LCC27 Gas Bottle: New Gas Bottle Connection vs POL Gas Fitting
An LCC27 gas bottle has the new gas bottle connection that replaces the older POL gas fitting. The new gas bottle connection is also referred to as a Type 27 gas fitting. The LCC27 gas bottle (Type 27 gas bottle) has new safety features and is also backwards compatible, because it accepts both the LCC27 and POL gas fitting regulators.
This new gas bottle connection only affects BBQ gas bottle sizes in Australia.
It does not affect 45kg gas bottle and other home and commercial gas bottle sizes with a POL gas fitting.
The older POL gas fitting is found on a POL gas cylinder (POL gas bottle), POL gas hose, POL gas regulator and various gas fittings including adaptors.
The POL gas fitting was previously found on gas bottles ranging from small BBQ bottles to large commercial gas bottles.
Newer LCC27 gas bottle fittings are the safer replacement for POL fittings.
Difference Between POL Gas Fitting and Type 27 Gas Fitting
In summary:
- A POL gas fitting is the most common type of valve & gas bottle fitting, in Australia, for 4kg to 210kg gas bottles, including 45kg gas bottles.
- The Type 27 gas fitting is the new gas bottle connection for BBQ size gas bottles.
- The POL gas fitting on BBQ size gas bottles (9kg gas bottle & 4kg gas bottle) is being replaced by the newer Type 27 gas bottle fitting.
- POL refers to a type of valves and gas bottles that have a POL gas fitting.
- “POL” is an acronym for the company that first made the POL gas fitting — Prest-O-Lite.
- A POL gas fitting on gas bottles refers to the main valve.
- The POL gas fitting connection is notable for its reverse — left-handed — thread.
- Type 27 gas bottle fittings have a normal right-handed thread and the gas bottles are backwards compatible with POL regulators.
- A pressure relief valve is incorporated within both the POL and LCC27 valves, for safety.
You should also be aware of a few more features on both the Type 27 and POL gas fitting…
LCC27 to POL Adaptor Use… Just Don’t
Don’t use an LCC27 to POL adaptor to connect a gas bottle with a POL gas fitting to an LPG gas appliances that has a Type 27 gas fitting.
Whilst you may have purchased an LCC27 to POL adaptor at Bunnings or other BBQ store, please remove and discard it because it is a safety hazard.
Exchange your POL gas bottles for LCC27 gas bottles at the same SWAP’n’GO prices.
It can be dangerous to use an LCC27 to POL adaptor because the two connections have different thread directions, so as you tighten one connection you can actually loosen the other connection, potentially leading to a gas leak and the risk of cold burns or fire.
In addition, LCC27 adaptors are banned in WA whilst the QLD, VIC, TAS, NT and SA state governments have posted warnings against LCC27 adaptor use. This follows a homeowner receiving severe burns resulting from a gas cylinder fire in Western Australia whilst using an LCC27 adaptor. The injured person was hospitalised for further treatment.
Swapping a POL Gas Bottles for LCC27 Gas Bottles (Type 27 Gas Bottle)
As mentioned, SWAP’n’GO® lets you swap an older POL gas bottles for newer LCC27 gas bottles (Type 27 gas bottle) at the same SWAP’n’GO prices.
So, if you purchase a BBQ with the new gas bottle connection but have an old POL gas bottle, you just need to swap.
You will find both kinds of gas bottles in the SWAP’n’GO cages during the transition period, which will stretch over a number of years.
Remember, LCC27 gas bottle connectors are backwards compatible with POL regulators.
POL Gas Fitting
A POL gas fitting is an LPG gas fitting used on a range of LPG gas bottles.
The female POL gas fitting is incorporated into the POL valve fitting on the LPG gas bottle, utilising a left-handed or reverse thread.
The male POL gas fitting is used on pigtail connectors, BBQ gas regulators and other hose style connectors.
At one time, the POL gas fitting was used in many countries, including the USA, but it has faded in popularity.
