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The UK has been in the grip of lockdown for many weeks now, and while it may be slowly easing, there are still rules in place, and with a warning that restrictions could resume depending on how we manage the virus as things start easing off.

Plenty of people have had to deal with the reality that they’re going to be celebrating their birthday without the pubs, clubs and restaurants. But fear not, there are still plenty of ways you can celebrate your birthday in style right from the comfort and safety of your own home. Here’s how to plan a birthday celebration during lockdown.

Go Digital

If this lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that almost anything can be done online. If you’ve got loved ones shielding and who can’t come out to see you in person, get creative with your birthday and plan a virtual party.

With programs like Zoom and Skype, it’s easier than ever to get all your family and friends together for an online party experience. You could have a casual, video-conference hang out with drinks and chat, or get even more creative and organise an online gaming tournament to bring some competitive fun into the equation.

Virtual quizzes are all the rage this lockdown, so why not enlist a friend or relative to plan one for your birthday? Perhaps with a round all about you so your friends and family can put their knowledge to the test.

Whether it’s games, a singalong or just a catch-up, virtual parties are a fantastic way to still have fun on your birthday with the people you love while keeping safe and protecting those you care about most.

Order In

Plenty of restaurants have been adapting in the run-up to re-opening, including many of your local places introducing home delivery or collection of your favourite dishes. For your birthday, why not treat yourself to a takeout from your favourite place? It’s not just pizza and curries you can get delivered to your door these days; you can even have delectable desserts like waffles, milkshakes and cake brought straight to you with the click of a button.

Takeaway with the family is a great way to enjoy your birthday by settling down to your favourite meal – whether in your PJs on the sofa or dressed up at the dinner table, depending on your mood. It also goes some way to helping your local takeaways and restaurants that are trying to stay afloat during this difficult time. So order that takeaway and show your support today.

Karaoke Party

Practice those voice warmups and get ready for a birthday you’ll never forget. Pop on your favourite tunes and get ready to sing to your heart’s content with your family or partner. Create your very own birthday playlist and host your very own karaoke bar.

You can even get your friends involved over video chat so you can spread the joy and create an authentic experience.

Homemade Cocktails

Everyone has been missing the bars and nightlife that lockdown has shut out for the last few months. But just because they might not open in time for your birthday doesn’t mean you can’t have your very own bar or cocktail crawl from the comfort of your own home.

There are so many resources online, from YouTube videos to online recipes, showing you exactly how to craft your own delicious cocktails. Get yourself a cocktail making kit, buy your ingredients on your next shop and put together a cocktail making night for a fun-filled birthday celebration. You’ll be able to learn something new, make some delicious drinks (or possibly not, depending on how it goes) and celebrate at home with your family or partner.

Outdoor Celebrations

If you fancy something a bit bigger for your lockdown birthday, current restrictions allow outdoor gatherings provided that you are still adhering to social distancing guidelines.

A BBQ is a great outdoor activity to put on to get all your friends and family gathered in a safe way. Make sure you aren’t passing food to those you don’t live with and have them handle their own servings and bring their own plates and utensils to eat with.

Keep a disinfectant spray and cloth in the bathroom and ask guests to wipe down surfaces they touched after leaving the toilet. It might seem like an extreme measure, but it’s recommended and is one of the best ways to ensure that your BBQ is as safe as possible for everyone involved.

Make sure your BBQ is well stocked with BBQ gas so you can get those burgers grilling. And don’t forget to let everyone know that it’s an outdoor party with some decorations. Balloons make a great addition to any party, signalling to everyone where the party is and getting the celebration going. At Adams Gas, we provide helium canisters, both refillable and disposable, in a variety of sizes so you can ensure that you’ll have enough for all of your balloon inflating needs.

This lockdown, celebrate your birthday in a fun but safe way to ensure all of your family and friends reduce the chances of passing on any harmful viruses. If you need any gas bottles to get those celebrations really rocking, Adams Gas has everything you need. Contact us today for more information.

How Your Family Can Celebrate Your Birthday in Style During Lockdown

The UK has been in the grip of lockdown for many weeks now, and while it may be slowly easing, there are still rules in place, and with a warning that restrictions could resume depending on how we manage the virus as things start easing off.

Plenty of people have had to deal with the reality that they’re going to be celebrating their birthday without the pubs, clubs and restaurants. But fear not, there are still plenty of ways you can celebrate your birthday in style right from the comfort and safety of your own home. Here’s how to plan a birthday celebration during lockdown.

Go Digital

If this lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that almost anything can be done online. If you’ve got loved ones shielding and who can’t come out to see you in person, get creative with your birthday and plan a virtual party.

With programs like Zoom and Skype, it’s easier than ever to get all your family and friends together for an online party experience. You could have a casual, video-conference hang out with drinks and chat, or get even more creative and organise an online gaming tournament to bring some competitive fun into the equation.

Virtual quizzes are all the rage this lockdown, so why not enlist a friend or relative to plan one for your birthday? Perhaps with a round all about you so your friends and family can put their knowledge to the test.

Whether it’s games, a singalong or just a catch-up, virtual parties are a fantastic way to still have fun on your birthday with the people you love while keeping safe and protecting those you care about most.

Order In

Plenty of restaurants have been adapting in the run-up to re-opening, including many of your local places introducing home delivery or collection of your favourite dishes. For your birthday, why not treat yourself to a takeout from your favourite place? It’s not just pizza and curries you can get delivered to your door these days; you can even have delectable desserts like waffles, milkshakes and cake brought straight to you with the click of a button.

