Remodeling refrigerator & stove area (was: electric fridge)

[Manitou]

have you done this already or still in construction or ??
pics along the way or once completely would be great!
thanks

[HoosierB]

have you done this already or still in construction or ??
pics along the way or once completely would be great!
thanks

Still in construction (or destruction ). I've been in contact with the sales people at Vitrifrigo in Florida to have some questions answered. They've been very helpful. It will take 3-4 weeks for delivery. The old Dometic has been removed as well as the 3 burner Wedgwood, old Sharp micro and the Jensen hood/vent. The Dometic was sawed in half after removing the doors. Cut like butter with the sawzall and was easily removed. The carpet and foam padding covering the gen-set enclosure has been scraped off, to be replaced with layers of Dynamat heat shield/sound deadening. I've used it before in car restoration and the stuff really works! 1/2" MDF in "country oak" will be used to retain the OEM look of the cabinets for the rebuild.

[Manitou]

Love the dynamat stuff. Was considering doing a layer inside the gen set area from the outside access.

[HoosierB]

This layout shows my idea of installing a Nova Kool AC/DC unit in the same space as the old Dometic. It's 15.5" depth allows for less footprint in the same space with additional countertop space as well. This approach is a less involved project, and if one would chose to keep the old 3 burner cooktop, obvious cost savings also. It got out voted for esthetic reasons (sigh). A clean, one surface countertop won over the step-up version.

[Blue~Go]

Very interesting to read your ideas and see the drawings.

I'm just in the planning stages of something similar, and the Vitrifrigo 130 (with separate compressor) is currently at the top of my list. Not sure whether I will keep the stove/oven or not. I like the oven, but never use three burners, and they use up a lot of space.

I had not thought of putting the refrigerator where the stove is and vice-versa - interesting.

I'm also really interested to read how you got the refrigerator out. I take it you removed the door and then sawed in the direction "from ceiling to floor" and removing the "door side" from the side that faces the outside wall? I will likely be doing this soon. Was it basically just foam then?

Like you, I want to reduce the narrow tunnel effect of the rear hallway.

[HoosierB]

I'm also really interested to read how you got the refrigerator out. I take it you removed the door and then sawed in the direction "from ceiling to floor" and removing the "door side" from the side that faces the outside wall? I will likely be doing this soon. Was it basically just foam then?

Like you, I want to reduce the narrow tunnel effect of the rear hallway.

That's how I did it. Disconnected the hookups and screws, removed the doors and flange, slid the fridge in closer to the bath from the outside access door, cut from top to bottom about 7-8 inches in from the front. Construction is basically foam and the interior plastics. The front half is very light, back half kinda heavy because of the hardware. 20 minutes to do the job.

[Blue~Go]

Thanks! Good to know. Shame to cut it up as it's nearly unused and in great shape, but I really don't feel like removing a window to remove a 'fridge that I'm not going to be using. Perhaps I can save/sell some of the shelves and door parts.

I've just been talking over my re-model plans with a friend, and, thanks to you ( ), I'm now considering moving the stove/fridge like you are. Dang you! No, really, this is cool stuff to mull over.

[HoosierB]

It just made sense for us to downsize appliances and to gain the added floorspace as well as create more countertop area. Think about how you grab items from the fridge and just set them right there on a countertop before placing into the micro. And the added space around the burners when cooking. The overhead shelf above the new cooktop will be only 13-14" deep, to match the depth of the new hood vent... again, more headroom over the burners. I may recreate the look of the wall cabinet next to the sink by using the same "ship rail trim" for that shelf.

So far, the deconstruction phase has revealed the top quality of the Chinook's interior build. While basic RV carpentry design is evident, the prolific use of Robertson Drive screws, HD staples and MDF is overwhelming at times.
Can't turn back now....

[Blue~Go]

Can't turn back now....

Speaking of which... the Dometic RM3663 (3-way refrigerator) is out. Actually, it's now two RM1831.5's, as I removed the doors, shelves, etc. and then cut it in half and took both "newly slim" sections out the back door

Now to decide how to put things back. Hoosier, I can't stop thinking about your second plan, the one with the refrigerator and stove switched. Hmmm... Now what would be perfect is to keep them where they are and remove the generator, so the refrigerator could be lower and still be in "its" spot. The kicker is that I don't even USE the generator, but it somehow seems wrong to remove it. So I probably won't.

That sure is a WHOLE lotta space where the refrigerator was. Walk-in closet?

I hear you on the appliances. I think Chinook's niche was appealing to folks who had driven a Class A for some years, and were ready to downsize, but still wanted to feel like they had all the amenities. For them I think Chinook hit the nail on the head, perfectly. For someone like me, it has a slight "ten pounds of flour in a five pound sack" feel. I love the sporty sized exterior, and the fact that it's huge inside compared to "just a van." But some of that spaciousness (for me) was lost due to all of the (large) amenities. So, I'm going to make it suit me more. I like an airy feel, but also want desktop space, a comfortable chair, a comfortable couch/bed, plus counterspace, easily accessible storage, and a non-cramped entryway.

[HoosierB]

I hear you on the appliances. I think Chinook's niche was appealing to folks who had driven a Class A for some years, and were ready to downsize, but still wanted to feel like they had all the amenities. For them I think Chinook hit the nail on the head, perfectly. For someone like me, it has a slight "ten pounds of flour in a five pound sack" feel. I love the sporty sized exterior, and the fact that it's huge inside compared to "just a van." But some of that spaciousness (for me) was lost due to all of the (large) amenities. So, I'm going to make it suit me more. I like an airy feel, but also want desktop space, a comfortable chair, a comfortable couch/bed, plus counterspace, easily accessible storage, and a non-cramped entryway.

Well said... I couldn't agree with you more!!
FYI: I will be fitting the "ventilation shaft" with foil-faced rigid foam on the new wall to help retain some of the insulation value. The old Dometic had quite a bit of "pink" fiberglass surrounding the top and sides. Vitrifrigo said additional insulation around the fridge box wasn't necessary for the installation... "but it couldn't hurt". There should be enough room in the new cabinet space for a couple of layers of rigid foam.