Patio Gas Versus Butane and Propane
Patio heaters are a great option to provide a warm and comfortable temperature to your outdoor areas, allowing you to make the most of your outdoor area. They are incredibly efficient and offer adjustable heat.
Gas is available in small "patio bottles" which are designed to be compatible with barbecues and have the clip-on regulator, whereas butane cylinders have screw in connectors.
What is Patio Gas?
Patio gas is propane or butane in a small 'patio bottle' made with barbecues and patio heaters in mind. These bottles use a special regulator (more on these later) that connects to the hose of your appliance. The cylinders are green as opposed to the propane cylinders that are red or blue located in the barbecue section. The bottles for gas barbecues have a gas gauge so you can see when the bottle is empty.
Both propane gas and butane are flammable hydrocarbons which burn when they are burned. Butane gas has lower boiling temperatures than propane, and can be used at lower temperatures. Propane is more suitable for cooking and heating outdoors because it burns at a high temperature.
All leisure appliances that use bottles of gas come with a regulator valve that reduces the pressure of gas coming out of the cylinder. The valve stops the cylinder from breaking when you open it and stops the appliances from working too fast. Regulators are available in clip-on and screw on styles and in various sizes to accommodate the different types of cylinders. Propane and Butane require a different pressure level to be dispensed, therefore they are not interchangeable without changing the regulator.
What is Butane?
Butane is the second-lightest of hydrocarbons (following propane) with four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms. It is also known by its chemical name C4H10 and is used in butane torches and lighters. Butane is a liquid oily at ambient temperature. It has no odor. Butane is used to fuel patio gas heaters and butane heaters. It is also used as a solvent for the production of cosmetics, perfumes and pharmaceuticals.
Butane and propane, both safe and clean-burning, are safe sources of energy for businesses, homes and industries in Tennessee and southern Kentucky. They both burn cleaner than other fossil fuels, and emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases when burned. However, there are a few differences between propane and butane that are important to understand.
Propane and Butane differ in their boiling points, the temperature at which each gas is able to vaporize at a given pressure. This makes propane better suited to colder temperatures and outdoor use because it will not freeze in its containers that are pressurized. Additionally propane has a lower boiling point than butane, making it less flammable and safer to store in cylinders.
N-Butane is a liquid that is volatile that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is not harmful to humans, but it may cause irritation to the mucous membranes and eyes. Inhalation of 10,000ppm for 10 minutes causes drowsiness, but no other adverse effects to the system.
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code establishes the rules and standards for transporting dangerous chemicals, like butane. If you're shipping butane it is essential to follow these guidelines. Failure to do so can result in fines, penalties or the confiscation of an exploding cylinder.
Although 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. In two cases of deliberate inhalation with butane, autopsies revealed changes in the lungs and heart caused by butane. These changes are attributed to the passage of butane through alveoli and the pulmonary mucosa. Histological analysis confirmed these findings. The use of butane in the wrong way is associated with a high mortality rate among children.
What is Propane?
Propane, also referred to as liquefied petrol or LPG gas (C3H8), is a hydrocarbon gas. It is a safe and clean energy source, which can be used to heat homes and cook food, as well as power appliances, and to run vehicles. Propane is produced both from natural gas processing and crude oil refining in approximately equal amounts coming from each source. It is nontoxic, colorless, and virtually incomparable to odor. To detect leaks producers add ethyl-mercaptan, an smell-causing agent.
Propane is a solid substance at room temperature. However, when it is pressurized, it turns into liquid. Propane can be transported in a safe and easily, and it is stored underground in tanks in controlled conditions. It's distributed to homeowners, businesses and other customers through a network of pipelines, barges railcars and tanker trucks.
While propane is a great option for a range of commercial and residential applications it is especially suited to outdoor applications. It can power outdoor facilities such as grills, patio heaters, and fire pits. It can be used as an alternative source of energy during power outages. And propane is environmentally friendly and produces less harmful emissions than any other fossil fuel when it is burned.
The many uses of propane make it a vital element of American life. But how much do you know about the process by the process it goes from its natural origins to your home?
Propane is a byproduct from natural gas processing and refining crude oil, and can be found in both underground and aboveground storage facilities. It's transported to natural gas processing facilities as well as homes via a network of pipelines barges, truckers, and railroad automobiles. After it has been liquefied, it can be stored and transported in small portable tanks. The vast majority of the propane consumed in America comes from domestic sources, making this clean, affordable fuel an ideal choice for commercial and residential use. It's especially beneficial in rural areas where access to other kinds of fuel 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?
You can use either propane or butane for your BBQ or patio heater They both work well. However, the gas bottle you require is determined by the kind of appliance you're using. Propane is stored in green bottles that are designed specifically for outdoor appliances like patio heaters and BBQs These bottles are compatible with a 27mm clip on regulator. Butane comes in blue bottles, and is typically used with camping stoves and one-burner cookers. They also have a screw-on regulator.
All leisure gas cylinders are fitted with a gas regulator that decreases the pressure of the cylinder, and controls the amount of gas dispensed. This ensures that the cylinder doesn't run out of gas too quickly, and protects the appliance. You must select a gas regulator that is appropriate for the cylinder you are using (propane or butane) as their regulator valves differ. Propane and Butane must be released at different pressure levels which means they cannot be swapped without changing the regulator.
The majority of gas cylinders have an indicator on them which will notify you that you are near to running out of gas. It is also simple to determine the level by pouring a glass of warm water on the top of the cylinder. This will make it change temperature and give you an estimate of how much gas is left. You can also use the thermometer to get a precise reading.
LPG cylinders are available in range of sizes and shapes that can be used with various appliances. They range from 3.9kg to fit portable camping equipment up to 47kg to accommodate caravans. Most of these cylinders are made from metal and should be kept upright away from drains, fire exits, and building entrances.
gas or electric patio heater for your patio heater or BBQ to see whether they recommend a certain brand or type. Some manufacturers offer their own brand cylinders that are designed specifically for their equipment however, they can also be used with other brands.