Takeaway with the family is a great way to enjoy your birthday by settling down to your favourite meal – whether in your PJs on the sofa or dressed up at the dinner table, depending on your mood. It also goes some way to helping your local takeaways and restaurants that are trying to stay afloat during this difficult time. So order that takeaway and show your support today.

Karaoke Party

Practice those voice warmups and get ready for a birthday you’ll never forget. Pop on your favourite tunes and get ready to sing to your heart’s content with your family or partner. Create your very own birthday playlist and host your very own karaoke bar.

You can even get your friends involved over video chat so you can spread the joy and create an authentic experience.

Homemade Cocktails

Everyone has been missing the bars and nightlife that lockdown has shut out for the last few months. But just because they might not open in time for your birthday doesn’t mean you can’t have your very own bar or cocktail crawl from the comfort of your own home.

There are so many resources online, from YouTube videos to online recipes, showing you exactly how to craft your own delicious cocktails. Get yourself a cocktail making kit, buy your ingredients on your next shop and put together a cocktail making night for a fun-filled birthday celebration. You’ll be able to learn something new, make some delicious drinks (or possibly not, depending on how it goes) and celebrate at home with your family or partner.

Outdoor Celebrations

If you fancy something a bit bigger for your lockdown birthday, current restrictions allow outdoor gatherings provided that you are still adhering to social distancing guidelines.

A BBQ is a great outdoor activity to put on to get all your friends and family gathered in a safe way. Make sure you aren’t passing food to those you don’t live with and have them handle their own servings and bring their own plates and utensils to eat with.

Keep a disinfectant spray and cloth in the bathroom and ask guests to wipe down surfaces they touched after leaving the toilet. It might seem like an extreme measure, but it’s recommended and is one of the best ways to ensure that your BBQ is as safe as possible for everyone involved.

Make sure your BBQ is well stocked with BBQ gas so you can get those burgers grilling. And don’t forget to let everyone know that it’s an outdoor party with some decorations. Balloons make a great addition to any party, signalling to everyone where the party is and getting the celebration going. At Adams Gas, we provide helium canisters, both refillable and disposable, in a variety of sizes so you can ensure that you’ll have enough for all of your balloon inflating needs.

This lockdown, celebrate your birthday in a fun but safe way to ensure all of your family and friends reduce the chances of passing on any harmful viruses. If you need any gas bottles to get those celebrations really rocking, Adams Gas has everything you need. Contact us today for more information.

How To: Weld Various Items

There have probably been times when you were keen to fix one of your beloved items, but were unsure on how to effectively and cleanly weld it back together. Even for the most skilled of welders, there are some commonly used household items that they would rather steer clear of welding, but we aim to give you a bit more insight into how to weld some of the most commonly queried items around the home.

Read on if you’ve ever wanted to find out how you can weld a bike frame, exhaust, radiator, gate or jewellery, as this article will give you some tips and tricks, along with video guides to welding all of these items.

How To Weld A Bike Frame

Whether you’re looking to weld a bike frame after damaging it or hoping to create a custom frame for your bike, welding gives you the flexibility to fix or create a brand new frame with absolute ease.

When welding a bike frame, we would definitely recommend the TIG method, as MIG welding can be tricky when it comes to smaller and more delicate pieces like modern bike frames.

For a step by step guide of how to weld a bike frame, check out the video below:

How To Weld An Exhaust

If you are able to weld your exhaust back on to your vehicle yourself, you can stand to save yourself a pretty penny over the course of your vehicle’s lifetime. Welding an exhaust is a relatively easy process, you just need to know where to start!

For this weld, we would recommend using the TIG method if you’re particular about the finish of the weld, as you can be more precise using this method. However, MIG welding is also perfectly acceptable if you’re not too fussed about how your exhaust looks at the end of the weld, it’s also considerably cheaper and quicker to MIG weld for absolute beginners.

Here’s a quick video that explains how to weld an exhaust:

How To Weld A Radiator

There are actually a number of ways that you can fix a cars radiator without taking it in to a mechanic, but using a weld is one of the most effective ways to ensure the longevity of any radiator.

Before carrying out any work, it’s essential that you clean the radiator thoroughly to ensure the weld is able to be completely effective.

It is worth noting that welding a radiator can be quite complex for beginners, so if you are struggling with this weld, seek professional advice!

Here’s a video which explains the process of successfully repairing a radiator:

How To Weld A Gate

If your gate has become damaged or you’re looking to build your own gate for your home, you’ll inevitably need to weld it back in to place at some point. The process is pretty simple, and we’d recommend using TIG welding for this type of work, as it will give you a much neater finish than using MIG welding. It should be noted however, if the hinges of the gate are likely to be hidden, MIG welding is more than acceptable!

As a general rule of thumb, even though there are many types of gates, the process of welding is pretty similar for all gate types. This video gives you a step by step process for welding a gate:

How To Weld Jewellery

If you’re looking to make your own jewellery, then you can use welding or soldering techniques to do this.

We wouldn’t recommend fixing your own precious jewellery yourself, unless you’re an expert in soldering or welding, we would suggest taking your jewellery in for professionals to deal with.

Check out the video below on the basics of soldering your own jewellery:

Depending on your requirements, you will need either MIG welding gas or TIG welding gas to complete the weld on most projects, and here at Adams Gas we stock a range of welding gas in various gas canister sizes to meet your needs. We also have a range of MIG welding supplies and TIG Welding Equipment available for your home welding needs.

