Oven burning really rich - all of a sudden?

[59er]

Our Magic Chef oven ('64) has just started burning really rich (unburnt, black soot on the inside of the door and glass) on this last trip...?

this is our fourth trip out and it has performed perfectly on the previous trips. this is the first trip we've taken where the temps got near or below freezing but I'm not sure if that's a factor or not?

is there an air/fuel mixture adjustment on the oven like there is on the cooktop and water heater?

thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 59er

Our Magic Chef oven ('64) has just started burning really rich (unburnt, black soot on the inside of the door and glass) on this last trip...?

this is our fourth trip out and it has performed perfectly on the previous trips. this is the first trip we've taken where the temps got near or below freezing but I'm not sure if that's a factor or not?

is there an air/fuel mixture adjustment on the oven like there is on the cooktop and water heater?

thanks

Two things to check.

First, make sure the LPG pressure is between 11 and 13 inches of water column pressure. 12 to 12.5 is preferred.

Second, you should find an air adjustment on the burner.

Before ny work is started on any LPG appliance, the pressure "MUST" be correct.

Andy

[59er]

how is the pressure checked?

[Druupy]

Easy quik fix.
turn on one of the burners on the stovetop.
get a glass or cup of warm almost hot water..
go outside and pour the water slowly on the regulator between the propane tanks.
If it clicks semi-loudly once, you are fixed.
Ice inside the regulator.

it happens mostly when air temp is 33-38 and relative humidity is above 60 percent. outside air is where the "HEAT" comes from, that turns liquid propane into gaseous propane. Dew-frost coats the outside of the regulator and works as a really good insulator. Think Igloo.

So if there is not enough "HEAT" inside the regulator, any trace water vapor in the propane, yes there is water vapor in your propane tank, ices the inside of your regulator. Make it no workey.

In a pinch you can use coffee from the thermos to deice the regulator.
But, be aware, the wastefull missuse of coffee is frowned upon.

[Excella CM]

Check for a spiderweb in the main burner jet.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by 59er

how is the pressure checked?

Forrest had a great solution in this thread: HELP!! Furnace frustration!

Tom

[jcanavera]

I'd also bet that you have a spider web in the jet which feeds the main burner. It doesn't take much to restrict the air flow. I cleaned out one on a water heater on a rally. The water heater was sooting big time, and the cobweb in the tube was very small.

Jack

[59er]

got it.

turned out to be the air adjustment on the main burner. looks like it was blocking all of the air.

also adjusted back the secondary pilot light (whose adjuster screw was hidden behind the oven knob and bezel?).... it had a huge flame.

all better now.

thanks.