Hi, our fridge has developed a problem, t's fine on 240 and 12 volt but when we put it on gas it has a blue flame but after it has been lit there is an awful smell and the vent on the outside of the van starts to blacken, has anyone any ideas, many thanks Tanya.
Electrolux Fridge Smell
- Thread starter Tanya_374247252
- Start date
Dont use the fridge on gas until you have had it looked, from what you are saying you are getting an incomplete burn, this causes high levels of CO hence the smell and blackening of the vents, probably due to either debrit on the burner, blocked jet or flue.
Get it looked at by a professional!
Get it looked at by a professional!
- Mar 14, 2005
- 18,998
- 4,221
- 50,935
I agree with Martin that the fridge needs to be properly investigated, but I'm not sure its incomplete combustion, based on the report the flame is blue, and the bad smell. This sounds more like the flue is partially blocked and what ever is causing the obstruction is oxidising producing both the smell and soot.
The fact is it needs to be checked thoroughly.
The fact is it needs to be checked thoroughly.
Tanya first DO NOT use it on gas until it has been checked out.
5 years ago I had a fridge catch fire when it was on gas.I had noticed a strange plastic burning smell earlier. Fortunately I was near the caravan working at a Motorsport event, alerted by the smoke alarm, I returned to the van to see smoke & Flames from the fridge vents and under the wheelbox. I put this fire out with a larger than usual Foam extinguisher. Only damage was the rear of the fridge was Toast and a big hole burnt through the wheelbox.
Insurance claim went in. obtained 3 quotes for repairs including a new Fridge and wheel box and outer fridge grills.
I was present to examine the cause when the fridge was removed. The engineer and I decided that there was an obstruction in the burner tube which caused a small flame to set fire to the nylon condense collector tray at the back of the fridge.
It may be well worth you having a quick look at your condense tray by removing your lower outer grill to check for signs of burning.
Oh yes Prof John I have the pics.
5 years ago I had a fridge catch fire when it was on gas.I had noticed a strange plastic burning smell earlier. Fortunately I was near the caravan working at a Motorsport event, alerted by the smoke alarm, I returned to the van to see smoke & Flames from the fridge vents and under the wheelbox. I put this fire out with a larger than usual Foam extinguisher. Only damage was the rear of the fridge was Toast and a big hole burnt through the wheelbox.
Insurance claim went in. obtained 3 quotes for repairs including a new Fridge and wheel box and outer fridge grills.
I was present to examine the cause when the fridge was removed. The engineer and I decided that there was an obstruction in the burner tube which caused a small flame to set fire to the nylon condense collector tray at the back of the fridge.
It may be well worth you having a quick look at your condense tray by removing your lower outer grill to check for signs of burning.
Oh yes Prof John I have the pics.
Martin_E said:
On a small technical point, CO is colourless and odourless, so certainly won't be causing any smell or blackening of anything.
Moreover, the implication of your comment is that the absence of smell or discolouration implies an absence of CO, which I'd like to clarify is a dangerous false assumption to make.
Jules_ht said:
Not at all, the points that the op pointed out in every case that I have been to have proved with a Kane meter that CO was high, I never in my post stated that if there was no blackening/discoloration or smell that there was an absence of CO, that would just be silly, a bit like saying if there is no hiss there is no gas leak.
So please dont imply/put words in my mouth
You implied, whether intentionally or not, a link between CO and smells/discoloration. For others who may not be as educated as your good self, that is a dangerous link to make. Hence the clarification.
I fully agree that smell has nothing to do with the presence of CO or not, discoloration certainly has.
While then smell is often spoke of, Soot is produced by an incomplete burn and it is this causing black streaks above flue outlets, it is therefore generally the first positive visual alarm something is amiss.
In the case of a fridge, I would wager a spider took up residence in the flue pipe over winter and it's left over bedding is the cause of this particular problem.
While then smell is often spoke of, Soot is produced by an incomplete burn and it is this causing black streaks above flue outlets, it is therefore generally the first positive visual alarm something is amiss.
In the case of a fridge, I would wager a spider took up residence in the flue pipe over winter and it's left over bedding is the cause of this particular problem.
Facebook
Twitter