Carbon Monoxide and.....

[Bones]

I have been trying to find out why cookers release CO, and although I have searched, I haven't found anything specific and wondered if you could all satisfy my curiosity.

[Chris J W]

This may help ... British Gas Safety Site

[greywolf]

As far as i am aware all forms of burning requires a source of oxygen, the oxygen combines with the carbon produced by the fire forming carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.If i rember my chemistry from years ago.

[anhar]

I have been trying to find out why cookers release CO, and although I have searched, I haven't found anything specific and wondered if you could all satisfy my curiosity.

Here's a quote from Wikipedia regarding propane:

 

Propane undergoes combustion reactions in a similar fashion to other alkanes. In the presence of excess oxygen, propane burns to form water and carbon dioxide.

 

C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O + heat

When not enough oxygen is present for complete combustion, propane burns to form water and carbon monoxide.

 

2C3H8 + 7O2 → 6CO + 8H2O + heat

 

Thus it appears to be only when there is insufficient oxygen that CO is formed in a propane burning cooker.

 

regards

Steve

Edited November 2, 2007 by anhar

[Bones]

so carbon monoxide testers in the kitchen will register low levels of CO when the cooker is in use?

[Chris J W]

so carbon monoxide testers in the kitchen will register low levels of CO when the cooker is in use?

 

I would say "Yep!" Just ensure you follow the instructions for the particular model (whilst I've never looked there may one specific for kitchens?) and you'll be fine.

[Yoda]

Not in a properly ventilated situation.

[Bones]

I would say "Yep!" Just ensure you follow the instructions for the particular model (whilst I've never looked there may one specific for kitchens?) and you'll be fine.

Good. That is what I thought, but I couldn't work out why... thanks for the calculations Anhar.

Not in a properly ventilated situation.

Hmmm..... mine is.

[bottle]

Hi Bones

 

All gas flames should be blue if you have any yellow this indicates incomplete combustion, it is also a guide that CO is being produced.

 

If you have yellow flames (full or partial) then the burner requires cleaning and/or maintenance.

 

Soft brush and vacuum cleaner will probably do it..

[Guest]

so carbon monoxide testers in the kitchen will register low levels of CO when the cooker is in use?

Ours has done ever since the detector and the cooker were new. Only low levels, but they register. Ventilation is OTT on our boat.

[blackrose]

so carbon monoxide testers in the kitchen will register low levels of CO when the cooker is in use?

 

If this is true I didn't know. I always thought CO was only produced if the flame wasn't burning properly.

[Yoda]

If this is true I didn't know. I always thought CO was only produced if the flame wasn't burning properly.

 

There is always a small amount.

[Guest]

If we are to believe the detector, then yes it is true. We find it is more noticable when using the grill, but is still present with the rings too. Promise I won't rant about "room sealed" nonsense.......

Edited November 2, 2007 by Guest