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Are you looking to improve your revenue and footfall within your business and already order from us? Perhaps you are looking for new business opportunities to help support your current one? We hope to supply the nation efficiently with high-quality welding gas by expanding our network of stockists nationwide.

We offer to ensure the products are delivered to you to distribute across your local area and take any profits as your own. However, as a business, we understand that you will wish to know all about selling welding gases and how to store and distribute them safely and competently.

Which Businesses Use Welding Gas?

As a business that may already buy your gas from us, you may already be aware of the types of companies that use welding gases, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore that may be unknown.

Aerospace Industries – Across England, there is an abundance of aeroplane manufacturers. To produce high-quality transportation, they require high-quality equipment. Initially, TIG welding was created for use in this industry but has since spread to other sectors. Reaching out to this market could open you up to the regular distribution of welding gas for either repair, maintenance or manufacturing.

Automotive Industry – This target market is possibly one of the more popular and common industries. With thousands of garages, autobody repair facilities and manufacturing lines, it is a market that will always require an excellent supply of gas. MIG welding offers deep penetration, making it the ideal for sheet metal joining in the automotive industry.

Construction and Infrastructure – The process of MIG welding was invented to join non-ferrous metals such as aluminium. MIG welding is also used for Steel welding, and with over 50% of the steel produced globally being used within building constructs, a regular supply of MIG welding gas is always required. Each of these industries uses an excessive amount of MIG and TIG welding gas. However, when it comes to more modest businesses that could potentially increase your revenue, there is a selection of independents renowned for being our usual clientele.

· Farmers

· Engineers

· Motor mechanics

· Maintenance departments within larger companies

· Mobile site welders

· Air-conditioning engineers

· Hobby Welders

Of course, how much you potentially require to supply your local need will depend on the size of the companies in your area. When joining our stockist’s network, be sure you know the demand for a particular gas within your area by calling potential customers and companies. As a gas cylinder supplier, we want to make sure that you are making the most of this business opportunity and that it doesn’t leave you with excess stock you cannot sell.

Manual Handling Safety

The most significant risk when it comes to stocking and selling welding gas is the safety of your staff and yourself when delivering or taking delivery of stock. Gas Cylinders are not light-weighted items and, when mishandled, can pose severe damage to physical health.

Where possible, be sure to use the correct handling equipment. Mechanical lifting or moving aids will provide the momentum required to transport either from vehicles or warehouses and storage. We have a full safety document outlining exactly how to handle the different weights and sizes of cylinders correctly on our safety page.

Transporting Safely

When it comes to delivering bottled gas, safety is paramount. There are regulations for commercial transport of gases to ensure driver safety and other road users’ safety.

However, these regulations are there for vehicles carrying a large number of bottled gases, and for inert and oxidising gases, it is 1000kg and over. If you are transporting over this amount, we advise you read the Carriage of LPG Cylinders by Road document.

For smaller than 1000kg loads, there are three main points to adhere to;

· Risk assessment of the carriage, the loading and unloading of the cylinders. Baring in mind the procedures of manual handling when it comes to the loading of the vehicles.

· Drivers should be trained in:

o The associated hazards and dangers of the goods

o Safe handling of gas cylinders

o Emergency procedures and the use of fire fighting appliances. Their employer should keep a training record.

· Vehicles used to transport gas cylinders should be open; if this cannot be accomplished, the vehicle should be well ventilated with roof spinners and floor vents as appropriate.

· When the vehicle contains bottled inert gases, a 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher should be on board.

· Basic cylinder-safety training must be provided to persons handling and delivering bottled gases.

How To Become a Welding Gas Stockist

Our successful stockists will often find their customers and create an impressive clientele from 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 often delegate any potential local leads within your area, but you will soon find that through promoting the products, you will generate your own customer base without our assistance. There is a variety of bottled welding gas, from large requirements of gas cylinder fillings to hobby welding gas in need nationwide.

