Using the gas stove top to heat van

dieseltojo · Senior Member

RE: Using the gas stove top to heat van

landy · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

landy wrote:
Apologies to all for going off subject, But Peter and Margret could you please tel me what brand your diesel heater is I have often thought about the possibility of also heating the water with the diesel heater.
Landy
We have a Webasto Thermotop E.
https://www.webasto.com/fileadmin/webasto_files/documents/country-folder/australia/rv/Data-Sheet/australia-rv-caravan-heating-thermo-top/australia-rv-caravan-heating-thermo-top-c-data-sheet.pdf
It heats glycol (car radiator fluid) and pumps it to fan powered radiators for central heating and to a heat exchanger inside the hot water tank.
We have 2 radiators. One for the bathroom and one for the rest of the vehicle. They can operate together or one at a time. We can even heat the bathroom (with the door closed) and use it to dry the laundry.
It is also connected to the engine, so the engine can heat the hot water while driving and the diesel heater can heat the engine for easy starting in very cold weather.
Almost silent inside (there is some minor noise outside from the exhaust as it starts up) and very versatile. Fuel consumption is minimal (250ml/hour flat out).
More expensive than a pre space heater, but we get more too. Self installed.
Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 7th of May 2019 10:32:05 PM

Thanks Peter that's very interesting.

Olive Oil · Senior Member

We wear a doona that looks a little like a poncho but comes down as far as your knees. It zips up the front to your neck with just your hands poking out. Sooo snuggy!

Probably sounds rather stupid but we've been using them for many years, they are very practical.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Wendy,
When we had our Eagle camper, I tried a suggested method of heating - "cooking" a terracotta plant pot on the stove. Result was the pot was better suited for growing plants in it than radiating heat!
So we bought a portable gas heater similar to that shown above & used it only to take the chill out of the air while the kettle boiled the water for our hot water bottles & then turned off. Campers such as the Eagle, Swan, etc are rather drafty at best.

Cotton blankets under the bottom sheet + HWBs + a doona + bed socks made for cozy nights - until one of us had to get up to visit the loo at the caravan park in Canberra in the middle of winter. Then with one getting up - it was better that both "went" at the same time.

Easy way of having a comfortable night - head up our way to North Qld, although on Sunday morning, it's supposed to go down to 10 degrees!

oldbloke · Guru

All LPG burning appliances produce at least some carbon dioxide or the more dangerous carbon monoxide. This includes gas cookers and ovens which in vans are not generally flued, This is why vans come with warnings that vans MUST be vented by the user when these appliances are used. This means opening a roof vent or a couple of windows perhaps an inch or so.

Remember also we dont generally cook for long periods.

In my view these heaters are no different to having a couple of gas cook top burners in use. And we do this daily.

Therefore if you ensure ventilation in the form of at least 2 windows (preferably at the oposite ends of the van) say an inch or two or better still the roof vent and only used for a short period when you are awake it should be ok. But an alarm would be very good insurance. Ventilation is the key here.

Nearly all deaths involve no ventilation. And never block the door vent. And with all of this ventilation it will not be very efficient.

Now i guess ill be told i should be banned for having a different opinion.

yobarr · Guru

oldbloke wrote:
All LPG burning appliances produce at least some carbon dioxide or the more dangerous carbon monoxide. This includes gas cookers and ovens which in vans are not generally flued, This is why vans come with warnings that vans MUST be vented by the user when these appliances are used. This means opening a roof vent or a couple of windows perhaps an inch or so.
Remember also we dont generally cook for long periods.
In my view these heaters are no different to having a couple of gas cook top burners in use. And we do this daily.
Therefore if you ensure ventilation in the form of at least 2 windows (preferably at the oposite ends of the van) say an inch or two or better still the roof vent and only used for a short period when you are awake it should be ok. But an alarm would be very good insurance. Ventilation is the key here.
Nearly all deaths involve no ventilation. And never block the door vent. And with all of this ventilation it will not be very efficient. Now i guess ill be told i should be banned for having a different opinion.

Hi Neil....seems your opinion is right because Carbon Dioxide is heavier than air,and Carbon Monoxide is lighter,so having both door vents and roof/window vents seems reasonable? Cheers

oldbloke · Guru

The main reason you have 2 vents is so that the air naturally flows in one and out the other due to convection air currents. A vent low and another high is usuallt best option. Decent ventilation is paramount.

Hylife · Guru

'cause you gunna die from dem bad juju gases fella.

oldbloke · Guru

Its just about managing the risk. (ventilation) If it was as dangerous as some make out, gas tops and ovens would never be fitted in caravans. They would be all electric. Oops what am I saying, 240v is far too dangerous, should ban that in vans too.

denmonkey · Senior Member

'Gas stoves and ovens are for cooking only.
They are not designed or intended for use as space heaters.
Improper use can be dangerous or even fatal'

devil's advocate and all. Is the process for proper and improper use, not exactly the same.
Turn on gas, ignite flame, turn off when done .
Simply placing a pot on top of the flame does not make it any safer than the same scenario minus the pot?

I have in the past ran the oven in the van before getting in. When I get in, I turn it off and open the over door.
Works nicely.
I wouldn't want to have it on when asleep though.

I've also ran one of those super center canister heaters in my van for 15 minutes whilst in there to take the chill off. Window cracked for ventilation.
No ill effects. I'm still completely normal me evileye

-- Edited by denmonkey on Tuesday 28th of May 2019 01:43:27 PM