BBQ Gas Bottle – Bottled BBQ Gas – Gas Bottles for Barbecues
Most bottled BBQ gas is in portable BBQ gas bottles.
Bottled BBQ gas can be propane, butane or a propane-butane blend.
Gas bottles for barbecues come in different gas bottle sizes include 9kg and 4kg gas bottles in Australia whilst other countries have different BBQ gas bottle sizes.
Bottled BBQ gas is used to fuel BBQ, pizza ovens, outdoor heaters and other outdoor appliances.
What Gas is in Gas Bottles for Barbecues?
Gas bottles for barbecues contain LPG or bottled BBQ gas.
Not only can you run a BBQ on bottled BBQ gas, it is the choice for the vast majority of gas BBQs.
The LPG used can be either propane, butane of a mixture of the two, depending on what country you are in. Both gases work equally well.
Bottled BBQ Gas Composition in Different Countries
Bottled BBQ gas composition varies across countries.
It can be propane, butane or a propane-butane blend.
The type of bottled BBQ gas in Australia and the USA is just propane.
In NZ, BBQ gas is a propane-butane blend.
In the UK, you can purchase bottled BBQ gas or patio gas as either propane or butane gas.
Can BBQ Gas Bottles Use Butane Gas Instead of Propane Gas?
BBQ gas bottles can use butane instead of propane as long as the ambient temperature is above freezing.
If the temperature drops below freezing the butane will stop vaporising and you will have no usable gas.
Bottled BBQ Gas Goes by Different Name
In the UK, bottled BBQ gas can also be referred to as “Patio Gas”.
Patio gas is propane, but they also sell butane gas in Patio Cylinders.
Other countries also have different names for it.
In Australia, it is also called called Camping Gas.
In the USA they just refer to the vessel instead of bottled BBQ gas, so it is a “Propane Tank”.
BBQ Gas Bottles – Gas Bottles for Barbecues
BBQ gas bottles (gas bottles for barbecues) vary in size depending on the country you are in.
For example, the most common BBQ gas bottles in Australia and the US are 9kg (20lbs) BBQ gas bottles.
There are also smaller gas bottles for barbecues, like the 4kg BBQ gas bottle, that are popular with campers.
Some backpack sized camping appliances use even smaller 220g (8oz) disposable butane cartridges.
Coleman also makes a 454g (16oz) propane camping bottles, as well as a 250g propane-butane low profile cartridge.
In the UK, 13kg and 5kg are the most common sizes of BBQ gas bottles, in addition to a large choice of other BBQ gas bottle sizes.
Worldwide, the list of sizes and content combinations is extensive.
What is Bottled BBQ Gas Used For?
Bottled BBQ gas is utilised in numerous different applications, including many that are far from barbecuing and the patio.
The common factor is the need for a small and/or portable fuel source.
Common residential uses include BBQ gas bottles for patio heaters, pizza ovens, smokers, spit roasters, outdoor fire pits, gas lights, and mosquito traps, as well as caravans.
There are also some that are a bit more exotic, like outboard motors, lawn mowers, bird scaring canons, and more.
Gas bottles for barbecues can have commercial uses, including portable generators, floor polishers, blow torches, soldering, industrial burners, jewellery melting and moulding, small kilns, flame weeders, floor sanitisers for livestock enclosures and various other applications.
In major emergencies, like floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other natural disasters, people use BBQ gas bottles for generators, cooking, hot water, heating and more.
How Does a BBQ Gas Bottle Work?
Bottled BBQ gas is stored under pressure, as liquid gas is liquid in gas bottles for barbecues.
Almost all of its uses involve the use of the gas vapour, not the liquefied gas.
It turns back into gas vapour when you release some of the pressure in the BBQ gas bottle by turning on your gas appliance.
But first it must go through a gas regulator.
What are BBQ Gas Regulators? BBQ Gas Hose and Regulator
BBQ gas regulators are used to regulate the pressure at which the gas is delivered from the BBQ gas bottle to the BBQ or other appliance.
These regulators typically come as a combined BBQ gas hose and regulator.
The regulator screws directly into the BBQ gas bottle whilst the gas hose screws into the appliance.
The standard BBQ gas hose and regulator types in Australia are either an LCC27 or a POL regulator.
Other countries use other valve and regulator types.
What is BBQ Gas Bottle Testing?
Gas bottles for barbecues must be inspected periodically for safety and re-certification.
In Australia, the testing period is 10 years and the test date is permanently marked or stamped on the BBQ gas bottle, however, the testing period can vary by country.
The BBQ gas bottles are subject to internal and external inspection for rust and any other damage.
Physical testing, including pressure tests, may be required depending on the type of BBQ gas bottle and the country where tested.
Only approved testing facilities are authorised to test and re-certify a BBQ gas bottle or BBQ gas tank.
Renewable vs Climate Friendly Gas
Most people would think that a renewable fuel, like charcoal, is more eco-friendly than gas for a BBQ.
However, when it comes to charcoal versus BBQ gas, the climate friendly choice is not what you may think.
Biofuels do not always result in a smaller carbon footprint than the fossil fuel alternatives.
The problem with charcoal is that it emits almost 3X the amount of CO2 that is produced when you use bottled BBQ gas.
This is harmful because CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
To produce charcoal, you heat wood in a kiln. However, the usable output of charcoal is only around 20-35% of the original input.
The remainder of the wood turns into gas and is emitted into the atmosphere.
In contrast, BBQ gas energy yields are greater than 90%.
The fact that you cannot simply turn a charcoal grill ON and OFF increases the problem.
Charcoal fires need to be started ahead of time and then take time to burn themselves out.
Bottled BBQ gas is just a much more efficient fuel for cooking.
Does a Gas BBQ Need Coals?
No, a gas BBQ is fueled by the BBQ gas alone.
In a Nutshell
Bottled BBQ gas is a safe, versatile and portable energy source.
It is also easy to use, transport and refill.
But most of all, BBQ gas bottles help make outdoor activities more enjoyable.
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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