you can reach out to a local fabricator to build you a custom sized S.S. flange that would cover the gaps.

Colorado Custom Stainless would be a good route for getting a correctly sized S.S. flange. They can build anything can imagine.
https://colocustomstainless.com

When we get our 21C later this year and if decide to change to a different stove I will use a local S.S. fabricator here in St. Louis.

[Sean Murry]

I bought the Dickenson. Had it installed by a local RV Shop. They cut the hole wider, put a small block of wood to fill in some of the depth. There was about 3/4" that was exposed, and I just had a local machine shop cut me a strip of stainless steel the same thickness of the flange. They cut a radius inside curve to match the original flange and an outside rounded edge so it fit really well. I then just glued it down to the counter. The result I think looks pretty good.

[Sean Murry]

Here is a pic of the final install. At the top of the stove you can see the strip I had added to cover the gap

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by outwiththedogs

The ENO is the closest fit, but there is an inch gap that would have to be filled somehow. We would prefer to go with the ENO than to replace the entire counter as Perry did for the Dickinson. Has anyone replaced a Suburban with an ENO? If so, how did you manage the gap? Mind the gap?

We did NOT have to replace the countertop for our Dickinson stove. At first it was in the original ETI supplied countertop for two months. We replaced the countertop because we felt it was ugly and wanted something better looking.

Like others, we just used a small shim that came from the new cut needed on the left side to fill in the gap. The picture was taken after removing the ugly stock countertop. It's sitting on the picnic table at our seasonal campsite before it went to the dumpster.

The 1/4" gap at each end of the shim was not noticeable unless you really looked and could have easily been filled.

We've had the Dickinson installed since last June. Terry loves the stove and the two different btu burners give greater heat control and both allow larger pans to be used.

We try to live in our 5.0 four to six months a year. We're currently in Organ Pipe NM on our three month trip to Arizona/Utah.

Enjoy,

Perry

[cpaharley2008]

The only downside I see with this stove is since it is recessed, your pot size is limited without any overhang you would have with the stock flush stove set up.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The only downside I see with this stove is since it is recessed, your pot size is limited without any overhang you would have with the stock flush stove set up.

The area on the Dickinson is much larger than the Suburban SDS2. Terry has been using her 12" fry pan on the Dickinson, something she could not use on the SDS2. I believe the SDS2 had a max of 9".

Enjoy,

Perry

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Sean Murry

The result I think looks pretty good.

Originally Posted by Sean Murry

Here is a pic of the final install. At the top of the stove you can see the strip I had added to cover the gap

Nicely done. It does blend in nicely and if you didn't point it out probably no one would even notice it.

Good solution for anyone else replacing their stove. If my SDS2 gives me any trouble in the future I'll just copy what you've done.

Ron

[outwiththedogs]

Thanks everyone for both the responses and the excellent feedback on what and how.
Sorry Perry for misunderstanding the countertop ‘need’ to replace vs ‘want’ to replace on the countertop. Now we have to decide whether to go for the Dickinson or the ENO. I just heard back from the ENO people about function at altitude. They said no issues on that and that one of their manufacturing sites is at 5500’

For you Dickinson users, especially with the 19’ trailers; does it make the already limited counter space seem even smaller?

Thanks again,
Catherine

[brroberts]

Never had the SDS2. I took cooktop delete and installed the Dickinson in my Sept ‘21 E19. The Eno would seem to me to make the countertop the smallest since it does not mount flush.

Here’s my Dickinson install:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post400136

Hope that helps.

[Sean Murry]

Both brroberts and myself installed the Dickenson to the far right of the counter top. The difference in counter space from the SDS2 and the Dickenson is minor. The Dickenson has a wood cover that can be placed on top and is flush with the counter top creating more counter space if needed (though it won't work obviously if the burners are on).

Both my wife and I are very happy with the Dickenson

[outwiththedogs]

Thanks again folks. That is a good point about having flush countertop with the cover for the Dickinson.
Installing it to the right would lessen the space bite.
It looks as though the ENO burners stick up a couple of inches from what I can see in the pictures. They do sell a cover, but it would be a box-like fit over the burners; much like the old cooktops that were not flush mounted.
Once again, the forum comes through with helpful thoughts.
Catherine

[Eggscape]

I am considering replacing our stove with the Dometic unit that ETI now installs.

Since it has been in service for awhile my question is…has anybody had problems operating it at altitude?

[Tonny LR]

Hi Eggescape,
There are tow You tube video review on Dometic D21 drop-in stove top with glass cover.

Tonny LR

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by Tonny LR

Hi Eggescape,
There are tow You tube video review on Dometic D21 drop-in stove top with glass cover.

Tonny LR

Thanks…I will take a look.

I just thought with many of them being used here over the past few months that maybe someone has had a problem. I guess no news is good news.

[CharlesinGA]

On the Fiberglass forum, Casita Greg installed a Dometic D21

https://pantherrvproducts.com/50216/

and has been happy with it. He used the model with the iron grates (see link).

https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...ink-97205.html

The pics are in the link, he installed the cooktop sideways due to limited space along with a deeper and somewhat larger sink.

Charles

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I am considering replacing our stove with the Dometic unit that ETI now installs.

If is to replace an exploding Suburban SDS2 than I would say it is worthwhile but with their horrendous customer service the fewer things in a trailer made by Dometic the better!

[Eggscape]

Thanks Charles, I will give that a look.

Dave you are correct on that advice.

Still not sure exactly what I want to do.

[rainyescape]

We’ve decided to replace our Suburban SDS2 with the Dometic D21. I actually ordered this one from Amazon, hoping it’s the same as the D21. If anyone knows if it’s different/not compatible, I’d greatly appreciate it.

DOMETIC 9600014658 (50216G) Drop-in Two-Burner 12V Cooktop with Cast Iron Grate - Stainless Steel, Propane https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085WB8GPZ...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Also, Escape posted this video a while back, which I found helpful, but they didn’t say the actual part/model numbers for the replacement stoves:

https://youtu.be/DFMsI9qYdlw

[rotorbudd]

Got the email and decided I wanted to install a D21. So I removed the old stove top and measured the opening .
Got 18 1/4 x 14. Shouldn't be a problem installing the new one.