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:

· Be comfortable running a collection & 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

· To be able to go out and set up smaller stockists within your assigned area (optional)

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

How to Supply Your Customers With Welding Gas

Are you looking to improve your revenue and footfall within your business and already order from us? Perhaps you are looking for new business opportunities to help support your current one? We hope to supply the nation efficiently with high-quality welding gas by expanding our network of stockists nationwide.

We offer to ensure the products are delivered to you to distribute across your local area and take any profits as your own. However, as a business, we understand that you will wish to know all about selling welding gases and how to store and distribute them safely and competently.

Which Businesses Use Welding Gas?

As a business that may already buy your gas from us, you may already be aware of the types of companies that use welding gases, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore that may be unknown.

Aerospace Industries – Across England, there is an abundance of aeroplane manufacturers. To produce high-quality transportation, they require high-quality equipment. Initially, TIG welding was created for use in this industry but has since spread to other sectors. Reaching out to this market could open you up to the regular distribution of welding gas for either repair, maintenance or manufacturing.

Automotive Industry – This target market is possibly one of the more popular and common industries. With thousands of garages, autobody repair facilities and manufacturing lines, it is a market that will always require an excellent supply of gas. MIG welding offers deep penetration, making it the ideal for sheet metal joining in the automotive industry.

Construction and Infrastructure – The process of MIG welding was invented to join non-ferrous metals such as aluminium. MIG welding is also used for Steel welding, and with over 50% of the steel produced globally being used within building constructs, a regular supply of MIG welding gas is always required. Each of these industries uses an excessive amount of MIG and TIG welding gas. However, when it comes to more modest businesses that could potentially increase your revenue, there is a selection of independents renowned for being our usual clientele.

· Farmers

· Engineers

· Motor mechanics

· Maintenance departments within larger companies

· Mobile site welders

· Air-conditioning engineers

· Hobby Welders

Of course, how much you potentially require to supply your local need will depend on the size of the companies in your area. When joining our stockist’s network, be sure you know the demand for a particular gas within your area by calling potential customers and companies. As a gas cylinder supplier, we want to make sure that you are making the most of this business opportunity and that it doesn’t leave you with excess stock you cannot sell.

Manual Handling Safety

The most significant risk when it comes to stocking and selling welding gas is the safety of your staff and yourself when delivering or taking delivery of stock. Gas Cylinders are not light-weighted items and, when mishandled, can pose severe damage to physical health.

Where possible, be sure to use the correct handling equipment. Mechanical lifting or moving aids will provide the momentum required to transport either from vehicles or warehouses and storage. We have a full safety document outlining exactly how to handle the different weights and sizes of cylinders correctly on our safety page.

Transporting Safely

When it comes to delivering bottled gas, safety is paramount. There are regulations for commercial transport of gases to ensure driver safety and other road users’ safety.

However, these regulations are there for vehicles carrying a large number of bottled gases, and for inert and oxidising gases, it is 1000kg and over. If you are transporting over this amount, we advise you read the Carriage of LPG Cylinders by Road document.

For smaller than 1000kg loads, there are three main points to adhere to;

· Risk assessment of the carriage, the loading and unloading of the cylinders. Baring in mind the procedures of manual handling when it comes to the loading of the vehicles.

· Drivers should be trained in:

o The associated hazards and dangers of the goods

o Safe handling of gas cylinders

o Emergency procedures and the use of fire fighting appliances. Their employer should keep a training record.

· Vehicles used to transport gas cylinders should be open; if this cannot be accomplished, the vehicle should be well ventilated with roof spinners and floor vents as appropriate.

· When the vehicle contains bottled inert gases, a 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher should be on board.

· Basic cylinder-safety training must be provided to persons handling and delivering bottled gases.

How To Become a Welding Gas Stockist

Our successful stockists will often find their customers and create an impressive clientele from 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 often delegate any potential local leads within your area, but you will soon find that through promoting the products, you will generate your own customer base without our assistance. There is a variety of bottled welding gas, from large requirements of gas cylinder fillings to hobby welding gas in need nationwide.

