When you’re not using your stove, does it bug you how much space it takes up? Space that could be used as a counter?
Recently, two readers have shared photos of how they created “removable counter tops” over their stoves and graciously agreed for me to post them here. Both are fairly simple DIY projects and even if neither one works perfectly for you, they may give you some ideas.
Que Tal had elaborate custom made covers for both the sinks and stove, but I almost never used them because they were really heavy and there was no convenient place to store them. And something that takes me 5 minutes to get out just isn’t going to used numerous times a day!
Both of these look to be much more likely to be used all the time. With either, be sure that the stove surface has sufficiently cooled after the stove has been used before putting the cover on. And in really rough weather, you should remove the cover and stow it where it can’t become a flying missile and cause damage or injury!
Maple Cutting Board
The first set of photos comes from Karla Vialle aboard Aria, who has also gave some good ideas on converting a hanging locker to shelves.

Karla bought a large maple cutting board that just fit the stove top, with a couple of inches still clear at the back. Then she and her husband added a simple cabinet pull and two boat hook hangers (link to to buy them on Amazon) . . .

and she can easily hang it when she wants to use the stove. She notes that it also keep the stove top cleaner!
Plastic Cutting Board
Annette Baker sent me this picture of her stove cover that was created by the previous owner of her boat, Magnolia.

This uses a white 1/2″ thick cutting board, with wood added to both ends so that it fits snugly in the stove top. The pre-cut hole makes it easy to pick up.

The wood on Annette’s was routed and apparently glued onto the cutting board, but if you don’t have access to a router, you could also use separate pieces of wood on the top and bottom and screw or glue them to the cutting board. One nice thing about using the white plastic cutting board is that it weighs a lot less than a thick wood board, making it easier to move off/on the stove numerous times a day.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Annette Baker says
Glad to contribute to this helpful article. Since I sent you the pictures of the starboard cutting board for the stove top we upgraded the stove to a shiny Force 10 and the cutting board top fits it as well. I like adding the hooks for hanging. Ours just sits underneath the stove or I use it on the counter top when I’m cooking.
Noel says
I have a force 10 3 pit, same as you I think .what is the size of the cutting board? like to make one but my boat is to far the measure
Carolyn Shearlock says
I sold the boat with the Force 10 about 15 years ago, so don’t know. But it’s pretty easy to measure what will fit inside the stove fiddles.
Sherry Day on Facebook says
I set the sink cover over the stove. I added rubber bumpers to each corner to lift it up a little and keep it from sliding. It still fits into the sink so I can change work surfaces with just one self-storing piece.
Nicole says
I have a 40ft 1995 sea ray sundancer and I’m looking to put a lifted cutting board ontop of the current stove.
Ronald A. Horton on Facebook says
On Sojourner we had a wood cover that was also a nice serving tray with side handles. The bottom had two ribs with notches in them to fit over the wire stove top grates. It was really slick. When not in use It would fit nicely on edge between the side of the sink cabinet and the companion way stairs. We also designed a folding shelf with fiddles to attach to the backrest of the saloon settee. Remove the back cushion and raise the shelf. Down it hides behind the cushion. The boat had no counter space. Worked on several other items. Dennis Schell will be doing the 1500 on his own boat this time.
Sue Fuller says
We use a white starboard cover for our stovetop available from Zarcor. Some great extra counter space when the stove is not in use.
Koko says
I’d like to incorporate this idea on my boat. I have a cutting board that fits, but I’m having a hard time locating hardware to hang it. The men at West Marine looked at me like I had two heads when I asked for “dock pole hangers.” Can anyone help me figure out exactly what the hardware is that was used for this project? Thanks!
Carolyn Shearlock says
Try “Perko Boat Hook Holder” — click here to see it on the West Marine site or here to get them from Amazon (cheaper!)
Koko says
Thank you… that should do the trick!
Kristi says
FYI – West Marine will price match, so they may be more convenient that paying for shipping, or even if shipping is free, there is the wait time for product to arrive. This is from their website:
Price Match Guarantee
If you find a lower price on an identical product at a local retail store, West Marine will match that price within 30 days of purchase.
We will price match:
Local Stores within 50 miles
Amazon, direct from Amazon only
Sale and regular prices before shipping, handling and/or sales tax charges
Retail prices for wholesale Customers
What do I need to do to get a price matched?
Make sure that the product you are wishing to purchase qualifies for our Price Guarantee.
Visit your local West Marine store, chat with an associate online or call 1-800-BOATING (262-8464) and let a West Marine Associate know you have an item to price match.
Provide the name of the competitor, the item price and the advertisement, store or online location where you saw the price.
The West Marine Associate will confirm the price of the item and that it meets all requirements for our price match guarantee, and match it.
Shereen says
On our boat the previous owner took with him the custom cutting board covers that came with the boat. Thus we measured and had custom bamboo cutting boards made for our galley sink and the cook top from:
http://www.cuttingboards.net/custom-sized/?gclid=CjwKEAjwn7e8BRCUqZiP_vnrtBkSJAC_lp4Hkhwq9yy5yJtrlCt_awuyv8wC4ySMN4D4XcKE0Eu5QhoCBzXw_wcB
They did an outstanding job and I would highly recommend them.
Jim says
Tap plastics cut my HDPE sink and stove covers to fit and rounded the corners. I drilled 1″ holes. The sink cover has a cutout to fill a glass of water without moving the cover.
http://sednahr35.blogspot.com/2015/12/cutting-board-counter-space.html
Donna Chiappini says
Carolyn, we have a Force 10 stove that my handy husband made a beautiful cutting board for from a $9.99 solid wood board we got at IKEA. He had to cut it to fit, varnish and seal and it looks totally custom. It sits perfectly flush and gives us considerable extra counter space. I’m happy to share a picture:
Lori Graham says
Here is my problem:
I have a wood cutting board that fits perfectly. And it fits in the space between the oven and the counter when not on the stove. But now that we are cruising I have the pot holders attached to the stovetop and it doesn’t fit down snuggling. And resting it on top of the pot holders is awkward. Plus it takes a lot of time to remove and replace the pot holders. So, I don’t have this extra counter space anymore.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yes, the pot holders can get in the way. If you made “legs” under the board, could it still fit where you want to store it?
Jean says
A small vertical piece of L-shaped profile on each corner of the stove, in order to elevate the cupboard higher than the pot holders ?