I'm told that when someone engages the services of a domestic cleaner, they usually give their house a thorough once over before the cleaner's first visit so as not to make a bad impression. As our Triton is booked in for a service during our post-Easter trip to The Wirral, using the same logic I thought I'd best give it a good going over so JohnE doesn't think I'm a total idiot when he eventually gets stuck in.

A couple of days ago while the sun was shining I was admiring the freshly uncovered caravan making a mental list of jobs to be done when I realised that I hadn't replaced the chimney capping after removing the protective tennis ball. Once that was rectified, I thought I'd check out the seldom used gas system to make sure that the pilot lights and burners were free from spider infestation and operating as they should.

After turning on the gas at the bottle, any air in the pipework has first to be purged before the pilot will light so, starting with the Truma 3002 fire with automatic ignition, I turned the thermostat to 11 and depressed the knob while the igniter clicked away of its own accord. It seemed to take an age but eventually, after I'd adjusted my line of sight until I could actually see the pilot flame through the inspection hole, the pilot lit. I waited the prescribed 10 seconds for the thermocouple to heat up and then released the knob upon which the fire roared into action. Excellent, thought I.

However, after about 30 seconds it went out for no apparent reason - so I pressed the knob down again for a few seconds.

When I did this there was an almighty BANG from inside the fire that left me momentarily stunned. Needless to say I legged it outside as fast as I could.

When I say that the fire went 'bang' I don't mean it made a wimpisish little phut or whoosh. This was a real CRACK like a high calibre rifle going off close to you before you've had a chance to get your ear defenders on. I walked round the van fully expecting to see some evidence of damage but to my surprise all I found was the undamaged chimney capping - half way across the garden. I can't help thinking I was lucky to have got away with it.

What had I done wrong? Well, like a complete novice, I had neglected to follow that basic rule set out in the Truma manual next to a great big exclamation mark and I quote:

"In the event of a fault always wait 2 minutes before attempting to re-ignite! "

This of course allows any unburnt gas left in the system after a flame failure to vent to atmosphere through the chimney before the igniter sparks again.

It was with some trepidation that I went through the procedure again, this time without incident and to my relief and delight the fridge burner also lit without trouble.

I shall continue to use the EHU for heating and refrigeration while on site but if for any reason I have to use gas, I will be sure to treat it with greater respect in future.

Moral: Always read and follow the instructions. I was lucky but you might not be.

Please be assured that no member of the Eribafolk Administration Team was hurt in the production of this safety bulletin.

Except for the fact that JohnE has ticked this post so therefore your attempt to give things a good going over so JohnE doesn't think you're a total idiot has rather backfired . Yes a good word choice

Randa