How to Manually Light an RV Oven, Furnace, Water Heater, or Refrigerator

Many newer RVs are moving toward electronic or automatic ignitions for their appliances. However, if you have an older RV, you may find that you have to manually light one or more appliances in order to use them.

RV forums are brimming with titles like "my oven won't light!" and desperate questions about how to light everything from the furnace to the water heater. Fortunately, once you've performed these tasks once or twice, you'll be a pro. Read on for our quick-reference guide to lighting all your RV appliances.

Lighting RV Appliances:

Help, I Can't Light My Pilot Light!
Manually Lighting RV Appliances
- How to Light an RV Oven
- How to Light an RV Furnace
- How to Light an RV Water Heater
- How to Light an RV Refrigerator

Help, I Can't Light My Pilot Light!

If the steps below don't work and you can't get your appliance lit, try repeating the steps again. (Sometimes it can take a couple of tries if you release the pilot knob too quickly.) If you still can't get it lit, it's possible your thermocouple is bad and needs replacing. You can typically purchase a replacement for around 10 dollars or less.

Manually Lighting RV Appliances

Important: A quick note before we begin—when dealing with propane, always be aware of propane odors in or around the RV. They could be signs of a leak. A carbon monoxide and propane detector is a great way to protect yourself and your family from dangerous gas levels.

Also note that when you arrive at your destination, or whenever you disconnect/reconnect your propane tanks, you may need to purge the air from your propane lines before your appliances will light. Fortunately, this can be accomplished by simply lighting a stove burner. Once it's steadily burning, that means you have bled the air from the lines.

Note that the instructions below should be used as a general guide. Your specific year, make, and model motorhome may differ slightly. It's always best to consult the owner's manual when possible. If you no longer have the owner's manual, most RV manufacturers make them available online (even those for decades-old models).

How to Light an RV Oven

When it comes to your oven, you have two options: you either learn how to light your pilot light, or you start learning to really appreciate microwave dinners. To light the oven and save the microwave for popcorn, keep reading.

As always, be sure to check your owner's manual for any specific instructions.

Watch now: Our resident expert, Jake, lighting his RV oven pilot light.

IMPORTANT: The oven should be off whenever you travel and at the end of every trip. You can also save fuel (and make sure you don't forget to turn it off altogether) by turning your oven knob to the off position after cooking each meal.

Turn Oven Knob to Pilot

Turn your oven knob to the pilot setting and open your oven door. Some knobs will allow gas to flow just by turning to pilot. Most, however, must be pushed in to allow gas flow. Make sure your lighter or match is ready to go—pushing the pilot knob for too long prior to lighting can cause a dangerous flare-up.

Light the Pilot

Reach back with your lighter or match and light the pilot. Keep holding the oven knob in. Depending on your oven, you may have to hold the knob for 5-30 seconds in order to heat up the thermocouple. If you let go too soon and the flame goes out, that's okay. Just push the knob in, relight the pilot, and hold the knob in longer this time.

Set the Temperature

Set the oven knob to your desired temperature for cooking. If you have to push your knob in to light the pilot, you can leave the knob in the pilot setting while you camp. If you have a model in which you don't have to push the knob in to light the pilot, the unit will leak gas into the oven as long as the pilot setting is active. In this case, it's best to turn the knob to the off setting after cooking.

How to Light an RV Furnace

When it comes to keeping you cozy on those chilly nights, your RV furnace is key. As always, consult your owner's manual if possible for instructions specific to your unit. Additional steps may be required.

IMPORTANT: Ensure proper ventilation when using your RV furnace.

Turn On Your Tank

Turn off electric power to your furnace. Turn on your propane tank, turn your fan to auto, and turn your thermostat to the highest heat setting. Let the fan run for a few minutes.

Press Pilot Knob

Go to your furnace access panel and remove its cover. Turn your gas dial to the pilot position and hold down the knob.

Light the Pilot

If you have a striker ignition device, press it several times. You can also light the pilot burner with a lighter or match. Release the knob and turn it to the "on" position.

If the pilot is not ignited, try again and hold down the knob longer this time. Set the thermostat to the temperature you desire.

How to Light an RV Water Heater

If you have a water heater with a manual (rather than automatic) pilot, you'll have to light your water heater once you reach your destination. There should be specific instructions included in your owner's manual or printed on the inside door cover of the water heater.

IMPORTANT: Before beginning, ensure that your heater is filled with water. Also make sure that any air is purged from the propane lines. Running your water heater dry can cause damage to the tank.

Press Pilot Knob

Make sure your propane tank is on. Open the water heater access panel cover. Turn the control knob to pilot. Press this knob down and hold.

Light the Pilot

Light the pilot with a long match or lighter, continuing to hold down the pilot knob. Hold the pilot knob for up to a minute. You should be able to see the flame once it lights.

Turn the Knob to "On"

Once the pilot is lit, release the knob and turn it to the on position. Set your temperature. Enjoy your hot water

How to Light an RV Gas Refrigerator

Like most appliances with pilot lights, you're much more likely to see this type of fridge in an older RV model. You'll want to make sure your fridge is level beforehand to ensure proper cooling and prevent damage to the fridge. Check your owner's manual for instructions to ensure proper function of the fridge.

