gas cooker connections

[Guest]

I have a gas cooker branded PRIMUS but manufactured in France probably late 70's.
The cooker is connected to the gas bottle by braided runner hose to copper tubing and finally to the bottle by braided rubber hose push fit onto bottle. I decided to renew the rubber connections as some of the braided wire had rusted. On consulting the local camping shop I was told that this type of connecter was obsolete and no longer available anywhere as it no longer complied with safety regs. Advice given was to throw the cooker away and buy a new one. Replacement cost seem to be in excess of £500 for a 3 burner stove . I find it diificult to believe that these connecters are unavailable or that there is no other way to connect the bottle to the stove.
Any advice please?
Spits

 

[vyv_cox]

I suspect that your only problem is the connection to the cooker, which I am assuming is a hose connector. This will unscrew and can be replaced by an adaptor that converts it to a compression fitting. You can buy armoured gas hose with either 6 mm or 8 mm copper tails to fit compression fittings. Some older stoves had a copper tube that ran right through under the burners to connect to the manifold near the taps, using a compression fitting. This could be replaced, attaching the armoured hose with another comression fitting.

I would support making this change, as there is no doubt that making rubber hose attachments with hose clips can be prone to leakage.

At the bottle end you can do something similar, although rubber hose is still available for this application.

You are no doubt aware that making connections to gas appliances is now almost as highly regulated as working on asbestos-filled nuclear reactors. There is a risk, of course, but normal good working practice is perfectly adequate for the task. If in doubt, ask someone who knows, or if you are really desperate, a CORGI fitter.

 

[Guest]

The advice you got to ditch the cooker sounds good to me. It's over 20 years old, does not comply to modern standards, probably has an unknown usage and service history, is obsolete and potentially dangerous.

You can buy a new 3 burner stove in stainless steel for less than £155.00 and a perfectly adequate enamel stove with oven for a little over £200.00.


Remember:

Only the best will pass,
the safety rules applying to gas,
if you try to make do,
with a false economy or two,
chances are you'll blow up your a**!!!

 

[Guest]

Many thanks your reply. Yes it is a compression fiitng to the stove, so from what you say I should be able to replace them. Thanks again for the advice

Regards David Spittle

 

[Guest]

Thanks your reply. Can you point me in the right direction for a oven at the prices you mention ? Cjheapest I have seen is a Plastimo Neptune at £395.
Regards Spits

 

[jollyjacktar]

DIY Solution

Provided that there is a pressure reduction device at the gas cylinder [I would not operate any other sort of system] then the whole operation is low pressure, less than 5lbs/sqr inch and thus relatively easy and safe to DIY.

I would replace the whole of the line [braids, copper and rust] with a good quality, suitable diameter, plastic type, internally braided, fuel tube [excuse the lengthy description, choose your own supplier]. Connections can be secured with compression hose clips. Thus there will be only two connections, the stove and the reduction valve at the cylinder, keep the system simple. Test for leaks with soapy water painted over the joints, if it blows bubbles you have a leak.

Nothing wrong with an old stove if it is in good working order. Carry out all the normal safety check seach time when lighting up and shutting down. As for CORGI some previous threads would indicate that this is a waste of time
Happy cooking.

 

[Sammy]

Just a note to put some records straight.
The gas tubing must comply to BS for flexible tubing. Soft drawn copper is fine for the pipe runs. Get the cooker checked out by a registered installer that is qualified in cookers and calor. put a test nipple in the system so it can be properly tested not just a soap solution. Stick to the guide lines for the Boat Safety Scheme and you wont go far wrong. And I can't find a cooker cheaper than a Neptune either. I do have an axe to grind I am Corgi registered.

 

[vyv_cox]

http://www.socal.co.uk/best.html gives full details of all requirements.

 

[graham]

David advice on using a compression connector sounds ok.Check and double check all joints remember that lpg is heavier than air.

Also remember to check joints on the cooker itself between the control tap and the burner as leaks here cant be pressure tested.

If the flame is not bright blue or if soot appears on pots and pans its a sure sign of incomplete combustion which will be lethal in the confines of a boat.

Dont listen to anything jolly jack tar advises on this subject.Iam a CORGI reg. fitter and his advise to other people on the subject has been downright dangerous.He is a well practised stirrer and I suspect he only replies to wind up people like me.