New to using a propane stove? If you’re not familiar with them — and particularly their safety devices — you can think that the stove doesn’t work when in fact it does.
Thermocouple
Propane stoves have a device called a thermocouple that shuts off the propane flow to a burner if it isn’t lit. This is very important so that if a burner blows out or if you accidentally bump a knob and turn the burner on (without lighting it), propane doesn’t flow or leak and create a fire or explosion risk.
Think of it as a tiny valve that opens when hot and closes otherwise (it will fail closed). It’s right beside a burner and the burner will heat it so it opens . . . and the burner thus stays lit. (NOTE: This is the non-technical description of how it works . . . it’s actually a relay to a valve.)
Okay, that’s great when the stove is lit. But how do you get it to open in the first place when you’re lighting the stove?
Push the burner knob in, light the burner, and keep holding the knob in for 5 to 10 seconds.
Pushing the knob in will open the valve, and you have to hold it in long enough for the burner to heat up the thermocouple so it will stay open. If you release the knob and the burner goes out, you need to hold it in longer on your next try.
Solenoid
The other safety feature to be aware of is the solenoid. It is — most often — a switch or push-button near the stove and there is usually a light to show when it’s on. It’s a 12-volt switch that goes to a valve very near the propane tank. The solenoid is normally closed (and it fails closed for safety) and is pulled open by an electromagnet when you turn the power to it on.
Almost all boats are equipped with a solenoid and you must turn it on before you’ll be able to light the stove. (Also make sure that the tank itself is open — it’s the screw handle on top of the tank. Turn all the way counter-clockwise to open.)
Basic Lighting Procedure
There are six steps to lighting a burner or the oven:
- Make sure the tank is on (and isn’t empty . . . ).
- Turn the solenoid on if it isn’t already.
- Turn the burner knob to the start position (if it’s  not marked and you don’t have an owner’s manual, turn it to high).
- If using a long-nose lighter, light it and hold it next to the burner.
- Push the burner knob in and hold. Propane will start flowing immediately (if using a built in lighter on the stove, start pressing it as soon as you press the knob). The burner should light immediately.
- Count to 10 and then release the knob. Make sure the burner stays lit and then you can turn it to the desired setting.
A Note on Lighters
Many propane stoves, especially newer ones, come with push-button lighters. Some work well; others don’t. Many require batteries, which can go dead. In short, don’t be surprised if the built-in lighter on the stove doesn’t work — on our boats plus all the trips I’ve done on charter boats and friends’ boats, only one has really been reliable.
Using a built-in lighter. You may have to press the button two or three times in quick succession. If it doesn’t work, release the stove knob and try again using a butane lighter. You don’t want to let propane flow very long without it lighting — it’s invisible but will puddle and be a fire/explosion hazard.
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Jorge Bermudez says
Any tips on what to use to test a propane fume detector ?
The Boat Galley says
You can use a butane lighter with the gas on but unlighted. If you have a butane refill canister (we have one to refill our burner for electrical shrink wrap), you can use that too.
The Boat Galley says
Obviously, you don’t want or need to release much gas!
Amy Domaratzki says
We have a 105mc so likely have the same stove as you. Any hints for lighting the broiler? Stove top and oven light easily.
The Boat Galley says
Um, I’ve used it. I’ll have to see.
Jonathan Caldwell says
When your propane match stick runs out of fuel, you can still use just the spark to light the stove. Put the tip of the match stick right on the burner. Release the gas on the stove and click the stick after one second.
Angie Morales says
I haven’t used our oven on the boat yet. I’m a bit apprehensive about sticking my arm into the oven to light the darn thing. Any tips?? Or “Just Do It” lol.
Carolyn Shearlock says
You’ll be okay. Just be sure to light the lighter before turning the propane on. That way there won’t be any propane collecting before it lights and it’ll be just like lighting a stove burner.
Randal Arthur says
Love your site, I notice you showed a pic. of a plastimo. I am installing one (Atlantic) on our Bombay. I would like to know if you or any of your readers could educate me or send me an email on how to operate the oven and dose it have temp. setting. Mine has the writing washed off and will bench test more before installing. Do you know where I might find a copy of the user manual…Have looked for hours on internet. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Randal Arthur
Anonymous says
Paul Batts is this like ours?