Can you use a 4kg gas bottle inplace of a 9kg?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Can you use a 4kg gas bottle inplace of a 9kg?

mb82

223 posts

Master Geek

#310824 25-Nov-2023 14:11

Got a cheap portable warehouse bbq https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/toy-golf-set-42901082/

Manual says only use 9kg nz lpg or propane 1lb canister. Regulator and hose suitable for gas at 2.75 kpa only.
Qcc fitting

Why do I need a 9kg why can I not use a 4kg?

I know 9kg's are economical, easy to swap/refill but bbq will probably only be used a couple of times per year. Don't have much room also surely it is zafer to store a 4kg cylinder than a 9kg

nzkc

1572 posts

Uber Geek

#3163597 25-Nov-2023 14:40

Ive done it on a BBQ before. I would have thought as long as the fitting is the same it wouldnt matter. Regulator should take care of most of the things. But I am definitely not a gas fitter!

Linux

11425 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3163648 25-Nov-2023 15:08

If the fitting is the same 100% you can

SomeoneSomewhere

1804 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3163716 25-Nov-2023 17:40

I think you might have the wrong link there.

Also not a gas fitter, but I think it should generally be OK. The only issues I can think of affecting small gas bottles are running out (small tank doesn't last as long...), and adequate boil-off rate.

The liquid (LPG) has to boil to turn to a gas and be supplied to the appliance. Boiling requires absorbing heat through the cylinder walls, and the more heat is supplied to the cylinder the faster it can supply gas, and the more surface area on the tank, the more heat can get in. If the tank gets too cold from sustained use, the pressure will drop until it just won't supply as much gas as you want. This is worst at high volumes and low temperatures.

NZ LPG is a propane-butane mix. It needs to be warmer to boil than a pure propane cylinder, so at low temperatures a propane tank of the same size will supply gas faster than an LPG tank.

I don't think this would be an issue on anything other than a rather large BBQ in rather cold weather, and the standard solution is apparently to either stick the tank in a bucket or run some water over it. It's not a safety issue.

nic.wise

333 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#3163720 25-Nov-2023 18:01

mb82: Got a cheap portable warehouse bbq https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/toy-golf-set-42901082/

Manual says only use 9kg nz lpg or propane 1lb canister. Regulator and hose suitable for gas at 2.75 kpa only.
Qcc fitting

Why do I need a 9kg why can I not use a 4kg?

I know 9kg's are economical, easy to swap/refill but bbq will probably only be used a couple of times per year. Don't have much room also surely it is zafer to store a 4kg cylinder than a 9kg

We use a 4kg with our Ziggy BBQ. No issues at all. Means we close on use a bottle per summer and can refill from the local LPG place.

Nic Wise - fastchicken.co.nz

mb82

223 posts

Master Geek

#3163734 25-Nov-2023 19:00

SomeoneSomewhere:
I think you might have the wrong link there

I noticed but forum rules mean I cannot edit it. Thanks for the reply