Hi all
We're thinking of buying a cadac carri chef to take camping (instead of taking the basic suitcase gas stoves we've been using for years as they're a pain to cook on, at least in our experience).
My question is this - should the hose running from BBQ to gas bottle be disconnected after each use? Or do you just connect it up at the start of the holiday and simply make sure everything is turned off when you're done cooking each day, and only take the setup apart when you're going home?
I only ask as we've never used a larger gas bottle before, having always had stoves which use the cartridge style bottles. I'd hate to blow us up! Any advice would be welcome.
Quote: Originally posted by moppetsdad on 07/6/2018
AS long as there are no leaks, just turn off at the bottle and it will be fine left attached, that's what most folks do.
Yes, I also agree with the comment above too but furthermore if you disconnect the gas hose then air will enter the pipe which has to be expelled before lighting the gas each and every time. Agreed as above, just close the valve at the top of the gas cylinder when finished for safety reasons and it will be fine.
If you turn off at the appliance (so the flame goes out) then turn off at the bottle/cylinder, effectively there is still gas in the hose.
This bothers some more than others!
Obviously. if you turn off at the bottle/cylinder first, then when the flame goes out, switch off at the appliance, effectively, there is now no gas in the hose.
I use the word "effectively" to suggest the complete set up is leak-free, of course!
Additionally, to avoid any need to screwdriver on/off a jubilee clip each time, and avoid a long length of hose being "permanently" attached to either appliance or gas regulator, fit a short hose to each (appliance and regulator) and slip one of these to each end of the main length of hose in between...
Quick-Release connector...
These are particularly handy if you are likely to swap between gas types (Propane/Butane), using different regulators, for whatever reason, or want to use same gas bottle/Cylinder on different appliances (at different times!).
For fitting any hose to any coupling, dip the end of the hose in a cup of hot water first... it softens the hose considerably, and makes life soooo much easier!
Finally... unless new already... there's no harm in treating yourself to a good length of nice new gas hose (It can often be purchased "by the metre")... they can perish, and they do have a life span! From memory (You may wish to Google it for exact facts, sorry! ) it's around 7 years (...or was it 4???) and any new hose should also have the year of manufacture stamped on it (I believe?). Bear in mind that any new (to you) hose could have been sat idle on a warehouse/stockroom shelf for a few years, before landing on your pitch, and being used for the first time!
Please don't quote me on that last paragraph, but it may be worth researching... particularly as this thread title included the word "safety"!
If you want to be certain that there are no leaks treat yourself to a spray bottle of gas leak detector. It will last for years but even a tiny leak will show up with loads of bubbles.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
We have had a gas portable bbq for the last 15 years. Best piece of camping gear we have boughttogether the three way fridge. We leave the rubber pipe attached and use the cut off valve on the gas regulator to isolate the gas bottle. We have never experienced any problems.
As far as checking for gas .eaks soapy wayer works any bubbles mean gas is leaking. Dont get too parinod though in 45 years of camping we have never had a leak. The advice to check the rubber connecting hose is good advice. The date of manufacture is printed on the hose. Its a good idea to replace every 5 years as the gas tends to rot the rubber.
For our gas stove we connect it at the site and leave it connected for the whole time. Just remember a wrench in your little bag of 'things you'll need' (with gaffer tape, screw driver..)
We do keep the bottle in the shed at home rather than in the garage as the garage is connected to the house. It then travels in the trailer - though it has been in the car before the trailer was around. Our tent has a porch and the bottle lives in there as it does not have a SIG in there so gas can escape out if it has escaped from the bottle.
Small print.... I'm sure that these things don't mean much but we do what we can to keep ourselves safe.
I agree with Mucker. We use quick connect hose line fittings. You would be able to quickly disconnect a BBQ or cooker in an emergency.
One piece of advice I would like to offer is to keep the gas bottle away from the appliance when in use. I once saw flames coming from a leak near the regulator when someone kept the bottle under a large garden BBQ!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Gas barbecue safety question
) it's around 7 years (...or was it 4???) and any new hose should also have the year of manufacture stamped on it (I believe?). Bear in mind that any new (to you) hose could have been sat idle on a warehouse/stockroom shelf for a few years, before landing on your pitch, and being used for the first time! 
