Pilot light in 3400rl 2010

[Peg Jack]

For you full & long timers - I hate lighting the pilot on the oven. You need 4 hands and also to be able to get on your knees. If you just leave it on, does it use a lot of propane? Any suggestions?

[bncinwv]

I think there are quite a few folks who do exactly as you state, leaving the pilot on. I have also tried to convince the DW that this is much better than having to re-light the pilot, but evidently have not been convincing enough. I would think that the propane usage would be a very small amount.
Bingo

[Art-n-Marge]

There is nothing wrong with leaving the pilot on. Just like back when my mom had a pilot stove that remained on 24/7 the amount of gas used is very minimal.

Full-timing or short-timing, if you plan to use the oven, light the pilot and fuhged-aboud-it. When turning off the oven LEAVE it on the Pilot setting or you'll be contorting yourself again.

[uhftx]

Why can't they extend the sparker circuit (like for the top burners) to the oven?

It would save the hassle of getting down on our hands and knees and lighting the pilot.

[richfaa]

It is A safety code, so we are told, that the oven pilot not be left on as if it goes out in the confined space of a 5th wheel there could be a big boom. not to mention deadly. wife rarely uses the oven.

[CBTraveler]

I installed a Brinkman BBQ starter repair kit in our 3400RL and it works great. If I remember correctly the cost was about $20 from a Midwest BigBox store (Menards). The only tricky part was getting the "spark plug" properly installed so it would not arc to the wrong place. It's important to note that it takes a long time for the propane to get to the pilot light outlet. We usually turn on a burner for a few seconds to get the flow going, but it still sems like a long time. The 3400RL's kitchen island makes it difficult to orient my old, stiff joints properly to hold the match or fire starter, so this fix is really helpful

[jpkelpe]

When we complained about this to Keystone reps at the rally the comment was from them something to the effect of "You will like what is coming" so............

[Art-n-Marge]

I have used this method, too when first getting into camp and don't feel like contorting.

Like was mentioned prior, it could take a while for the propane to "arrive" when first setting up the rig but starting all burners on the stove to ensure the propane is in the lines is a good idea. Then turn off the burners and turn the oven to about 300 degrees, then light the oven burner using a long starter (so you don't have to contort). It might still take a while to turn on but it would have been longer if you had not started the burners. Then when the oven lights (close the oven door) and let it run for about 30-60 seconds. Then turn it off to the Pilot position - this will have warmed up the pilot to keep it lit. This uses more propane than the contortion method but it's an option to consider.

I got this method, back in the olden days, from my Mom relighting the pilot in the old range she used before I finally bought her one with electronic ignition.

One of these days they'll have electronic igniters. The problem is that in an RV for safety reasons the pilot flame is needed to restart an oven when it tries to relight. It uses very little propane, but an igniter like what is used in our stick house with our more modern appliances and ample electricity uses a lot of power to restart the oven burner and with rigs not always able to provide consistent power they don't want propane spewing out without a flame to ignite it.

Paul and Jan - when you finally hear about "what's coming" let us know, then I'll have to decide to contort, use Mom's relight-the-pilot method or buy a new range.

[colopair]

As I'm living by myself while my wife is recovering from a stroke I found it virtually impossible to light the pilot due to my size. It finally dawned on me that you could remove the bottom solid "shelf" of the oven (push firmly back and lift up) and take off the "flame" diffuser (small wing nut on the top). You can then access the pilot directly and presto the problem is solved. Worked for me.

[Art-n-Marge]

That is clever, but then do you put it all back together REAL quick so it's still cool enough to the touch? For us who don't like to use too much propane this seems like a suitable option, as long as our ovens are set up this way. I'm gonna have to check this out. While I am able to contort, it's getting harder and harder, but DW loves her oven and I love eating whatever she makes so it's on my regular setup routine.

Best of "Get Wells" to your wife, colopair. We wish you all the best towards recuperation and recovery.

[colopair]

I didn"t notice any heat at all while putting it back together. It is really quite simple. The only problem was in realizing how much pressure toward the back of the oven it took to get the bottom shelf to release from the catch. I am assuming that the ovens are basically the same in all models. There is a picture in the oven manual that shows how the catch works. Simple!