Propane Oven Use and Condensation

[hinterland]

We wonder if using the propane oven is causing any condensation issues for anyone? It looks like whenever we use it, for a roast or ribs, that say take 2-3 hours on low, the place gathers moisture more than normal.

We stay on top of moisture, by cracking a window, and running our fan a couple times a day. We also use the black bowls with dry-air in them to collect condensation. But, when using the oven, it's on all the windows, even next morning.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by hinterland

We wonder if using the propane oven is causing any condensation issues for anyone? It looks like whenever we use it, for a roast or ribs, that say take 2-3 hours on low, the place gathers moisture more than normal.
We stay on top of moisture, by cracking a window, and running our fan a couple times a day. We also use the black bowls with dry-air in them to collect condensation. But, when using the oven, it's on all the windows, even next morning.

hinterland
Using any propane appliance that does not burn OS air and send the exhust to the outside of a RV adds humidity to the air inside the RV.
(BTW, so does breathing, showering and cooking with electrical appliances, but to a lesser extent).
I find that "continuously running" an exhust fan/roof vent helps to some extent.
Mel
'96 Safari

[shane772]

what mel s said . . . and this year we bought a de-humidifier since we are living in it all winter long. It works REALLY well!

[1bigmess]

Combustion almost always produces moisture vapor.

[hinterland]

Originally Posted by mel s

hinterland
Using any propane appliance that does not burn OS air and send the exhust to the outside of a RV adds humidity to the air inside the RV.
(BTW, so does breathing, showering and cooking with electrical appliances, but to a lesser extent).
I find that "continuously running" an exhust fan/roof vent helps to some extent.
Mel
'96 Safari

Thank you, we are learning something every day!

[hinterland]

Originally Posted by shane772

what mel s said . . . and this year we bought a de-humidifier since we are living in it all winter long. It works REALLY well!

What kind of dehumidifier? Are you in warm climate or cold? Thanks for the reply.

[shane772]

Originally Posted by hinterland

What kind of dehumidifier? Are you in warm climate or cold? Thanks for the reply.

We bought GE model: ADEL50LR. We are in Oklahoma, it's been a pretty mild winter so far, dropping into the 20's only a few times. We had moisture inside our windows and on the walls when it dropped that low. Since running the dehumidifier it has cured those issues.

[jpharley]

Dual pane windows do seem to help this from occurring. This is one of the reasons we have them. We had a travel trailer where the walls and windows were dripping with condensation. Opening a vent and running a fan did not help.

[hinterland]

Went yesterday to Home Hardware and bought a dehumidifier, 20 pints model. So far, it is taking moisture out of the air. Pulled the mattress out from the wall, even tho I had sunshades from the vehicle department store between wall and bed, there was 3" of moisture. Also under the mattress where your upper body lies, moisture between the mattress and plywood, I'd also had sunshade there!
So we put foam board, in these spots and will try that tonight.

[1bigmess]

Where are you? Warmer and humid outside? Moderate and humid outside? Warm and dry but you don't ever open up the camper for fresh air? Cold and dry and you never open the camper up for fresh air?

I'm in the California high desert. Cold at night, sometimes well down into the twenties, but zero condensation problems.

Water leak maybe? Old(er) camper that doesn't ventilate well unless every window and the door is open all at the same time?

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by shane772

what mel s said . . . and this year we bought a de-humidifier since we are living in it all winter long. It works REALLY well!

We have a dehumidifier similar to Shane772 which we use the winter months when the coach is buttoned up and the heat is on. In the Summer, the AC functions as a dehumidifier in itself (hence the condensate running out of the roof AC units) so an additional dehumidifier isn't needed.

Ours is a by Soleusair, it has a 25 pint collection tub for condensate, and you can program it for a specific % of humidifier as a target. It will come on and go off periodically as needed to achieve that % level. A MUST HAVE in our opinion if living in in the Winter!

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Ditto on the dual pane windows as well. Although any dehumidifier requires on-board 110AC power to run!

[hinterland]

Southern BC Interior, gets down to 6 below C, and some snow.

[1bigmess]

The combination of very cold outside and the humidity you are making inside is what is causing your condensation problem. You probably never open your camper to the outside air, which below freezing, even if it's snowing, would be fairly dry.

If you essentially refuse to open some vents for air exchange while cooking, cleaning, etc., then the dehumidifier is your only good choice. Those little buckets with chemicals couldn't keep up with the humidity I would make from cooking, showering, etc., so I would have to open two windows or vents and turn the furnace up.

Your summers are probably humid, too. Running the air conditioner (if you have one) removes humidity, and so will the dehumidifier.

I'm guessing you are on shore power, at least hoping you are, as running a gennie almost 24/7 isn't something I would look forward to.

I hope things dry out for you before the camper occupants mold.