Press Pilot Knob

You'll need to determine where your pilot knob is located—most are accessible either through the outside fridge access panel or inside the kick plate on the bottom front of the fridge. Turn on your propane tank, then go to the proper location as indicated in your owner's manual. Make sure your electric switch is off and your gas supply is on. Press and hold your pilot knob so that gas flows to the burner.

Light the Pilot

Continue to hold the knob while you repeatedly press or twist your striker or lighter rod (if you have one), which will create the spark to light the gas. You can also use a long match or lighter to ignite the flame. Continue to hold the pilot button for about 10-30 seconds.

Release the Knob

You should be able to see a flame or feel if the burner becomes warm. Release the pilot knob. If the flame goes out, repeat the above steps. If it stays lit, you're ready to go!

Related Products

Shop RV Ovens

Shop RV Refrigerators

Shop RV Water Heaters

About Amber S.

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

Written by: Amber S.

Updated On: 10/14/21

Mike

10/29/2023

I have an older RV Apollo 33 ft and an older Furnace pilot needs to be manually lighted, My problem is that after it is lighted and the furnace goes through it cycle and the second time the kicks on calling for propane the pilot goes out and the furnace fails to start again. When I light the pilot it will stay lite for it first cycle and shut down, but when it calls for heat again the pilot goes out & the furnace fails to ignite again is the problem. I'm thinking it is the gas valve or weak or possible limit switch?

Mike L.

11/14/2023

@Mike It could be any of those, to be honest. Unless you know what you're doing, we really recommend having your local RV center check that out for you. Propane appliances are nothing to mess with from a safety standpoint. If everything's not working right, things can go sideways really quickly...

Laura M.

7/19/2022

Hi all! I have a 1990 Winnebago microwarrior… how would I light these by myself? It seems like it’s not possible without one person to hold the button and the other lighting the pilot… am I missing something? Thanks!!!!

David B.

7/25/2022

Are you having trouble with a certain unit? What brand and model?

Mitzi

9/24/2021

I have a 2001 New Horizon 5th wheel and the toilet will not flush - water stays in hose going to sewer. Was flushing until a couple days ago- staying in campground hooked up to sewer - holding tank is empty- whenever you push pedal to flush - just fills with water

Les D.

10/20/2021

@Mitzi It seems there is a clog between the toilet and the holding tank. I guess there are a few typical remedies to consider. First you could try some gentle plunging, being careful not to rub the seal at the bottom of the bowl. Also, try putting dish soap and hot water down the toilet and leaving it there for 60 minutes to see if that softens up the clog. If that does not work, next you are going to have to probe the sewer line, starting at the toilet, with something like the Valterra # A01-0187VP Flexible Wand to see if you can break up the clog. Maybe the grand kids flushed a toy when you were not looking.

Jim

8/20/2021

I can not find a 1996 computer board for funace

Ronal O.

6/29/2021

Thank you for writing this post, it is really useful for me. Your instructions are very complete and I think very easy to follow.

Donald P.

2/28/2021

We purchased a Class C Day Break 23' Motorhome in Jan. The dealership gave us a walk through to show us where everything was. I am confused about lighting the furnace. I have a turn on LP switch on the control panel so I assume i have auto start. I followed the manel . I turned the thermostat on high and the furnace blower started running. I let it run for 3 to 4 minutes. I turned the furnace thermostat down and turned the LP on. I waited for about a minute and then turned the heat up as high as it would go. The blower started and I could hear a clicking like it wanted to start but no heat ever came out after 5 minutes. Please help me understand.

Jon G.

3/3/2021

If you followed the manual to the letter but it still isn't working then I would either have the dealership look at it or a local professional. As this article states, it could also be the thermocouple, but if this is a brand new unit that you just purchased I would think the dealership would want to help you out with anything that isn't working right.

Donald P.

3/6/2021

@JonG Thank you

Kim N.

12/13/2020

I have no spark at any of the hot water heater, furnace, or refrigerator. System is at full charge 12 v. No.click.at any device. 1994 fleetwood jamboree ralley 31 ft. Each item worked when.i bought it in spring , then refer went out (on gas) followed by furnace then hot water heater. Please help.

Jon G.

12/14/2020

It would be odd that all of that stuff would go out at the same time. Are you reading that you're getting 12V to your Fleetwood or have you verified that it's actually coming through to the rest of your system?

Kim N.

2/27/2021

@JonG Elect from house connected, Batts fully charged. No electronic lighter available to anything. All fuses fine. I'm lost.

Kim N.

2/27/2021

@KimN No power to any igniter. House pwr connected, batteries full. Propane full. All fuses look good.

See All (4) Replies to Kim N. ∨

George S.

11/18/2020

How can I light my rv heater I see no poilet machine to do so the access panel to it is outside but don’t see we’re to light heater

Jon G.

11/18/2020

You should have a dial or knob that allows you to control the pilot. Some are automatic while others are manual. Look for anything on or around that dial/knob for something that says pilot.

Jon G.

11/18/2020

You should have a dial or knob that allows you to control the pilot. Some are automatic while others are manual. Look for anything on or around that dial/knob for something that says pilot.

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