LPG is a clean, modern fuel that brings comfort to tens of millions of consumers worldwide. However, as with any fuel, safety in operations and handling is imperative for consumers and for the industry. The resources on this page outline the simple guidelines and industry regulations that should be followed when using LPG equipment.
Safety is a core component of LPGSA’s mandate. Safety initiatives supported by LPGSA include technical LPG training, consultation and communication regarding industry standards, maintenance of the Safe Appliance database and Cylinder Verification database, and incident investigation in partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour.
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With the onset of winter homeowners who use LPG heaters need to ensure the safety of their gas equipment as well as the cylinders they use. Refilling your LPG cylinder: • Check that your gas cylinder is correctly filled or exchanged in good time to avoid not being able to get a cylinder. • When exchanging your empty cylinder for a filled one, make sure that your replacement cylinder has been legally (and safely) filled. • To do so, check that there is a shrink wrap seal covering the cylinder valve. • If there is no seal or if the seal is clear (no writing or branding) do not accept the cylinder. • If the seal only has the words LPG or LPGas printed on it, do not accept the cylinder – even if the seal is a coloured one. • The only acceptable seal is one that has the same branding (logo/name) on the seal as is on the body of the cylinder itself. Connecting your new cylinder • NB: Always make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. • Roll-about heaters are connected to the LPG cylinder via an orange hose and a regulator – the regulator screws into the cylinder valve. • Always ensure that the cylinder valve is closed before loosening/removing the regulator. • Check that there is a rubber seal on the end of the regulator. The rubber seal is also referred to as a bullnose, O-ring or washer, and is the seal between the regulator and the cylinder valve. • Ensure that the rubber seal is located on the end of the regulator and is in good condition and not perished, cracked or damaged in any way. The seals can become brittle over time, may split or even become lodged inside the valve of the LPG cylinder. • A damaged seal is a prime cause of gas leaks. Seals should be checked regularly. • Remember, the regulator has a left-hand thread. So, to connect the regulator, you need to turn it in an anti-clockwise direction. To remove the regulator, turn it clockwise. Checking for gas leaks • Once you have connected the regulator to the cylinder valve, open the valve one and a half turns only – it is not necessary to open it further. • Before igniting the heater, wait a half a minute or so to see if there is any smell of gas. • If there is a smell, immediately close the valve and take the cylinder and heater to an LPG dealer to check and, if necessary, service the heater. • You can also check for a leak by applying a soapy water solution on all joints. The soapy solution will create bubbles if the gas is leaking. • Once you have checked for leaks you should lift the gas cylinder into the housing behind the LPG heater and close the housing panel or backing plate. • It is important that the LPG cylinder is located in the space at the back of the heater to • prevent the cylinder being knocked over. • Make sure you use the correct size of cylinder for the heater you are using. • Once the cylinder is safely in place, ignite the heater. |
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How Often to Clean Your Stove's Gas Burners A gas stove system is remarkably simple and trouble-free. In fact, difficulties arise only when the flow of gas becomes hindered, which is often caused by food residue that spills over the sides of pots and pans and clogs the ports around the burner heads. If left unattended, this food residue can become quite hard and difficult to remove. The best rule of thumb is to clean gas burners whenever the flame becomes irregular or exhibits a yellow color. Barring that, cleaning the burners once a month is probably sufficient. There is some variation in how manufacturers recommend cleaning the burner heads on a gas stove, but the following materials and steps will work for most stoves. |
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What You'll Need
Drying cloth
Instructions
Knowing what kind of care is best for your appliance will go a long way in protecting your investment. The product manual that comes with your cooktop will help you know which areas are safe to remove for cleaning, making your job a much easier one. The manual may even suggest recommended cleaning products (or products and ingredients to avoid). This can be a good starting point in learning how to clean and unclog your burners. If you no longer have the printed manual, you can probably download it from the manufacturer's website.
If you have an older cooktop with a standing pilot light, you'll need to shut off the gas valve before you begin. Many gas burners have a removable ceramic disc that sits atop the burner to diffuse the flames. If this is the case with your stove, simply lift this disc off the burner, making sure the burners are completely cool before doing so.
Beneath the caps, the burner head sits atop the venturi tube. Remove the burner heads by lifting straight up. Take care not to bend or damage the ignition electrode if your stove uses this design.
Soak the burner heads and caps in a mixture of liquid dish soap and warm water for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will help loosen debris that is hardened on.
Using a non-abrasive scrub pad and an old toothbrush, scrub away food stains from all surfaces of the burner heads and caps. If debris remains in the port openings, use a straightened paper clip to dig it out, but take care not to damage the metal. Don't try to dig around too deeply in the portholes, and never use a toothpick, as there's a risk that the wooden pick will break off and further clog the ports. For extremely stubborn stains, make a paste of half baking soda and half water. Apply it to the surfaces of the burner heads and caps, and scrub with a non-abrasive pad and toothbrush. This may take repeated applications, but it will usually remove even the most stubborn stains.
Never use bleach or steel wool to clean stove burner parts.
Rinse all parts thoroughly under running water, shaking them to remove excess water, then drying with a cloth. Allow all the parts to then air-dry completely before reassembling the burners. As the parts are drying, you can turn your attention to cleaning other parts of your stove, such as the grills and drip pans. The same soak-and-scrub method is a sure-fire way to clean these parts, as well.
Once completely dry, you can reassemble the drip pans, burner heads, caps, and grills. On electronic ignition stoves, take care not to bend or damage the ignition electrodes as you reinstall the burner heads.
On stoves with standing pilot lights, follow the manufacturer's instructions for relighting the pilot flames. Test the burners to make sure they operate correctly—any unusual flame color or shape may indicate that the burner heads are not completely dry, or that the caps are not seated correctly over the burner heads.
Safety is important in every home!
« Watch our video to find out more. |
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