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:

· Be comfortable running a collection & 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

· To be able to go out and set up smaller stockists within your assigned area (optional)

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

How Can Gas Help My Catering and Hospitality Business

Although it may often go unnoticed by customers, many types of gas are integral to catering and hospitality businesses, both large and small. For example, gas helps dispense beer, fill balloons, fuel patio heaters in beer gardens and cooking equipment on food trucks. The type of gas you’ll use will depend on what kind of catering business you’re operating. Knowing which gases are available and how they can be used across hospitality may even present new business opportunities you’ve not thought about before.

Cellar Gas for Dispensing

Cellar gas is arguably the most important gas for bars, pubs, restaurants, or other hospitality businesses dispensing draught beer or soft drinks. Without cellar gas, it’s impossible to get beer from the keg to the glass (unless you’re using a hand-pull pump and only dispensing cask beer), making it a vital part of any cellar dispensing set up.

Cellar gas allows hospitality businesses to dispense a vast range of beers, lagers, ciders and soft drinks, and those who supply hospitality businesses with cellar gas usually offer a range of both pure CO2 and CO2/nitrogen mixes suitable for a variety of different drinks. Whilst many highly carbonated lagers, ciders and soft drinks require pure CO2 to retain their effervescence, stouts, smooths, and pale ales need a specific concentration of nitrogen mixed into the CO2 to create their recognisable creamy texture. It’s essential to identify the suitable gas for each product, as different beers require different ratios of CO2 to nitrogen for correct efficient dispensing.

Propane Gas for Heating

Many establishments will have outdoor facilities. Since the smoking ban of 2007, more customers have moved outside. However, unlike countries abroad, the UK climate is not quite as forgiving for dining alfresco all year round.

Propane’s primary use within the hospitality sector is for outdoor heating. Often for patios or beer gardens, but sometimes at the entrance to the building to keep customers warm as they wait to enter the venue or when departing. The range of patio and outdoor heater designs available has made them not only practical but aesthetically pleasing for an incredible outdoor dining experience. They also offer all-year-round use of outdoor facilities which may have otherwise been closed, such as pools or waterside activities. With our various sized propane bottles, you can be sure to find a size to suit your patio heater and keep your customers warm.

Cooking With Gas

Many head chefs and restaurant managers will choose a gas oven and hob over an electric one. Gas allows for more control and a quicker change in the desired temperature. This is essential for beautifully cooked sauces and food when it comes to cooking. You could also save up to 30% in energy costs when opting for a gas cooker instead of an electric one.

Propane can also be used to power the ovens and stoves, and whilst most hotels, pubs and restaurants are connected to the mains gas supply, businesses in more rural areas often need to find their fuel source through bottled gas suppliers.

 

However, if you run a mobile catering business that prepares hot food, perhaps a food van or container, you will need to find a supply of bottled gases. While many mobile catering businesses still use petrol-fueled generators, you can halve generator running costs by 50% by converting to an LPG generator. LPG provides a constant supply of energy at an affordable price, and with our rent-free butane gas bottles, you can be sure that you are using quality gas.

The summer months are usually busiest for most mobile catering companies, with festivals and events typically taking place. However, if you plan on cooking outside in the winter months or colder climates, you may wish to choose one of our propane bottles. They burn efficiently in all weather due to their much lower boiling point, preventing the gas from evaporating.

Helium for Balloons

As a catering business, your priority is cooking. Whilst many hospitality establishments choose to contract out decoration and event planning; it can never hurt to be prepared for any celebrations, special bookings or occasions with our bottled helium gas.

Whether it is an anniversary party, wedding celebration or a milestone birthday, they all look better with balloon décor. They not only serve a purpose in decoration, but by the end of the event, you can guarantee they have kept most of the children (or some adults) entertained with games and fun.

