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A collection of Calor patio gas bottles

How to connect and disconnect LPG gas bottles safely

How to safely connect and disconnect gas bottles

You're fully equipped – with a regulator in one hand and a gas bottle at your feet

But you’re not quite sure how to use them

We’re here to make things clearer. Below, you’ll see exactly how to connect and disconnect your gas bottle. So you’ll have a very good idea of how to use it!

Get ready to fire up the BBQ!

You'll be cooking on gas in no time

A close up someone holding a Calor regulator

Just follow our simple step-by-step guide to

Connecting your patio gas bottle

A close up someone disconnecting a Calor regulator from a Patio gas bottle

And then, when it's time...

Disconnecting your gas BBQ

Prefer written instructions?

Here's a written (printable) guide to connecting and disconnecting your patio gas bottles:

Before you connect, you should always check:

  • As patio gas bottles have a 27mm valve, you should check that you have a 27mm clip-on regulator
  • There isn’t a protective cap on your patio gas bottle, so make sure the top of the valve is nice and clean
  • Please note that you should never disconnect the regulator with the switch in the on position
  • Before using a patio gas bottle, please take a look at our PDF technical publication on how to use patio gas safety.

Let’s get connected!

  1. The regulator switch should start in the off position
  2. Place the regulator down onto the gas bottle valve and press downwards firmly until you hear the audible ‘click’. This indicates that the regulator is in place
  3. To turn the gas on, turn the gas on/off switch a quarter turn anticlockwise to the 'on' position
  4. Always turn the switch clockwise to the 'off' position after use

Don’t forget to disconnect:

  1. Turn the regulator switch clockwise to the ‘off’ position
  2. If the flame doesn’t go out, leave the appliance alight and contact the Calor gas emergency service number on 03457 444 999
  3. Press the 'push' button on the lower part and lift the regulator from the valve
  4. If you’re using a butane gas bottle, place the safety cap onto the empty bottle valve

And that’s it! If you have any problems connecting or removing your regulator, please feel free to call our technical help-desk on 01926 318 497 and we’ll be happy to help with your query. 

Everything you need to know

Connecting and disconnecting propane gas bottles

A Calor regulator being connected to a Propane gas bottle

Just follow our simple step-by-step guide to

Connecting your propane gas bottle

Prefer written instructions?

Here's a written (printable!) guide to connecting and disconnecting your propane gas bottles

Before you connect, you should always check:

  • Check your bullnose connection is clean and undamaged
  • Make sure you have the correct sized spanner
  • If you'd like to know more about propane, please take a look at our PDF technical publication on propane gas

Let’s get connecting!

  1. Turn the valve hand wheel off by turning it clockwise
  2. Unscrew and remove the protective plug from the valve outlet
  3. Check the bullnose connection on the regulator for any damage before connecting
  4. Next screw the hose anti-clockwise into the gas bottle
  5. Make sure the gas bottle connection is tight! Use a suitable spanner for this
  6. To use the gas, turn the valve hand wheel anti-clockwise

Don’t forget to disconnect

  1. Turn the valve hand wheel off (clockwise rotation)
  2. Except for multi-bottle installations with a changeover valve, turn off the gas tap if it’s fitted to the appliance. Wait until the burner and pilot lights have gone out. If the flame doesn’t go out, leave the appliance alight and contact the Calor gas emergency service number on 03457 444 999. For installations with a change-over valve, you only need to turn off the empty gas bottle
  3. Never remove the regulator (or connecting nut) with the bottle valve open
  4. Use a spanner to remove the regulator by turning it left
  5. Replace the protective plug into the valve outlet

Need to hook your butane? Here's how:

A close up of a Butane gas bottle connected to a Calor portable heater

Just follow our simple step-by-step guide to

Connecting your butane gas bottle

Prefer written instructions?

Here's a written (printable!) guide to connecting and disconnecting your butane gas bottles.

Before you connect, you should always check:

  • A 4.5kg butane gas bottle takes a regulator that screws on to the valve outlet. The regulator has a black washer in it that, when tightened, forms a gas tight seal
  • If you'd like to know more about butane, please take a look at our PDF technical publication on butane gas

Let’s get connecting!

  1. Turn the valve hand wheel off by turning it clockwise
  2. Unscrew and remove the protective plug from the valve outlet
  3. Check the black sealing washer on the regulator for damage before connecting—replace it if it’s faulty
  4. Fit the connecting nut to the bottle using a suitable spanner. Tighten it firmly by turning it anticlockwise, but don’t over-tighten it as this can damage the washer
  5. When you need to use gas, turn the valve hand wheel anti-clockwise

Don’t forget to disconnect

  1. Make sure you do not disconnect the regulator (or connecting nut) with the gas bottle valve open
  2. Turn the valve hand wheel off (clockwise rotation) and wait until the burner and pilot lights have gone out. If the flame doesn’t go out, leave the appliance alight and contact the Calor gas emergency service number on 03457 444 999
  3. Use a suitable spanner when you disconnect the regulator, then screw the protective black cap back on to the gas bottle valve outlet

Before you connect, you should always check:

  • You will need a 21mm regulator for your 7kg and 15kg butane gas bottles

  • Please note that you should never disconnect the regulator with the switch in the on position 

  • If you'd like to know more about butane, please take a look at our PDF technical publication on butane gas

Let’s get connecting!

  1. The regulator switch should start in the off position

  2. Place the regulator down onto the gas bottle valve and press downwards firmly until you hear the audible ‘click’. This indicates that the regulator is in place

  3. To turn the gas on, turn the gas on/off switch a quarter turn anticlockwise to the 'on' position

  4. Always turn the switch clockwise to the 'off' position after use

Don’t forget to disconnect

  1. Turn the regulator switch clockwise to the ‘off’ position

  2. If the flame doesn’t go out, leave the appliance alight and contact the Calor gas emergency service number on 03457 444 999

  3. Press the 'push' button on the lower part and lift the regulator from the valve

  4. If you’re using a butane gas bottle, place the safety cap onto the empty bottle valve

And that’s it! If you have any problems connecting or removing your regulator, please feel free to call our technical help-desk on 01926 318 497 and we’ll be happy to help with your query.

Need more help?

Call our technical engineering help desk and they'll be happy to advise further

What to do if you smell gas, or if there is an emergency

Immediately shut off all valves on bottles and call the Calor Emergency Line on 03457 444 999 for further instructions