Stovetop Work Area/Cutting Board

[Kansafornia]

Many Alaskan campers came with a metal stove cover that allowed for using the stovetop space without damaging the stovetop itself. Others have bought various items to sit atop the stove to that same end. In fact, to not damage the vintage stovetop we travel with the black stove grates in one of the drawers.

My '63 camper must have been sufficiently young in the build cycle that it didn't come stock with a stove cover, so previous owner(s) used a piece of heat resistant, faux wood grain material. It's 'ok' but wasn't what I was looking for and stood out like a sore thumb; obviously not an Alaskan Camper mfr'd product.

I also don't like wet items cut on the built-in cutting board; not remotely sanitary imho...

Attempting to nexus the 'cover/counter space/cutting board next to the sink' objectives, using the Festool biscuit system, some red oak, and a healthy amount of Titebond III, I've fashioned a stovetop cover of sorts. The project, in its early stages, made me realized that I also DIDN'T need a 2lb wooden guillotine in the cooking area (especially when cooking!!), thus the leather strap.

There's more work to be done on it and a quick outing (this weekend?) to test and prove it out a bit, but... the project seems to be forming up nicely.

Note: I know that I for one rely heavily on the comments/posts/insights of others on this thread when working on these projects. Your posts and pics are absolutely invaluable. Hopefully folks enjoy, get some ideas from, and/or are motivated by my some of my posts as well.

Happy Alaskan campering!

 

[Buckshott]

Ours has the factory metal cover, it's not bad but I think yours looks great and is more useful. Very nice touch. Thanks for sharing!

 

[goinoregon]

looks nice , that the strap is a good idea. we dont always park on level ground.

 

[buckland]

Well done! You can buy a stick of bee's wax at a HW store. Take an equal mount of mineral oil (baby oil is same)
using an old can or old sauce pan, put both over a low fire or electric stove and melt the two stirring to combine. Put into a recycled tupperware or deli container and put in fridge overnight to speed the solidification. You now have the paste to treat your cutting board (with sides). If possible have the wood somewhat warm completely cover rubbing it in and let sit for 30 minutes then wipe with a cotton non lint cloth. I scrape mine down every few months with a cabinet scraper and reapply.

 

[Kansafornia]

Well done! You can buy a stick of bee's wax at a HW store. Take an equal mount of mineral oil (baby oil is same)
using an old can or old sauce pan, put both over a low fire or electric stove and melt the two stirring to combine. Put into a recycled tupperware or deli container and put in fridge overnight to speed the solidification. You now have the paste to treat your cutting board (with sides). If possible have the wood somewhat warm completely cover rubbing it in and let sit for 30 minutes then wipe with a cotton non lint cloth. I scrape mine down every few months with a cabinet scraper and reapply.

Thx sir! Going the bee's wax route - when I'm finally ready for the completed install. My next step is to inset the 3 burners so that when at a campsite the cutting board can be set over the black grates. I showed the 'solution' to my better 4/5s and even she thought it was a great idea.

 

[buckland]

I will say I am a bit nervous of wood on top of a stove. I am 70 and on occasion forget to "cross all my T's" ... I would hate too think if you left a burner on low and closed the top! (especially with the wax/oil on it). Be mindful!! I made a cutting board for over our sink (when we had one). It worked well. All the best and thanks for sharing your mods!

 

[Sagefemme]

I like it. You can put your recipe up on the back side of the board while you're cooking!

As for forgetting to fully turn off burners (I could imagine doing that in a distracted moment), I would attach something colorful or jingley to the leather strap to prompt you to double check the burners before putting the board down.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I will say I am a bit nervous of wood on top of a stove. I am 70 and on occasion forget to "cross all my T's" ... I would hate too think if you left a burner on low and closed the top! (especially with the wax/oil on it). Be mindful!! I made a cutting board for over our sink (when we had one). It worked well. All the best and thanks for sharing your mods!

More than one glass topped camper stove has met the destruction of the top due to a distracted camp chef. On a positive note, glass doesn’t burn.

Well done! You can buy a stick of bee's wax at a HW store. Take an equal mount of mineral oil (baby oil is same)
using an old can or old sauce pan, put both over a low fire or electric stove and melt the two stirring to combine. Put into a recycled tupperware or deli container and put in fridge overnight to speed the solidification. You now have the paste to treat your cutting board (with sides). If possible have the wood somewhat warm completely cover rubbing it in and let sit for 30 minutes then wipe with a cotton non lint cloth. I scrape mine down every few months with a cabinet scraper and reapply.

Rob, thanks! In an unscented/unflavored form, a thin coating of this will also make a nice sealant for freshly cleaned cast iron cookware.

 

[Bos_Trok]

Thanks for sharing! I like the cover, looks great and I am jealous because I suck at woodwork. Cutting and routing is about as far as I can go. Hinging it up out of the way is great because you don't have to find a spot to put it. I find that the cutting board on my sink as always looking for a spot to be stored. Under the mattress or on the vanity is usually where it ends up.

Agreed on the factory board, aint puttin no food on that! I put a mat on it and use the space to dry my dishes.

 

[Kansafornia]

I like it. You can put your recipe up on the back side of the board while you're cooking!

As for forgetting to fully turn off burners (I could imagine doing that in a distracted moment), I would attach something colorful or jingley to the leather strap to prompt you to double check the burners before putting the board down.

Actually, we've only heated water for morning coffee in ours and only intend to use it to cook when we can't cook outdoors. Since I can't close it without removing the metal grates, we also won't likely run the risk of closing it on an open flame.

 

[Russ K8AF]

I like the cutting board idea. I was also thinking of removing the cook top and make the space usable for a propane camp stove that I can use both indoors and remove it to cook outside. It would save me from having to carry an additional stove for outside use. Any thoughts?

 

[CPT Davenport]

Nice job on your mod and the great use of space. +1 to Buckland's recommendation to put a sealer on the wood. The wood you have chosen appears to be red oak. This species of wood has many large, open pores that can trap bacteria and also absorb moisture leading to potential warpage. Make sure to seal her up with a good food grade wax and I'm sure you will "bee" fine

 

[buckland]

Having counter space is definitely a plus. I did same but with sink removal (leaving the water pump spout for filling pans etc) We use a tupperware pail for wash-up mostly outside. I think removing stove top would also be a good idea.There are many snap on hose line counter top stoves out there or go strictly with a camp stove for ease. Cooking outside is smart anyway if in bear country. Long live MODS!.

 

[Kansafornia]

I like the cutting board idea. I was also thinking of removing the cook top and make the space usable for a propane camp stove that I can use both indoors and remove it to cook outside. It would save me from having to carry an additional stove for outside use. Any thoughts?

We considered the same. By removing the stove you'd net boththe counter are but also another drawer space underneath. However... my Alaskan's cooktop was perfect, literally no nicks or scratches, seemingly unused. So I took a slightly different route and decided on the cutting board 'cover'.

I've since built out an exterior camp cooking area setup that travels with us as well.

 

[Kansafornia]

Nice job on your mod and the great use of space. +1 to Buckland's recommendation to put a sealer on the wood. The wood you have chosen appears to be red oak. This species of wood has many large, open pores that can trap bacteria and also absorb moisture leading to potential warpage. Make sure to seal her up with a good food grade wax and I'm sure you will "bee" fine

Yessir, the buildup of beeswax would make the hive jealous.