Order online with us and take advantage of our speedy delivery to make sure you are only getting the best quality gas for your business.

What Are Industrial Gases and How Are They Used?

Industrial gases are manufactured to be sold and used in industrial applications, such as manufacturing, oil refining, cleaning and transportation. There are different types of industrial gases, including nitrogen, helium, CO₂, argon, propane and butane, and we supply them all at Adams Gas.

What Are Industrial Gases?

As we already mentioned, industrial gases are those used in industry. Many of them are the same as gases used in a domestic setting but offered in much larger cylinders to satisfy the demands of industrial applications. They can be stored in other forms and can be sold and used in a pure state or mixed with other gases. These industrial gases must also be ready to use at any time, which means that they need to be stored adequately and transported safely.

We have several industrial gas cylinders available, so if you have any questions about any of our products, don’t hesitate to speak to us. Take a look at some of the industrial gases you can find at Adams Gas and how they’re used:

Nitrogen

Our nitrogen gas cylinders can be used in many different sectors and industries, including the food and drinks manufacturing sector, where it’s used to package fizzy and still drinks (from water to wine) and helps to extend the lifespan of packaged consumables.

Nitrogen can also be found in air conditioning applications, as it can help you clean AC units and keep them from oxidising. If you’re a fan of motorsports, you’ll be happy to know this gas is used to inflate tyres and assist drivers in making the most of every millisecond.

Carbon Dioxide

CO₂ can be used in many different ways and industries, such as theatre and hydroponics. Our CO2 bottles are also popular for applications such as glass frosting, including in bars and pubs, since they allow for glasses to be served cold to customers (this can help to keep drinks fizzy and ensures the ice on their drinks doesn’t melt as soon as it gets to the table).

Carbon dioxide can help create special effects in theatre and stage plays, ensuring a better experience for viewers and also promotes plant growth in aquariums.

This means that carbon dioxide is useful for a wide range of applications and can be used as an industrial gas. Whether you’re looking to play paintball or set off a confetti cannon, you need CO₂ to make it happen.

Helium

Helium gas is widely known around the world as gas for balloons (and the gas that makes people’s voices funny), but you can use it for many other things.

For example, helium is incredibly useful in manufacturing LCD panels and fibre optic wire, as it keeps all components cold enough to ensure nothing gets damaged or breaks. Helium is also a welding gas, suitable for metals like aluminium.

And, yes, if you want to have a balloon that floats up instead of dropping to the ground as soon as you release it, helium is the gas for you – this is also why it’s used in meteorology as well, as it lifts balloons carrying instruments.

Argon

Because this gas is inert, it’s often mixed with other gases to weld non-ferrous metals, meaning it’s a must-have in the industrial welding sector. Argon can also be used in the casting industry (for example, in heat treatment), to make neon lights, and in 3D printing.

Take a look at why you can’t use the same gases for MIG and TIG welding in our blog, as we talk about this and other gases.

Propane

There are many applications for propane as well, mainly in manufacturing. In fact, this gas is heavily used to create plastic and run the machines needed to manufacture products in factories. Industrial uses for propane also include metal cutting and manufacturing solvents and even rubber.

If you’re looking for propane gas, you’ll find it at Adams Gas. Let us know if you have any questions about how to best use it – our experienced and knowledgeable team will be happy to help.

Butane

Another gas we stock is the highly flammable butane gas. This product doesn’t have any colour or odour. It can be found in the domestic, commercial and industrial appliances sector because it acts as fuel and refrigerant. For instance, butane can be found in lighters, stoves and aerosols.

No matter why you need industrial gas bottles, we’ve got you covered. As gas cylinder suppliers, we can help you find the best gases for your project, either direct through our online store or one of our stockists. If you are interested in becoming an Adams Gas stockist, we have plenty of business opportunities for reputable businesses looking for a reliable, additional revenue stream for their existing offering.

