Butane won't stay lit?

[Daydream believer]

Has the OP considered changing the regulator? I changed mine a while ago. I believe there is a recommended max period for them. There was a slight improvement in flame size after, but only minimal.

 

[VicS]

Calor Gas do not "top the cylinder with a stenching agent". Or at least never did when I worked in the factory. It was one shot of liquid/gas & that was it. I cannot comment about other suppliers. Of course the system may have changed, but that would slow down the filling process. I cannot see that happening, the way they used to work, pushing the staff to produce results- Under pressure one might say

ITYWF that the stenching agent (ethyl mercaptan) is added during manufacture.

Has the OP considered changing the regulator? I changed mine a while ago. I believe there is a recommended max period for them. There was a slight improvement in flame size after, but only minimal.

The regulator should certainly be changed if it is over 10 years old but It was working OK before changing the cylinder and is working again OK now that the air has been vented. Therefore there is no reason to suspect any problem with the regulator

 

[Daydream believer]

ITYWF

???

 

[Deleted member 478]

I Think You Will Find these obtuse definitions in an online Urban Dictionary

 

[DangerousPirate]

I usually cure this by pouring a kettle of hot water over the cylinder

I want to see where you get the hot kettle from with the stove not working haha

To convert °C to °F; Add 40, multiply by 9 and divide by 5 , then subtract 40

No one can remember that, just use the convenience of a search engine on your pocket computer for the 4 times you need to know in your entire life. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The burner has a ring of holes that provide the flames, but if you look closely at a burner when its working properly, you'll see a ring of flame under the holes where a little gas leaks out between the top and bottom of the burner. If the tiny gap is blocked, the ring of flame can't form, and the big flames lift off like that. Give the area a good clean, removing any rust and try again.

I am not sure that was the problem, but yeah, good excuse to clean the stove. It has been a few days...

Has the OP considered changing the regulator? I changed mine a while ago. I believe there is a recommended max period for them. There was a slight improvement in flame size after, but only minimal.

OP has not. Don't think that was the issue. But maybe i should get a spare, just in case it breaks while I am sailing somewhere.

 

[VicS]

No one can remember that, just use the convenience of a search engine on your pocket computer for the 4 times you need to know in your entire life. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I reckon I have remembered it for well over 50 years. I've used it many more times than 4 so far. It works even when you have no access to a computer or the internet.

 

[Refueler]

I reckon I have remembered it for well over 50 years. I've used it many more times than 4 so far. It works even when you have no access to a computer or the internet.

I have of course ASTM book of conversions in my bag ...

I also have a simple converter app on my phone - needs no internet or even connection via sim ...

I've been converting F to from C for over 50yrs ..... but still can never remember the which way round sequence ... that uses ... /9 ... x5 ... +/- 32 ..

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I want to see where you get the hot kettle from with the stove not working haha

No one can remember that, just use the convenience of a search engine on your pocket computer for the 4 times you need to know in your entire life. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I am not sure that was the problem, but yeah, good excuse to clean the stove. It has been a few days...


OP has not. Don't think that was the issue. But maybe i should get a spare, just in case it breaks while I am sailing somewhere.

I was retailing my experience regarding low flame on the kitchen hob, at home, during a cold snap, as detailed in the preceding sentence.
From time advice appears in the sailing media and, indeed, on this forum, regarding the advisability of always having a flask of hot water ready, so as to produce a hot drink instantly, if required. Perhaps this hot water would also be useful for perking up a lazy gas cylinder.

 

[DangerousPirate]

I was retailing my experience regarding low flame on the kitchen hob, at home, during a cold snap, as detailed in the preceding sentence.
From time advice appears in the sailing media and, indeed, on this forum, regarding the advisability of always having a flask of hot water ready, so as to produce a hot drink instantly, if required. Perhaps this hot water would also be useful for perking up a lazy gas cylinder.

