Gas low pressure fix?

Forums › Off topic › Gas low pressure fix?

LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 411

ID Verified

Trusted

#201651 28-Aug-2016 16:36

The house we have has a built in LPG Gas Cooker LPG from a 9 KG Bottle from outside.

In the last couple days the pressure of the Gas has been very low. Gas Bottle is about 1/2 full as has not done this before for the last 4 years.

Any suggestions to fix other than calling .. err. who?

Jase2985

13730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1618789 28-Aug-2016 16:39

shake the bottle and/or warm it up a little by putting it in a bucket of warm water

Batman

Mad Scientist
30012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1618807 28-Aug-2016 17:25

How do you know the pressure is low? How do you know there's half remaining? That would defy boyle's law.

Have you checked the hubs are seated flush?

LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 411

ID Verified

Trusted

#1618814 28-Aug-2016 17:50

I know its half full as its heavy and you can feel the LPG when you pick it up and shake it.

It low pressure as when you turn the LPG cooker to high the flames are only small (like you have it on low) and takes ages to heat anything up.

I can not smell anything at either end for leaks. (its very easy to smell at the cooker end when its turned on and not lit)

I have taken off the Gas bottle and put it back on. But it was working last week with nothing being unplugged.

Geese

1028 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 53
Inactive user

#1618864 28-Aug-2016 20:41

Sounds like the same system i had in Oamaru. During winter the pressure was poor due to low outside temperature by 5/6pm. Still i absolutely loved it compared to crappy standard element cooktops I've used all my life.

bmoff

159 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 36

Trusted

#1618896 28-Aug-2016 21:26

Try another cylinder. I had exactly the same problem recently, turned out to be a faulty cylinder valve.

Sidestep

1019 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 567

Lifetime subscriber

#1618900 28-Aug-2016 21:33

Or a faulty or stuck regulator?

Turn off the tank. Give it a gentle tap or two. Check the vent hole isn't blocked. Make sure your stove's turned off. Turn the tank on slowly.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1749

#1618919 28-Aug-2016 22:54

Most likely either failed regulator or you have used up all of the propane in the bottle. And you only have butane left. Try another bottle to eliminate a faulty bottle valve. Butane boils at around 2deg. While propane boils at arond -68deg. So in cold weather, everything still works at first as the propane still boils off. But when the propane runs out, you are then left with just butane.

Sometimes people will keep refilling bottles that they think are empty, yet which actually just contain butane. Meaning the butane builds up. If so just put that bottle aside for now. And use it during the summer, when it will be warm enough for the butane to easily evaporate.

Call a Gasfitter (who is often also a Plumber) if you need the regulator replaced or other work done on the hob or pipework.