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Camping? In winter? Why? We hear this a lot. However, there are so many reasons why you should pack up the car and hit the road. First of all, winter is a beautiful time of year. The morning frost and the early sunsets for just two reasons, but there are plenty more. So, let’s see if we can convince you that a camping holiday in the winter offers the best experience.

Not a Bug in Sight!

Summer may be lovely, but with humid temperatures and the glorious sun comes the arrival of bugs. Now, we aren’t just considering the beautiful butterflies, the polka dot ladybugs. We are talking about every bug. Pitching a tent or parking a motorhome can invite swarms of critters, such as ants, flies, wasps, bees and those pesky midges.

However, these are significantly reduced throughout the winter due to their incapability to handle cold climates. This absence of creatures means enjoying your coffee sat lakeside without worrying about applying the insect repellant first.

Cheaper Sites to Pitch Up

Although the prices of pitching a tent or visiting a touring site can be relatively low, they are even lower through the winter months. Most people are put off camping and touring in winter due to the weather, but if that doesn’t bother you, the prices of camping pitches are much lower and with more opportunities to visit a usually fully booked facility.

Throughout the summer, the demand for pitches is very high, so much like other holiday facilities, the prices rise to meet this demand. Throughout the colder months, most UK campsites lower their costs as holidaymakers seek the warmth of an abroad holiday. You may also find that attractions you wish to visit also reduce their prices when you pop in out of season.

Fewer Crowds and Tourists

With a camping holiday, you may be looking to escape the crowds and daily life’s general hustle and bustle. During the summer months, this can be pretty challenging. Campsites usually fill with families, couples and groups of all ages, leading to lines at the facilities, noisy grounds and a busy environment. Throughout the winter, most people will be looking for holidays indoors or out of the country, meaning you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a tranquil camping holiday. The only people you may come across are those looking for the same escape from the crowds as you.

Experience More Stunning Nightlife and Winters Gifts

It’s no secret that winter offers the best nights, from the clear skies and twinkling lights to the cosy warmth of the campfire. Winter can provide the most romantic nights of the year, and what better way to experience the true beauty and peace that long nights bring than pitching up in the middle of nowhere (with permission, of course)?

In the winter, we recommend heading up to the North with your tent or motorhome, as this can be the best way to see the night sky like never before with the Northern Lights. Beautiful greens, purples and deep blue flashes can be seen dancing across the sky whilst you sit back and enjoy from the comfort of your camp bed. These are far more prevalent through the winter skies than the summer, making the winter the best time to pack the tent up for your first glimpse of the dancing lights.

In addition to the stunning night sky, winter also brings the hope of snow. During regular day-to-day life, snow is beautiful for around half a day before becoming grey sludge, causing a bit of a nuisance. However, when you are camping, snow can offer so many fun activities to keep you and your family entertained, skiing, sledging, snowball fights, snowmen and much more. Enjoy all of the snow’s pleasantries with a winter camping experience.

BBQ Season Never Has to End

When camping in the winter, you must ensure you keep warm and nourished. The best way to do this is with the help of a camping stove, allowing you to BBQ no matter what the weather brings. As Brits, we love nothing more than a good BBQ, but when it comes to lighting it up at home, you can often get the odd, funny look in winter. Escape your neighbours’ judgement and enjoy a peaceful holiday with nothing but you and your camping stove.

Camping stoves offer a range of advantages for camping in the winter. They are essential to any winter camping trip, from warm, freshly cooked food caught from a spot of hunting or fishing to boiling the stove kettle for a warm hot drink to beat the chill from your winter walk.

Get the Right Fuel for Camping

Although a camping holiday is not complete without your camping stove, making sure to get the correct fuel is essential. Firstly, you need to ensure you are only getting the best camping gas bottles. At Adams Gas, we ensure that every bottle we sell is tested to make sure there are no contaminants compromising the gas.

Another factor to consider is which gas to get. Although there is a range of suitable LPG gases, winter camping requires a gas that will last in cold weather. The propane vs butane debate has been around for many years. Propane gas bottles can last longer in the cold due to having a lower boiling point, but butane gas and the canister it comes in can be much lighter to travel with, making it better for camping.

Speak to our team today about which gas will suit your winter camping trip the best. Alternatively, you can order the gas you want online, taking advantage of our speedy delivery.

The Advantages of Camping in Winter

Camping? In winter? Why? We hear this a lot. However, there are so many reasons why you should pack up the car and hit the road. First of all, winter is a beautiful time of year. The morning frost and the early sunsets for just two reasons, but there are plenty more. So, let’s see if we can convince you that a camping holiday in the winter offers the best experience.

Not a Bug in Sight!

Summer may be lovely, but with humid temperatures and the glorious sun comes the arrival of bugs. Now, we aren’t just considering the beautiful butterflies, the polka dot ladybugs. We are talking about every bug. Pitching a tent or parking a motorhome can invite swarms of critters, such as ants, flies, wasps, bees and those pesky midges.

However, these are significantly reduced throughout the winter due to their incapability to handle cold climates. This absence of creatures means enjoying your coffee sat lakeside without worrying about applying the insect repellant first.

Cheaper Sites to Pitch Up

Although the prices of pitching a tent or visiting a touring site can be relatively low, they are even lower through the winter months. Most people are put off camping and touring in winter due to the weather, but if that doesn’t bother you, the prices of camping pitches are much lower and with more opportunities to visit a usually fully booked facility.

Throughout the summer, the demand for pitches is very high, so much like other holiday facilities, the prices rise to meet this demand. Throughout the colder months, most UK campsites lower their costs as holidaymakers seek the warmth of an abroad holiday. You may also find that attractions you wish to visit also reduce their prices when you pop in out of season.

Fewer Crowds and Tourists

With a camping holiday, you may be looking to escape the crowds and daily life’s general hustle and bustle. During the summer months, this can be pretty challenging. Campsites usually fill with families, couples and groups of all ages, leading to lines at the facilities, noisy grounds and a busy environment. Throughout the winter, most people will be looking for holidays indoors or out of the country, meaning you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a tranquil camping holiday. The only people you may come across are those looking for the same escape from the crowds as you.

Experience More Stunning Nightlife and Winters Gifts

It’s no secret that winter offers the best nights, from the clear skies and twinkling lights to the cosy warmth of the campfire. Winter can provide the most romantic nights of the year, and what better way to experience the true beauty and peace that long nights bring than pitching up in the middle of nowhere (with permission, of course)?

In the winter, we recommend heading up to the North with your tent or motorhome, as this can be the best way to see the night sky like never before with the Northern Lights. Beautiful greens, purples and deep blue flashes can be seen dancing across the sky whilst you sit back and enjoy from the comfort of your camp bed. These are far more prevalent through the winter skies than the summer, making the winter the best time to pack the tent up for your first glimpse of the dancing lights.

In addition to the stunning night sky, winter also brings the hope of snow. During regular day-to-day life, snow is beautiful for around half a day before becoming grey sludge, causing a bit of a nuisance. However, when you are camping, snow can offer so many fun activities to keep you and your family entertained, skiing, sledging, snowball fights, snowmen and much more. Enjoy all of the snow’s pleasantries with a winter camping experience.

