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? asked in Home & GardenOther - Home & Garden · 7 years ago

Why do portable propane (Camp) stoves have CO warnings but not gas powered kitchen ranges?

Portable propane stoves (i.e Coleman) are convenient during a power outage but have warnings advising not to use in a enclosed space like a tent,home etc.

I understand the companies have to protect themselves from potential liability, but why don't home propane and natural gas ranges have the same warnings?

Whats the difference between the two?

Update:

Here's some links i found informative about appliance venting:

http://tinyurl.com/3y5fuo

http://tinyurl.com/lzu2thn

http://tinyurl.com/yfbmgzf

2 Answers

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  • 7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    The biggest difference is the design of the burner and fuel regulation equipment.

    A campstove has a cheap single-stage regulator that takes tank pressure, which can vary from nearly 0 to 200 psi and delivers something in the neighbourhood of 1/2 psi. these regulators are typically inexpensive and not very accurate. The burners on those type of stoves are typically of a crude design as well. This all means that fuel is not always going to burned completely or cleanly.

    An indoor range on the other hand has precision burners. It also has a precision gas regulator built onto it that precisely controls the fuel delivered to the burners. Lastly, the two-stage regulating system used on a residential installation is designed to deliver a precise pressure of 11"wc to ensure complete combustion of the fuel. These regulators are much higher quality and by themselves probably cost as much as a whole portable camp stove. These things make a residential range a MUCH cleaner burning appliance so it is able to achieve "certification" for indoor use. Campstoves are not rated or "certified" for indoor use because the emissions are too unpredictable. Ranges do not require venting.

    Source(s): 26 years experience in the propane business and a licenced gas fitter.
  • 7 years ago

    When there is enough oxygen, burning gases like LP or Natural only produce carbon dioxide and water. When you start using up the oxygen in a space and are replacing it with carbon dioxide and water vapor, the gas will not burn completely. The flame will then produce carbon monoxide, which is quite deadly. While you can use up all the oxygen in a tent or camper in a two hours, a home kitchen is open to other rooms and you would have to have it on for several days to use up that much oxygen. Kitchen stoves are mostly used for cooking, while Coleman stoves are often used for heating by cold campers.

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