Forum Discussion

hinterland's avatar
hinterland
Explorer
Dec 15, 2015

Condensation & Propane Oven Use

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.

10 Replies

  • ktmrfs wrote:
    hinterland wrote:
    ktmrfs wrote:
    for every gallon of propane burned in the oven you will get about 3 quarts of water. Oven is likely around 30KBTU. Propane is about 85K BTU/gallon IIRC. so in three hours you've added about 3 quarts of water, into a pretty confined space. If the RH is already high inside, add the water from the oven, plus the water from perspiration, etc. and then let the trailer cool down overnight yes, it could be putting you over the edge for condensation.

    Now, do NOT worry about water vapor from the water heater, fridge, or furnace. for those ALL the water vapor goes outside with the exhaust.

    Now IF you are also using a portable non vented heater, that also is putting the same amount of water vapor/gallon of propane into the air. Doesn't make any difference if it is a catalytic, big buddy or whatever. If it is not vented outside water vapor goes inside.

    When we camp in the winter in oregon, RH is high, so we run a portable dehumidifier. We pull anywhere from 2 to 5 gallons of water out EVERY day.


    WOW, excellent information and just what we were looking for. Just realized this morning, the only time the condensation was over the top, was after using that oven for 3 hours or more. Then it hung around till next morning, and was on all windows. We always see a smidgen on bedroom frames, but not out of the ordinary unless there is a leak.

    Thank you so much.


    your welcome. glad I could help out.

    If you camp with power, stop by a big box store and buy a smaller real dehumidifier, something that holds a few gallons, should be about $100. Run that 24/7 or at least all day. it will take several gallons of water out every day and then you can use the stove and oven to your hearts content w/o condensation


    Thank you, we will be on the look out for one, if we get to the city. Sounds like we could really benefit from it.
  • hinterland wrote:
    ktmrfs wrote:
    for every gallon of propane burned in the oven you will get about 3 quarts of water. Oven is likely around 30KBTU. Propane is about 85K BTU/gallon IIRC. so in three hours you've added about 3 quarts of water, into a pretty confined space. If the RH is already high inside, add the water from the oven, plus the water from perspiration, etc. and then let the trailer cool down overnight yes, it could be putting you over the edge for condensation.

    Now, do NOT worry about water vapor from the water heater, fridge, or furnace. for those ALL the water vapor goes outside with the exhaust.

    Now IF you are also using a portable non vented heater, that also is putting the same amount of water vapor/gallon of propane into the air. Doesn't make any difference if it is a catalytic, big buddy or whatever. If it is not vented outside water vapor goes inside.

    When we camp in the winter in oregon, RH is high, so we run a portable dehumidifier. We pull anywhere from 2 to 5 gallons of water out EVERY day.


    WOW, excellent information and just what we were looking for. Just realized this morning, the only time the condensation was over the top, was after using that oven for 3 hours or more. Then it hung around till next morning, and was on all windows. We always see a smidgen on bedroom frames, but not out of the ordinary unless there is a leak.

    Thank you so much.


    your welcome. glad I could help out.

    If you camp with power, stop by a big box store and buy a smaller real dehumidifier, something that holds a few gallons, should be about $100. Run that 24/7 or at least all day. it will take several gallons of water out every day and then you can use the stove and oven to your hearts content w/o condensation
  • navegator wrote:
    We purchased the white towels at Costco and periodically wipe the overhead corners to combat as much of the condensation on the walls, this includes the overhead bins and the bathroom, 15 years and no mold in the RV and been fulltimers for 8 years.

    I spray the towels with vinegar and wipe away some times I also use a little lime juice.

    navegator


    Good suggestion, using vinegar. Our ceiling is not vinyl tho, it's a fabric type. Only Okanagan uses it I think, it's an added insulating type of ceiling. We really like it. We leave cupboard doors open, never shower without fan and roof vents open and even the bedroom window. Even making coffee in the am with the kettle, we crack a window, and same when doing dishes. It all helps.
  • ktmrfs wrote:
    for every gallon of propane burned in the oven you will get about 3 quarts of water. Oven is likely around 30KBTU. Propane is about 85K BTU/gallon IIRC. so in three hours you've added about 3 quarts of water, into a pretty confined space. If the RH is already high inside, add the water from the oven, plus the water from perspiration, etc. and then let the trailer cool down overnight yes, it could be putting you over the edge for condensation.

    Now, do NOT worry about water vapor from the water heater, fridge, or furnace. for those ALL the water vapor goes outside with the exhaust.

    Now IF you are also using a portable non vented heater, that also is putting the same amount of water vapor/gallon of propane into the air. Doesn't make any difference if it is a catalytic, big buddy or whatever. If it is not vented outside water vapor goes inside.

    When we camp in the winter in oregon, RH is high, so we run a portable dehumidifier. We pull anywhere from 2 to 5 gallons of water out EVERY day.


    WOW, excellent information and just what we were looking for. Just realized this morning, the only time the condensation was over the top, was after using that oven for 3 hours or more. Then it hung around till next morning, and was on all windows. We always see a smidgen on bedroom frames, but not out of the ordinary unless there is a leak.

    Thank you so much.
  • We purchased the white towels at Costco and periodically wipe the overhead corners to combat as much of the condensation on the walls, this includes the overhead bins and the bathroom, 15 years and no mold in the RV and been fulltimers for 8 years.

    I spray the towels with vinegar and wipe away some times I also use a little lime juice.

    navegator
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    hinterland wrote:
    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.


    I would avoid the Driz-air crystals, if spilled you will always have a wet spot!

    Go with a self contained unit(s) that can be recharged.
  • Drop by Walmart and pick up a hygrometer. Condensation forms when surfaces are below the dew point temperature.
  • Normal for propane just keep venting the RV. We use the vent hood anytime the oven is on as well as keeping the roof vent in the kitchen open.
  • for every gallon of propane burned in the oven you will get about 3 quarts of water. Oven is likely around 30KBTU. Propane is about 85K BTU/gallon IIRC. so in three hours you've added about 3 quarts of water, into a pretty confined space. If the RH is already high inside, add the water from the oven, plus the water from perspiration, etc. and then let the trailer cool down overnight yes, it could be putting you over the edge for condensation.

    Now, do NOT worry about water vapor from the water heater, fridge, or furnace. for those ALL the water vapor goes outside with the exhaust.

    Now IF you are also using a portable non vented heater, that also is putting the same amount of water vapor/gallon of propane into the air. Doesn't make any difference if it is a catalytic, big buddy or whatever. If it is not vented outside water vapor goes inside.

    When we camp in the winter in oregon, RH is high, so we run a portable dehumidifier. We pull anywhere from 2 to 5 gallons of water out EVERY day.
  • Water vapour is a by product of burning natural gas and propane.

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