BBQ Season Never Has to End

When camping in the winter, you must ensure you keep warm and nourished. The best way to do this is with the help of a camping stove, allowing you to BBQ no matter what the weather brings. As Brits, we love nothing more than a good BBQ, but when it comes to lighting it up at home, you can often get the odd, funny look in winter. Escape your neighbours’ judgement and enjoy a peaceful holiday with nothing but you and your camping stove.

Camping stoves offer a range of advantages for camping in the winter. They are essential to any winter camping trip, from warm, freshly cooked food caught from a spot of hunting or fishing to boiling the stove kettle for a warm hot drink to beat the chill from your winter walk.

Get the Right Fuel for Camping

Although a camping holiday is not complete without your camping stove, making sure to get the correct fuel is essential. Firstly, you need to ensure you are only getting the best camping gas bottles. At Adams Gas, we ensure that every bottle we sell is tested to make sure there are no contaminants compromising the gas.

Another factor to consider is which gas to get. Although there is a range of suitable LPG gases, winter camping requires a gas that will last in cold weather. The propane vs butane debate has been around for many years. Propane gas bottles can last longer in the cold due to having a lower boiling point, but butane gas and the canister it comes in can be much lighter to travel with, making it better for camping.

Speak to our team today about which gas will suit your winter camping trip the best. Alternatively, you can order the gas you want online, taking advantage of our speedy delivery.

How Is CO2 Used for On-Stage Effects?

From enhancing the lighting to eliminating unwanted pests, CO2 offers the entertainment industry many advantages.

Whether it’s TV shows, live concerts or theatrical shows, their experiences would not be the same without the use of CO2 fog machines. We explore how they work, where they are used and how to ensure your next on-stage appearance is the best it’s ever been.

The Properties of CO2

CO2 is used for many purposes across many industries and offers excellent use on stage for various reasons. Carbon dioxide gas is colourless and is produced from the combustion of coal or hydrocarbons, by fermentation of liquids and the breathing of humans and animals, and by volcanoes. Within entertainment, and with a specialist machine, you can use CO2 for special effects and offer your performance a cloudy fog-like appearance in various ways.

How Does a CO2 Fog Machine Work?

Two kinds of fog machines use CO2 to produce harmless misty smoke.

Heated fog machines use an inert gas like CO2 (or even nitrogen) to propel either mineral oil or glycol-based fluids into a heat exchanger. Once the liquid is warmed, it will evaporate into vaporised particles, which creates a dramatic fog-like appearance. Each fog machine varies in features, but most will allow you to control the output by varying the amount of gas used to propel the liquids.

Chilled fog machines work differently and have a specific purpose compared to the generic heated fog machines. Unlike its counterpart, chilled fog machines were designed to offer a thick cloud just above the surface of the floor. This machine works with the help of boiling water and dry ice (compressed CO2). By placing a piece of dry ice into the heated water, the solid CO2 vaporises into a gas and is propelled with fans, and as it rises, the fog will disperse.

Fog Machines for Pest Control

Although fog and smoke are predominantly used for exaggerating and impressive effects, it is also used for cleaning and pest control. Ultra-Low Volume fogging offers fine droplets between 20-30 micrometres, which is optimal for pest control. This helps prevent rats, roaches, and fleas from creating devastating damage to a building that is regularly empty for long periods, such as cinemas and theatres, which remain closed for most of the day.

Make an Entrance With CO2 Fog Machines

Fog machines offer excellent additions if you wish to make an impression with an on-stage entrance. The likes of singers and musicians use the mystery of fog to conceal their entrance until it disperses. This can often be seen used in conjunction with a rising stage. As the floor rises, the smoke will too and reveal the singer.

Entrances like this encourage suspense and build up excitement in the audience. Often fog machines will undergo tests before the show, which can start to engage the audience’s interest and captures their attention for when the show does begin.

Other examples can be seen in reality TV and competition shows. For example, Stars In Their Eyes utilised fog in the 90’s to transition between costume changes and is still used in contestant-based shows such as The Voice and The Masked Singer.

Create an Ambience

With the likes of dry ice fog machines, you can create a sense of mystery. As the fog lays close to the floor, it acts as a blanket, insinuating something eery or concealing. This effect is utilised heavily for the likes of plays and theatrical shows and has started to become popular around Halloween for domestic decorations.

It is done so due to the immersive effect. It can draw in the audience. As the fog spills over the edge of the stage or the threshold, it flows and disperses into the audience, connecting onlookers to the story and display on a more personal basis.

Adding a fog machine to your equipment list instantly upgrades any dull room to one filled with beauty, mystery, and excitement. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in couples using them for weddings to add that natural romantic dream ambience to the couple’s first dance.

Enhance the Lighting

Whether it is a concert, light show, or event, if there have been lasers and lighting, there will have been the use of fog somewhere down the line. Although lights can look beautiful on their own, lighting teams have discovered their impressive effects when supplied by under haze of fog.

Haze machines are very much like fog machines, the only difference being the involvement you wish to add to your performance. A fog achieves a feature and an effect by itself, whereas a haze machine will help to accentuate the lighting and effects.

Lights and laser shows rely on the thickness of the haze to bounce the light off the droplets, allowing it to reflect. Imagine the old school cartoons of burglars finding the alarm beams with a spray can; the same is used with haze. Beams of light offer many better experiences and can provide a more enjoyable display.

How To Make the Best Quality Fog

What you intend to use the fog or haze for will depend on which machine will suit you. You would choose a cooling fog machine for a spooky and eery blanket for the likes of Halloween. Whereas if you wish to add some thrill to an entrance, then a heated fog machine would work best. Either way, for CO2, you must ensure you are only getting the best quality CO2 gas bottles.

Poor-quality gases can result in poor-quality effects, and when you have an audience looking for something incredible, you need to be sure that your equipment can live up to expectations. As a responsible bottle gas supplier, we triple-check all our gases to ensure that there are no contaminants and our customers are receiving high-quality products.

We offer online and speedy delivery of our gases, so why not order yours today?

How Environmentally Friendly Is LPG?

Staying environmentally friendly can be challenging when looking for fuel. As the world seeks more sustainable solutions across every industry to help slow down climate change, many businesses are addressing how they obtain more environmentally friendly energy.

Of course, the most popular access to cleaner energy is through renewable energy such as solar, wind and water. However, other fuels require less installation and are more efficient at generating power. LPG offers the benefits of green energy with less downtime than electrical power and is much more beneficial for many applications. We explore LPG as green energy and how it can offer a better alternative than other fossil fuels.

What Is LPG?

Liquid Petroleum Gas in its natural form is a gas, but when compressed into a pressurised container, it forms a liquid. LPG has a versatile range of applications and is often a highly sought-after gas with commercial, industrial and domestic uses. LPG is colourless, odourless and combines two natural gases, propane gas and butane gas. Natural fuels formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms are categorised as fossil fuels, which LPG is. Other examples of fossil fuels are coal and petroleum, and when burned to produce energy, release carbon and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, negatively impacting the environment.

Although LPG is classed as a fossil fuel, it is also considered green energy due to having little implications for the atmosphere with harmful gases. For this reason, and its other benefits, many industries choose this gas. For example, this gas can be stored in canisters of various sizes and is at low risk of keeping in bulk outdoors and indoors.

