22 August 2014
Gas Maintenance
Learn How to Maintain your Gas Products
Liquid Petroleum Gas is a very efficient fuel for lighting, cooking and heating, but like any fuel source, it needs to be handled with care and respect. Here are some hints and tips on making the most of gas power, in the safest possible way!
- When lighting any match-lit burners or ovens, always light the match before turning on the gas. If the flame goes out, turn off the burner and let the gas disperse before re-lighting.
- Clean away any grease, oil or debris from the area around burners to help prevent fires.
- Never use water to put out a grease fire. Use baking soda or, if the fire is in a pan, smother the flames with a lid. A fire extinguisher in the kitchen is also recommended.
- Move any flammable objects – towels, curtains, calendars – out of the range of burners and other hot surfaces.
BEWARE!
Your gas appliance may be unsafe if you notice any of the following signs:
- A yellow or orange flame instead of a blue one
- A pilot light which keeps blowing out
- Any part of the appliance has turned black or brown or shows signs of scorching
- Signs of soot or a sooty or musty smell
- Increased condensation on windows
General Tips Regarding Bottled LPG:
- Ensure that you have your cylinders filled only by a gas dealer who is a member of the LPGas Safety Association.
- Cookers and lamps fit straight onto the cylinder valve of the smaller cylinders but with larger sizes, you must connect your appliance with a regulator and special gas hose pipe. Have these two items checked on a regular basis by your nearest gas supplier and replace either when there’s a problem.
- Ensure your dealer weighs the cylinder to make sure it has not been overfilled. An overfilled cylinder will often swell or bulge.
- Always store your cylinder in a cool area out of direct sunlight and well away from any heat source. LPG expands when hot and this may damage the valve, the hose or the cylinder. After use, always allow the cylinder time to cool down before putting it away.
- When transporting a cylinder, secure it in an upright position so that it cannot roll around or fall over.
- When using your cylinder, always make sure it is on a level surface so that it cannot easily fall over; it makes sense to invest in a stabiliser fitting that fits around the base of the cylinder and makes the base much broader and hence more stable.