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Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Yahoo Message Number: 136455
As I dream about going from our current 23.5TK to a 27 footer I really think we like the RK model.
It seems to me it would be nice to have that back area for fixing meals and enjoying the view.
One big drawback I see (at least from the pictures on the LD website) is there appears to be zero kitchen counter space.
Is this true?
Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136457
"One big drawback I see (at least from the pictures on the LD website) is there appears to be zero kitchen counter space [in the RK model]."
 Ironically, the 27' Rear Kitchen model has just about the smallest kitchen counter of any Lazy Daze--smaller even than your 23.5' Twin/King's kitchen. Yes, you can do your cooking preparation on the dinette table, but it's lower than a counter, so you'll be doing a lot of bending over. If space for cooking is important to you, there are probably better choices than the RK floorplan.
 The 27' Rear Bath is marginally better in this regard, because it has a flip-up counter extension to the left of the sink. It's a very narrow extension, though, and it can't be made any larger without completely blocking the entry door--a nuisance and a safety hazard. As it is, it partially obstructs the entry when in use. Not a great solution.
 In terms of kitchen counter space, the best of the 27' models is the Midbath, but only if you replace its medium-sized (15" x 11.5") fiberglass counter extension--similar to what you have on your Twin/King--with a decent-sized surface. Fortunately, that's easy to do, using the existing hinge and brace hardware.
 I put a 15" x 18" cutting board in place of my midbath's counter extension, giving me 50% more space, and a surface that I can cut on. It makes a huge difference; now I do all my cooking prep work there. I don't know why the factory doesn't make this a standard feature. Guess they don't do much cooking. ;-)

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136462
I have had a rear kitchen LD for 10+ years and I absolutely love it. We even full-timed for six years. I always had a sink cover plus the small working area and, the back window ledge was also useful at times. I am an avid cook and cook all our meals inside for my husband as well as guests.   I loved sitting at the rear table and having coffee in the "sun room". We could back into secluded places like the coast or by a stream and have first class views even in rainy weather. We now own our third LD, the 31 foot rear bed model. I do miss my sun room!

Penny traveling near Ajo, AZ for the winter.

__ From: Andy Baird andybaird@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 12:33 PM
 Subject: [LD] Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space

"One big drawback I see (at least from the pictures on the LD website) is there appears to be zero kitchen counter space [in the RK model]."
 Ironically, the 27' Rear Kitchen model has just about the smallest kitchen counter of any Lazy Daze--smaller even than your 23.5' Twin/King's kitchen. Yes, you can do your cooking preparation on the dinette table, but it's lower than a counter, so you'll be doing a lot of bending over. If space for cooking is important to you, there are probably better choices than the RK floorplan.
 The 27' Rear Bath is marginally better in this regard, because it has a flip-up counter extension to the left of the sink. It's a very narrow extension, though, and it can't be made any larger without completely blocking the entry door--a nuisance and a safety hazard. As it is, it partially obstructs the entry when in use. Not a great solution.
 In terms of kitchen counter space, the best of the 27' models is the Midbath, but only if you replace its medium-sized (15" x 11.5") fiberglass counter extension--similar to what you have on your Twin/King--with a decent-sized surface. Fortunately, that's easy to do, using the existing hinge and brace hardware.
 I put a 15" x 18" cutting board in place of my midbath's counter extension, giving me 50% more space, and a surface that I can cut on. It makes a huge difference; now I do all my cooking prep work there. I don't know why the factory doesn't make this a standard feature. Guess they don't do much cooking. ;-)

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136463
"Andy Baird"  wrote: the best of the 27' models is the Midbath, but only if you replace its medium-sized (15" x 11.5") fiberglass counter extension--similar to what you have on your Twin/King--with a decent-sized surface. Fortunately, that's easy to do, using the existing hinge and brace hardware......I put a 15" x 18" cutting board in place of my midbath's counter extension, giving me 50% more space, and a surface that I can cut on.
--- The flip-up counter extension in my 2003 TK is 13 1/4" wide by 11 1/2" long (the drop); I think that's the standard size for all years except for the newest models that have the slide-out extension. Replacing the extension with a longer-drop cutting board is tempting, but the TK has an electrical outlet on the end of that drawer set/cabinet; a longer extension would cover this when the extension is folded down. The TK (at least, in my 2003) has only one other plug in the galley area - and that one's on the bottom of the microwave cabinet behind the fluorescent fixture and of limited use for most things - so I chose not to replace the existing extension with a longer cutting board and leave the plug accessible.

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136464
We have a 27' Rear Bath, and I initially was appalled, after having had a TK for ten years, at the lack of counter space.  But I soon worked up a system that allows me plenty of room.  I have two glass chopping blocks that I move around to wherever I need the work space.  Sometimes they are on the stove, across one or both sinks, on the flip up board, or over on the table.  I'm guessing that the size is about 14" x 24", but not entirely sure.  Coach is in storage, so can't go measure.
 I don't think I could have managed without them, because like Penelope, I cook all our meals from scratch when we are RV'ing.  The most fun was when the refrigerator was out of operation for a month.  It's amazing what can be done with a cooler!

Virtual hugs,

Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com/

Today:  Guy Food
Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136465
Quote

"Andy Baird"  wrote: the best of the 27' models is the Midbath, but only if you replace its medium-sized (15" x 11.5") fiberglass counter extension--similar to what you have on your Twin/King--with a decent-sized surface. Fortunately, that's easy to do, using the existing hinge and brace hardware......I put a 15" x 18" cutting board in place of my midbath's counter extension, giving me 50% more space, and a surface that I can cut on.
--- The flip-up counter extension in my 2003 TK is 13 1/4" wide by 11 1/2" long (the drop); I think that's the standard size for all years except for the newest models that have the slide-out extension. Replacing the extension with a longer-drop cutting board is tempting, but the TK has an electrical outlet on the end of that drawer set/cabinet; a longer extension would cover this when the extension is folded down. The TK (at least, in my 2003) has only one other plug in the galley area - and that one's on the bottom of the microwave cabinet behind the fluorescent fixture and of limited use for most things - so I chose not to replace the existing extension with a longer cutting board and leave the plug accessible.

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
Joan, I added the same cutting board extension that Andy has and it does hang, when closed, lower than the duplex outlet; however, the hinge (the original hinge was used) on the cutting board keeps the board from hanging completely flat against the wall where the outlet is so there is plenty of room to have an appliance plug in the outlet without the board "crushing" it. The board seems to lie gently against whatever is plugged in which makes it quite accessible for us.
It is really nice to have that extra prep space and we keep the board well-oiled. It kind of dresses up the kitchen area (30' IB).

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: Question for rear kitchen owners and counter space
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136474
Quote
One big drawback I see (at least from the pictures on the LD website) is there appears to be zero kitchen counter space.
Is this true?
I've had my 05 RK since new and love it.  The lack of counter space isn't a problem for me as I have a sink cover and use the table as a work-space too.  Sitting at the table gazing out all those windows is a real treat for me every time I do it.

Dick Ridgecrest, CA