How Is LPG Different From Other Fossil Fuels?

Firstly, it produces up to 90% less carbon dioxide and is non-toxic. LPG does not contain sulphur, so when burned for fuel applications, it does not release as much carbon into the atmosphere, unlike other fuels such as coal and oil. In addition, LPG is much easier to store due to its ability to compress it into more compact solutions than oil and coal.

LPG is a much more reliable fuel as it does not become impacted by the surrounding environment and does not require draining or keeping dry when stored outside. There is also no useless by-product such as ash after use, which means this kind of fuel requires less maintenance and attention. Furthermore, as the gas is non-toxic, suppose there was a leak of some sort, it would pose less of a danger than alternative options.

Finally, the utilisation per kilogram is much more efficient than fossil fuels, which can also result in a much more cost-effective solution. It is easy to transport and, when choosing a smaller LPG canister, can easily move about work sites.

What Can Be Fuelled by LPG?

As businesses consider their carbon footprints more, there has been an increase in the applications of LPG for many appliances and machinery.

LPG-powered forklifts are increasing in popularity. With many of these machines used within large warehouses, having one which LPG fuels can benefit the space with cleaner emissions than one driven by petrol or diesel. In addition, unlike their electrical counterparts, there is no downtime whilst they recharge, and you can ensure you are stocked up on fuel in advance without losing vital warehouse space.

Domestic supply for off-grid homes is another example of using LPG for energy applications. For remote locations, often, there is no mains connection to provide the property with gas. In the past, these homes have been fuelled by oil. However, as the price of oil increases and more homes consider the environmental ramifications, many are switching their supplies to LPG as these can be stored more efficiently and cost much less than oil or coal.

In addition, when looking for an environmentally friendly alternative for cooking and heating on a domestic level, LPG BBQ and patio gas can provide a cost-effective solution. These also offer instant heat and do not require hours of waiting to reach desired temperatures.

Mobile hospitality businesses often use LPG for refrigeration appliances and air conditioning systems. The portability and compact nature of pressurised LPG canisters mean it is much easier to transport and has a much less impact on the environment than petrol generators.

LPG fuelled vehicles have been on the roads for many years. Prior to the popularity of electric vehicles, LPG was the cheapest and more environmentally friendly way to fuel a car. Any car can be converted to LPG, but due to a lack of incentive and promotion from the government, ensuring you could find a fuel station was difficult, and the conversions took up vital space within the vehicles. However, the benefits included cheaper fuel and would prolong a car engine’s life.

Finding Reliable LPG gases

Whilst having machinery or appliances fuelled by LPG is much more beneficial for the environment, it can lead to challenging predicaments without a reliable supply of high-quality gas. Luckily as a leading bottle gas supplier, we offer a variety of sizes of LPG canisters which can suit a wide range of applications. In addition, all our gases are tested prior to sale to ensure that every canister is of the best quality for our customers.

You can purchase our LPG Calor gas canisters online, with a broad network of stockists to offer local and reliable services. If you would like more regular supplies and contractual deliveries, feel free to contact us directly to see how we can help you.

How to Weld Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is one of the most common metals found across many industries. Thanks to its corrosion resistance, quality strength and clean aesthetic, it is an ideal metal for projects and mechanical work. However, if you have not worked with this product before, it is recommended to find out all you need to know to get the job done. We explore stainless steel, its applications and how to achieve the perfect weld.

Stainless Steel: Its Properties and Applications

As a metal, stainless steel offers strength and corrosion resistance, making it an excellent material for the manufacturer of cooking utensils, medical equipment and the construction of offshore technology. It can also be used for car manufacturing, shipbuilding and the construction of buildings and roofs.

This metal is also divided into three categories, and depending on which group you are welding, it will determine your welding equipment and methods. In addition, stainless steel can also be a very brittle metal to work with, which results in cracking when put under too much pressure.

The Three Categories of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a composition of iron, carbon and chrome, and it is the chrome element which is vital to the grading of stainless steel.

Martensitic stainless steel – This grade of stainless steel has a chromium ratio between 11.5% and 18% and is magnetic. It creates long white sparks with few forks during welding and can offer ideal material for more wear-resistant projects. Some examples are AISI 410, 416, 420, 431, 501, and 502 sheets of steel.

Ferritic stainless steel – Containing between 17-18% chromium, this category of stainless steel is ideal for work requiring a magnetic property from the metal elements. During the welding process, this material produces white or red sparks with few forks, and examples of ferritic stainless steel include AISI 405, 409, 432, 439, 442, and 446.

Austenitic stainless steel – The total nickel and chromium content is 23% of this category of stainless steel. This is one of the more common stainless steel metal grades, and their number usually stars with the number three. They are non-magnetic and do not harden by heat treatment.

Getting the Correct Method of Welding

Choosing a method before carrying out your weld will determine your required equipment. For example, MIG or TIG welding methods can be used for stainless steel, but depending on the thickness of the metal sheets, it could ascertain a preferred process.

MIG welding is perfect for thicker applications and workpieces, whereas TIG offers delicate but strong welds for more nominal thicknesses and details. Of course, if you need to use MIG welding, you will also need to find an adequate filler for each stainless steel grade.

The most common austenitic steels are 304, 308, 309 and 316. For 304 and 308, a 308 filler metal can be used. Popular ferritic grades are 409 and 430, with matching filler metals of 409 and 430. For the most used martensitic stainless steels, 410 and 420, these can be matched with 410 and 420 filler metals with similar characteristics.

The Best Gas for Stainless Steel

At Adams Gas, we understand the importance of having not only suitable gas but the best quality of gas for a perfect finish. Poor quality gas can lead to compromised joins and messy finishes, which is why we check every bottle of welding gas we sell, making us one of the leading bottled gas suppliers in the south of the UK.

MIG Welding Gas – We offer a range of options for MIG welding, all reliant on the thickness of the material being used.

• 2% CO2 and argon mix – Suitable for up to 10mm thickness of stainless steel
• 5% CO2 and argon mix – Ideal for welding up to 6mm thickness of stainless steel
• 12% CO2 and argon mix – Perfect thicknesses between 4mm – 10mm of stainless steel
• 20% CO2 and argon mix – Used ideally for thicknesses of between 6mm – 14mm of stainless steel.

TIG Welding Gas – We can also supply high-quality shielding gases for various applications if you require TIG welding for your project. When welding stainless steel using this method, it is recommended that pure argon is used for shielding your join as you carry out the weld. Argon helps protect the weld pool from environmental impurities such as oxygen and maintains a strong welding arc. Although helium is another alternative, by choosing argon, you help keep the project’s cost down, especially with our cost-effective rent-free bottled gas options.

We can supply pure argon in various sizes depending on your required needs, from 2L, which is great for mobility, to 50L, used for more industrial applications.

Things to Consider When Welding Stainless Steel

When it comes to welding with stainless steel, it is paramount that you consider your safety equipment. Ideally, we recommend a welding apron, gloves and helmet before carrying out any work with welding. Covering any exposed skin is essential regardless of methods or size, but safety boots are also recommended if you work with larger pieces of metal.