If you’re not sure what welding gas you need for your next project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts today. You can contact us by calling our team directly on 01843 220 596 or 0800 195 4445 or contact us using our online enquiry form and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

Propane vs Butane – Which Is Right For Your BBQ?

With the BBQ season in full swing, you’ve probably already had a couple of BBQs with a small group of friends. If you’re starting to run low on gas, you may be considering propane or butane for cooking on your BBQ, as these are the two most commonly used gases for domestic BBQs.

Here, we take a closer look at some of the benefits that both propane and butane can bring to your BBQ, so you can make an informed choice the next time you need to buy some BBQ gas.

What Is Propane and Butane Gas & What’s the Difference?

Propane comes from natural gas processing and oil refining and is a highly flammable hydrocarbon gas. To make it suitable for domestic and commercial use, the gas is liquified through pressurisation, and you’ll find propane is commonly used for a whole host of heating and cooking needs both at home and in businesses.

Butane is also a highly flammable hydrocarbon gas that comes from natural gas processing and oil refining, just like propane. However, the uses of the two gases are quite different as you’ll find butane is most commonly used as a fuel and refrigerant gas.

Whilst propane and butane gas have many similarities, there are some distinct differences that you need to be aware of. The most significant difference between these two gases is the point of boiling, as propane has a boiling temperature of -42°C, whilst butane has a much higher boiling point at -2°C.

Whilst this may not mean an awful lot to the average person, it’s actually extremely important when it comes to choosing which type of gas to use, as propane is ideal for use in colder climates due to its lower boiling temperature. Not only this, but propane also exerts significantly more pressure than butane at the same temperature, meaning it’s ideal for exterior storage and use all year round.

Benefits Of Using Propane For BBQs

Propane is a popular choice for BBQ lovers around the UK, and here’s just a few of the reasons why:

Cooks All Year Round – Propane is capable of burning efficiently all year round, so that means if you simply can’t wait until summer to fire up your BBQ, propane gas may be your best bet.

Ease of Use – Propane is plug and play when it comes to starting up a BBQ, simply connect your BBQ to the propane gas cannister and you’ll have your food cooking in next to no time.

Taste – There are some people who argue that butane powered BBQs don’t taste anywhere near as nice as propane powered ones. If too much gas is used when cooking with butane, there can be a slight taste of the gas in your food. We’ll let you decide which is better though!

Instant and Efficient Burn – Waiting for a coal fire to light and heat up can be a nightmare, especially when you have a hungry family all keen to eat some delicious BBQ food. Propane gas is instant lighting and burns at almost full heat immediately, so it’s a great choice for anyone looking to cut out the hassle of lighting a coal fire.

Easy to Clean – Thanks to a naturally cleaner burn than most BBQ heating alternatives, propane powered BBQs are significantly easier to clean. Simply wipe down the grill and you’re ready to use your BBQ again.

Benefits Of Using Butane For BBQs

Whilst it’s clear to see that propane comes armed with a long list of pros, butane is also a sound choice when it comes to being used as a BBQ gas.

Butane comes with a whole host of benefits, including:

• Fast and Effective Burn – Butane lights instantly and reaches maximum heat output almost immediately, so you don’t need to wait around for it to warm up. An ideal trait for anyone looking to fire up their BBQ.
• Cost Effective Choice – Despite propane and butane being extracted in the same way, you’ll find that butane is actually slightly cheaper than propane.
• Low Toxicity – If you are environmentally conscious, then butane may well be the perfect gas for your needs. Butane burns cleaner than propane as it will only produce carbon dioxide when lit.
• Energy Efficient – Compared to propane, butane usually produces around 12% more energy than propane when the same volume of each gas is burned. This makes butane particularly attractive to those who light up their BBQ a few times a week.
• Easy To Use – Butane couldn’t be easier to use with BBQs, simply attach the gas and let it run into your cooker; then all you need to do then is light up the BBQ and start cooking your food.
• Extremely Efficient In Warm Weather – Butane is a clear winner when it comes to cooking efficiency in warmer weather. However, it should be noted that butane gas won’t flow when the weather is cold.

 So there you have it, you now know everything you need to about butane and propane gas, so you can make a fully informed choice the next time you need to fill up on gas for your BBQ.

If you are looking for butane gas or propane gas for your BBQ, then be sure to browse our range to find some of the best prices around. We have 25 years’ experience providing specialist bottled gas in and around the Kent area, so you can rest assured that our selection of gases are of the very highest quality.

If you would like any more information about any of the gases or products on our website, then be sure to get in touch with our friendly experts today. You can call us direct on 01843 220 596 or free phone 0800 195 4445 or send us an email by getting in touch with sales@adamsgas.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future!

How to Reduce Spatter When MIG Welding

MIG welding is well known for causing spatter, even for the most experienced of welders! It can be extremely frustrating when the excess molten wire created during the weld spatters, as too much spatter obviously leads to downtime for clean-up, along with a whole host of wasted materials.

Whilst we’d love to give you a fool-proof guide to avoiding spatter completely, this just isn’t achievable unfortunately. That’s why we’re giving you our checklist on reducing spatter when MIG welding, whilst also highlighting some of the main reasons that welding spatter occurs.

What Is MIG Welding Spatter?

Simply put, MIG welding spatter, often referred to as splatter, is comprised of molten droplets of welding material. It is usually generated around the welding arc, and once these molten droplets land and cool, they create spatter around the worksurface and sometimes on the product you are actually welding.

