Community Forums

AndrewC · 10-08-2016, 03:32 AM

i will do dry camping this winter and i will like to know if it is safe to use
the oven of the stove to heat the coach mt stove is a Amana
thank you

Waiter21 · 10-08-2016, 04:23 AM

I've done it often, (not as the major heat source), but maybe take the chill off in the morning.

You must take safguards if you do this. Open a couple windows or roof vents to make sure you have fresh air. Oven will consume Oxygen and also generate Carbon Monoxide.

Get a Carbon Monoxide detector/alarm, they are reasonably inexpensive at the big box stores. Get the kind that has the digital display. (You should have one of these anyway, regardless if using stove for heat)

Do NOT leave the oven unattended or sleep with it on - There may not be any safeguards with the oven, i.e. oxygen depletion, flame sensing, etc.

Your oven and any ventless heaters put out a lot of water vapor,You'll see the condensation on your windows.

You might consider a vent-less heater that's plumbed into you LP system.

Be safe

Tha_Rooster · 10-08-2016, 04:33 AM

Probably not for reason explained in post #2.

Indy Glenn · 10-08-2016, 04:50 AM

Um.......the oven is designed to cook food, not for heating........

Nah - I wouldn't.

g

paz · 10-08-2016, 05:25 AM

safe to heat with oven

No! As stated, the oven consumes oxygen and also produces carbon monoxide.

The reason the oven is safe for cooking is that cooking is done with the oven door closed so the flame is only on part of the time. Therefore, the amount of oxygen consumed and carbon monoxide produced is relatively small. When the oven is used for heating, the oven door is open so the flame will burn full blast all the time.

For dry camping, get a high-efficiency, catalytic heater like the Olympian Wave or a Mr. Heater. Catalytic heaters are available in various sizes, they don't use any electricity, and they do not produce appreciable quantities of carbon monoxide.

The Olympian heaters are designed to connect to a low-pressure LP line in your RV (you can TEE off an existing line for your stove or furnace). Mr. Heater runs off disposable 1 lb tanks, but you can get an adapter to connect to the RV's LP system or a separate LP tank. If using a separate tank DO NOT store or transport it inside your living space.

It is recommend to crack a window or vent during operation the operation of a catalytic heater because even catalytic heaters will still consume oxygen.

OLYLEN · 10-08-2016, 07:05 AM

You have a furnace why not use it. If in a warmer area go without the furnace if in a cold area, below freezing set the furnace at 62-64, you need the heat in the wet bays. In the morning and evening use the Gen to top off and recharge the batteries and at the time run electric heaters. Be Safe!

LEN

twogypsies · 10-08-2016, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz

safe to heat with oven

No! As stated, the oven consumes oxygen and also produces carbon monoxide.

For dry camping, get a high-efficiency, catalytic heater like the Olympian Wave or a Mr. Heater. Catalytic heaters are available in various sizes, they don't use any electricity, and they do not produce appreciable quantities of carbon monoxide.

The Olympian heaters are designed to connect to a low-pressure LP line in your RV (you can TEE off an existing line for your stove or furnace). Mr. Heater runs off disposable 1 lb tanks, but you can get an adapter to connect to the RV's LP system or a separate LP tank. If using a separate tank DO NOT store or transport it inside your living space.

It is recommend to crack a window or vent during operation the operation of a catalytic heater because even catalytic heaters will still consume oxygen.

We used the Olympian propane heater and absolutely loved it. We never slept with it on though. Besides, we like a cold room for sleeping. The first one awake turned it on and within 10 minutes the motorhome was toasty. It's very economical to run.

vsheetz · 10-08-2016, 11:55 PM

First thing to get for sleeping is a good down comforter for the bed.

Then if you dont want to run the furnace (and I can understand why), the Olympian or a Big Buddy heater are excellent. We have a Big Buddy.

blang · 10-09-2016, 03:44 AM

Very good reasons (above) for not using your oven or stove to heat your living space.

Since you're "dry camping", I'm going to assume your question is prompted by trying to save battery life. If you use your on-board propane furnace, you'll find it uses not much electricity... certainly MUCH less than the electric heaters mentioned in the posts above.

jackfish · 10-09-2016, 03:55 AM

Get a vented catalytic heater. Then you won't be heating the outside and won't have moisture problems.

http://ventedcatheater.com/6.html

paz · 10-09-2016, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

You have a furnace why not use it...

LEN

Because the furnace will quickly run the batteries down if you are dry camping.

Excell · 10-09-2016, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz

Because the furnace will quickly run the batteries down if you are dry camping.

You are right .At -17 I had to start the engine to charge the batteries at 3:00AM . V10 idling for 1 hr not very efficient .The generator wouldn't start
because the batteries were dead . We got an early start that morning .

vsheetz · 10-09-2016, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blang

Very good reasons (above) for not using your oven or stove to heat your living space.

Since you're "dry camping", I'm going to assume your question is prompted by trying to save battery life. If you use your on-board propane furnace, you'll find it uses not much electricity... certainly MUCH less than the electric heaters mentioned in the posts above.

Olympian and Big Buddy are not electric heaters - they are propane heaters. Alternatives to the onboard furnace in that they don't have electric powered fans (that deplete the RV batteries).

Selah · 10-09-2016, 07:11 AM

It is absolutely NOT safe to heat an enclosed space with the oven. If you are going to boondock in cold weather you would be much better off upgrading your battery bank so the furnace will last through the night. Another option is an AGS. If your coach doesn't have one they are not that hard to install.