For TIG welding, you must ensure that the metal does not splash when joining stainless steel. Splashing results from too little amperage, and you require more strength and power. Alternatively, too much force can melt more metal than needed and compromise the workpiece.

MIG welding is a little trickier, and more must be considered when welding stainless steel. First, the torch’s protruding wire must be at least half a centimetre. In addition, when holding the torch to create the arc, you must ensure it sits at 30° to the workpieces you are joining. Like in TIG welding, if there is a splash from the metal, you must offer more power to your equipment, and if you find that your metal is melting too quickly, the power must be reduced to produce a smooth liquid cord which is easy to control.

With either method, allowing the piece to cool before moving the metal is essential. Moving it too quickly will adjust the molten metal and can concede to a poor join. In addition, you will also need to ensure that all your equipment has also cooled to prevent injury or harm to either yourself, others or the environment.

Suppose you are ready for your next welding project but are looking for a suitable bottled gas supplier. In that case, you can order our high-quality welding gases online, and we will be sure to take care of all your needs, including speedy delivery.

What Pressure Should Beer Gas Be?

Whether it is a home bar or you run a busy pub, ensuring the correct pressure for each of your drafts is a critical task. There are many contending factors to consider when adjusting your systems, and poorly pressured drinks can lead to disappointed customers, returned drinks and wasted money.

As gas cylinder suppliers, we want to help you ensure that every drink you pour is of the best quality and offers cool refreshments for all your customers. We will cover the correct CO2 pressure levels for various beverages and all the issues that may affect your system’s pressure.

Why Is CO2 the Best Gas for Drafts?

In a draft beer system, CO2 gas cylinders are just one essential component of producing great-tasting beer. CO2 is the best gas for assisting in dispensing beers, and at constant pressure, CO2 displaces alcohol in the barrel as you empty the keg, keeping the drinks carbonated and refreshing. Allowing a barrel to fill with oxygen can change the beer’s taste and be harmful to the beer. CO2 is naturally produced during fermentation, making it the best gas to keep the pressure right. Lack of CO2 will offer flat drinks, and you will find customers returning their drinks out of disappointment, which can be very costly to your business.

What Happens if the Pressure Isn’t Right in the Barrel?

A full gas cylinder has approximately 800 PSI which is far too high for dispensing drinks, which is why you will require a CO2 regulator, which will control the amount of pressure to the barrel needed for dispensing. If the pressure of the barrel is too low, it will lead to under-carbonated beers and drinks, which spoils the beer. Signs that the pressure is too low are as follows;

• Lack of bubbles when poured
• Looks like juice
• Tastes flat

Alternatively, too much pressure can spoil the perfect pint and create a lot of waste. This results in too much CO2 trying to escape and less beer being dispensed. These are the signs that your draft beer system is over-pressurised;

• Too much foam
• Tastes acidic
• Smells off
• It feels too carbonated (much like carbonated water)

These can also signal that the barrel is nearly finished, and you may need to replace the keg.

What Is the Correct CO2 Pressure for a Draft Beer System?

The ideal pressure for your beer will depend on the type of beer you wish to dispense. There are also many factors which can fluctuate this and must be considered.

Different Drinks and the Required Pressures

Most ales (including pale ales, IPAs, ambers, etc.) from a brewery with a carbonation volume of about 2.1 to 2.6 require a set regulator from about 7 to 13 psi. For lagers, a regulator set between 10 and 14 psi works best. Continental and light pilsners need slightly higher CO2 regulator settings, from 11 to 16 psi. Wheat beers, Belgian beers, and common American sours are generally the most carbonated beers, requiring about 15 to 20 psi. Stouts should be poured with beer gas and a stout faucet, using a nitrogen regulator at about 35 to 38 psi.

Factors Which Affect the Pressure

Three primary considerations may be calculated to achieve the perfect pint.

The length of the beer line – If you are unsure of the length of your beer line, you can measure the line from your shank to your coupler, and you will need to measure this in feet to help you achieve the correct calculations for achieving the suitable pressure.

The line resistance – Every foot of the beer line has an average line resistance. The smaller the inside diameter of the line, the more resistance and the larger the diameter, the less resistance. Below is the table to help you determine the line resistance of your draft system. There are usually two common types of lines, as you can see below;

For example, if your beer line from the tower to your keg measures 5 feet and your beer line is 3/16″ Inside Diameter. Multiply the length (5 Feet) X Line Resistance from the chart above (2.20 lb), which will result in the Line Resistance being 11 lb.

Gravity – The rise and fall within your draft beer system will determine your system’s gravity. It is measured between the two horizontal planes of your system: the centre of the keg and your faucet. For each foot of gravity in your system, a value of .45 PSI will need to be applied. You can round this to .5 PSI to make this calculation easier.

For example, if your faucet is 2 feet above your keg, your keg is 2 feet high. Add your faucet height (2 feet) + you keg height / 2 (1 foot). This would mean your gravity is 3 feet

In the final calculation, you must multiply the gravity by .5 PSI. We will walk you through this in the next step.

To help find the ideal pressure, you take the three calculations from the above factors and use the below formula;

Pressure = (Length of Beer Line (in feet) x Line Resistance) + (Gravity x .05)

For example, if your beer line length is 5 feet, the line resistance per foot is 2.2lb, and your gravity is 3 feet, the ideal pressure is 12.5 lb.

Getting the Right CO2

If you’re searching for a more cost-effective cellar gas solution for your business, no matter how big or small it might be, we can offer you quality gas cylinders at affordable prices. We even stock home bar gas for domestic setups. Our high-quality, mixed beer gas can help to improve the taste of beer, extend the life of your customer’s favourite draught beers and improve the overall presentation.

We stock a range of sizes from 6.35kg – 50L for every need of business or bars. You can order our bottled CO2 online or contact us directly for more regular and contractual requirements.

How to Supply Your Customers with LPG

Joining Adams Gas’s growing network of suppliers can benefit a business in many ways. It can improve the footfall of your premises, allowing you to upsell your own products and increase sales. In addition, we will offer you guidance and support and provide you with any leads we receive through our website from within your area. As an Adams Gas supplier, we will also give you exclusivity of our gas within your local vicinity, allowing you to dominate your local market with high-quality bottled gases.

LPG is potentially one of the most straightforward gas to sell to your customers. Unlike some of our other gases required by a specific industry or field, LPG has so many applications that you will never struggle to find customers for this product.

What Is LPG?

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a fuel gas mixture of hydrocarbon gases. The three most common gases under this category are propane, butane and propylene. Each of these gases has its pros and cons and can be used for heating appliances, cooking equipment and vehicles.

LPG gas cylinders are versatile and widely used in domestic and commercial settings. As a gas which offers less harm to the environment, it is becoming a much more prefered gas to use in refrigeration and propellants within aerosols. Households not on mains gas rely on LPG gas bottles for heating and cooking, which are used regularly in several recreational and business activities.

Industrial Uses of LPG

Although predominantly assumed as a more domesticated gas, LPG is still commonly used throughout many industrial processes. From agriculture to industrial metal cutting, LPG gas has a reasonably dominant stance within the industrial industry.