Spatter is the norm when MIG welding, it’s inevitable that you’ll get it no matter what you do, it’s honestly just a case of how much spatter you’ll get around your worksurface in most cases.

Main Reasons For Welding Spatter              

There are a number of reasons that welding spatter occurs, and in the following section we highlight just a few of the most common explanations for why you are experiencing so much MIG welding spatter during your projects:

• User Error – Welding technique can have a huge impact on the amount of spatter you have from your weld. Whether you use the dragging or pushing technique whilst MIG welding, there will always be some spatter if you don’t hold the MIG gun optimally and you’ll always find that your weld will spatter.
• Using Incorrect Machine Parameters – Check your machine parameters and be sure they’re running at the right settings for the work you are carrying out. Check the amperage and voltage, polarity and stick-out as your first port of call.
• Low-Quality Consumables – Using low-quality consumables during your weld is a sure way to increase the spatter from your weld, so always take the time to try a few products at various price points to see which works best for you. For example, low-quality wire can cause issues as it may feed through the gun too quickly, causing the weld to spatter.
• Dirty Welding Tools or Work Surfaces – Any rust, paint or grease that is present on your work surface or tools will cause the arc to spit, causing splashes of spatter to come out of the weld. If you are going to be doing any welding, it’s essential that you have a well-prepared surface, and if your tools are a little worse for wear, it may be time to invest in some new ones.

Now that you’re aware of some of the main reasons that you’re experiencing so much spatter, it’s essential that you take the time to create a checklist of ways to reduce the amount of spatter you experience.

Checklist For Reducing Spatter When MIG Welding

This is by no means a definitive list, and not all of these tips will reduce spatter for everyone, but if you do heed our advice and try all of the steps on our checklist, you should see an improvement. Here’s our checklist for reducing the amount of MIG welding spatter you experience:

• Hold Your MIG Gun Correctly – Before starting the weld, always hold the MIG gun at no more than 15 degrees from vertical, as any deviation from this angle can cause the shielding gas to cover the weld unevenly, whilst also causing some spattering.
• Check For Contaminated Materials Before Starting – Ensure that your worksurface is properly cleaned before starting any welding, and be sure to clean or replace any dirty or rusted wires that you may be using. All of this will go a long way to ensuring that you vastly reduce the chances of spatter on your next weld.
• Don’t Compromise on Quality Consumables – If you find consumables that work best for you, then we would suggest you stick with them, even if there are more expensive alternatives on the market. It’s essential that you always remember that just because a consumable is the most expensive, it doesn’t always mean it’s the best. Be sure to get high-quality MIG welding gas, wire and nozzels to guarantee that you’re doing all you can to reduce the amount of spatter your weld makes.
• Check for Faulty Equipment – Tried all of the above steps and still having issues with spatter? You may well have some faulty welding equipment, so it’s well worth having a thorough check to see if there are any obvious defects. If your equipment is relatively old, it may well be time to consider purchasing some new welding equipment to help save you time cleaning up all of the spatter in the future!

We hope that you find this checklist useful as the team at Adams Gas fully understand just how frustrating MIG welding spatter can be for all welding professionals. If you’re keen on learning more on MIG welding in general, be sure to check out our blog, where we have many other articles dedicated to the subject. If you are looking to update your MIG Welding Supplies take a look at our range and remember our MIG Welding Gas is available to order online.

How To: Safely Transport Gas Cylinders

Ensuring that you transport gas cylinders in a safe and responsible manner is essential to the safety and welfare of your employees and the general public. Gas cylinders need to be respected as they can be extremely dangerous if they aren’t transported with the utmost care, so understanding the steps you need to take in order to safely move these products is vital.

Read on to find out more about the laws surrounding transporting gas cylinders and how gas cylinders should be transported for both domestic and commercial use.

Laws Surrounding Transporting Gas Cylinders

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations (ADR) 2009 place a statutory requirement on all employers to protect everyone who is either directly involved with, or who may become involved with (e.g. members of the public), the carriage of dangerous goods by road.

This legislation covers all goods considered dangerous by the ADR, which includes transporting gas cylinders in vehicles.

It’s worth noting that these regulations do not apply in the following scenarios:

• When private individuals carry dangerous goods, which are packaged for retail sale and intended solely for personal use
• When dangerous goods are carried only incidentally to the main enterprise’s main activity (e.g. a plumber carrying propane gas bottles on his way to a job)

Despite these exemptions, Gas Safe still recommends that any organisation transporting dangerous goods, such as butane gas bottles, follows the basic legal safety regulations within ADR, which include:

• Driver training
• Vehicle ventilation
• Safety Equipment
• Basic safety training (with gases)

You should always ensure that you comply with the following points too:

• Never allow anyone to smoke in, or near to, any vehicle that is being used to transport gas bottles
• Never carry more than 333kg of gas without an ADR license
• Do not operate any sources of ignition near the gas bottles, this includes lanterns and cigarette lighters, among other things
• Do not carry any unnecessary passengers whilst transporting gas cylinders

If at any point you smell gas whilst transporting bottles for either commercial or domestic use, immediately pull over in a safe place, stop the engine and do not move the vehicle until the source of the leak has been found and the vehicle has been declared safe by a competent person.

If you are unable to find the source of the leak, call a competent person immediately, maximise ventilation by fully opening all doors, windows and vents where possible and be sure not to turn on any electrical equipment.

It’s also worth noting that these guidelines apply to a whole host of dangerous products, such as transporting oxygen cylinders, and are in accordance with LPG transport regulations.

