Know the drill before you grill

Last summer, there were too many dangerous barbecue fires involving LP Gas cylinders in Victoria. Some of those barbecue fires turned into house fires, resulting in serious burns and the loss and damage of family homes.

So, to stay safe, know the drill before you grill.

Get into the habit of doing a soapy water check. Squirt your gas connection with soapy water to make sure there are no leaks. If no bubbles appear, you’re safe to use the barbecue.

Get a free soapy water bottle

Order a free soapy water bottle from our merchandise page, and we’ll post it to you to keep with your barbecue kit.

The drill

Follow these simple steps every time you use your barbecue

• Inspect the hose for signs of perishing or cracking – if the hose is cracked or perished, don’t use the BBQ until the hose has been replaced.
• Use a squeezy bottle filled with soapy water to check the connection for gas leaks (use dishwashing liquid and water). Squirt the connection with the suds from the soapy water solution. Remember:
  • Bubbles will form if gas is escaping
  • Leak-test the connection to the cylinder every time you connect it or change cylinders
  • Serious leaks are common and can be very dangerous
  • Check and leak test the connection every time you barbecue.
• If no bubbles appear, you’re safe to cook.

What to do if you see bubbles

• Switch off the gas immediately
• Re-check the hose to make sure it hasn’t perished
• Re-check connections to make sure they are tight – get into the habit of doing this regularly
• Check that the O ring on the connection hasn’t perished
• Check the gas cylinder for damage
  • Note: you can’t refill an LP Gas cylinder if it hasn’t been tested for over 10 years, or if the cylinder has been damaged. Always exchange LP Gas cylinders at a reputable supplier.
• Re-test with soapy water, and if bubbles still form turn off the gas. Your LP Gas cylinder or hose may need replacing.

Get into the habit of doing a soapy water check. Know the drill before you grill.

New safer valves on LPG cylinders

LPG cylinders with new valves are now available

When you next exchange your BBQ or outdoor gas appliance LP Gas cylinder, you may receive a cylinder with the new valve.

You won’t need to replace your BBQ or outdoor gas appliance as the new valve, known as the LCC27, will safely and easily connect to the hose on your existing BBQ.

The LCC27 valve is being introduced to improve safety and reduce the risk of BBQ fires and accidental gas leakage from LPG cylinders.

Cylinders with the current valves – Type 21 (POL) – may continue to be used. These valves will be phased out over a ten-year period as each LPG cylinder is due for a retest or ten year change-over.

From 1 October 2021, BBQs and gas appliances with new hose fittings, designed especially for the new valve, will also be phased in. A timeline of these changes is shown below.

How to connect

Connect your old BBQ hose connection to a new LPG cylinder valve

Your old style BBQ connection will connect to a new LPG cylinder. You connect the hose in an anti-clockwise direction. Once you hit resistance keep going until the connection is firmly connected to the valve.

The connection has a built in shut off valve to stop gas flow when the hose is not connected. If gas does not flow then check the connection is tight enough to open the internal safety valve.

Connect your new BBQ hose connection to a new LPG cylinder valve

You connect the hose in a clockwise direction. Once you hit resistance keep going until the connection is firmly connected to the valve.

The connection has a built in shut off valve to stop gas flow when the hose is not connected. If gas does not flow then check the connection is tight enough to open the internal safety valve.

Connecting a new BBQ hose connection to an old style LPG cylinder valve

It isn’t possible to connect a new BBQ hose to an old style LPG cylinder, so you will need to purchase a new LPG cylinder with the new valve on it. Never use an adaptor to attempt a connection between your old style LPG cylinder and a new BBQ connection, as they are dangerous and could start a fire.

More information

Check out:

• BBQ gas cylinder changes
• Our FAQs on the new LCC27 valve and connections
• Gas Energy Australia’s video on how to connect the new valve to your BBQ.

Storing or transporting LP gas cylinders

Remember to close the valves on LP gas cylinders whenever they are not in use, particularly when they are being transported.

When transporting an LP Gas cylinder, ensure that it is securely restrained in your vehicle – use a sturdy container, such as a milk crate, to keep the cylinder upright and steady. Make sure you have good ventilation in your vehicle.

Worksafe Victoria has some useful information about storing gas cylinders in vehicles (WorkCover).

More information

• BBQ gas cylinder changes – new safer valves on LPG cylinders
• Brochure – Gas barbecue safety tips
• Order a free soapy water bottle from our merchandise page, and we’ll post it to you to keep with your barbecue kit.