Why there is a minimum size gas bottle for each situation.

We get asked a lot of the same questions over and over again, so its time we started a blog.

One I hear weekly is, why can’t I use a 9kg gas bottle to run my heating and cooking?

Basically, gas bottles all have an evaporation rate. The rate in which the LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) gas turns from a liquid to a vapor. This is determined by a number of factors such as temperature, pressure etc. The most basic and easy to calculate factor is the surface area of the gas bottle, the bigger the surface area the higher the evaporation rate. Cylinder capacity, measured in litres, also plays a crucial role in determining the volume of LPG in gas bottles.

LPG cylinders come in various sizes and specifications, suitable for different applications such as camping, residential heating, and industrial uses.

The lower the temperature the lower the evaporation rate. The more gas you draw off the bottle quickly the colder the bottle gets, the lower the evaporation rate.

At around 18deg and 30% full, a standard 45kg bottle, often referred to as a fat boy, can produce around 180mj/h. A 9kg at the same temperature can produce around 70mj/h or enough to run 5 burners on your 6 burner bbq safely.

Using LPG for hot water alongside cooking can significantly impact how long a cylinder lasts.

Safety precautions are crucial when dealing with LPG systems, especially hot water systems, to prevent fire hazards.

LPG storage tanks often have dual outlets for vapor and liquid withdrawal, ensuring users can distinguish between the two types of connections for safety and efficiency.

The longevity and practical applications of LPG bottles depend on factors such as gas cylinder size and usage rates.

A standard Rinnai B26 continuous flow unit runs at around 200mj/h under maximum load, which is more than a single 45kg LPG cylinder can handle, and let’s hope you’re not running the stove, heater, bbq, and oven at the same time. But because you don’t spend hours in the shower and the bottle gets quick short breaks you don’t burn your house down.

Larger LPG storage tanks, including those used for LPG domestic applications, often feature dual outlets for vapor and liquid withdrawal.

Gas is generally very safe in sensible hands, but it is important to choose the right LPG gas bottles based on intended use.

Open flames are a significant ignition source that must be avoided when handling LPG due to the flammable nature of its vapour.

We can also help you determine the gas required based on your intended use and the quantity needed for your specific delivery location, ensuring you do not exceed 80% of the water capacity to accommodate expansion of liquid LPG with temperature changes.