Transporting Gas Cylinders For Domestic Use

If you’re using gas for domestic purposes and transporting the cylinder in a car or van, it is worth noting that you must abide by safety regulations for transporting the product. They must be secured in the vehicle so that they won’t shift if you have to make an emergency stop or another sudden manoeuvre. It’s worth noting that if you don’t have your gas cylinders completely secured in your vehicle and you’re stopped by the police, you will be fined.

Here’s a few top tips for transporting gas cylinders in your vehicle for domestic use:

• Secure your cannister so it doesn’t roll around
• Keep the cylinder upright
• If you have a trailer, put the cylinder in that
• Ensure the cylinder is in an area that is easy to access and inspect
• Do not leave the cylinder in direct sunlight or a hot car for long periods of time

Safely Transporting Gas Cylinders for Businesses

If you are transporting gas cylinders for commercial use, or are delivering gas cylinders that have been sold through your business to domestic customers, you should consider the following:

Ensure that any driver who will be transporting the goods are trained in and follow basic safety requirements such as:

• Knowing the associated hazards and dangers of the goods being transported
• Understanding best practice when it comes to the safe handling of gas cylinders
• Have a working understanding of emergency procedures and the use of fire-fighting appliances

If any training has been carried out, this should always be recorded in writing by both the employee and employer. Along with this, training should always be periodically supplemented with refresher training to take into account any regulation changes.

Any vehicle that is used for the transportation of gas cylinders should be open, and if this cannot be achieved, then the vehicle must be well ventilated. Any cylinders carried on the vehicle must have a label that is produced in accordance with current legislation attached to it, if the label is removed or defaced you should not load the cylinder onto your vehicle.

Each cylinder valve must be closed during transit, and any equipment that is connected to them must be unattached. Furthermore, all gas cylinders must be secured properly and should not project beyond the sides or end of the vehicle.

Each vehicle that will carry cylinders must also carry a 2kg fire extinguisher to fight any engine or cab fires that may occur during transit.

If you require any further advice or guidance on how to best transport or handle any dangerous gases, then please refer to our safety and storage documents, where you’ll find a whole host of best practice guidelines. If you are still unsure about any aspect of handling gas, then be sure to get in touch with our experts today who will be more than happy to discuss further with you.

Advantages of Using Nitrogen for Air Conditioning

With each passing summer, we seem to keep on seeing record high temperatures hit the UK. With a noticeable shift in the number of hot days we experience, it’s fair to say that homeowners and businesses alike are looking for ways to effectively keep cool during any hot spells; this is easier said than done though, with the vast majority of UK homes insulated for the colder months.

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Business News Update

Throughout the lockdown, we have continued to offer our services to customers in need of essential gases. We offer Calor gas for heating and cooking, but we also supply important industrial gas needed to keep garages and workshops running. MIG welding gas and TIG welding gas for garages and workshops are essential for keeping couriers and their vehicles on the road.

We are continuing to offer our full range of gas so that you can continue with your life at home or work. The answers that you may be seeking to any further questions regarding our business during the lockdown are answered below:

Are We Still Open for Business?

We are still open for business, although in correlation with government guidelines, we would ask that our customers contact us via our website or telephone systems to reduce physical contact with our staff.

This said, we are still open for individuals to collect their gas from our office, but we would recommend that customers pre-order and pay for goods online so that we can offer a click and collect service. This will also reduce the spread of the disease and we thank all our customers who have changed their usual routine with us to help the country stay safe.

We will not be accepting cash or cheques during the lockdown. This is to reduce physical transmission of the virus.

 

Have Our Business Hours Changed?

Our business hours during the lockdown are as follows:

8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

Are Gas Deliveries Affected by the Lockdown?

Our delivery service has changed to be a doorstop delivery only. Our drivers will deposit your required gas at your door and collect any empty bottles to return. We are operating on no-contact delivery services to reduce the spread of the virus.

 

What Are We Doing to Follow Government Guidelines?

We have followed government guidelines to enable our business to fight the coronavirus appropriately.

• We are following 2m social distancing in our office and warehouse.
• Our click and collect service enables customers to collect equipment with minimal contact.
• The counter is currently closed to customers, but in the coming weeks we will be erecting screens on the counter. This will provide our staff and customers with greater safety and peace of mind when we re-open in the future.

Keeping You Updated

Adams Gas plans to follow the government guidelines as closely as possible whilst continuing to supply gas. We will continue to keep our customers updated as best we can through our social media channels and website.

Thank you for your patience, we look forward to returning to normal soon.

Gas Cylinder Storage Rules

Gas canisters can be incredibly volatile if treated incorrectly, especially if they contain highly pressurised gas such as nitrogen or a flammable gas such as butane gas and propane gas. Therefore, if you have some gas canisters, make sure you know how to store them correctly and the situations that you need to avoid putting them in.

Keep Them Away from Heat Sources

One of the most important things when storing gas canisters is to make sure that they are kept away from sources of heat. This is because all gases undergo a phenomenon that is governed by a physical law known as Gay-Lussac’s (or Amonton’s) law. It essentially states that as the temperature of a gas increases, its pressure increases. This is because the molecules of the gas are getting more energetic and further apart, which means that they will be pressing against the walls of the canister with greater force the more they heat up.

If a gas canister is near a heat source, the pressure inside will increase and this could cause a devastating explosion, especially if the contents are flammable. With this in mind, it is very important to make sure that your gas is stored in a cool place.

