RV Stoves

RV ranges and stoves are designed to emulate the ones in your home.  Basically they look about the same, only smaller.  However, there are some differences you should be aware of.  Most RVs have a gas stove.  Some luxury units have an electric cook top instead. 

The first major difference you will notice is size.  Residential range/oven combinations are typically about 30" wide.  RV ranges are litte more than half that size, normally 17" wide.  This affects more than appearance and available cooking space.  The smaller oven means the burners are closer to the cooking platforms so getting even heating is more difficult.  You may have to experiment with your oven a bit to determine the right combination of heat and time to make it work to your satisfaction.  To get things cooked all the way through may require longer cooking at lower temperatures (to avoid burning the bottom).  Smaller burners on the stove top may mean longer cooking times as well as limiting the size of skillets or pots that can be used.

RV ovens don't normally have a light inside, at least not the older ones.  That means you have to open the door and shine a flashlight inside to see how things are going.  Each time you open the door you let heat escape so that is going to affect cooking times.  While some newer models are starting to include oven lights, chances are you aren't going to see them very often.  And they aren't something that can be added easily to an existing older oven.  They require heatproof wiring, fixtures and bulbs that are not readily available or easy to install.

Most RV ranges are powered by propane but a few luxury models may have an electric cook top.  Electric cook tops are very visually appealing but you have to to have shore power, an inverter with LOTS of batteries, a big solar system, or have the generator running to use it.  A gas stove can be used anytime as long as you have propane to run it.

RV range burners usually have to be lit manually while your gas stove at home probably has electronic ignition that lights the burner when you turn on the knob.   Most RV ranges are designed so the gas flows immediately to the burner when the knob is turned on and will continue flowing as long as the knob is on, whether the burner is lit or not.  Always have your match or lighter ready to light the burner as soon as you turn the knob to avoid releasing excess gas into the living space.  If too much gas escapes before you light the burner you'll likely blow yourself up as soon as you strike your match or light your lighter!  Some RV ranges will have pilot lights that will stay lit after you turn the burner off.  The knobs on these should indicate a "pilot" position as well as an "off" position.  You can take advantage of the pilot lights to make using the range more convenient while you're actively cooking, but is it a good idea to turn them all the way off between meals to conserve fuel and critical to turn them all the way off when traveling for safety.  Some newer and fancier RV ranges include thermocouples on the burners to prevent gas from flowing unless the burner is lit but most in use today do not.  Thermocouples are commonly used on older water heaters and refrigerators, but not on stoves.  The thermocouple generates a small electric current when it is heated and this current is used to operate a solenoid to open the main gas valve to the burner.  If the burner goes out, the thermocouple no longer generates any electricity, the solenoid closes, and the gas flow stops.  On a device equipped with thermocouples you usually have to push and hold a valve to allow gas to flow temporarily until the burner lights and activates the thermocouple.  Most modern water heaters and refrigerators use a computer board and sensors to control gas flow and ignition so you don't have to think about it or do anything other than turning on the switch.

Cleaning and maintenance is about the same as for your residential range.   And you will want to periodically clean the openings on the burners.  Using aluminum foil to line the bottom of the oven will reduce the frequency and effort of oven cleaning.  Most ranges have painted/ceramic or stainless steel finish.  Be careful when cleaning them and avoid using highly abrasive cleansers which can damage the finish.  If you must use cleanser, opt for soft scrub versions like BonAmi or Bar Keeper's Friend.  Scouring marks on stainless steel can sometimes be mitigated by carefully polishing it using fine steel wool.  Be sure to rub in  the same direction as the surrounding pattern.  The exterior of ranges and ovens can be refinished using appliance paint if they have become badly stained or if you just want to change the color.  Don't paint them with regular spray paint!  It won't stand  up to the temperatures.

If your RV range has failed you might find it easier and less expensive to replace it with an outdoor oven, such as those offered by Camp Chef and Coleman. These are propane powered, standalone units with 2 gas burners on top and a small oven beneath.  Since they require no hookups they are easy to use in a unit that doesn't have a functional range.  Since they aren't designed for indoor use, make sure you provide adequate ventilation when using one in your RV.  Or, even better, just cook outside, where its more fun anyway!

RV stoves and ovens are designed for cooking, not area heating.  They do produce a significant amount of heat.  Avoid using the stove or oven in your RV on hot days to avoid higher interior temperatures.  Cooking on cooler days may help warm things up inside your RV.  But do not use a stove or oven just to heat your RV!  They are not designed for that purpose and attempting to use them as heaters can result in dangerous, even life threatening, conditions.

An RV range and oven can provide a lot of service and convenience in camp.  If you consider its limitations and adjust your cooking and baking accordingly, you can enjoy nearly full residential functionality without too much frustration and they are a whole lot easier to use and a camp stove or a campfire.  They are usually ready to use in an instant and you usually have good control over the heat.

Happy cooking and baking!