Anyone know how to disable a smoke alarm?

[Ash]

I'm talking about the kind hooked into the wiring of a house, not the kind that uses batteries.

My smoke alarm is going crazy recently, it seems to be going off anytime the oven, or toaster oven is on, (and before it's mentioned, no, I'm not burning anything). I was wondering how I could disable the smoke alarm, or at least dull it's sensitivity in some way? I've heard a few methods, like putting vaseline or tape on certain parts of it, but I was hoping maybe someone knew a more reliable, and legit sounding way to do this.

[Thumpin]

cut the wires, cap them, toss the smoke detector away and put a plate over the hole

Have you checked the battery in the detector? Just because it's hard wired doesn't mean there isn't a backup battery. Often times you can change the backup battery and things get fixed. Sounds like this isn't the problem though, so...

If all else fails, smoke detectors do go bad...often after 10 years or so. Replace it via a new one from Home Depot.

[Ash]

Which wires should/shouldn't I cut? Also, won't my detector being disconnected interfere with the other smoke detectors in the house?

[Thumpin]

Which wires should/shouldn't I cut? Also, won't my detector being disconnected interfere with the other smoke detectors in the house?

Hard to say...depends how they are wired.

For two wire alarms, turn off the power at the fuse box, clip the two wires (should be black and white...if there is a ground it should be green), and cap them off with some wire nuts from home depot. Remove detector and cap hole with metal plate or replace with battery powered detector. You're done.

If it's hardwired (3 wires...black, white, and red), as any house built in the last decade or so would have, it should be the same as above (I say should because I'm not a qualified electrician). Right now, when any alarm detects a fire, it sends a signal on the red wire. Any alarm that detects the signal on the red wire will begin sounding its alarm immediately. That being the case, removing the alarm should not cause a signal to be sent. I've never done it but that's the reasoning behind it.

I would like to mention that removing an alarm makes no sense...replacing it is a better option before getting drastic. Removal of an alarm will most likely void any insurance policy you have if discovered in the case of an accident, or if you rent, will cause liability problems for you. Check with your local building code office to determine where you need the alarms.

[Mulligan]

There should be a way to adjust the gain on the damn thing look for it

[Ash]

There should be a way to adjust the gain on the damn thing look for it

I had no idea any smoke detectors had this feature... is there usually a switch inside for this, or what?

[Mulligan]

I had no idea any smoke detectors had this feature... is there usually a switch inside for this, or what?

Pop the cover on it and there should be a gain adjustment screw

[Thumpin]

I was under the impression that hard wired smoke alarms couldn't be adjusted for sensitivity, but I may be wrong.

[Mulligan]

I was under the impression that hard wired smoke alarms couldn't be adjusted for sensitivity, but I may be wrong.

Everything is adjustable, it's just a question of difficulty

[Thumpin]

Everything is adjustable, it's just a question of difficulty

In that case, duct tape a plastic shopping bag around the smoke detector. Problem solved.