Keep Your Storage Well Ventilated

Now that you know that your gas needs to be stored somewhere cool, your first thought might be that your basement or cellar will act as a great place for your gas storage; however, there are some elements that you need to be aware of before you start stashing your gas underground.

For propane and butane gas bottles, never, under any circumstance, store them below ground. This is because, if there is a leak and there is no ventilation, the gas will sit at floor level and slowly build up in the room. This can be fatal to small children and pets as they won’t be able to breathe properly and that can lead to a sudden death.

If the basement is well ventilated, this is less of an issue. In a well-ventilated room, the leak will be vented out and your air will be kept clean and safe. You are also less likely to suffer a leak if you keep your gas canisters upright, and it is best practice to keep them away from building entrances, exits and drains.

 

Store Them Upright and Securely

Make sure that all canisters and bottles are stored upright and securely. This is to prevent the canisters from toppling and leaking into the surroundings. If you’re worried about theft and don’t want to keep them outside because of this, you can invest in a cage to protect your gas without causing a hazard to your safety.

Negligence is also a great theft of gas, so make sure to check your gas canister fixtures and fittings regularly to ensure that everything is working as you expect it to. A poor regulator might not warn you that a leak is occurring, so it is important to do a manual check every now and then.

When using gas canisters, always remember that your safety is a priority, so follow the correct rules and be safe with whatever you are doing. Here at Adams Gas, we offer a variety of products, from petroleum gases like propane and butane to nitrogen and CO² bottles.

We make safety our number one priority, which is why our bottles and equipment undergo regular safety checks. If you would like to know more about our products and services, you can contact us.

 

Caravan Cooking Equipment

In light of the current lockdown, we anticipate that many individuals will be looking forward to making plans for weekends out once this is all over. Some of these individuals may be updating their caravans and campervans during their newfound free time and will be excited for a chance to use them in the future.

We recommend that you check the latest government guidelines before exiting your property, but in the meantime, we’re going to look at the type of caravan cooking equipment that you might want to consider installing in your van if you’re using this time to prepare for an amazing self-sufficient camping holiday in the future.

Caravan Cooking Equipment

The size of your van is going to dictate the size of your cooker significantly, so when it comes to choice your main question is likely going to depend on what type of fuel you want to be carrying to power your van’s appliances.

For camping cookers that can run off-grid, there are typically two types; butane cookers and propane cookers. These refer to the type of fuel consumed by the cookers. If you already have other appliances installed using one of these types of fuel, then you should choose a cooker that matches your preferred fuel type so that you don’t have to waste space on extra fuel storage.

It may also be cheaper for you to buy one type of fuel in greater bulk, than two types of fuel in smaller portions, but there are benefits to each type that you may not have previously considered. We’ll talk about these in the next section.

 

Propane vs Butane

Both are popular choices for camping fuel, but they each have setbacks and advantages. Knowing how each type of gas works will help you to choose a camping gas that most suits your camping style.

If you like to camp during cold weather and the winter months, propane is the better choice for your caravan. When it gets cold, butane can compress too much and so it becomes difficult to get the gas to flow correctly. This may mean that butane appliances will have notably worse output during colder months than propane.

On the other hand, if you love the warm weather and only camp during the summer, you should consider a butane cooker because butane burns more efficiently and therefore will save you money and time whilst cooking.

Don’t forget to check what type of fuel your camping stove officially supports before you order anything or try to use it.

Once you’ve decided what type of fuel you will be using in your van, here are some extra tips to help you to find the perfect appliance:

• Always check the fuel-to-boil speed. This will tell you how efficient the cooker will be using the fuel you buy and will save you money in the long run.
• It’s important to put the size of the cooker first. Don’t buy a huge cooker if you rarely go camping with more than four people or you might regret the space it takes up in your van.
• A second-hand cooker might be cheaper but be careful to check the warranty on it.

 

Camping Breakfast

A stereotypical camping breakfast will include a lot of tinned ingredients, especially if you’re on a long stint away from the local shops. Here are some popular ingredients used in a camping breakfast:

• Tinned beans
• Pre-made pancakes
• Spam
• Bread
• Oil
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Black pudding
• Tea bags and milk
• Cereals
• Fruit Salad

It’s important to eat a hearty breakfast when you’re preparing for a long day of physical exercise.

 

National Garden Camp Out

If you can’t wait to try your newly fitted out campervan then don’t worry – you don’t have to wait! Plenty of avid campers are enjoying their vehicles without leaving their property, and their raising money while doing it, too.

There have even been competitions challenging campers to show their best set-up from their gardens, encouraging people to get outside and enjoy nature without impacting on current government health regulations and social distancing.

You can learn more about how the campervan community is supporting the NHS during the coronavirus crisis at Out&AboutLive. The latest national garden camp-out was April 11^th, but there may be more in the future if the lockdown continues into the summer months.

You can read more about other appliances in your caravan which might require gas and how we can help to supply you with the gas that you need on our blog: Uses for Calor Gas in Caravans. Our camping gas bottles are refillable, and we stock both propane gas and butane gas.

How to Recycle Your Gas Cylinders

Recycling gas cylinders is an important but often dangerous job. It’s not enough to leave your gas cylinder in your general waste in case there is any leftover gas that could cause an accident. You need to think carefully about the right way to dispose of your unwanted cylinders, and we can help you with this blog.

