Buying Patio Gas
When buying patio gas, it is important to select the correct bottle and type of gas for your needs. This will ensure the safety and longevity of your bottle.
A gas regulator reduces the gas's pressure as it exits the cylinder. The type of gas regulator is dependent on the size and type of cylinder.
Propane
Propane is a highly efficient alternative fuel that has a clean burn is suitable for everything from gas fireplaces to home standby generators. It offers numerous environmental advantages, such as reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. It is safe, non-toxic, and reliable both indoors and outdoors.
Propane also has the benefit of being a cost-effective option to heat homes in areas where natural gas is not available. Propane tanks are delivered to your home and can be connected to a variety of appliances. This is a less expensive alternative than installing a brand new natural gas line. It could also result in lower energy bills.
If you'd prefer to purchase a propane tank to your home, or swap your current tank for a new one, you can locate a propane retailer near you that can provide the service you need. The process for purchasing propane will depend on the size of the tank. It usually involves an initial purchase, then a subsequent refill and exchange.
Patio heaters and BBQ grills are often fueled by smaller propane tanks, such as 20-pound cylinders. They are readily available from a range of retailers, including convenience stores and hardware shops as well as the majority of gas stations. You can also buy a pre-filled propane tank at some home centers to provide one-stop shopping.
These larger propane cylinders are suitable for applications such as water heaters for homes and backup generators. These larger cylinders are usually hired out on a permanent basis, and are generally stored underground or in other secured places. These cylinders are also known as LP-gas and LPG, and can be rented out or purchased from propane suppliers in the majority of cases.
Propane is a reliable and safe form of energy that can be purchased in a variety of ways which makes it a great solution for homeowners who need the energy to power many appliances and activities. The most reliable propane supplier will depend on factors like your preferred delivery frequency and the price of propane in your region and the amount of energy your household uses each year.
Butane
When buying propane for your patio, you'll need to decide if you want propane or butane. Both serve different functions and provide an environmentally friendly, safe energy source for outdoor appliances like BBQs and patio heaters. Propane is the preferred fuel for heaters for patios due its lower boiling temperature. It is typically sold in cylinders of 5 kg. Propane-powered heaters can be used at temperatures that are as low as -4degC. Butane however is unable to vaporise under such conditions.
Butane, on the other hand, is commonly found in 15 kg cylinders. This makes it a more heavy-duty option, often used for caravanning and camping and also for household appliances such as gas cookers. Butane, just like propane, is a safe and efficient energy source. It also has the advantage of being less volatile than propane.
Whatever type of gas you prefer, you'll have to purchase a patio gas bottle and a regulator for your appliance. Patio gas bottles have been designed to work with regulators. This lets you connect the gas bottle directly to your BBQ's propane or butane outlet. You can find gas bottles at most supermarkets, as well as some DIY stores and hardware outlets.
gas patio heater tend to be smaller than other types of bottle gas, making them ideal for outdoor heaters and BBQs. They are also made from a strong and durable material, which means they can endure a significant amount of wear and tear without becoming damaged. Patio gas is available in a range of colors that are most commonly blue or red.
If you purchase patio gas from Horticentre, you'll be guaranteed a seamless and convenient experience. Our online platform offers detailed descriptions of the products and specifications, allowing you to easily look over the various options and select the right one for your needs. We have propane and butane gas in a range of sizes, from tiny 5 kg cylinders up to larger 13 and 15 kg options, so you'll never run out of. With free delivery included on every order shopping with us is a breeze.
Gas Bottles
When deciding on the size of your gas patio, there are several things to consider. What do you intend to use your gas for first? This is vital as propane and butane each have their own distinct uses. Propane is the best choice for BBQs and garden appliances because of its low boiling point of -42degC, whilst butane is more suitable for indoor portable heaters and single-burner cooking appliances.
If you plan to power the motorhome or caravan appliances you'll also need to choose the right size bottle. Larger appliances require more energy. Flogas provides both green Patio gas cylinders as well as butane Campingaz cylinders for these kinds of applications.
Another consideration is where you will store your gas bottle. We recommend keeping your gas bottle out of the way to decrease the risk of leaks, and give you assurance that your appliance is safe to use. This is particularly important when considering the fact that your propane or butane gas bottle will contain an extremely pressurized gas which means it should be stored in a place where it cannot leak or break, or be damaged.
All of our gas bottles include a regulator. This is a crucial safety feature that reduces the pressure under which your barbecue or heating device for your patio receives gas. The type of regulator you will require will depend on the type of gas you're using and the size of the cylinder The green patio bottles work with a 27mm clip-on regulator and butane Campingaz Cylinders come with an internal regulator screw (link to find out more about this).
Gas bottles are subject to high pressures, which is why specific safety regulations are in place, including the chaining of bottles in order to prevent them from falling. There are rules regarding where to store them as well as warning signs to inform people of the dangers. It is not recommended to purchase gas in bottles. Instead, you should lease it from a Gas Supply Company in order to use it with an appliance that is specifically designed for gas. This permits regular testing of the cylinder to ensure that the quality is maintained and that it is in compliance with all relevant standards.
Regulators

Gas regulators are necessary to connect gas bottles to a propane patio heater or BBQ, or any other propane-powered gas appliance. Gas regulators cut down the high-pressure gas supply that comes from the cylinder to a more constant regulated propane pressure required by your appliance. There are numerous types of regulators, each having their specific pressure settings and connections.
Liquefied petroleum gas is generally packaged in Butane or Propane, with Butane bottles typically being blue, and Propane being red. The cylinders themselves have different connections sizes, with Butane having an on-clip regulator with an internal valve size of 21mm, and Propane (also known as Patio Gas) bottles having a 27mm screw-on regulator which requires a spanner to tighten. Propane and Butane are not compatible. It is possible to connect Butane appliances with Propane bottles but not in the reverse order.
Three major components work together to regulate the gas pressure. A loading mechanism determines the delivery pressure, while a sensing element (usually dialume) senses force of the spring that is applied to it. A control element decreases the pressure at the inlet to the downstream pressure. Atmospheric pressure, dependent on the elevation above sea level at which your building sits can also influence the gas pressure as it moves through the regulator. This is why it's important to choose the appropriate regulator for your particular needs. This will prevent your propane barbecue from running out of gas or experiencing unpredictable performance.