Do-It-Yourself

So…you’re cooking with gas…I mean LPG
So after being handed the responsibility of detaching and installing cooking gas cylinders by my mother, (she has this irrational fright that if she touches the gas cylinder of fittings, it will either spontaneously combust or explode in her hands), I took the time to show and explain to her how to take off the regulator, put it on and check the hose and fittings to make sure we have no leaks and that it’s in good shape. Now I figure, it’s a good idea to share some tips on the good old gas cylinder, so maybe one day you’re cooking a stew or curry and the gas finishes and you’re afraid to change it out for a new one.
Most gas regulators (or the ‘head’ as it’s called) come with a quick release connector, meaning that to detach it you simply pull up on the connector at the bottom of the head, and to attach it, you pull up on the connector, press the head in position and pull the connector down. Usually you can hear a soft snap when the connector is in place, then you can just gently tug at the head and make sure it’s really on there. The connector slips over a metal ridge on outlet of the gas bottle, so make sure that the head is connected properly and not slanted or slack.
It is usually advised to change out these regulators every five years normally, whilst hoses should be changed every two years. But these are just like guidelines. The real indicator is when you make checks and see the condition, (hoses for example can deteriorate more rapidly depending on the environment and conditions they’re kept in).
You should make frequent checks and make sure that the hoses are free from kinks and damage. An inspection when you change out an empty cylinder should suffice. Make sure too that the hose clamps are not loose or worn; if so change them out first thing. Check regularly for leakages by using a soapy water solution on all the joint areas, even the hose, a presence of bubbles indicate a leak.
Generally when cooking with LPG gas (that’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas), you should have adequate ventilation in and around the area, flammable materials away from the area…and something not to overlook, do not leave stuff cooking unattended, a spill-over from your pot can extinguish the burner, but gas will still be leaking out creating a fire hazard.
As far as storage goes, always remember to store the cylinders upright, give a little space around the cylinders too. Never rest anything on top of the cylinder or the head, or lean anything against the hoses, and obviously, keep the cylinder off when not in use.
Happy cooking! I mean fixing, until next installment.