Gas bottles have so many great uses, from BBQs, providing heat, adding fizziness to drinks, blowing up balloons and much more. But bottled gases can be hazardous and need proper care and attention when using to ensure safety.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the most common “how-to’s” regarding gas. Proper gas use is essential for ensuring accidents don’t happen, and that gas is appropriately utilised. So read on to discover the answers to the most common gas-related questions.

What is a Regulator?

A regulator is the connection piece that connects the gas bottle’s valve to the hose from the appliance that you are supplying with gas. The regulator regulates the pressure and flow of gas from the cylinder to the appliance.

How to Open Gas Cylinder Valve

The valves on the gas cylinders prevent gas from escaping. They contain a pressure relief device that activates if the pressure builds due to excess heat. How to open the valve will depend on the kind of bottle you have, so you should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

To open a gas cylinder, you should rotate the handwheel anti-clockwise.

How to Switch off Gas Regulator

When you are finished with your gas, you should turn off your gas cylinder at the main valve rather than just switching off the appliance you are supplying with gas.

To switch off the gas regulator, rotate the handwheel on the top of the cylinder clockwise until it is firmly closed.

How to Change a Calor Gas Bottle

Calor is a brand of bottled butane and propane gas that are available in cylinders. They are incredibly versatile gases that are used in domestic and commercial settings. It is used in a number of recreational activities such as camping and BBQs.

If your gas bottle is empty and needs changing, here’s how to safely disconnect and then connect a new bottle:

• Disconnecting

Never disconnect the regulator or connecting nut with the valve open; make sure it is turned off. Wait until the burner and pilot light has gone out; if it doesn’t, leave it alight and contact the manufacturer. Once the value is turned off, switch off all the burners on whatever you’re using, such as on a BBQ. Now you can disconnect your cylinder.

Push on the button on your regulator switch inwards towards the bottle valve; the regulator should now easily come off the bottle. Always check which model of bottle you have, as the process for removing the regulator may vary.

• Connecting

Now to replace your gas bottle. Carefully place the new bottle near to where the gas source is needed, such as beside your BBQ, close enough that the hose does not need to stretch to reach it. Always check that the regulator you are using is the correct size for the bottle, is clean and not damaged before use.

Ensure your regulator is in the off position before use; refer to the instructions to find out how your regulator should look in the off position. Make sure the top of the bottle valve is clean and free from debris. Push the regulator down onto the valve until you hear it click into place; this indicates the regulator is in place. Turn the regulator switch into the on position to access the gas. You should hear a slight hiss as the gas comes through.

How to Connect a Calor Gas Bottle to a Heater

To connect your Calor gas bottle to a heater, make sure the regulator is securely attached to the hose and that the hose is undamaged. Remove the protective cap from the gas bottle and check that the regulator is cleaned and undamaged.

Set the regulator into the off position and place it over the gas bottle valve until you hear the click that indicates it is connected. You can now turn on the heater by turning on the gas bottle, using the switch on the regulator. Now you can ignite your heater with the ignition button, which will make the pilot light appear. Hold down the button to enable the gas to reach the heater and light it.

How to Clean a Gas BBQ

The great thing about gas BBQs is that they are much less messy than charcoal BBQs, as you do not have any chips to throw out or clean. However, any BBQ still needs to be cleaned and maintained to keep it in top working condition.

Gas BBQs should be wiped down after every use but should have a thorough clean in the interior every three months. Make sure your gas bottle is disconnected before cleaning. Brush the individual grates to remove any food debris and spray with a cleaner. Scrub the grate with an abrasive sponge, then rinse with water.

A microfibre cloth is excellent for polishing the BBQ’s exterior, and you can get specialist cleaning sprays designed for BBQ grates, enamel and stainless steel.

At Bottle Gases, we are one of the leading suppliers and distributors of Calor Gas in the UK. As bottled gas suppliers, we know everything there is to know about a wide variety of bottled gases, including bar gas, CO2 bottles, oxy fuel gas and welding gas. If you’d like to learn more about any of our products, do not hesitate to get in touch.