Currently, Australia is the most notable POL gas fitting user.
LCC27 Gas Bottle (Type 27 Gas Bottle) with Type 27 Gas Fitting
The LCC27 gas bottle with Type 27 gas fitting – Type 27 gas bottle – is replacing the POL gas bottle because BBQ regulators now have the new gas bottle connection with Type 27 gas fitting.
The Type 27 gas fitting is a safety improvement over the older POL gas fitting.
No gas will come out of LCC27 gas bottles (Type 27 gas bottle) unless a regulator is properly screwed in.
With the older POL gas fitting, gas will come out of the gas bottle even if nothing is screwed in.
LCC27 gas bottle fittings are reverse compatible with POL regulator fittings, as shown in the image above.
In other words, both an LCC27 and POL regulator will screw onto an LCC27 gas bottle (Type 27 gas bottle).
OPD Valves for Propane Tanks – Propane Tank Overfill Valve
An OPD propane tank has an OPD cylinder valve. OPD is the acronym for “Overfill Protection Device” or “Overfilling Prevention Device”.
An OPD valve is best described as a propane tank overfill valve.
As the name suggests, an OPD valve has a protective mechanism, that prevents propane tank overfill, built into the valve.
OPD valves are used in the USA, instead of POL valves.
Gas Regulator Gas Pressure
A gas regulator controls the regulator gas pressure at which the LPG is delivered from the gas bottle.
BBQ gas regulators typically come equipped with an attached gas hose.
The gas regulator screws directly into the gas bottle whilst the gas hose is attached to the BBQ.
The standard BBQ regulator type in Australia, since 2022, is a regulator with a Type 27 gas fitting.
The new regulator has a female Type 27 gas fitting, with a right-handed thread, that fits a male fitting on the Type 27 gas bottle valve.
Older BBQs and BBQ gas bottles have a POL gas fitting.
POL Gas Fitting Continues on 45kg Gas Bottles and Larger
Unlike the LCC27 gas bottles for BBQs, the new gas bottle connection does not apply to the larger residential gas bottles.
On home gas bottles, like a 45kg gas bottle, the gas line pigtail has a POL gas fitting that screws into the large female threaded opening on the side of the valve.
So, home gas bottles have NOT switched to the new gas bottle connection.
A POL gas fitting is unique in that it has a left-handed or reverse thread. So, to tighten a POL gas fitting, you turn the connector anti-clockwise.
Tightening of a pigtail is done with a wrench.
You should always do a soapy water leak test after every POL fitting reconnection.
Gas Connection Seal on a POL Gas Fitting
The POL gas fitting was originally designed as a metal-to-metal compression seal.
Pigtails still use metal-to metal-connections.
However, some BBQ POL gas fittings are now manufactured with rubber O-rings because they further improve the seal.
The downside is that these can become damaged or deteriorate over time so they should be checked regularly.
Gas Valve Hand Wheel
Located on the top of the POL and LCC27 gas bottles, the gas valve hand wheel controls the flow of gas, once the connection is secure.
Turning the hand wheel anti-clockwise starts the flow of gas but you should avoid turning it hard to the open stop.
Opening the valve 2 or 3 turns is all you need.
You shut the gas off by turning the hand wheel clockwise, tightening firmly by hand only.
CAUTION: Never open the valve when unattached
Bleed Screw
The LCC27 gas bottle, with Type 27 gas fitting, and POL gas fitting are both equipped with a bleed screw for decant filling because it is required when having a BBQ bottle filled at a service station.
It is a small slotted screw on the side of the valve.
The filling technician opens the screw during filling to determine proper filling.
On the other hand, most large gas depots fill cylinders by weight, on digital scales, so the bleed screw is not used.
CAUTION: Never open the bleed screw on your gas valve
Dip Tube
The LCC27 gas bottle (Type 27 gas bottle) and POL valves have a tube that sticks down into the cylinder, called a ‘dip tube’.
It extends down to the bottom of the ullage area (see image).