Automotive industry – As fuel for hybrid cars, LPG has been used to reduce the emissions from using petrol or diesel vehicles. Unfortunately, whilst an impressive 1500 garages offer LPG in the UK and a staggering 160,000 vehicles on the road, since the introduction of electric cars, the idea of an LPG car has become less popular due to its constraints.

Metal industry – The most apparent user of LPG for industrial applications are manufacturers and welders in the metal industry. It can be used as an essential requirement for cutting metal and offers a cost-effective solution.

Farming Industry – LPG is an ideal fuel for production in agriculture. It can be used to dry crops for feed due to the lack of bad smell or taste the gas offers.

Hospitality – Within the hospitality industry, LPG has an imperative use for heating various appliances. LPG offers a low sulphur content and a controllable temperature, making it ideal for cooking facilities and can also be used for outdoor heating elements such as patio heaters or gas burners.

Mobile Catering – A significant sector of LPG sales is the use of gas within mobile catering businesses. They are used to fuel the generators, heat the appliances and can even be used for portable refrigeration requirements from mobile catering businesses.

Equipment Fuel – Much like in the automotive industry, LPG offers a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel option than petrol. Especially for machinery which never uses main roads, such as forklifts and other warehouse equipment. Having forklift gas onsite can add efficiency to any business.

Domestic Uses for LPG

As with the industrial industry, the domestic market can also require significant amounts of LPG. As a gas, it offers instant and efficient burn and choosing the right LPG gas can provide year-round usage.

Camping – Whether for fuel for camping cooking equipment or as fuel to run the power of a motor home, LPG is an essential gas for those who like to get back to nature and travel off the grid.

BBQs – As an alternative to coal, you can purchase a BBQ fueled by gas. These are usually much preferable to coal due to the instant heat you can achieve and their cleanliness. Coal BBQs take a while to heat up and may take hours to cool down to clean. A gas BBQ provides and much more preferable piece of equipment for a busy modern household.

Off-grid living – Whether it is a personal choice to be off-grid or their home is located in a remote location, for those who have no mains connections, bottled LPG is often the only option for fuel.

Finding Your Market

Our LPG offers a year-round business opportunity for our stockists, with limitless profit margins. With so many applications of LPG, finding the market for this product can be easier than the likes of our other products, such as our TIG welding gases. As a business, you may find a surge in domestic demand for LPG gas throughout the summer. However, in winter, you may find more requests from the hospitality sector.

We will offer high-quality LPG bottled gas along with training and technical support for the sale and distribution of the gas. In addition to your own marketing, Adams Gas will offer leads from anyone in your area that may come through from our online enquiries. We receive over 183,000 unique visitors to our site each year, and with exclusivity to your location, any leads within your catchment will come directly to you.

As a bottle gas supplier, we offer a range of bottled LPG you could offer your customers, such as;

• Calor gas
• Butane gas
• Propane Gas

If you believe your business would benefit from joining our expanding network of stockists but are still a bit unsure, we have many case studies which can offer you examples of excellent success. For more information on how to sell our bottled LPG, feel free to enquire online, and our expert team will get back in touch.

Is it Safe to Weld Inside?

Whether you are an expert or a beginner, finding the best space to carry out welding work can often be challenging without an extensive welding ventilated garage. Summer is excellent for that welding project. With shorter nights and warm temperatures, it offers a perfect opportunity to carry out welding outdoors in safe and ventilated areas without worry.

Welding inside in a domestic setting can be extremely dangerous for numerous reasons and should be avoided at all costs. However, sometimes it could be the only option for your project or work. If this is the case, preparing your desired welding area is essential.

What Are the Dangers of Welding Indoors?

Unless you are a garage or facility that can suit indoor welding, there are many dangers of carrying out welds in enclosed spaces.

Ventilation – Without adequate ventilation, you expose yourself to chemicals and fumes, a byproduct of fusing metal together. These fumes along can cause severe damage to your health and pose a high risk.

Heat – Welding uses significant heat to make the desired join. As with any process that uses high heat levels, it poses a considerable fire risk in confined areas. Not only is there a risk with the heat source, but some welding methods provide sparks, which would cause a fire to nearby equipment, interiors or fabrics.

Risk of Injury – Welding will require heavy metal, and if you choose to do this in a shared domestic space, the metal pieces could cause an obstruction. Post-welding, metal should be left to cool. If you are using a family space, you may be unsure who else may come through the area, who could injure themselves on sharp edges or, worse, cause severe burns.

Should You Weld Indoors?

Most domestic homes are unsafe to weld in, and setting up your equipment in an average living room or dining room is dangerous and should be avoided where possible. As a rule, welding indoors is always a bad idea. Even the most experienced welders will weld in open spaces and outdoors unless it is an absolute emergency.

There are ways to weld inside safely, but it will require a less domestic setting such as a garage, spacious barn or a specifically designed workshop.

How to Create Adequate Ventilation for Welding

Ventilation is one, if not the most important, factor when setting up your indoor welding space. To prevent fumes from causing significant health issues for yourself as a welder, you must ensure that your area provides ventilation. If that isn’t quite possible, you must find a mask which offers a built-in filter for harmful gases.

If you are setting up a workshop or area for welding on a regular basis, installing a welding fume extractor could assist in supplying the space with adequate ventilation. They fluctuate from mobile equipment or wall mounted machines. Depending on your budget will vary your access to these, but they could offer excellent health benefits.

If you are doing an odd job that cannot be carried out outside for whatever reason, ensure that you create a flow of external ventilation with open doors or windows. Creating a flow encourages any fumes to be expelled from the space and allows you to carry out your work in a safer manner.

Clearing Space for Welding

In addition to ventilation, you must consider the risks of the sparks your process will create. Of course, this will vary on the method of welding you will be using. Suppose you require the tungsten inert gas welding method, which uses our high-quality TIG welding gas. In that case, it is unlikely you will produce sparks, and more often than not, if you see sparks with TIG welding, it means that something has gone wrong, and it is best to stop to assess the issue.

However, with metal inert gas welding, you will create the join using the sparks from the process, which means they are essential for welding, making a more hazardous method if you need to weld inside as the sparks could cause severe issues with burns and cause a huge fire risk.

So, if you have limited indoor space, TIG welding would offer the least risk for fires, but with either method, be sure to clear significant space around where you will be welding to ensure optimum safety. Having suitable gas is also essential as bad quality gas can offer contaminants which may cause even worse fumes and smoke. We stock a selection of TIG and MIG welding gas in various sizes to suit all applications, and it is all quality tested for customer confidence in our products.

Preparing for Inside Welding

If you must weld inside, there are several ways you can prepare your area to ensure optimal safety as you weld;

Clear away any distractions or clutter – The less interaction with other items, the less chance of heat damage or fire.

Organise your equipment well – With your gear organised, there will be less risk of accidents and trips which could be dangerous.

Welding blankets – Covering your welding area with fire-retardant blankets will help ensure the floor’s safety and potential heat spreading to other items.

Fire-resistant clothing – Even if welding outside, the correct apparel is essential with any weld. From aprons, gloves, trousers and helmets, having a complete kit to weld in may feel like overkill for a small job, but protecting yourself from the heat and potential sparks is essential.

Check your equipment – Besides organising it, ensuring it is fully functioning and connected correctly is important before welding, indoors or outdoors. Checking that your equipment is working will reduce the risk of anything going wrong, which could be problematic, especially indoors.

