Need help with propane oven/stove

Hi everyone,

We have a fairly new - 6 years old - propane oven/range. (We're out in the country so we cannot get natural gas service.) Is it normal for the inside of the oven to be black with soot? I'm talking even the glass window is completely covered. And, sometimes my white casserole dishes have a sooty coating on them.

I am assuming this is NOT the norm. What can be done to correct this and what causes it? I sure hope it's not something that is a health concern as well.

Thanks in advance for any insights you can provide.

Beth Hand

 

Hello Beth. Welcome to the Gas Appliances topic and the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.

Chances are the stoves oven and possibly the top burners, have never been converted to burn propane. Meaning, the appliance was originally manufactured and setup to burn natural gas and never converted to burn propane fuel.

Now what needs to be done is to convert the ovens burner to burn propane. Which can be as easy as turning a set screw on the gas control valve. Or more difficulty having to remove the ovens burner orifice and install a propane orifice. Which can be obtained at any local appliance parts store. NOT an on-line store. A local retailer of appliance parts.

One method to determine if the oven can be easily converted to propane is or may be found in the owners manual. Owners manual likely will state which fuel type appliance was originally set up to burn. Additional info may be found on the manufacturers rate plate, which is likely installed on the stove. Look for it and read what it states.

If the top burners are burning with yellow flames like the ovens burner will be doing, producing the soot, then the top burners are also not set up to burn propane. Yellow flames and soot is the result of an over gassed burner. Over gassed meaning to much fuel to air ratio. Orifice for the fuel type must be installed. No other option based upon your limited details in the post.

Additional Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes, solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures, pictorials, schematics, down-loadable repair and or owners manuals, which may be available on line.

Retail appliance parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be also. They will need the make, model an serial numbers. Appliance parts dealers are an excellent source for original replacement parts. Dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.

***If and or when you attempt any repairs, "Be sure the electrical power to the appliance is turned off, before attempting any repairs. Always check for gas leaks whenever the appliance is moved and/or a repair includes any connection of a gas part."

Kindly use the reply button to post all replies, add additional information or ask additional questions when replies are posted. Using this method moves and/or keeps the topic back up to the top of the list of questions automatically and keeps all content on the same subject within one thread.

Repair and Owners Manuals:
Uncle Harry's Appliance Repair Manuals, Videos, and Training

 

Handycare I would say a bad regulator.

I would have a pro come out. This is not something typical homeowners should try to repair them selfs.

You should not have black soot.

Mike NJ

 

Where there is soot on a gas range, there is carbon monoxide. I would regard this situation as very dangerous and discontinue use of the range until it has been inspected and repaired by a competent gas repairman.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies. We will take them under consideration and let you know the outcome!

 

Typically oven burner orifices are "coaxial" type, which means the orifice hood is adjustable. For propane it needs to be closed down almost all the way. As mentioned above this should be done by a service tech who understands flame characteristics.

 

Hubby called the propane company to come out and check the pressure on the line. Found out the house was within limits but on the high side and the garage pressure was low. The service guy adjusted the pressures.

He came inside to check the oven/stove and finished the adjustment on the oven orifice to propane - it had only been partially adjusted. He also told hubby how to adjust the amount of fuel to the burners on the stove.

SO.... huge difference. Boiled corn and baked a cake and no smell and no raw batter in the center of the cake!

Total cost? $0

Thanks to everyone for all your advice!!!