Have just requested a replacement from Kidde. Never looked at the Kidde we've had in the TT but it sure looks cheap.Is there something better? The Kidde is a class 5-B,C and is 2 lbs and is the min. required by code. Maybe a larger one, with a gauge and all metal construction? Maybe another brand too? Bigger may be better but there won't be room for a 10 pounder plus it'd be heavy (I have one in our garage and it's def. heavy to handle). Maybe an ABC would be better (the A is for wood and paper).I don't know much about fire extinguishers. I think the "5" means it covers up to 5 square feet? That's kinda small? Mac McCoy the fire guy recommends one of the newer foam/wetting agent ABDK ones for RVs. Sounds expensive tho. My dad used to be the fire safety officer at a major hospital and it's about now I wish he was still around to ask, sigh.We also have an exterior door in the bedroom. Maybe take the new Kidde extinguisher and put it near the door? Maybe I should be asking about a new Kidde one, "am I feeling lucky today"?

myredracer wrote:Have just requested a replacement from Kidde. Never looked at the Kidde we've had in the TT but it sure looks cheap.I don't know much about fire extinguishers.Me neither but the replacement Kidde I received last fall certainly doesn't look "cheap", is a metal canister, has a metal nozzle, black plastic trigger handle, and does have a gauge. I guess I never gave it much thought as I've needed to use one but I'd assume Kidde knows more about these things than I do and therefore the one I received is suitable for the task intended. ;)

I said the same thing about Firestone when their 500 radial tires starting failing in the early 1970s. But they replaced all five of mine without charge.I believe Kidde is trying to fix the problem and I'll stick with them.

myredracer wrote:Have just requested a replacement from Kidde. Never looked at the Kidde we've had in the TT but it sure looks cheap.Is there something better? The Kidde is a class 5-B,C and is 2 lbs and is the min. required by code. Maybe a larger one, with a gauge and all metal construction? Maybe another brand too? Bigger may be better but there won't be room for a 10 pounder plus it'd be heavy (I have one in our garage and it's def. heavy to handle). Maybe an ABC would be better (the A is for wood and paper).I don't know much about fire extinguishers. I think the "5" means it covers up to 5 square feet? That's kinda small? Mac McCoy the fire guy recommends one of the newer foam/wetting agent ABDK ones for RVs. Sounds expensive tho. My dad used to be the fire safety officer at a major hospital and it's about now I wish he was still around to ask, sigh.We also have an exterior door in the bedroom. Maybe take the new Kidde extinguisher and put it near the door? Maybe I should be asking about a new Kidde one, "am I feeling lucky today"?Couple years ago read the label fine print on ours. They don't last long...as in seconds. We bought 2 more that are placed in bedroom and under kitchen cabinet. Added 2 smoke alarms also.

Don't know about cheap, but I can assure you they work very well. A couple of years ago I was coming out of San Antonio heading into hill country VERY early in the morning. All at once I saw something very bright at the passenger side in my rear camera. I pulled over and ran back to check. I found flames 3' high inside and outside the rear cap coming from the tail pipe area. A quick run to the front and the extinguisher and back to the back. I gave it a few good squirts and the flames died way back. After I opened the engine access I found a rag I kept back there for checking oil and other fluids had dropped to the tail pipe and ignited. A check of the area found that the paint was not even scorched. I got the extinguisher recharged at the next stop. Needless to say, I don't store rags back there any more.Just remember to check the extinguisher monthly and invert and agitate the powder at least monthly. These things work and work well as long as you take care of them. What they look like doesn't count.

As was pointed out, the "A" of an ABC extinguisher is for wood, paper etc, none of the portable chemical extinguishers do great with those. Water is your primary agent. Portable extinguishers are great for quick usage especially when you don't know the source of the fire, but on the occasions that it is wood based. Throw water. From when I taught firefighting basics. Fuels/sources of fire.A ,,,, things that leave an Ash.B,,,, boil, as in liquids, the only things that boil. Oil,gas,diesel.C,,,, Current, as in electrical current.

Better fire extinguisher than the Kidde replacement?

24 Replies

pigman1
Explorer
Apr 13, 2018
Don't know about cheap, but I can assure you they work very well. A couple of years ago I was coming out of San Antonio heading into hill country VERY early in the morning. All at once I saw something very bright at the passenger side in my rear camera. I pulled over and ran back to check. I found flames 3' high inside and outside the rear cap coming from the tail pipe area. A quick run to the front and the extinguisher and back to the back. I gave it a few good squirts and the flames died way back. After I opened the engine access I found a rag I kept back there for checking oil and other fluids had dropped to the tail pipe and ignited. A check of the area found that the paint was not even scorched. I got the extinguisher recharged at the next stop. Needless to say, I don't store rags back there any more.

Just remember to check the extinguisher monthly and invert and agitate the powder at least monthly. These things work and work well as long as you take care of them. What they look like doesn't count.
path1
Explorer
Apr 13, 2018
myredracer wrote:
Have just requested a replacement from Kidde. Never looked at the Kidde we've had in the TT but it sure looks cheap.

Is there something better? The Kidde is a class 5-B,C and is 2 lbs and is the min. required by code. Maybe a larger one, with a gauge and all metal construction? Maybe another brand too? Bigger may be better but there won't be room for a 10 pounder plus it'd be heavy (I have one in our garage and it's def. heavy to handle). Maybe an ABC would be better (the A is for wood and paper).

I don't know much about fire extinguishers. I think the "5" means it covers up to 5 square feet? That's kinda small? Mac McCoy the fire guy recommends one of the newer foam/wetting agent ABDK ones for RVs. Sounds expensive tho. My dad used to be the fire safety officer at a major hospital and it's about now I wish he was still around to ask, sigh.

We also have an exterior door in the bedroom. Maybe take the new Kidde extinguisher and put it near the door? Maybe I should be asking about a new Kidde one, "am I feeling lucky today"?

Couple years ago read the label fine print on ours. They don't last long...as in seconds. We bought 2 more that are placed in bedroom and under kitchen cabinet. Added 2 smoke alarms also.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2018
I said the same thing about Firestone when their 500 radial tires starting failing in the early 1970s. But they replaced all five of mine without charge.

I believe Kidde is trying to fix the problem and I'll stick with them.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 13, 2018
myredracer wrote:
Have just requested a replacement from Kidde. Never looked at the Kidde we've had in the TT but it sure looks cheap.

I don't know much about fire extinguishers.

Me neither but the replacement Kidde I received last fall certainly doesn't look "cheap", is a metal canister, has a metal nozzle, black plastic trigger handle, and does have a gauge. I guess I never gave it much thought as I've needed to use one but I'd assume Kidde knows more about these things than I do and therefore the one I received is suitable for the task intended. ;)

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Better fire extinguisher than the Kidde replacement?

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