Metal tables – If you require a surface to weld on, never use a wooden one. An aluminium table is best for most welding uses.

However, if you have the opportunity to weld outside, it is much more preferred. This option provides a much safer environment for you and potentially others around you.

For more information on safety equipment and learning more, we have some great top tips for beginner welders for you to look through. Don’t forget, for all your welding gas needs, we have a large selection with one bound to suit you and your applications. As bottled gas suppliers, we take pride in our gas and customer services, so if there is anything you may be unsure about, feel free to contact us to ensure you have the correct gas for the job.

What Are the Easiest Metals to Weld?

Welding can be challenging, and the science behind it can strike a difficult balance. Still, with the right methods and the proper training, welding offers a permanent and secure connection between two workpieces. Metals can come in various sizes and densities, each with an optimal welding method. The two main methods are TIG and MIG. Your industry or equipment will determine which method you will most commonly use.

Of course, your preferred method could depend on the regular use of the type of metal you will be welding. Each metal will come with its own pros and cons, and as bottled gas suppliers, we will ensure to cover the difficulties of each metal, advising which is easiest for entry-level welding. If you are looking for more tips on beginning a career or project with welding, we also have a helpful guide for beginners with more information about having the correct tools and equipment.

Mild Steel

Mild steel is a metal which contains low amounts of carbon and is predominantly made up of iron. Low carbon levels provide the metal with more ductile and machinable properties, and it is the most commonly used metal in construction and manufacturing. It is used for structural steel, signs, automobiles, furniture, etc. One of the reasons it is used for a lot of manufacturing is due to its ease when it comes to welding. It can be welded with both MIG and TIG methods and is one of the more versatile metals in welding. However, you must ensure to use the corresponding gas, and if you are unsure about which MIG or TIG welding gas you require, our knowledgeable staff can always help.

Stainless Steel

304-grade stainless steel is very easy to weld but can warp if too much heat is applied, which is why this metal may be more difficult for an entry-level welder. The best welding method for this metal is MIG and using the right amount of welding gas can help, and practice makes perfect. Stainless steel, much like mild steel, is a very versatile metal used worldwide.

Its resistance to corrosion offers a sterile solution for pharmaceutical and scientific solutions, whilst its heat resistance provides an excellent use in the hospitality and food sector.

Nickel

Remarkably similar to mild steel, this metal is easy to weld using MIG or TIG welding methods. Although its ease of application within the welding process makes it ideal for entry-level welders, the metal does not produce the strongest hold. It is susceptible to porous materials, which will make the metal joins give over time.

Aluminium

When it comes to welding aluminium, it offers good strength-to-weight ratios at low-cost solutions. Therefore it is an excellent metal for manufacturing and construction. You can use MIG or TIG welding methods for this particular metal, and if you take the time to learn about the metal and the process, it can be a reasonably easy metal to work with. Aluminium also requires a lot of specific equipment, including drive roll. When applying the MIG welding method, you will need aluminium MIG wire and good quality MIG welding gas.

Bronze

When welding bronze, it is recommended that you use the MIG welding method. It is mainly used for medals and musical instruments but is also used to produce bushes and bearings for industrial applications. It isn’t an easy metal to bond with a weld and may require some experience due to needing a hotter weld. It takes a lot of continuous heat to ply the join together, which can overload your machines and be a somewhat challenging process.

Copper

Unlike the metals above, copper requires soldering or brazing for the perfect finish. Much like bronze, the MIG method is the most appropriate when welding. The most common use of copper is within electrical wiring due to its excellent conductive properties, and its malleability makes brilliant material for copper piping. Although the difficulty of this metal is not challenging, it does require a confident knowledge of the process and knowing when soldering would be a more suitable join.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is one of the more difficult metals to weld due to its brittle nature. Heating or cooling cast iron too quickly can result in cracking later on and can compromise your weld. Stick welding is often the safest option when working with this material, and the difficulty lies in understanding the welding process. Despite being a complex metal to weld, repairing cast iron welds is not too complicated and, with experience, can become a relatively uncomplicated process.

Galvanised Metal

Zinc is used to help reinforce this metal, and when welding can lead to many health hazards. Working with galvanised metal is not only a problematic weld but can be dangerous due to the zinc coating. It requires vital protective equipment, and the zinc can interfere with the weld, which often is not caught until the job is finished. The reinforcement layer also makes it more challenging to penetrate the material. If you are going to weld galvanised metal, it is advised that MIG is used as a welding method.

Working With Other Metals

Of course, depending on your field of work or project, there could be many other metals that will require welding. For the likes of titanium and brass, once you have learnt its properties and the best way to conduct a weld, it can become second nature. This is recommended for any welding process, understanding your equipment and material to ensure the best finish and a reliable join.

Using a responsible and expert company is always the best solution for all your welding equipment and needs. We have a range of welding products online to browse through, including all the welding gases you require for various metals. If you ever need advice on the best gas for your particular application, you can contact us; our staff are happy to help.

Using Gas for Mobile Catering

Mobile catering can be an exciting business to own, travelling up and down the country, attending big events and getting front row seats at festivals (when you have the time to look up). However, when it comes to gas, do you really know where to start? Are you getting the right gas for your business?

Mobile Catering Equipment That Needs Gas

Within your catering business, you will use various equipment to produce quick and delicious meals. If you are looking to start a successful burger van, the most crucial piece of equipment will be the stove. This piece of equipment can come in various sizes depending on your needs and offers the perfect solution to fast-cooking burgers for your customers whilst still ensuring the best flavours.

As a mobile doughnut catering company, you will require the use of a deep fat fryer. Once again, these can come in many sizes, depending on your van size. However, unlike the grill, fryers take up much less space and offer a more compact piece of equipment. Due to having smaller countertop sizes available, this could also provide an excellent addition to a fast-food catering van, making chips and fries ready within a matter of minutes.

Every mobile catering business requires hot water. Whether for hot beverages for customers or instant access to hot water for cooking, a gas water tank can provide boiled water in an instant. This cost-effective piece of equipment prevents customers from waiting for their hot drinks.

Finding the Suitable Gas for Your Business

As experts in bottled gas, we understand the importance of finding suitable gas for you and your business. Luckily we stock a range of products, each with their own attributes to mobile catering.

Butane Gas Bottles – Butane gas offers one of the best cost-effective solutions to LPG. It provides a more efficient burn in warmer conditions, making it ideal for mobile catering vans, and the gas is easy to use with easy connections. The bottles are also thinner than other alternatives, making them perfect for travelling.

Propane Gas Bottles – The most significant benefit of using Propane is the year-round use it can provide. Unlike butane, this gas will not freeze below 0°C, meaning you can take your catering business across many climates from the top of Scotland to the south of England without worrying if your gas has frozen, even in the winter months.

Calor Gas – Whilst our selection of Calor gas is an excellent choice for heating and portable uses, you will require a more cost-effective and longer-lasting solution when it comes to catering. However, if you only own one piece of gas cooking equipment, these may offer ideal options, primarily if you use very little. We deliver Calor gas to Kent and the surrounding areas.