 

NOT IN THE BIN

It can be very dangerous to put your unwanted gas canister in normal waste disposal, because they are pressurised, which could lead to an explosion if crushed. There’s a new story every year about some unsuspecting family losing a loved-one due to improper disposal of their gas cylinders, so it’s important that these items are recognised for the potential danger they represent.

WHEN SHOULD I DISPOSE OF MY CYLINDER?

You will want to dispose of your cylinder if it’s empty or you no longer need any gas. If your cylinder is showing faults, such as leakage from the canister or valve, you should also consider getting rid of it. Some gas leakages can be more harmful to the environment than others, but it is important that all leakages are taken very seriously.

 

RECYCLE

Your gas canister is likely made from either aluminium or steel which are two of the most highly recycled metals in the recycling industry. However, recycling companies may have reservations about receiving empty gas cylinders.

 

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Because gases are marked as dangerous goods they have to go through various strict regulations in their sale, transportation and disposal. Even if you think your canister is empty, you can’t be sure that the pressure guage isn’t broken or inaccurate. Consequently, recycling companies may not want to take your empty cylinders.

WHAT NEXT?

This doesn’t mean that your cylinders shouldn’t be recycled; aluminium and steel are important metals for recyclers. We should therefore avoid its waste as much as possible. Here’s a checklist to get your canister ready:

1 – Check your canister; is it suitable for recycling? If yes, then check your local regulations to be sure.

2 – We know gas can be dangerous because it is combustible. Because of this, it is extremely important that your canister is completely empty before recycling it. You can check if a canister is empty by rocking the cylinder; if you feel liquid movement within the cylinder, then you know it isn’t empty.

• To be sure, it is recommended that you drill a hole in the container. Some recycling companies even require empty canisters to be cut in half.
• Always take the appropriate safety precautions when dealing with dangerous products. Use safety goggles and work outdoors or under a fume hood, if available.

3 – Another aspect that makes a canister dangerous is the valve, which signals that the bottle is pressurised. In order to get your canister ready for recycling, you may be asked to remove the valve. You will need a special tool to do this safely, and it can be very difficult, which is why in most situations you should see if your supplier will take the canister back.

ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS

At Adams Gas, we put heavy emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. As such, we like to sell refills. This is far better than disposing of a canister every time you need gas, but what do you do if you’re gas requirements drop and you need fewer bottles? The British Compressed Gas Association asks that you return empty or finished cylinders to bottled gas suppliers for further use or safe and efficient recycling.

If you buy helium canisters from us, your gas may be stored in a disposable gas cylinder. Once you’re finished with your cylinder, we ask that you return it to our company for its safe disposal. You can always trust Adams Gas to take care of your unwanted gas products, and you can also trust us to give you the best advice on any of your gas-related queries.

How to Detect Gas Leaks

Learning how to detect a gas leak could be very important knowledge that prevents an accident from occurring in your household or business premises. In this blog, we’re going to talk about different types of gas leaks and how to recognise them, as well as what to do if you find one in your home.

Liquid Nitrogen Leak

Liquid nitrogen gas leaks can be deadly; being odourless and invisible, it is easily missed. Luckily, liquid nitrogen is not combustible, so you aren’t going to need to worry about a sudden explosion occurring as a result of a liquid nitrogen leak; however, it is an asphyxiant.

Trying to breathe in an environment flooded with liquid nitrogen will effectively strangle an individual. A surplus of nitrogen in the air displaces the amount of oxygen available to the individual and breathing in this substance in large amounts can cause dizziness, confusion, lack of consciousness, and even death. Fatality can occur in seconds.

Liquid nitrogen is typically stored in a cryogenic container with a temperature and pressure control system. In order to prevent a leak, it is vital that your controls are functioning properly and undergo regular checks. The best place to store your gas is always outside, as any leaks will disperse into the atmosphere where they aren’t going to cause harm to nearby people.

If you MUST store this gas indoors, the recommended minimum ventilation for the room in which it is stored is six air changes per hour (airproducts.com). If you suspect that your nitrogen has already leaked into a room without adequate ventilation, the best course of action is to call a higher authority.

Here are some of the steps that a professional might take to identify your leak:

• Leak Detection Spray

This works by spraying the solution from a distance. If bubbles occur on the gas canister, a leak is present.

• Electronic Leak Detector

An electronic leak detector must be checked once a year, but best practice states that it should be checked within a day following each use.

If you’re worried about gas leaks occurring in your storage area, you could also think about purchasing an oxygen detection alarm which can inform you if the breathable oxygen available in the area drops below a sustainable percentage. Such alarms can help to save lives against leaks of undetectable gases.

Argon Gas Leak

Much like nitrogen, argon is a colourless and odourless gas that regularly defies detection but can cause a significant amount of harm if it leaks undetected. Like nitrogen, argon gas leaks can cause asphyxiation by displacing the percentage of oxygen available for humans to breath.

To prevent an argon gas leak from occurring, it is important that you regularly check your gas canister’s regulators to ensure that there are no malfunctions. You might suspect a leak if you hear a hissing noise emanating from one of your containers. To avoid hazard to human life, it is also best if you store your gas outside where any leaks can quickly disperse into the atmosphere. If this isn’t possible, your storage room must have adequate ventilation to sustain human life in the event of a leak.

If you are concerned about the possibility of a leak occurring and harming a friend, family-member or co-worker, you may also consider installing an oxygen alarm in your storage room. These alarms work by monitoring the amount of oxygen present in the air, and ringing if the oxygen falls below acceptable percentages, giving you the opportunity to call a higher authority to ventilate your property safely.

