Electric Fireplace Started a Fire

[hollebone]

A warning for those who may use fireplace unattended: ours started burning the wooden enclosure when blower motor stalled. This was just after having left the fireplace on all night. The oveheat cutoff did not shut off the heater element. I have removed the fireplace permanently and will never use one in an rv again.

[Country Campers]

YIKES! That is horrible news. Would you have any pictures of the failure point? Fireplace model? Model of your Grand Design?
Would like a little more information for this topic and for owners to look for.

Brian

[Scott'n'Wendy]

YIKES! That is horrible news. Would you have any pictures of the failure point? Fireplace model? Model of your Grand Design?
Would like a little more information for this topic and for owners to look for.

Brian

Yup, for sure. Would like to know what caused it so we can maybe do some preventative maintenance.

[ajg617]

Wow, we use ours a LOT. This is not good news. Please provide additional info on model/make.

[TribForce]

We use ours overnight and will tune back in for more info as well. Thanks for sharing this.

[Cate&Rob]

This is a single unsubstantiated report. Many of us use the electric fireplace heater regularly and we often use ours overnight. The originator of this thread has been asked for more information.

Rob

[guest2]

A warning for those who may use fireplace unattended: ours started burning the wooden enclosure when blower motor stalled. This was just after having left the fireplace on all night. The oveheat cutoff did not shut off the heater element. I have removed the fireplace permanently and will never use one in an rv again.

We had a 35ft motor home with a fireplace and it would make the cabinet too hot to touch. I disabled it after the first use.
By contrast, the fireplace cabinet in our 35ft fifth wheel stayed cool as a cucumber.
Different manufacturers 🤷♂️
Rich

[ajg617]

We had a 35ft Bounder with a fireplace and it would make the cabinet too hot to touch. I disabled it after the first use.
By contrast, the fireplace cabinet in our 35ft fifth wheel stayed cool as a cucumber.
Different manufacturers 🤷♂️
Rich

Well, I'd guess I'd like to know if Innoflame is on the bad list.

[guest2]

Well, I'd guess I'd like to know if Innoflame is on the bad list.

Unfortunately I don’t have that info since the user manuals went when the RVs were sold.
Only thing I can suggest is try it and see if the cabinet gets hot (while you’re at home of course).
Rich

[Jims94vmx]

My fireplace wiring totally melted. Turned on in the am and rig filled with smoke. I posted pics and contacted Grand design and the fireplace manufacturer. I asked if they wanted any of it back to see what happened. they offered my a 10% discount. To this day (2 plus years later) still have no idea. Thankfully the wiring was contained in a metal box on the fireplace.

[Jims94vmx]

From October 2021

[howson]

My fireplace wiring totally melted. Turned on in the am and rig filled with smoke. I posted pics and contacted Grand design and the fireplace manufacturer. I asked if they wanted any of it back to see what happened. they offered my a 10% discount. To this day (2 plus years later) still have no idea. Thankfully the wiring was contained in a metal box on the fireplace.

I've read posts like yours over the years. I tried to find a few yesterday and post links but struck out.

Additionally, (if I remember right) an issue with the fireplace's outlet drove owners to pull out the fireplace and inspect the receptacle behind (feeding) the fireplace for any signs of burning. I did this inspection, and even though it looked fine I replaced the "RV" outlet with a standard home-style in a metal outlet box that's secured to the slide floor. The thought process is the heavy power draw over a long period is too much for the small connections made by the "RV" outlet. We've discussed that hypothesis at length here on the forum in other threads.

[ajg617]

My fireplace wiring totally melted. Turned on in the am and rig filled with smoke. I posted pics and contacted Grand design and the fireplace manufacturer. I asked if they wanted any of it back to see what happened. they offered my a 10% discount. To this day (2 plus years later) still have no idea. Thankfully the wiring was contained in a metal box on the fireplace.

Do you remember the brand of fireplace?

[hollebone]

For those seeking proof, I have none. I am simply appealing to your natural self-preservation sense to NOT tolerate the use of a manifestly dangerous appliance while your loved ones are inside your RV. I myself am disabled, and had this fireplace malfunctioned 1 hour before it did, I would likely be dead, as I could not move out of my bed without assistance..I could share the make and model of the fireplace, but all that would do is demonize that company: it could be any fireplace that uses a heating element and blower motor.

[howson]

.I could share the make and model of the fireplace, but all that would do is demonize that company: it could be any fireplace that uses a heating element and blower motor.

That's OK -- send any of the moderators the information including the year, make and model of your GD. A VIN, too, please. I'll explain further by private message if you'll take the time to send me one.

Howard