If you are unsure what kind of gas you require for your business, feel free to give our helpful staff a call, they will be able to help point you in the right direction.

Safety with Gas

When it comes to dealing with bottled gases, safety should always play heavily with procedures in place to ensure the safety of you, your staff and your equipment. As responsible bottled gas suppliers, we offer access to all our gas safety documents.

Manual handling is usually an essential safety concern for most businesses. Although it may not be as dangerous as other scenarios, such as keeping a gas bottle away from naked flames, it is the one that most staff and businesses forget about. Transporting a canister from one location to another may seem quickly done, but if you move it daily and incorrectly, this could affect your spine and lead to back problems later on. Ensuring you and your staff are trained on the manual handling of gas cylinders should be part of your induction to the business.

Another document worth noting is the carriage of LPG cylinders by road. This documents the safest way to transport bottled gas, especially if you plan to transport more than one or will be using a van to collect and transport your gas.

Disposing of Bottles Safely

We offer rent-free canisters to provide our customers with the most economical solution to their bottled gas requirements. When purchasing your gas, a part of the price will be for the deposit of the canister. You can return the bottle to refill, in which you will only pay for the cost of the gas. If you no longer wish to use your gas canister, by returning it to us, you will receive the deposit you paid. There is no time limit for the deposit; it will only ever be returned to the customer who purchased the gas. By doing this, we ensure the safe disposal of our canisters if they require it.

We will always aim to refill a gas bottle for further use and only ever dispose of a canister if there is damage to the bottle. If you have a spare canister, it should never be disposed of with regular waste. It should never be put into a skip or any other waste disposal option. We will always buy your canisters from you, even if they have come from an alternative supplier.

For all your mobile catering gas requirements, we have various sizes available depending on your use and space. At Adams Gas, we offer gas cylinder filling on a contractual basis, which involves collecting, filling and re-delivering customer-owned cylinders. Even if you don’t have one of our canisters, we can still offer you a quick, high-quality gas refill. Contact our team for more information.

An Introduction to Oxy Fuel

Oxy fuel plays a vital component in the cutting and welding process of metal. At Adams Gas, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service while providing high-quality and cost-effective gases. In addition, we offer various sizes of oxy fuel, from 2L canisters to 50L units, for more industrial requirements.

If you are at the beginning of your welding journey or wish to know more about finding the right products for cutting metal, we will provide information on everything you need to know before ordering our oxy fuel gas.

What Is Oxy Fuel Gas?

Oxy fuel gas is made up of oxygen and an additional injection of another gas. Combining oxygen and another combustion gas is required to produce a high-quality product. As bottled gas suppliers, we predominantly sell our gas for cutting and welding. We offer various options of either pre-mixed and individual gases, which you can mix at home through your oxy-fuel welding machine.

The most common combinations of oxygen are usually one of the following:

• Acetylene
• Hydrogen
• Propylene
• Butane

The mixture will mostly depend on the job it is required to complete. Of course, the cost and the flame control are the two most significant contributors.

What Is Oxy Fuel Used For?

As mentioned, two main processes require oxy fuel; welding and metal cutting. Each need requires its own correct mixture and percentage.

Welding – Oxy Fuel welding, like arc welding, requires heat to conjoin two sheets of metal together. How each process achieves the heat required is not the same. For arc welding, the heat is managed with electricity and can reach up to 10,000°F, whereas with oxy fuel the heat is achieved using a flame and only reaches temperatures of 6,000°F. The heat provided by the flame is then used to melt the surfaces of the workpieces, which form together, creating a join. Oxy fuel welding can be used with and without filler, depending on your requirements and the strength required. This welding method was developed in the late 1920s and was the only welding process available until coated arc welding electrodes were introduced.

Metal Cutting – Oxy fuel cutting is the thermal process of melting the metal to such heat that it creates separation. Primarily used within industrial settings, with the help of oxy fuel, thicknesses from 0.5-250mm can be cut easily and offers a more cost-effective solution than industrial metal cutting blades. This process can be carried out either manually or mechanised. A mixture of oxygen and the chosen combustion fuel is used to pre-heat the workpiece to its ignition temperature, which makes the metal glow, but does not bring it to boiling point. Once the workpiece reaches the correct temperature, a jet of pure oxygen is then directed at the area creating a chemical reaction between the oxygen and the metal to form iron oxide (or slag in its more common term). The jet then blows away the slag, allowing the pure oxygen jet to penetrate through the workpiece and create the beginning of the cut.

Getting The Right Mix of Oxy Fuel

Depending on the job, it will depend on the mix of oxy fuel you may require. Each of these mixes provides its own benefits;

Hydrogen Fuel – This low-density gas offers a clean flame and is most suited for welding aluminium. If mixed at a 2:1 ratio, this oxy fuel combination can reach up to 3600°F, making it an ideal option for underwater welding and cutting.

Propylene Fuel – This gas burns hotter than the alternative and cuts metals very similar to propane. It is by far the most cost-effective of the fuels as this gas will last longer than other oxy fuels and is usually a safer option. It offers excellent use in fusion welding, brazing, silver soldering and metal cutting. This gas is colourless and has a double bond which gives it an advantage over the likes of other gases such as propane.

Propane – Being quite similar to Propylene, this gas offers an excellent option for cutting metal, but due to its lower burning temperatures, it does not do well for welding as other alternatives. In addition to being unusable for welding, the lower temperature will also provide a longer cutting time for a workpiece. The advantages of propane are purely due to the commonly low expense, making it perfect as a hobby welding gas.

Buying Oxy Fuel for Your Project

Being a national bottled gas distributor, we aim to provide only the highest quality of gases to our customers. Our trained experts will be able to help with any gas requirements. Even if you are unsure of the exact mix or type of fuel you require, our staff will help you guide you to the correct size and combination. We offer sizes to suit all, from 2L canisters ideal for welders on the go or trade welding gas in 20L bottles. We will have the size you need. Find our full stock online or contact us for more regular deliveries.

How to Supply Your Customers with Helium

Helium gas is possibly one of the most known gasses on the market, and for one main reason, balloons. Being tasteless, odourless and colourless, it makes the ideal filling for latex and foil balloons. Helium is also used for cooling, maintaining controlled environments, leak detection and even has uses in medical practices.

Businesses That Use Helium

Due to the many applications of helium, there is always an ongoing demand for helium canisters. From manufacturing to the medical and hospitality industries, helium has many uses.

Event Planners – with so many events to plan, having a direct supply of gas for balloon inflation is ideal for any event planner. For most events, having a bottle of helium on hand is perfect for those last-minute touches.

Hospitality Venues – From birthday parties to milestone anniversaries, venues will usually have endless balloons to inflate. Having high-quality helium on site can help ensure that those balloons are ready for any wedding or party. Venues are also an excellent opportunity to find sales of cellar gas, which we have covered previously in our Supplying Your Customers with Cellar Gas guide.

Retail Stores – Whether it is the local supermarket, the corner shop or a designated card retail shop, all have a supply of helium for those extra-large foil balloons and will usually go through quite a lot in the space of a week.

Diving Tank Manufacturers – Helium is used within diving tanks to replace a portion of nitrogen, allowing divers to breathe underwater safely. While this market is complex to supply, it could provide an extortionate profit return if you find yourself near one of these manufacturers.

