Buying Patio Gas
It is important to choose the proper gas for your patio based on your requirements. This will ensure safety and longevity for your bottle.
Gas regulators reduce the pressure of gas when it leaves the cylinders. This can be clip on or screw-on and is dependent on the size of the cylinder and the type.
Propane
Propane, a highly efficient alternative fuel with clean burning it can be used to power everything from gas fireplaces to home standby generators. It has many environmental advantages, such as reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. It is safe, non-toxic and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Propane is also a cost-effective choice for heating homes, particularly in regions where natural gas isn't readily available. A propane tank can be delivered directly to your home and connected to a range of appliances. This is a less expensive alternative than installing a brand new natural gas line. It could also result in lower energy bills.
If you'd prefer to purchase a propane tank for your home or swap your current tank for a brand new one, you can find a propane dealer near you that can offer the services you require. The procedure of purchasing propane is dependent on the size of the tank in question and usually involves an initial purchase or exchange, followed by regular refills.
Patio heaters and BBQ grills are typically powered by smaller propane tanks such as 20-pound cylinders. They are readily available at a variety of stores including convenience stores, hardware shops and most gas stations. Some home centers offer tanks that are pre-filled for one-stop shopping.
These larger propane cylinders are suitable for applications such as water heaters for homes, and backup generators. These larger cylinders are generally available for rental on a long-term basis, and are usually stored underground or in other secured places. They are generally referred to as LPG or LP-gas, and are available for rental or purchase at many propane retailers.
Propane is a remarkably safe and efficient form of energy that is available in many ways which makes it a great option for homeowners who require the additional energy for a variety of appliances and activities. The best propane supplier will depend on factors like your preferred delivery frequency, the cost of propane in your region and how much energy your home consumes annually.
Butane
You'll have to decide whether you prefer propane or butane when purchasing patio gas. Both serve different functions and offer a safe, clean energy source for outdoor equipment like BBQs and patio heaters. Propane is the preferred fuel for heaters for patios due its lower boiling temperature. It's usually sold in 5 kg cylinders. This means propane powered heaters will function even if the temperature drops to 4degC, whereas butane will struggle to vaporise in such conditions.
Butane is typically found in 15 kg cylinders. This makes it a more heavy-duty choice, which is commonly used for caravanning and camping and also for household appliances such as gas cookers. Butane, like propane, is a clean and efficient energy source. It also has the advantage of being less volatile than propane.
Regardless of which type of gas you prefer, you'll need to purchase a patio gas bottle and a regulator for your device. Gas bottles for patio use are specially designed to be compatible with regulators, which allow you to connect your gas bottle directly to the propane or butane outlet on your barbecue. Gas bottles for your patio are readily available in most supermarkets, as well as some hardware and DIY stores.
Patio gas bottles tend to be smaller than other types of gas bottles, making them perfect for patio heaters and barbecues. The bottles are made of an extremely durable and robust material that can endure a lot of wear and tear. Patio gas comes in a variety of colors, the most common being red or blue.
If you purchase patio gas from Horticentre you'll enjoy an effortless and easy experience. Our online platform provides complete product descriptions and specifications and lets you compare different products and choose the best one to meet your requirements. We have propane and butane gas in a range of sizes, ranging from small 5 kg cylinders up to larger options of 13 and 15 kg and you'll never be out. With free delivery included on every purchase, shopping with us is a breeze.
Gas Bottles
When buying patio gas, there are a few things to take into consideration when deciding on the right size bottle. Firstly consider what you will be using your gas for? This is crucial because both have their own distinct uses. Propane with its low boiling temperature of -42degC is ideal for BBQs and garden equipment, whereas butane is best suited for indoor portable heaters, single-burner cookers and other kitchen appliances.
If you want to power an RV or motorhome you'll also need to choose the appropriate bottle size. These larger appliances consume more energy. Fortunately, at Flogas we have both green Patio gas bottles and butane Campingaz cylinders to suit these applications.
You should also consider where you plan to store your gas bottles. Generally speaking, we recommend that you keep your gas bottle outdoors since this will decrease the likelihood of any leaks occurring and give you peace of mind knowing that your appliance is safe to use. This is especially important since the propane or butane bottles will contain gas that is highly pressurized. It must be stored in a location where it cannot break, leak or otherwise get damaged.
All of our gas bottles have regulators. This is an essential safety feature that lowers the pressure under which your barbecue or heating device for your patio receives gas. The type of regulator you will require will depend on the type of gas that you are using and the cylinder size; green patio bottles work with a 27mm clip on regulator and butane Campingaz cylinders come with a screw in regulator (link to find out more about this).
Because the gases in gas bottles are subject to such high pressure, special safety regulations must be adhered to, including chaining them to stop them from breaking or falling. There are also small patio gas about where to store them and warning signs to inform people about the dangers. For these reasons, it is generally not advisable to purchase your own bottle of gas. Instead it is best to lease them from a Gas Supply Company for use with a specific gas appliance. This allows for regular testing of the cylinder to ensure the quality is maintained and that it conforms to all applicable standards.
Regulators
Gas regulators are necessary for connecting a gas bottle to propane patio heaters barbecue, or other propane-based gas appliance. Gas regulators decrease the high-pressure gas supply that comes from an cylinder to a constant regulated propane pressure required by your appliance. There are numerous types of regulators, each with their own pressure settings and connections.
Butane and Propane are the two most common bottles of gasoline that is liquefied. Butane bottles are usually blue, while Propane bottles are usually red. Propane bottles have a screw-on regulator, which requires a spanner for tightening. Butane bottles use a clip-on valve with a standard size of 21mm. Propane and Butane are not compatible. It is possible to connect Butane appliances to Propane bottles, but not vice versa.
Three main components work to control the gas pressure. A loading mechanism determines the delivery pressure while a sensing component (usually a diaphragm) detects the force of the spring against it, and an element for control is responsible for the reduction of the pressure at the inlet to the downstream pressure. The atmospheric pressure will also affect the gas pressure when it is being transported by the regulator. The pressure will be determined by the elevation of your building above sea level. This is why it's essential to choose the right regulator for your particular needs. This will prevent your propane barbecue from running out of gas or having unstable performance.