The Smev 2-burner gas hob is the most common choice for UK campervan conversions. It's fitted by almost every professional converter and used in thousands of DIY builds. There's a reason for its popularity — but it's not the only option and it's not right for every build.
This review covers the Smev range, the alternatives, and what to consider before cutting a hole in your worktop.
Verdict
The Smev 9621B is the right choice for most campervan conversions. It's reliable, fits the standard cut-out, and looks good in a modern build. The manual ignition version (9521B) is preferable because you don't need to access the battery compartment under the hob.
If you have the budget, the Thetford C 242 is a meaningful upgrade with better hinges and piezoelectric ignition. If you want to save money and space, a portable Campingaz stove is a legitimate alternative for anyone who mostly cooks outdoors.
The Smev Range
Smev is an Italian manufacturer that dominates the European caravan and motorhome hob market. Their 2-burner hobs come in several variants:
| Model | Burners | Ignition | Cover | Width | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smev 9521B | 2 gas | Manual | Glass lid | 380mm | £130-160 |
| Smev 9621B | 2 gas | Electronic | Glass lid | 380mm | £150-180 |
| Smev MGS9522B | 2 gas + 1 induction | Manual/Electronic | Glass lid | 480mm | £250-350 |
| Smev 9421/2 | 2 gas | Manual | Stainless lid | 380mm | £100-130 |
| Smev 9721B | 2 gas | Electronic | Glass lid (black) | 380mm | £160-190 |
The Smev 9621B (electronic ignition, glass lid) is the standard choice. The glass lid doubles as a worksurface when closed, protects the hob from dust when driving, and looks clean in a modern van conversion.
The Good
Flame Performance
The burners have a good range — from a gentle simmer (low enough not to burn milk) to a strong boil. The flame is stable in windy conditions (important if you cook with a window or roof vent open). The pan supports hold pans securely, including heavy cast iron.
Gas Consumption
A Smev 2-burner hob at full power uses about 100g of gas per hour per burner (200g/hr total). A standard 6kg Calor Gas butane bottle gives you 30 hours of cooking — about 2-3 months for most van lifers. Propane (red bottle) gives similar performance in winter (butane stops vaporising below 0°C).
Installation
The Smev is a standard 380mm-wide cut-out. You cut a 370mm × 370mm hole in your worktop (the spec says 370×370, but check your model — some are 370×340). The hob drops in from above and is held by spring clips. Gas connection is a standard 8mm compression fitting for a flexible hose.
The Not-So-Good
The Glass Lid
The glass lid is the most common point of failure. The hinges are plastic (not metal) and the gas struts that hold the lid open weaken after 2-3 years. Replacement struts are £5-10 on Amazon and easy to fit, but it's a known weakness.
The lid can also shatter if something heavy falls on it (a pan dropped from a cupboard, a gas canister knocked off the worktop). Replacement glass lids are £40-60 and surprisingly fiddly to fit.
The Ignition
The electronic ignition (9621B) runs on a single AA battery hidden under the hob. It lasts about 6-12 months. When it dies, you need to remove the hob to replace it — which means disconnecting the gas line. Some owners drill a small access hole in the worktop to make battery changes easier.
The manual ignition (9521B) uses a piezoelectric sparker that never needs batteries but needs a firmer press to work. If you're building a van and can choose, get the manual ignition.
The Burner Output
The Smev burners are rated at 2.0kW each. That's enough for most cooking but if you want to boil a large pot of water quickly (pasta for two), it takes 8-10 minutes. A portable Campingaz stove at 2.7kW is faster. The Smev is fine for everyday cooking, not ideal for power cooking.
Alternatives
Portable Camping Stove
A Campingaz Party Grill 400 CV (£25) or Cadac Safari Chef 2 (£80) is cheaper, doesn't require installation, and can be used outside. Many van lifers use a portable stove as their primary cooker and skip the built-in hob entirely.
Pros: No installation cost, cook outside (no condensation inside the van), cheap to replace Cons: Takes up storage space, less stable on uneven ground, gas bottle is separate
Induction Hob
An 800W induction hob (like the VonShef Travel Induction Hob, £40) uses less electricity than you'd think. Running from a 2,000W inverter, you can boil a kettle or cook a stir-fry in 5 minutes.
Pros: No gas needed, faster than gas, safer (no open flame), no condensation Cons: Needs ~200Ah+ LiFePO4 battery bank, requires induction-compatible pans, inverter required
Thetford
Thetford makes 2-burner hobs similar to Smev but with higher build quality and better aftermarket support in the UK. The Thetford C 242 is the direct competitor to the Smev 9621B.
| Feature | Smev 9621B | Thetford C 242 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £150-180 | £180-220 |
| Width | 380mm | 370mm |
| Burner output | 2.0kW each | 2.1kW each |
| Lid | Glass | Glass (stronger hinges) |
| Ignition | AA battery | Piezoelectric |
| Weight | 7.5kg | 8.0kg |
Verdict: The Thetford has better hinges and no battery to replace. Worth the extra £40 if you can find it in stock. CAK Tanks and Leisure Plus both stock Thetford in the UK.
Installation Tips
- Gas hose — use a BS EN 1763 gas hose (available at any caravan dealer). Don't use a standard gas barbecue hose — it's not rated for the vibration of a moving vehicle.
- Gas locker — your gas bottle must be in a sealed locker that vents to the outside (not inside the van). The locker must have a drain hole at the bottom (propane is heavier than air and collects at floor level).
- Bubble tester — fit a bubble tester (Gaslow, £25) on the gas line. It lets you check for leaks without spraying soapy water everywhere. MOT testers look for this in converted vans.
- Cut-out dimensions — measure the ACTUAL hob, not the spec sheet. Smev's published cut-out sizes vary slightly between batches. Cut the hole 2-3mm bigger than the hob to account for thermal expansion.
- Sealant — use non-setting sealant (Sikaflex 512 or similar) around the cut-out edge. Setting sealant (no more nails, silicone) makes future removal impossible without damaging the worktop.
- Gas drop-out hole — cut a small hole (20mm) in the worktop surface near the hob for a gas drop-out vent. If gas leaks from the hob, it needs a path to escape (propane pools at floor level). This is often overlooked and can be dangerous.
