Galley Stove Gimbals

FastOlson · Feb 11, 2022

My galley range (Origo 6000) has enough weight in the bottom oven assembly for the gimbaling to function well even with the kettle on to boil some water.
That said, sometimes a stove top w/no oven (for 'ballast') does have problems. These countertop cookers usually have a taller set of vertical arms for the pivot points. What model stove or range do you have?

Boomer2it · Feb 11, 2022

RoyS said:
My ancient galley stove has gimbals that are supposed to keep it level if the boat is heeling or not sitting level when anchored. These work to some degree. When cooking while anchored on the stove top using a fry pan there is no way to keep the pan level fore and aft. This annoys me when I am cooking, say, eggs as I end up with everything sliding to one end of the pan. Has anyone found or invented a leveling device to adjust the stove to near level fore and aft? I am thinking of a manual screw slider assembly on one of the gimbal sides that will raise or lower one side to achieve a near level stove. I am hoping that one of the creative folks here must have done this already.

How about a smaller non stick pan that only fits 2 or 3 eggs?

dLj · Feb 11, 2022

RoyS said:
My ancient galley stove has gimbals that are supposed to keep it level if the boat is heeling or not sitting level when anchored. These work to some degree. When cooking while anchored on the stove top using a fry pan there is no way to keep the pan level fore and aft. This annoys me when I am cooking, say, eggs as I end up with everything sliding to one end of the pan. Has anyone found or invented a leveling device to adjust the stove to near level fore and aft? I am thinking of a manual screw slider assembly on one of the gimbal sides that will raise or lower one side to achieve a near level stove. I am hoping that one of the creative folks here must have done this already.

Fore and aft level is typically part of the installation. The gimbal works for port/starboard healing. I have seen double gimbal stoves where it gimbals port/starboard as well as fore/aft. So I'd say you have to either change your installation or put in a double gimbal. Not too easy to do if it's not designed that way from the get-go...

dj

dlochner · Feb 11, 2022

Sounds like an installation issue, not installed level. Or it might be a boat trim issue. Put a level on the counter near the stove that will indicate which it is.

If course you could learn to like scrambled eggs then being level won’t matter.

Parsons · Feb 11, 2022

Agree with @dlochner - is it always in the same direction - the eggs move aft - or is it dependent on the trim? Could be the answer is to remove the stove (fun job - lots of finger pinching opportunities) and move the appropriate mounting bracket up (not down as it may not clear the bottom. Never heard of a double-gimble (learned something new).

When you re-install (or anyone else reading this) make sure your gimbles brackets are secured at the top so the stove will not come out without being unclipped. Lots of installers just put a U-shape mount in and set the stove down in it. Works fine as long as gravity is always down, but sometimes on a boat ...

jssailem · Feb 11, 2022

I understand a fully gimbled rig, Ii just have not seen one used on a boat burner or range.

Here is an image of the Force 10 gimballed cooktop. The full ranges are gimballed in a similar design. The cook top is oriented either fore/aft or port/starboard. It rotates in a 30º arc on both sides of level.

I have the range using a port/starboard orientation. The range moves to reduce the effect of boat heel when operating the range. To stop pans/pots from sliding, the range has pot holders that lock the pot over the burner.

When beating to windward through storm waves bow and stern will be rising and falling, there is no cooking. We rely on cold food to satisfy hunger. When we arrive at our anchorage, we treat all with a hot meal and a ration of rum.

jssailem · Feb 11, 2022

From a design approach it would be possible to create a single burner. You would need to support the burner inside at least 2 gimballed hoops. The would give you fore/aft and port/starboard rotation. But what if you were moving over the waves in at a 45º angle. The unit would need an additional ring to handle this additional angle.

While I can see the possibility, the practicability and control of costs likely would make this solution out of the reach of most sailors.

I found this review on Practical Sailor from 2019

The Boiling Point: Five-Way Single-burner Galley Stove Test - Practical Sailor

Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.

www.practical-sailor.com

JoeWhite · Feb 11, 2022

Deeper frying pan or pot may solve the problem.

jviss · Feb 11, 2022

It would be cool to have a hand screw on one side of the stove to adjust the height of the stove in the gimbal.

Benny17441 · Feb 11, 2022

Production boat designers might give you a stove with an oven but shortchange you in the space necessary for it to gimble adequately. it is like the airplane reclining seats, they do recline but only 2".

Tally Ho · Feb 11, 2022

RoyS said:
My ancient galley stove has gimbals that are supposed to keep it level if the boat is heeling or not sitting level when anchored. These work to some degree. When cooking while anchored on the stove top using a fry pan there is no way to keep the pan level fore and aft. This annoys me when I am cooking, say, eggs as I end up with everything sliding to one end of the pan. Has anyone found or invented a leveling device to adjust the stove to near level fore and aft? I am thinking of a manual screw slider assembly on one of the gimbal sides that will raise or lower one side to achieve a near level stove. I am hoping that one of the creative folks here must have done this already.

Is the boat sitting on her lines properly?

If so, you probably have an installation issue…need to raise or lower one of the gimballs.

The “adjustment screw“ is a neat idea, but not sure how to install it.

Greg

jviss · Feb 12, 2022

RoyS said:
Exactly! Height adjustment only needs to be on one side. Something that the gimbal attaches to and is able to slide vertically with a knob on a screw above to set the height. Raise and lower the gimbal on that side. Only needs an inch or so of adjustment to be adequate. I am kind of surprised that no one has made one that I can copy. Should come standard on high end boats, which are out of my league, of course.

I could certainly design and make such a thing, I have the design in my head already. But I'm afraid the market for such a thing would be like two or three.

I'll put it on my list, but know, my list is long!

jviss · Feb 12, 2022

Could also put a little level on the range somewhere, to make adjustments before you crack the egg!

PaulK · Feb 12, 2022

You could hold the pan level above the flame if it bothers you that much.

jviss · Feb 12, 2022

PaulK said:
You could hold the pan level above the flame if it bothers you that much.

Yea, and you don't need a toilet seat either, but this is the 21st century, after all.

Len Ingalls · Feb 12, 2022

Ward H · Feb 12, 2022

RoyS said:
Should come standard on high end boats, which are out of my league, of course.

The high end boats have cooks to hold the pan level so you have your eggs served over easy and centered.

I do understand your annoyance though. I just ordered egg rings from Amazon.

Len just beat me to it. "Beat" LOL

Galley Stove Gimbals

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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