My mom uses our gas oven to warm the house up? Is this safe?

Question

When the house gets cold, she opens the oven and places a pan with water in it. Then she waits for the oven to warm up then she opens it. While I admit it gets the house really warm, is this safe? She didn't even buy a new carbon monoxide detector.

Answer 1

The ignitor in the oven will wear out much quicker. But the oven will NOT explode. And ovens don't vent outside even during normal use, so that comment about carbon monoxide is ridiculous. That would be a problem with NORMAL oven use if it were an issue.



It's better to not leave the door open - the heat will be heck on the dials above the open door.



But it's pretty safe. When it's cold, I find any excuse to turn the oven on, and it's going most of the day during really cold days, and we hang out in the kitchen. Been doing that for decades. It's fine.



I do have to replace the ignitor about every 2-3 years, though. Usually they last 10-15 years.

Answer 2

Carbon monoxide is an issue with any gas oven, some places now require by code, an outside venting system for this specific issue. There have been public safety warnings for more then a decade at this specific issue. While gas stoves actually used to be pushed/marketed for the extra heat they could provide. That was decades ago when I was young, many grew up that way so they believe it is safe, every year there are still a handful of deaths due to this.

Much of this has to do with the tighter houses that have been being built from the 70's on.

Answer 3

Good idea? No. Dangerous? Can be, but you already risk getting killed in ways you don't even think about (like not using a seat belt in a car). Am I gonna pass judgement on your mom, trying as maybe 'best she can to keep you all warm enough? Not a chance. You hittin' her up for cable TV, a cell phone, better clothes? Sure hope not. Etc. Things get real complicated.



Best is to use the home's furnace to heat the home, as that's what it's made for. It's way more efficient in doing that than a one-room hot-box like the oven, so will actually cost less money over time. If the furnace doesn't work, that's a different problem. The oven is built to cook food, so just use it (lots) for that. I wish I could "fix" it all for all of you, but get a grip, and learn more. If this is the worst that ever happens, you're lucky.

Answer 4

Not only is it not safe and a fire risk with open flames, it's very inefficent as the open flames use more gas to heat your home than running a furnace or gas boiler where the gas burner uses a heat exchanger and a fan blows air over the heat exchanger.



For instance most gas fires are only 15% efficent 85% of the gas burned just goes up the chimney to waste, compared to a condensing furnace at 90 % efficent.



Bettet to install a log burner in the lounge and everyone will feel the heat, can also heat your hot water via a heating coil.

Answer 5

Not the most efficient way to heat the house. Better off using the actually heater vs the oven



General if the oven is gas the heater is also gas. And will due a better job of heating the house up fast and cheaper.



You can also look at helping the house retain the heat by adding insulation.

Answer 6

While it's not efficient and may be detrimental to the oven, it is safe, contrary to the other opinions stated.



Why? Because the gas burning in the oven is no different than the gas burning in the stove top burners. Plus (and a lot of people don't realize this) gas ovens vent to the room anyway.

Answer 7

**** no, it's not safe! And I can list numerous reasons why.

• It will produce Carbon Monoxide

• by leaving the door open, it will ruin the oven's thermostat that indicates when the oven has reached the specified temp therefore making the oven useless in the future.

• by leaving the door open, it can also cause the oven to overheat due to the above statement and go kaboom

• the oven will also burn off the oxygen inside your home making it difficult to breath eventually, unless you are also using your heater which takes air from the outside and brings it in.

• depending on the kind of appliance you have, there might be a flame in the back which is the source of the heat. If that flame went out and you weren't aware of it, your stove will continue to emit flammable gas. And all it takes is one itty bitty spark of static electricity to ignite that gas and destroy your home.

• last but not least. This isn't safety related though. Your electric or gas bill will sky rocket through the god damn roof. Is paying an additional $1000 a month worth risking all of the above and your life?





Jesus christ! I just noticed the part about the water! That's even more ******* stupid! That water will evaporate, condense inside the oven and guarantee to destroy the entire appliance and make it explode! Please take my advice and either convince your mom to not use the oven as a source of heat or go to/call up your local police station and tell them your mom is putting everyone's lives at stake.

Answer 8

Wear more clothes to be warmer. You can buy secondhand clothes cheap. Why waste gas? Gas might be cheap this year, but, as a long term habit, it will cost you a lot over the long run. It's better for kids to grow up with the habit of wearing more clothes and using less gas, to be prepared for any future where the cost of gas skyrockets. Try wearing two T-shirts, two sweaters, a jacket over them, with a hood, some long johns, two pairs of thick socks, etc. The more clothes you wear, the more slowly they wear our, because they protect each other from the things that make them wear out, such as snags etc.

Answer 9

The oven vents into the room anyway. Those of us of a certain age grew up with Dearborn heaters to keep us warm. The vent directly into the room also. There have been no deaths or explosions related to these practices

Answer 10

It is as safe as using the oven normally. It is not anywhere near as efficient as other methods of heating.

Answer 11

the best way to warm the house is to PAY THE BILLS! then just turn the heat on/up..its much easier

Answer 12

It is not a good idea. It is not safe.

Why not ask her to bake a cake or do a casserole or something instead of wasting that warmth.

Answer 13

My mom does this all the time, its safe. & Be grateful, she's at least keeping you warm, and caring for you.

Answer 14

No that could set the house on fire!!

Answer 15

I agree with clarissa

Answer 16

well get her an electric oven....i think you know why

Answer 17

Yes, but open a window a crack.

Answer 18

it should be warm by heater

Answer 19

If she is careful ,yes!

Answer 20

dont know sorry

Answer 21

Hell no!