When you take the proper precautions with your argon gas bottles storage system, you should not have undue cause to worry.

Propane Gas Leak

Unlike nitrogen, propane is highly flammable so a propane gas leak that isn’t quickly ventilated could pose a risk of explosion. Unlike nitrogen, however, propane has a distinct smell of rotten eggs and thus is difficult to miss. If you suspect that you have a propane leak in your premises, it is vital that you don’t start any electrical equipment that might spark and catch light, and especially avoid naked flames.

You may also be able to detect a gas leak using your sense of hearing. If you hear a hissing noise emanating from a fitting using propane, it may be that there is a leak. It is best to get away from the leak as quickly as possible and call an authority if you suspect one. Do not use a telephone near the leak, as the sparks within the phone could ignite it.

If you are worried about the event of a propane gas leak, you can take extra precautions against them by buying an electronic propane gas detector, and by checking the functionality of the gas’ fittings and regulators often. You can also seek to store the gas outside or in a well-ventilated area.

We sell propane gas as well as propane gas bottle regulators. If you have any questions about our equipment, products or services, we are happy to speak to you about how our services can help you.

Butane Gas Leak

Like propane, butane is heavier than air and will sink. This means that if you’re storing butane gas at home, the youngest members of your family and pets are at the most risk from breathing in a butane gas leak.

Like all gas, butane is very safe if the right storage precautions are taken. You should try to store your gas outside where possible or provide adequate ventilation that meets lawful regulations if not. If you’re worried about a butane gas leak and want to take extra precautions then you can buy oxygen alarms, butane detectors, and to some extent rely on your own senses.

Butane should smell of rotten eggs because, like propane, most merchants mix butane with a bad-smelling substance that will indicate a leak to the owners without affecting the quality of the gas when it is applied as a fuel.

As a supplier of gas and gas-related equipment, we know a lot about keeping gas safe. If you have any concerns about how you’re storing your gas currently, you can get in touch with us for some advice. Alternatively, if you’re looking to purchase any of our products, you can browse our online store or visit us in Kent.

Fun Facts About Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is vital to our planet, from the air we breathe to the beer and construction industry, carbon dioxide is used in many wondrous ways. Below, we’ve summarised some of the most interesting and important facts about CO₂.

 

What Does CO₂ Taste Like?

The CO₂ in our atmosphere is odourless and tasteless. This is because it is at such a low concentration that we are accustomed to it; but if you were to increase the amount of CO₂ available in the air, you would notice a sharp acidic smell and taste. CO₂ is also colourless, but pure is heavier than air so if you had a leak from a CO₂ gas bottle, the gas would rest at floor level if it is undisturbed.

 

It’s Used to Make Tasty Beverages

Carbon dioxide is used to produce carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water, such as Coca-Cola. As beer gas, carbon dioxide is typically used to transfer beer from kegs to dispensing taps via pressurised carbon dioxide.

In wine making, a different type of carbon dioxide is used – dry ice. Dry ice is condensed carbon dioxide and it is used to cool down bunches of grapes to prevent spontaneous fermentation. Dry ice is typically used because, compared to water, it doesn’t affect the sugar concentration of the grapes themselves.

When CO₂ is used to create such beverages, sometimes it can leave behind the acidic or sour taste that is experienced if one inhales the gas in high concentrations (this is not recommended). This is an important part of the taste of some drinks and counterbalances the sweetness in some.

You can read more about how gas is used in pubs and brewing on our blog; Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen: Which Do I Need?

What Would a World of CO₂ Be Like?

Carbon dioxide is known as a greenhouse gas and this means that it can ‘trap’ and retain heat. If the Earth’s entire atmosphere consisted of carbon dioxide our planet’s habitat and atmosphere would closely mimic that of the planet Venus.

Venus’ atmosphere consists of roughly 96 – 97% carbon dioxide. Because of the sheer amount of carbon dioxide present, the surface of Venus continually retains heat and, as such, the surface temperature is roughly 467°C, making it the hottest planet in our solar system.

 

How Much CO₂ is Present in Our Atmosphere?

Unlike oxygen and nitrogen, carbon dioxide is a trace gas within our atmosphere – there are roughly 500 parts per million, meaning that 0.05% of the Earth’s atmosphere is carbon dioxide. Although we don’t have much carbon dioxide on our planet, the balance that we do have is very important and so it is important that everyone seeks to reduce their CO₂ production to avoid making the Earth more like Venus – trapped in greenhouse gases.

How Does Photosynthesis Work?

Photosynthesis is a process that occurs primarily in plants, but there are a few organisms that also use this technique to attain energy. Through photosynthesis, it is possible to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugars and energy), and oxygen is released as a by-product. Most of the oxygen present in Earth’s atmosphere is a result of photosynthesis, so it is also important that everyone supports keeping our planet’s forests and oceans clean if we want our planet to stay healthy.

 

It Can Be Used as a Laser

Carbon dioxide is the shielding gas for a CO₂ laser. These lasers tend to be quite large which makes them difficult to use for precision, but they are very powerful, which can be useful for cutting through thick metal. Since carbon dioxide has multiple vibrational modes, it means that it can emit high-powered light which can be used to etch metal. Lasers are also used in welding, cutting, and surgery.

There are a lot of uses and applications for carbon dioxide, and it is tailored in specific ways to ensure that its purpose is fulfilled. At Adams Gas, we are able to provide carbon dioxide gas bottles for any project that you may be involved in. If you would like to know more information, then please get in touch today.