Bottled BBQ Gas – BBQ Gas Bottles – Gas Bottles for Barbecues
Most bottled BBQ gas is in portable LPG 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 for barbecues, in Australia, whilst other countries have different sizes of LPG BBQ gas bottles.
Bottled BBQ gas is used to fuel LPG BBQ, pizza ovens, outdoor heaters and other outdoor appliances.
What Gas is in Gas Bottles for Barbecues?
Gas bottles for barbecues contain LPG gas for BBQ or bottled BBQ gas.
Not only can you run an LPG BBQ on bottled BBQ gas, it is the choice for the vast majority of LPG BBQ models.
The LPG BBQ gas bottles used can be either propane bottles, butane bottles of a mixture of the two, depending on what country you are in. Both types of gas for BBQ work equally well.
Bottled BBQ Gas Composition in Different Countries
Bottled BBQ gas composition varies across countries.
It can be propane bottles, butane bottles or a propane-butane blend.
The type of bottled BBQ gas in Australia and the USA is in propane bottles.
In NZ, LPG BBQ gas is a propane-butane blend.
In the UK, you can purchase bottled BBQ gas or LPG BBQ gas as either propane bottles or butane bottles.
Can BBQ Gas Bottles Use Butane Bottles Instead of Propane Bottles?
BBQ gas bottles can use butane bottles instead of propane bottles 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, so you will need propane bottles.
Bottled BBQ Gas Goes by Different Name (Bar B Q Gas)
In the UK, bottled BBQ gas (Bar B Q Gas) can also be referred to as “Patio Gas”.
Patio gas is in propane bottles, 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 “Propane Tank” or “Propane Bottles”.
LPG BBQ Gas Bottles – Gas Bottles for Barbecues
LPG BBQ gas bottles (gas bottles for barbecues) vary in size depending on the country you are in.
For example, the most common LPG BBQ gas bottles in Australia and the US are 9kg (20lbs) gas bottles for barbecues.
There are also smaller gas bottles for barbecues, like the 4kg LPG BBQ gas bottles, that are popular with campers.
Some backpack sized camping appliances use even smaller 220g (8oz) disposable butane cartridges or gas bottles for barbecues.
Coleman also makes a 454g (16oz) propane bottles, as well as a 250g propane-butane low profile cartridge.
In the UK, 13kg and 5kg are the most common sizes of LPG BBQ gas bottles, in addition to a large choice of other LPG BBQ gas bottles sizes.
Worldwide, the list of sizes and content combinations for bottled BBQ gas 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 LPG 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 bottled BBQ gas applications 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 LPG BBQ gas bottles for generators, cooking, hot water, heating and more.
How Do BBQ Gas Bottles Work?
Bottled BBQ gas is stored under pressure, as liquid gas is liquid in gas bottles for barbecues.
Almost all of bottled BBQ gas applications 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 LPG BBQ gas bottles by turning on your gas appliance.
But first it must go through a barbecue gas regulator.
What is a Barbecue Gas Regulator? Barbecue Gas Regulator and Hose
A barbecue gas regulator is used to regulate the pressure at which the gas is delivered from the LPG BBQ gas bottles to the LPG BBQ or other appliance.
The barbecue gas regulator typically come as a combined barbecue gas regulator and hose.
The barbecue gas regulator screws directly into the LPG BBQ gas bottles whilst the gas hose screws into the appliance.
The standard LPG BBQ gas hose and barbecue gas regulator types in Australia are either an LCC27 or a POL barbecue gas regulator.
Other countries use other valve and barbecue gas regulator types.
What is Testing for LPG BBQ Gas Bottles?
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 LPG BBQ gas bottles, however, the testing period can vary by country.
The LPG 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 LPG BBQ gas bottles and the country where tested.
Only approved testing facilities are authorised to test and re-certify LPG BBQ gas bottles or an LPG BBQ gas tank.
Renewable vs Climate Friendly Gas for BBQ
Most people would think that a renewable fuel, like charcoal, is more eco-friendly than gas for BBQ.
However, when it comes to charcoal versus LPG 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, LPG 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 LPG BBQ gas alone.
Bottled BBQ Gas 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, LPG BBQ gas bottles help make outdoor activities more convenient and 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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