Metal Fabricators  – Whilst helium is not usually a standard component sought after for welding, it can help to deliver a broader and more shallow penetration pattern during the welding process when mixed with argon.

Now, whilst balloons are not the only use for helium, the competition for the other industries is niche. Unless you have a diving tank manufacturer locally, the leading target group for helium will be the hospitality and entertainment industry.

How Much Helium Can I Expect to Sell?

Of course, if you are looking to stock helium as an added business opportunity to increase revenue, there has to be a significant demand locally. Before purchasing a supply, market research is essential. Suppose you are surrounded by beautiful wedding venues or have a theatre close by. In that case, you can be sure there is an opportunity to provide the local area with ample high-quality helium in 20L helium canisters. Alternatively, if you are situated within a built-up residential area, there is also the potential to sell more domestically for parties and personal events; this will require our smaller range of helium bottles, such as our 2L canisters.

While conducting your market research, reach out to the local card sellers and ask where they received their helium. This could provide you with a regular customer who may prefer to buy locally.

Balloon Decoration Companies

Over the past few years, there has been an influx of creativity within the balloon industry. From imaginative gifts to stunning features, their applications are growing. Balloons are being used for impressive arches at weddings, elf on the shelf arrival gifts and even baby shower gender reveal components. This increase in use requires an increase in helium, which opens the door to regular purchasing and an increase in sales. With a bit of time contacting these local companies who provide these services, you may find yourself selling out of helium relatively quickly.

We offer all of our helium tanks with an additional inflator nozzle, so you don’t need to worry about finding one that fits correctly for your customers.

Safety with Helium

Helium is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas and whilst it is a non-toxic gas, it comes with the usual warnings you would expect from a gas which displaces oxygen. For more information on the use of helium and safety, please find our information sheet online.

Another danger which comes with supplying gas is the manual handling of the products. Canisters are heavy and require correct lifting procedures to prevent personal damage and suffering. If needed, consider moving them on a trolley to lessen the strain of manually carrying the weights around your storage facility or shop floor. As a responsible bottled gas supplier, we offer a range of guidance documents online on our safety page for more information on handling pressurised canisters.

How to become a Helium Gas Stockist

Our successful stockists will often find their customers and create an impressive clientele through networking and advertising. Most of our stockists see up to 50% clear profit margins from their sales of our products—however, the potential to earn more lies with you. We will delegate any potential local leads within your area, but you will soon find that you will generate your own customer base without our assistance through promoting the products.

What we offer:

• Supplying you with leads from your area, we had over 183,000 unique visitors to our site, many of whom were passed on to stockists.
• High-quality products, training and technical support for selling and distributing our gas.
• Provide you with a dedicated sales area, inside which we will not set up any further stockists.

What we expect in return:

• You to be comfortable running a collection and delivery service in your area.
• Handle sales enquiries on a daily basis (Monday to Friday).
• Promotion of your gas products in your local area to supplement leads from Adams Gas.
• The ability to go out and set up smaller stockists within your assigned area (optional).

If this business opportunity sounds like something that would benefit your existing company, you can fill in the online enquiry form, and we will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

How is Argon Gas Used in Welding?

Welding is used for many applications throughout various industries, but the process and outcome essentially are the same, fusing two metal workpieces. Whether you MIG weld or TIG weld, you want to be sure that the join will hold and provide stability. To do this, you require the best quality shielding gas.

Argon is a shielding gas we regularly provide to our clients, and it offers a range of benefits when welding.

What is Argon Gas?

Odourless, colourless and tasteless, argon makes up 0.93% of the Earth’s atmosphere. Due to the gas being non-flammable, argon makes an ideal option for welding, where temperatures can reach 3,871°C. In addition to not supporting combustion, the gas is non-toxic. However, with its ability to decrease oxygen levels in the air, ventilation is essential when using this for welding.

As an inert gas, argon does not react with other gases, making another great reason to choose this as a shielding gas for your work.

Why Do You Need Shielding Gas for Welding?

The main purpose of shielding gas is to prevent the weld you are applying to the workpiece from being contaminated by the elements in your work environment. Whilst you may ensure that your workplace is free from pollutants, the air contains nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, which can cause various issues such as porosity and excess splatter if they contact the molten metal. This could compromise the join, which could prove dangerous when working with life-supporting structures such as bridges, aerospace, and automotive repairs.

Ensuring you are using high-quality TIG or MIG welding gas can instil confidence that your weld will hold when required.

What Makes Argon a Good Welding Gas?

Argon is an inert gas and provides the stability needed for safety when heating metal to high temperatures during the welding process. It also produces a narrower penetration profile which offers a clean and minimal but strong bond between the two workpieces.

As a gas bottle supplier, we offer a CO2/Argon mix for both industrial applications and hobby welding gas.

Pure Argon for TIG Welding

When looking for TIG welding gas, you will require a pure argon gas, which produces a clean weld with no oxidisation. It can significantly increase your welding execution for many reasons;

• It’s heavier than air quality and offers complete protection of your weld.
• Prevents any burning through of thinner materials.
• Offers a consistent, reliable and narrow arc for a more precise weld.
• It requires less power and voltage during TIG welding and is more affordable than other options.

The only disadvantage to using pure argon versus other inert gasses is that it cannot operate at high voltage, which may mean longer welding times. However, with the excellent quality of argon, it may be worth taking the extra time for a more accurate weld.

Argon/CO2 Mix for MIG Welding

Unlike TIG welding, MIG welding requires a mixture of argon and CO2 gas. Whilst there are many options for MIG welding gas, argon mixed with CO2 offers;

• Fewer splatters and undercuts than you would get with pure CO2, providing a smoother output.
• The arc will be more stable.
• The weld pool will provide deeper penetration.
• The correct mix will give you the right amount of heat for bending and twisting.

Whilst argon 80% / CO2 20% is the best all-around mix for a wider variety of applications, the specific combination depends on the thickness of the weld. A favourable mix for those wishing to weld thinner steel parts, a 5% CO2, 95% Argon mix offers the best option. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us, and our helpful team will be able to advise you on the best mixture.

Argon and Other Gas Mixes

For the process of MIG welding, you can find argon mixed with other gases such as helium in addition to CO2. These are best for stainless steel, carbon, and low-alloy steel welding applications.

Dangers of Argon

As a stable and inert gas, argon is relatively safe in welding due to its non-toxic and non-flammable nature. However, besides the standard precautions required for handling pressurised bottled gas, the biggest hazard is asphyxiation when using this gas.

Argon replaces the oxygen in the air, leading to nausea, headaches, rapid breathing, drowsiness and other symptoms that a decrease in oxygen can produce. To shield yourself from these risks, it is imperative that your workplace is well ventilated and the proper equipment is used. Taking regular breaks away from the area if you are working on a large piece is also advisable.

Argon Gas for Welding at Adams Gas

We offer a variety of cylinder sizes for any application of welding. We can supply 2L canisters for mobile welders, 50L for industrial uses and other sizes in between. To ensure we give low-cost options with our rent free bottles and offer speedy delivery nationwide. To ensure you receive only the best, high-quality gas for your welding, order online or feel free to call us for more specific needs or regular deliveries.