Gas Safety Pointers

[Smokeone]

After reading the flame safety post, I thought i would add some general gas safety tips. Alot of us may want to add a gas set up to our cookers. I must say that using lp(propane) or natural gas, can be very useful, but also VERY DANGEROUS! I am not a "gas" expert, but I came up with a few safety tips. This list is just what came to mind, feel free to add to it, for all our safety!

1: If you smell gas something is wrong! Stop what you are doing and turn the gas off at the supply valve ( not just the regulator). Do not do anything that could create a spark, ie: unplugging a cord, turn lights on or off, etc. You need to open up windows and doors to let fresh air naturally clear the gas. Don't use an electric fan.
2: LP and NAt Gas are two different animals. LP is heavier than air and will collect in low spots, Nat Gas is lighter than air and will collect in high places.
3: Thermocouple and flame safety valves are extremely important, with out them the flame could go out, and the gas would continue to flow. Which can lead to explosive levels quickly. (if you have never seen a gas explosion there a impressive but very deadly!) FYI i have seen gas explosions first hand, the end result is not pretty.
4: Use gas compatable sealants on fittings. Normal teflon tape is not compatable!
5: After assembly, leak test all components. Leak test by spraying the entire set up with a soap and water mixture, while the gas is flowing. If you see bubbles form theres a leak!
6: Gas is naturally "cold" when flowing, and freeze ups can occur especially at the regulator. Do not heat up the frozen spot! Some will laugh, it has been done! Usually a little water poured over the freeze will fix the problem.
4: When you pipe gas use copper or black iron. As was mentioned on a different thread galvanized pipe is not compatable with gas. Galvenized pipe will erode from the gas flow and eventually get pin holes to leak from. I personally had this, in my first house, fortunately we bought a new stove and repiped it, which led us to find a galvanized elbow that was paper thin.
5: When your are lighting any gas, keep your face clear of openings where the gas/flame could come out of, at ignition. Pilots or elctronic ignitors are the way to go!

I too am a tinkerer kind of guy and may or may not have tried these things already, but I can say i have seen the results of gas gone wrong! It is a very bad deal!

Most of you already new this, but sometimes reminders can't hurt. (I'm gettin old ya know)

[Tom_Heath]

Been there done number 3 first hand. Lucky for me, we had darn good hinges on the doors. Sent a mushroom cloud half way to the moon.

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

[Smokeone]

Tom halfway to the moon is not far off, the last one I saw the toilet wound up over 24 foot up a tree that was about 20 feet from the house!

I want to see DC fix that one, it drains well but it rocks quite a bit!

[The Czar]

I can fix anything....I carry 5 pounds of fast drying cement.....and that is a great post BTW...

Could be a sticky worthy.....

[Tom_Heath]

[Gizmo]

Now you've gone and done it Smokertom! ... opened up a whole new category of smokers right there.
BTW kids - don't try this at home until after you've thoroughly rinsed all the METHANE out of the toilet first...
I think Frank has a post on "de-methanizing" a toilet in preparation for converting it to a smoker - he's posted "how-to" threads on everything else!

All in fun...

[Gizmo]

Sorry S1 - but Smokertom had it coming...

[Smokeone]

No prob Rick! I'm sure if Frank hasn't done it, he will! ;)

Tom-Would definetly be an interesting way to cook an aZZ!

[Frank_Cox]

[The Czar]

That is very disturbing.....