UPDATED: Carbon monoxide alarm goes off while baking in oven

[danv1317]

UPDATE: After taking the TT to get some service done, it was found that the flap on the rear of the RV that vents gasses had closed. The FLAP is about 9 feet high from the ground, not at eye level, not even near eye level. The flap is made to be open, but also closed when not in use. This had closed and the little buttons that keep it closed were indeed flipped over it keeping closed. I never saw this vent before. The RV service tech said 99% of people he talks don't even know this flap exists outside the rig.




After dewinterizing my 29' springfield and cleaning the mouse nests out of the oven, i started cooking with the oven. Every time i open the oven, the carbon monoxide alarm goes off. I am starting to think maybe there's mice and/or a nest in the vent that goes from the inside the oven outside which is blocking flow. I looked into the oven but see nothing and can't tell exactly where they came in. Would the vent for this oven be on the roof or straight out through the wall and is this something that's possible?

Any other ideas?

[CavemanCharlie]

I never open the range vent for anything. I do use the oven sometimes but, I don't fry food on the stove top. I have never had the CO detector go off for anything.

[allen8106]

We never open our range vent when using the stove or oven and never have an issue with the detector. I doubt that is your issue.

[hohenwald48]

Like others, I doubt that is the actual problem but it might be. We use our oven and stove top all the time and it never sets off the CO alarm. Sometimes the smoke alarm on the ceiling but never the CO alarm near the floor. Our stove top vent doesn't even vent outside. It's one of those recirculating type vents. Not really good for much as a vent.

A properly functioning stove/oven shouldn't produce enough CO to set off the alarm. I think you need something adjusted on the burner.

[ReneeG]

Ok, well, maybe I'm a skeptic, but I'm not sure the tech solved the issue. Yes, please test by starting your oven. Our CO detector is in the bedroom up high above the closet door. The propane detector is at the back of the RV on the bottom of the wall by the floor and the fire alarm is on the ceiling between the kitchen and stairs to the bedroom. I have to admit that when we are out camping, I often do not undo the tabs on the oven vent hood outside vent flap (that's what it is), but since the stove and oven are right by the door, I will open the door just a little, leaving the screen closed. When it's too cold outside to open, I open the window just a bit, opposite the range. I've never had the CO detector go off, the fire alarm yes, when I cook some things so we set up a fan opposite it to fan it It's so sensitive that I scrapped the idea of having a toaster on board because just making toast in the oven causes the fire alarm to go off.

[Huntindog]

OK, it is the range hood vent. Yes it must have the little tabs unlocked in order for it to be able to exhaust cooking gases..... ALSO: another window or vent MUST be opened slightly to allow fresh air to enter the unit as the fan sucks air out the hood vent.

[enblethen]

Not sure how far down you can see in the vent area of range. Might try a good flashlight and see if you can see anything. It could be under the oven in between floor of range/oven assembly and oven liner.
I would be cautious about using it. Maybe try it at home and watch it so nothing catches fire.

[danv1317]

THey did find a mouse nest in one of the vents, but they didn't make it seem like it was obstructing anything. My carbon monoxide detector is in the bedroom on the wall, which is on the opposite side of the rig.

I haven't used oven since, but i'm going to keep a watchful eye on it.

[enblethen]

That sure sounds like the vent fan range hood outlet.
I don't think they looked at the range/oven. I believe they would have found mice bedding in that area between the outer wall and oven wall.

[ken56]

Isn't that the range hood vent? The tabs are to keep it closed when traveling otherwise yes, you are supposed to open them if you intend to use the stove top/oven. My toaster would set off the smoke detector if I didn't run the range hood vent but never did using the stove or oven set off my CO detector if I didn't run the range hood vent. I am not sure your problem is truly solved....future use will tell. How close is the oven to the CO detector? Mine is 10 feet away, so maybe it is a proximity issue. They are quite sensitive.

[danv1317]

UPDATE: After taking the TT to get some service done, it was found that the flap on the rear of the RV that vents gasses had closed. The FLAP is about 9 feet high from the ground, not at eye level, not even near eye level. The flap is made to be open, but also closed when not in use. This had closed and the little buttons that keep it closed were indeed flipped over it keeping closed. I never saw this vent before. The RV service tech said 99% of people he talks don't even know this flap exists outside the rig.

[hohenwald48]

MFL wrote:
"The carbon monoxide detector going off is one up high on the ceiling"

I am thinking it is normally the smoke alarm, that is closer to the ceiling, and the LP/CO is near the floor, hard wired.

Jerry

Agree.

Smoke detector is on the ceiling because smoke rises.
LP detector is near the floor because LP is heavier than air.
CO detector is near the floor because CO is everywhere and CO and LP share some of the same detector circuitry.

[allen8106]

danv1317 wrote:
After dewinterizing my 29' springfield and cleaning the mouse nests out of the oven, i started cooking with the oven. Every time i open the oven, the carbon monoxide alarm goes off. I am starting to think maybe there's mice and/or a nest in the vent that goes from the inside the oven outside which is blocking flow. I looked into the oven but see nothing and can't tell exactly where they came in. Would the vent for this oven be on the roof or straight out through the wall and is this something that's possible?

Any other ideas?

We had a similar problem but our niece was sleeping on the kitchen table because we had a house full. The stupid detector kept going off randomly at 3:00 am. Later she admitted she was passing gas. After looking at it found that the replacement date had passed.

[danv1317]

Going for service on wednesday! Will let you know how it goes . Also had issues last night with furnace not blowing hot air. Fan running, trying to light but no warm air coming out.

I've had the trailer for 2 years and haven't had any issues with it .

[Dennis12]

Take it to someone that knows what they are doing. Don't try to save a buck in a situation like this.