Gas BBQ: propane or lpg, where and how?

[bakereloadprune]

Hello SD'ers,

Asking for any communal wisdom: I've just bought my first gas BBQ and need to get a tank for it. Thankfully I've got petrol stations and diy shops all around. The manual says use either propane (11kg or 15kg) or LPG. The BBQ came with its own regulator. A quick Google search suggest "patio gas" 11kg for ~£110 as a new contract.

Is there anything particular I need to look out for when I go any pick up a tank. I think I understand the deposit bit but just checking if there's anything else that I should be aware of (...like never buy wood from a petrol station!)

Many thanks in advance!

BRP

 

[Scuffy]

GAS BBQ !!!!!!!

 

[bakereloadprune]

Forgive me for I have sinned...it is however an accompanying grill to my long standing charcoal. I just found with kids, weather etc etc I wanted a quicker route from marinade to grill...

 

[Scuffy]

Thank god for that

 

[Hatch]

Not so much for the picking up bit but a word of advice about setting the tank down. If you're planning on putting it onto a patio slab then just bear in mind that the metal on the tank will get wet and cause surface rusk on your patio. Depending on how long you leave it for, it can be a pain to remove. I'd recommend putting it in a bin liner/putting something between the metal and the floor surface.

Don't ask me how I know this!

 

[LuckyEddie]

Get on to Fb and do a search, you may find a cheap tank.
Buy it and then exchange it.

Unless it needs a specific size of tank.
Another option would be to replace the regulator with one for propane.
Then do the same search for a propane tank.

 

[Dunwaters]

Read the instructions, then tip down to your local fuel supplier and buy propane or butane as appropriate. I use the standard bottles. If you keep an eye open you can often find an empty laying around and save the deposit.
There are different regulators on the different bottles but they’re easy to swap out. If you’re leaving the bottles and regulator exposed to the elements, put a cover over the regulator, I use a cut down plastic bottle, it keeps it from rusting.

 

[slider]

Propane if much better at lower temperatures as Butane does flow properly below 4c. But if you are only using in the summer then there is nothing to chose between them really

 

[nic531]

as said do not waste your money by entering into a new contract.... plenty of gas bottles about, just put a wanted ad in Facebook local network for where you live , or freebie/freecycle

 

[paul o']

Replace reg with/for a propane bottle as others have said plus is you can get a fine torch for annealing in the winter lol.

 

[jthyttin]

The manual says use either propane (11kg or 15kg) or LPG.

Here in Finland large bottles of LPG are basically 100% propane (5kg - 11kg most usual). The promise might be 97-98% but in practice it's 99+%

It seems that in UK there is "outside LPG" (propane) and "inside LPG" (butane). I'm sure the seller has some data sheet?

AFAIK you can use propane and butane interchangably. Only when you go to natural gas you have to change the nozzle etc.

 

[LuckyEddie]

Replace reg with/for a propane bottle as others have said plus is you can get a fine torch for annealing in the winter lol.

You been watching me working at home?

 

[Tom270]

Propane is usually more expensive but has a higher calorific value and as said better at lower temps , I went over to gas , and a cast iron grill plate as safer for children and can cook straight away cools fast to and easy to clean.

 

[Cyres]

I use a 15kg Butane bottle lasts for years. Powers a fairly big BBQ with no problems.
In fact I now have 2 bottles as I came across an old gas heater with a full bottle in it.
D

 

[bakereloadprune]

Luckily my parent's friend has a spare propane bottle (empty I think) that he's giving me, so result! In the interim I went round a couple of petrol stations to make enquiries - all of them in my area do exchange only and said calor gas only, not BP (or something older) can be swapped out...! I had no idea...! Should be up and running later this week - Youtube videos for inspiration in the meantime: Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

 

[nick.308]

bit of useful advice since not much given yet. Main difference between Propane and Patio gas is the regulator connection. Im sure they are both propane but the way the regulator connects to the gas bottle is different. The patio gas is a push fit with a 90 degree turn knob. The propane is a taper brass fitting that need an adjustable spanner to connect.
I once used butane and never again. Simply not hot enough. Fine if you want to slow cook. My advice is go propane not patio gas as I think the regulator fitting is better at not leaking and even though the patio gas quick release without tools regulator is meant to be easy its crap and if the rubber seal crack you have leaks!!!!

Like you've learnt dont mess about with flo gas or any other obscure brand. Get Calor as it will be easier to exchange the bottle years down the line.
You will have to pay a deposit for the bottle if you dont find a freebie. And you will probably never get is back as these companies shaft you. The main thing is you have a bottle to exchange.

 

[Pelyma]

Patio gas is propane, it just has a quick release connection rather than a screw fit. It is the same fitting as the old BP Gas light (now FloGas) which are a lightweight plastic bottle; the latter comes in 5Kg and 10Kg

 

[bakereloadprune]

Thanks for all the helpful info - in a plot twist, I've been gifted a near full (its heavy, I'm guesstimating) 19kg red tank of propane that has FloGas on it. Procuring the screw fit regulator (as my bbq came with the push-fit) and will grill happily away until the gas runs out/dry...and then I'll remember not to go to Shell/Esso, but thankfully there's a Waitrose nearby that (supposedly) does flogas exchange.

Thanks again, hopefully useful for other SD members in the future too.