We have an electric oven with LPG hobs and this is the first Winter we have used it. The bottles sit outside, although they are relatively sheltered by vegetation etc. Gas stopped last night and on inspection, it looks as though one bottle has run out...I swapped bottles, but still no luck with the cooker. Is it possible that the cold weather is the cause of the problem, or am I doing something stupid when changing the bottle?
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Period LPG
- Thread starter Pford75
- Start date
Lime
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- 2,749
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- East of England
If it is butane, then almost certainly it's freezing up so the liquid gas won't evaporate hence no gas pressure.
We've had butane freeze up on us in above freezing outside temperatures. However, with propane, all worked fine when it was -13 outside.
I would suggest you check your regulator. It may well have a low pressure cut out on it which has triggered but not reset properly. We had one of these on our auto changeover regulator and it tripped once. It was an easy thing to reset if I remember correctly once I had worked out how its cover came off.
I would suggest you check your regulator. It may well have a low pressure cut out on it which has triggered but not reset properly. We had one of these on our auto changeover regulator and it tripped once. It was an easy thing to reset if I remember correctly once I had worked out how its cover came off.
MdB - I think you are on to something. A did a quick google of 'regulator low pressure cut out' and it seems that several regulators shut off when they detect low pressure (which would have happened when the bottle ran out or I changed bottle). It seems that the normal practice is to ensure that all 'downstream valves' are shut before the regulator will switch back on again.
If this is the case, it's a right pain as the valve is behind the cooker :x
But I can't see why this would make any difference, since having the valve open and the burners 'off' is essentially the same thing??
If this is the case, it's a right pain as the valve is behind the cooker :x
But I can't see why this would make any difference, since having the valve open and the burners 'off' is essentially the same thing??
I have LPG bottles for cooker and occasional CH (I use mostly wood burner for warmth). Last year was down to -17C and no problems with either (I have CH on for early morning and late night). Propane should not freeze in even the lowest UK temps, but butane definitely will. However, if water gets into the regulator you can have great problems if it freezes. Either water seeps in because of bad sealing or poor quality regulator, or too much water vapour is in the cylinder because the supplier is careless - it can happen, I had it at a previous property on one occasion (they gave me a free replacement with some embarrassment).
CliffordPope
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- 987
I have had condensation on the regulator which then froze, blocking the vent hole.
FWIW we have 2x19Kg propane bottles feeding our hob. The regulator fails over to the second bottle when the first is spent. A little red triangle on the indicator warns you that the bottle needs replacing. When I spot it I call the Calor people and they come out and swap for a full bottle in a few days for about £30. We use about one tank a year but it is still worth looking at if you can accommodate it just to ensure your dinner doesn't get interrupted?
We have a similar, but slightly lower tech solution. We have two bottles (propane) but one regulator which has to be manually switched by disconnecting one and reconnecting the other.
I'll investigate the regulator when I get home - was it easy to figure out how to reset?
I'll investigate the regulator when I get home - was it easy to figure out how to reset?
Problem solved.
The valve on the 'new' bottle was iced up, meaning that when I switched the regulator, I hadn't fully opened the valve...meaning that the pressure in the pipe was too low. Wrapped a hot flannel around the valve for a couple of minutes and was able to open fully....now working again.
The valve on the 'new' bottle was iced up, meaning that when I switched the regulator, I hadn't fully opened the valve...meaning that the pressure in the pipe was too low. Wrapped a hot flannel around the valve for a couple of minutes and was able to open fully....now working again.