Ullage is the 20% unfilled space at he top of the gas cylinder that allows for expansion of the gas.
This dip tube is connected to the bleed screw and lets the filling technician know when the cylinder is filled up to the ullage zone, because it starts venting a white cloud of gas
Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve is the single most critical safety feature on an LPG cylinder.
It is incorporated within the LCC27 gas bottle & POL valves and appears as the protrusion opposite the main connection. (See image)
It usually incorporates some kind of plastic dust cover that should be left in place.
Pressure relief valves are designed to relieve excess pressure that might result from overfilling or exposure to excessive heat or fire.
The function of a pressure relief valve is to keep a cylinder from rupturing in the unlikely event of excessive pressure build-up.
The pressure relief valves are held in the closed position by the force of a powerful spring inside.
As long as the pressure is less than that of the spring no gas will vent since the valve will remain closed.
Venting
Having the pressure relief valve releasing gas is a rare event.
Most people will never experience venting.
If the pressure rises beyond the force of the spring, the valve will open to vent the excess pressure.
You may hear a hissing sound and see cold white gas vapour being released because the pressure relief valve has been activated.
Once sufficient pressure is released, the valve stops releasing gas since the spring pressure can push the valve closed.
If this ever happens, just stay clear of the area and let the gas dissipate.
IMPORTANT: The pressure relief valve must be pointed safely away from combustible materials.
You should also call your LPG supplier, from a safe location because you should advise them that your gas cylinder is venting gas.
Do not use your mobile phone, any electrical devices or other ignition sources near a venting gas cylinder.
Newer BBQs Incorporate Type 27 Gas Fitting
A BBQ gas regulator and hose usually come as an assembly but hoses are also sold separately.
BBQ gas regulators with the new gas bottle connection incorporate the Type 27 gas fitting and involve less components than home installations because the BBQ gas fittings are just the gas regulator and hose compilation.
BBQ Gas Leak Test
It is important to regularly leak test your BBQ gas bottle, gas regulator and hose.
Leaks from these items are frequently the cause of BBQ gas fires.
How to Test Type 27 Gas Fitting and POL Gas Fitting
This test works on both the Type 27 gas fitting and POL gas fitting.
Put some soapy water in a spray bottle.
Turn on the gas bottle without turning on the BBQ.
Next, spray the entire valve, gas regulator and hose assembly with the soapy water.
Bubbles will form if there is a gas leak and you may also smell the gas.
When done, rinse with clean water to remove the soap solution.
For more details, please see: BBQ Gas Leak Test
Hot To Safely Attach or Change Your LCC27 Gas Bottle
Connecting & Disconnecting Your Gas Regulator with New Gas Bottle Connection
A new gas bottle connection has the Type 27 regulator with a female fitting that screws onto the male Type 27 gas fitting.
It has a normal right-handed thread.
The male connector of a gas regulator, with a POL gas fitting, has a reverse or left-handed thread.
So, to detach, you turn the POL fitting clockwise and then anti-clockwise to re-attach.
Full step-by-step instructions:
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Eric Hahn has over a decade of experience in the LPG industry and has become a key figure in shaping how LPG is marketed and communicated. As the creator of one of the world’s first LPG blogs, Eric has authored over 200 technical posts, helping educate and inform the industry and consumers.
Eric has served on multiple committees for Gas Energy Australia and the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to important discussions and advancements within the global LPG sector. He has presented at WLPGA Annual Conferences, sharing his expertise as a speaker, panellist, and panel chair.
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Steve Reynolds
Technical Consultant
Steve Reynolds is a leading expert in the LPG industry with over 22 years of experience. As part of the national management team at ELGAS, Steve ensures the safe and efficient storage, handling, and transportation of LPG. He serves as the lead investigator for incidents and collaborates with authorities on industry developments.
Steve is a technical advisor to Standards Australia and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), and an active member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to global standards and technical reviews. He holds a BSc. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has held senior safety and technical roles at ELGAS, making him a trusted authority in LPG safety and standards.