10 Healthy Patio Gas Habits
Patio Gas Versus Butane and Propane Patio heaters let you enjoy your outdoor space longer by warming it up. They are highly efficient and offer a variable heating. Gas is available in bottles called “patio” that are compatible with BBQs. They utilize an adjustable regulator clip-on, whereas butane cylinders have screw-in connectors. What is Patio Gas? Patio gas is propane or butane that comes in a small 'patio bottle' specifically designed with barbecues and patio heaters in the back of your mind. These bottles are equipped with a special regulator (more on these later) that connects to the hose of your appliance. The cylinders are green, in contrast to propane cylinders in red or blue found in the barbecue section. Patio gas bottles include a gauge to ensure that you can see when the bottle is running out. Both propane gas and butane are flammable hydrocarbons that ignite when they are burned. Butane gas has lower boiling temperatures than propane and is able to be used at lower temperatures. Propane burns at a higher temperature and is more suitable for outdoor cooking and heating. All leisure appliances that run on bottled gas are fitted with a regulator valve that reduces the pressure of the gas coming out of the cylinder. This prevents the cylinder from blowing out when you open it. It also prevents your appliances from working too fast. Regulators can be screw-on or clip-on and are available in various sizes to accommodate different types of cylinders. Propane and Butane have distinct pressure requirements, so the regulators can't be interchanged. What is Butane? Butane is the 2nd lightest of hydrocarbons (following propane) with four carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms. It is known chemically as C4H10 and is widely used in butane lighters and torches. Butane is an oily liquid at room temperature, and is odorless. Butane is used to power patio gas heaters and butane heaters. It can also be used as a solvent in the production of perfumes, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Both butane and propane are safe, non-toxic and clean burning fuels that provide an energy source that is reliable for businesses and homes in Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Both fuels are cleaner burning than other fossil fuels and produce substantially less greenhouse gases when burned. However, there are small patio gas between butane and propane that you should know about. Propane and Butane differ in their boiling points, the temperature at which each gas is able to vaporize at a certain pressure. This difference makes propane more suited to colder temperatures and outdoor use since it does not freeze in its containers with pressurized pressure. The lower boiling point of propane makes it more flammable than butane, and safer to store. The liquid n-Butane is volatile and, is odorless and colorless. It also has no taste or smell. n-Butane is non-toxic to humans, but it can cause irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes. Inhaling 10,000 ppm of it for 10 minutes produces sleepiness, but there are no negative effects to the system. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code defines the rules and regulations applicable to transporting hazardous chemicals, like butane. It is important to follow these guidelines when shipping butane as failing to do so could result in penalties, fines or even the confiscation of the leaking cylinder. However, while it isn't common, can cause death due to asphyxia or arrhythmia. This can occur when butane is snorted as part of an in-home propellant. Autopsies from two instances of deliberate inhalation of butane have revealed changes related to butane in the lungs and heart. These changes are due to the penetration of butane through the alveoli and the pulmonary mucosa. Histological analysis confirmed these findings. Intentional butane abuse is also associated with a high morbidity rate among children. What is Propane? Propane is a kind of hydrocarbon gas (C3H8) that is also known as liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG. It's a safe and clean energy source that can be used for a variety purposes such as cooking and heating homes to powering appliances and vehicles. Propane is produced from natural gas refining crude oil and processing, with roughly equal amounts coming from each source. It is safe, colorless, and virtually incomparable to odor. To detect leaks producers add ethylmercaptan which is an smell-causing agent. Propane is the form of a gas at room temperature, but when pressurized it becomes liquid. Propane can be transported in a safe and easily, and is stored underground in tanks under controlled conditions. It is distributed to businesses, homeowners and other customers via pipelines. Propane is a great option for both commercial and residential uses however, it's best for outdoor usage. It can power outdoor facilities such as grills, patio heaters and fire pits, and also serve as a backup source of energy during power outages. The propane fuel is also ecologically friendly. It produces fewer harmful pollutants than other fossil-fuel when it is burned. The versatility of propane makes it an essential part of American life. What do you know about how propane gets from its natural source to your home? Propane is produced as a by-product of the natural gas processing industry and crude oil refinery. It is stored both underground and above. Distributed to natural gas processing facilities, as well as to homes via a network made up of truckers, pipelines and railroad vehicles. After it has been liquefied, it can be stored and transported in small, portable tanks. This clean, affordable fuel is a great option for both residential and commercial uses. It's especially useful in rural areas where access to other fuels may be difficult. In fact propane is so abundant that the United States is now a net exporter of this renewable energy source. Which bottle do I need? Both propane and butane are equally well with your patio heater or BBQ. However, the gas bottle you need is determined by the type of appliance you're using. Propane is stored in green bottles specifically designed for outdoor appliances such as patio heaters and barbecues They are compatible with a 27mm clip-on regulator. Butane is stored in blue bottles and is more frequently used for camping stoves and single burner cookers. They also have a regulator screw-on. Gas regulators are installed on all gas cylinders for leisure use. They lower the pressure and control the amount of gas that is dispensing. This makes sure that the cylinder isn't emptied too quickly, and helps prevent damage to the appliance. Gas regulators differ based on whether you're using propane or butane cylinders. Propane and butane require to be released at different pressure levels, so they cannot be swapped between appliances without swapping the regulator. The majority of gas cylinders have an indicator on them which will notify you when you are getting close to running out of gas. Pouring warm water on top of the cylinder can also help you check the level. This will cause the temperature to change and give you an idea of how much fuel is left. You can also use the thermometer to obtain an accurate reading. LPG cylinders come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit various appliances, from 3.9kg for camping equipment portable and up to 47kg for caravans on moving. They are largely made from metal and should be stored upright in a safe place away from drains, or building entrances. It is essential to read the instruction manual for your grill or patio heater to determine if it recommends a specific brand or type of gas bottle. Some manufacturers may have their own brand of cylinder that is designed with their appliances in mind, and will work fine with other brands.