I was just pulling your leg

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I was just pulling your leg

Leg certainly pulled

 

[Refueler]

I was retailing my experience regarding low flame on the kitchen hob, at home, during a cold snap, as detailed in the preceding sentence.
From time advice appears in the sailing media and, indeed, on this forum, regarding the advisability of always having a flask of hot water ready, so as to produce a hot drink instantly, if required. Perhaps this hot water would also be useful for perking up a lazy gas cylinder.

I always have a 'Pump' flask with hot water for that quick cuppa - especially during night watch ...

Its 'Standing Orders' on my boat ... if you boil kettle - make sure enough spare to top up the Flask .... not to just make one cuppa and then waste all that gas used to boil unused water !!!

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I always have a 'Pump' flask with hot water for that quick cuppa - especially during night watch ...

Its 'Standing Orders' on my boat ... if you boil kettle - make sure enough spare to top up the Flask .... not to just make one cuppa and then waste all that gas used to boil unused water !!!

I take a cue from my late parents who lived through WW2 and subsequent Austerity period etc., and like them, just measure out and boil the requisite amount of water for the purpose required. I can't understand people who boil a whole kettle of water for just two or three cups of tea. It wastes gas and water (and takes much longer. ? )

 

[VicS]

I take a cue from my late parents who lived through WW2 and subsequent Austerity period etc., and like them, just measure out and boil the requisite amount of water for the purpose required. I can't understand people who boil a whole kettle of water for just two or three cups of tea. It wastes gas and water (and takes much longer. ? )

My daughter always fills the kettle. She says you can't see water so can't tell how much is in there. My kettle has level markers inside and a level gauge on the outside !

 

[Daydream believer]

....

 

[Momac]

shaking is what should not be done

Best be careful then while carrying the cylinder to the boat , changing a cylinder or when the boat is under way .

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

My daughter always fills the kettle. She says you can't see water so can't tell how much is in there. My kettle has level makers inside and a level gauge on the outside !

Our kettle at home is clear plastic, with a graduated scale on the side, and different colour LED lighting to indicate the temperature, should you not want the water to come to full boiling, when making coffee for instance. It's from Lidl.

 

[penfold]

Best be careful then while carrying the cylinder to the boat , changing a cylinder or when the boat is under way .

Should not be done in the context of venting the air/CO2/whatever contaminant; otherwise you can shake it like a maraca if you feel the need.

 

[Refueler]

Best be careful then while carrying the cylinder to the boat , changing a cylinder or when the boat is under way .

It used to be a recc'd by Calor - after transport - to let cylinder stand for a short period ...

Yes we know a boat moves around - but if the boat moves enough to upend the cylinder - I think you have bigger problems !!

 

[Refueler]

I take a cue from my late parents who lived through WW2 and subsequent Austerity period etc., and like them, just measure out and boil the requisite amount of water for the purpose required. I can't understand people who boil a whole kettle of water for just two or three cups of tea. It wastes gas and water (and takes much longer. ? )

I totally agree if you are NOT going to use / transfer the extra water .... but as I said - I top up the Flask - so anyone can create a cuppa quickly and without need to boil a kettle.

I suggest that this actually could use LESS gas overall than boiling small amounts each time you want a cuppa, Anyway - at 0100 in the morning ... others asleep ... its nice to just use the pump flask to make that cuppa.....

 

[Daydream believer]

The regulator should certainly be changed if it is over 10 years old but It was working OK before changing the cylinder and is working again OK now that the air has been vented. Therefore there is no reason to suspect any problem with the regulator

Not entirely true. The burner was working before the cylinder was changed & , therefore, it suggests that the regulator was. However, The flame dances off the burner, suggesting either an air issue, a pressure issue, or an issue with the cutoff mechanism. It does not actually preclude a fault arising in the regulator from, say, some fluid entering the regulator when it was being fitted to the bottle & expanding rapidly inside the regulator & damaging the valve mechanism .Do modern ones have a bladder, like the very early ones? I do not know.
I would still try a new regulator.
That being said, the pilot light on my calor heater sometimes dances off the burner. I solve it by holding a coffee stirrer over the flame & pushing it back down. It is due to the cutout being faulty & is the second heater to suffer from the fault.