Maintenance of Appliances in R.V

 

Appliances. There are really only two highly visible appliances in most RVs: the range and the refrigerator. The water heater and furnace are usually hidden in cabinets, but should not be ignored. Regular maintenance is required on all appliances to keep the functioning properly as well as looking good. RV ranges sometimes have ovens and sometimes are just cook tops. In either case, routine cleaning is needed to keep them looking good and working well.

 If you've been doing your post-trip clean-up properly of your R.V appliances, little cleaning will be required. The oven can be cleaned with a conventional oven cleaner. The stove top can usually be cleaned with a good all-purpose household cleaner. You may need steel wool to clean the burners. Make sure to clean the openings around the edge as well as polishing the top surface. Spills sometimes clog the openings and degrade cooking performance and efficiency.

The refrigerator needs cleaning both inside and in the back. Clean the inside of the fridge with an all-purpose household cleaner. I like to finish up by wiping mine down with a good glass cleaner with ammonia to help eliminate odors and prevent mold and mildew. Be sure to clean the door seals and the surfaces they mate to in order to maintain a good seal. Open the back side of the refrigerator (on the outside of your RV) and clean dust and debris that may have accumulated in the cabinet.

 Carefully remove the burner assembly and clean it. Take care to reinstall it exactly in its original position. Inspect the chimney above the burner to be sure there are no bird or animal nests in it. Brush off the coils. Dirt and dust accumulated there will have a negative effect on cooling efficiency.

The furnace usually needs little maintenance. Check the outside vents to be sure they are clear and free from insect or animal nests. Make sure all inside vents are clear and not covered by rugs or furniture. If you have access to heat runs through cabinets or under the dinette, make sure they aren't kinked or flattened. Servicing of the hot water heater is best done during Spring Cleaning when you are de-winterizing your RV. At this time the water heater should still be empty. Remove the plug on the outside of the water heater and run a little water into it until it drains out the opening. The opening is usually a little above the bottom of the tank so you'll need to siphon out the last little bit of water using a short piece of plastic tubing. You can also use a piece of tubing attached to an air hose to blow out the last of the water and any debris that remains in the tank.

You should turn any winter bypass valves to the normal position, then allow the hot water heater to be sanitized along with the rest of your water system. Inspect the pressure relief valve on the back of the water heater. If there are signs that it has been leaking, it may need to be replaced. Inspect the burner and if there is any dirt or debris present or it appears damaged, remove it and clean and/or replace it if necessary. Turn on the main propane valve and start the water heater. It should start up quickly and should have a bright blue flame. If the flame is yellow or sputters, you may need to have it repaired and adjusted by a qualified RV technician.