Oven Fire

[dscribner]

I read an interesting article in Good Ol' Boat this week. A couple's cabin burst into smoldering flames that produced a thick, acrid smoke. When extinguished it came right back. Long story short, the fiberglass insulation between the inside oven and the outside box had become saturated with oils; cooking, fuel and the like. The oils were spits, spatters and spills that we all have over time. It finally reached a combustion point and ignited. The author was more or less a shadow boat and jumped on to rescue the day. A delectable apple pie had to be sacrificed (must have been Maine apples) to save the boat. The author then inspected his own stove to find a similar situation. So, all you folks out there sailing the big girls, take a few minutes and replace $5 worth of oil-soaked fiberglass before you splash and save yourselves your 35 seconds of fame on YouTube, unless you're close hauled at 9 knots.

Don

Biddeford, ME

 

[RobertLangdirect]

I read the OGOB Story this AM on my way to work. It seems to me pretty crappy design if grease and crud can infiltrate the insulation. But I agree -- check and be safe.

 

[Stu Jackson]

OK, nice to find an issue. How do you actually SOLVE it? That would help. Like: undo screw #3 on top right. Really, without having the GOB story, it would be helpful to have a specific solution, rather that "take your oven apart." I use ours, for scones in the a.m., but I would have NO clue as to how to take it apart. Any ideas? I've owned this stove for the 15 years we've owned this boat. Thanks.

 

[Ken Cross]

I'm guessing every oven is different. Most appliances can be figured out pretty easily in terms of taking it apart. It's a good warning.
Ken

 

[dscribner]

One of the perceived assets of a successful sailor is mechanical astuteness. I'd have to say "figure it out and save your aft." GOB can't possibly give specs on every stove out there but they can identify a potential risk to every boat out there. So, heed a friendly tip or not, your choice. This doesn't apply to me. I have no oven. I simply thought it was a good tip about something that I'd guess is severely overlooked. SO, ask yourself, are three screws and an hour of maintenance worth the life of your crew?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks for the tip. I stopped buying magazines, since they rarely have anything new. This IS new. But I'll be damned if I can figure out how to ever get into the insulation on my stove/oven without taking it off the boat and ripping it apart.

Yeah, I can figure out a few screws, but this one is beyond me, and I know how difficult it can be to deal with a newbie like me.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Bear with us here Stu. We'll get you straightened out..

 

[Ross]

I have dismantled a few kitchen stoves and I cannot imagine how anyone could wet the insulation with cooking fat as a result of poor house keeping/cooking skills. maybe if they spilled a pot of hot frying fat. Maybe a rusted through jacket on the top. I won't say it can't happen but I think you would have to be blind to have it get to that stage.