Sonata gets a New Stove, and more

[Mitchell S Allen]

So, I pulled the old defunct Alcohol Galley Maid stove some time ago, and sent it off as parts to keep another one functioning. I had already shopped for a replacement before all this and decided on a Dickenson Caribbean, 2 burner stove, oven.

The original hulk hadn't been used for years, even before we acquired Sonata. I now understand why. Frightening stuff hiding under this stove.
Upon removing it, I found a lot of heat damage to the surrounding alcove. Flame damage really. The laminate had been burned badly below the stove, and the teak trim charred. Obviously more than heat had escaped, it looked like open flame had burned under, and outside of the oven.

I considered a number of options to rehab the stove alcove. Laminate again, Stainless Steel, which I figured would only transfer heat. While I don't believe we will have the same issues with the new stove, I don't want to take chances of a fire onboard.
I added a little weight to the port side, Tile. I wanted something easy to wipe clean, and resonably fire resistant. Of course most of the tile will never be seen but it came out pretty well. I managed to save some of the teak trim and still need to whittle the two pieces to finish the outter vertical tile edge at the front.

I am waiting for the fuel system parts so I can install the rest of the system. But what a difference a new stove makes! Mentally anyway. Below are some photos of the project. Kind of before and during and after...
Sorry for the lengthy post.

Mitchell

 

[terry_thatcher]

Very nicely done. I put in a 3 burner Mediterranean couple of years go. Dickenson makes quality products. I just left the existing formica surround and have no heat problems, but yours is nicer by far. I don't lie the Dickenson gimbals. They use what other stoves use, which in my opinion are too weak for offshore work. I had my machinist make gimbals as suggested by John Harries at Attainable Adventure Cruising. His website is wonderful.

 

[jimcleary]

Mitchell

When we first bought Dana, the stove was fueled with kerosene and had to be primed with alcohol. After three fires in and on the stove it was removed in favor of a two burner Force 10 propane unit. Bonnie feels it was a good investment as the new stove is a joy to cook on. It has also lasted many years now with only minor upkeep and no fires. May you enjoy many fantastic and well cooked meals.

Jim

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Thank you Both!
I do look forward to cooking real meals aboard. I have been using a single burner "Click to Cook" butane stove for all this time. It actually is an impressive little stove! But this will be so much nicer. Terry, I'm familiar with John Harries gimbals too. I will do something similar before real offshore work. I agree that all the stove manufacturers gimbals are lacking in security. I considered the Med stove too, but this will do fine. And it was almost an exact fit in the alcove as to the old one.
I'm happy and looking forward to firing it up!
Mitchell

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

I'm in the final stages of the stove installation. Other, more pressing projects got in the way.
And, still trying to decide on the supply hose routing from the lazerette to the stove.
It's making me frustrated to say the least. I really don't want to tear out the cabinet behind the stove, is there another way??? Am I missing something?
Mitchell

 

[terry_thatcher]

On my vessel, the galley cabinet is attached to the foreward and aft bulkheads with lag bolts. (On the forward bulkhead I now use through bolts.) Once those are removed, with the stove out of the way, and the narrow overhead removed, you can slide the whole cabinet out. It is easier if you take the fiddles off the face of the drainboard fore and aft. but if I remember right, it is not absolutely necessary. My supply hose is behind the cabinet and comes out through the pan locker. If you have tiled that, not sure how you will cut a hole. You may have room under the icebox. I have several hoses under there that then run under the shelf under the stove. Access is through a small door down there.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

I can cut a hole in the tile. There is one I left where the old alcohol line came thru the h2o heater space. I've got screws holding the cabinet in place, (I don't see any lags). They are in the ends and floor of cabinet.
But the cabinet is also trimmed all around too. Hopefully not going to destroy all that. And I can't see how it would move with the fiddles place. I'll include some pics here. Seems like a can o' worms, but...

Thank you Terry, I really appreciate your insight.

First pic is trim. Second screws in floor, third ends.

 

[Warren Holybee]

My gas line is run behind the cabinet same as Terry. I didn't install it, and am thankful it was done when I bought the boat. Interestingly, they ran the line but otherwise didn't finish the install, so only easy stuff was left.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Thanks Warren, I've decided behind is the only real route too. I'm actually thankful it hasn't already been done here. Judging by some of the other mishaps created before my stewardship. I'm not saying my way will be perfect, but hopefully safe.
More boat yoga to come...

 

[jimcleary]

Mitchell
There is a plastic duct material called "Interduct" that is used in the fiber optic field. It is an orange corrugated plastic tube. It is perfect for encasing the propane hose running from the lazzerette to the stove. It protects the hose from chafe going through bulkheads and in the lockers.

Jim

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Thanks Jim,
I've looked at something kinda like that available at Lowes. I'll check into Interduct.
And on the tinned wire topic, you're wiring job looks incredible!

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Raising this antique thread.

Well, after various trials and tribulations, Sonata's stove is up and running!

I had the lpg hose routed, electrical and 2 tanks mounted on the lazerette bulkhead, I found I couldn't seal the bulkhead to underside of deck and the coaming! I'd fabricated custom stainless steel mounting for 2 tanks that just fit thru the Lazerette opening. I bought the spray foam to seal the gaps...

I couldn't physically get in the cockpit locker any longer. Perhaps I'm getting to old for this s$%#. Setbacks.

Needed a plan "B". I eventually decided to construct a box that would drop into and rest on the hatch lower lip. The lid seals to the lip on the box. Had to use thin ply due to such a lack of space to get the new bottles in. I was not going to let this space remain unsealed to the cabin! Oh, 2.5 gallon lpg tanks.

Anyway, working from home and making trips to the boat (3.5 hours each way), it finally worked out! Ply with Fiberglass and epoxy coating. Kinda built like a stitch and glue boat. I turned the box upside down on the steel fab table and built a 'glass flange to sit in the opening.
Photos to follow...
Mitchell