Top Tips for Beginner Welders

Welding is a skill that can prove immensely helpful in the construction and mechanical trades, but it can also be a valuable skill to have for domestic use. Even as a hobbyist, taking up welding means you’ll be able to fix older cars, build fire pits, and even garage storage. At Adams Gas, we pride ourselves in being one of the best online bottle gas suppliers across the UK, providing gas to professional and hobbyist welders alike. So if you’re interested in taking up welding, this blog will help you with the basics and get you started on your journey into the world of metal works.

What is Welding?

Welding is the process of bonding two pieces of metal together by using molten metal. The process can be straightforward, but only with the proper knowledge, safety equipment and tools. There are many different types of welding; however, the three common processes used within the industry are:

• Stick Welding
• MIG Welding
• TIG Welding

There are three essential elements to welding, a heat source, filler metal and your shielding gas or flux. Each of these is used differently depending on the method you choose to use.

What is MIG Welding?

MIG Welding is often the cleanest process for welders. This is because all the components can be set up beforehand, and the method creates minimal mess compared to other welding processes.

This process is suitable for both thick sheet and thin sheet welding. It works by feeding the filler material through a copper contact tube, using it as the heat source and the filler. The heat is protected by MIG Welding Gas (shielding gas) to keep the heat concentrated and prevent contamination on the joint as you move with the welding gun. Many different gases can be used in MIG welding; however, the CO2 argon mix is arguably the most popular.

What is Stick Welding?

Stick welding has the advantage of being the most universal of the processes. It doesn’t pose a risk of contamination and is the easiest to learn.

Stick welding works by using rod-shaped metal electrodes covered with a flux material. An electric current will flow through the rod to create an arc between the electrode and the workpiece, enabling the rod and the metal piece to bond together.

This results in gases being released, which form a protective covering over the joint called slag. It helps to shape the weld whilst protecting it, but must be removed once it is cooled.

While this process is the easiest to learn and one of the quieter welding methods (making it great for those with neighbours), it takes much longer than the other methods and creates a lot of smoke.

What Is TIG Welding?

TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode with a very high melting point. The electrode gets hot but does not melt with this method, making it non-consumable. TIG works by melting the base metals, the two pieces you are looking to bond. With this method, you can work with or without filler metal. If choosing to use a filler, you want to make sure you use a compatible alloy to your base metal, as there are many things to consider when welding dissimilar metals.

Like MIG welding, this process uses TIG welding gas (shielding gas) to protect the weld from contamination like water particles or anything else that could be airborne. Contamination could ruin your work with the potential to make the metal react. The predominant shielding gas for TIG welding is pure argon gas.

What Safety Equipment Would You Need for Welding?

It doesn’t matter which process you decide to use; protecting yourself is of the highest priority when it comes to welding. Working with gases, heat, and molten metal requires the right welding safety equipment to carry out the job safely.

Gloves, glasses and helmets are also a must on your safety equipment list. You can find a large variety of equipment from our online store.

Before using any equipment, you must read the instruction manuals. This will help you use the machinery correctly instruct on maintaining the equipment for future use without posing a danger or risk to yourself or your surroundings.

You will need to ensure you wear long-sleeved fire-resistant clothing. Steel toe-capped boots are also advised as they can protect you from hot and heavy metals if you were to drop a workpiece on your foot accidentally.

Ventilation is also a crucial main concern. There will be fumes from the metal and gases, so making sure your area is well vented is a must. If you are outdoors, you may not need to worry, but you may want to invest in an extraction unit if you are welding indoors.

Practice Makes Perfect

Like with most skills, the more you practice, the better you will get. It’s recommended that beginners practise three times a week to hone in on their ability to weld cleanly and with proficiency. Try practising on scrap metal before even attempting to weld your new project. This way, you will get a feel for the machinery and ensure you don’t ruin whatever project you plan to start.

Like most skills, practice makes perfect, and the more welding you do, the cleaner and neater your welds will become with time.

For any advice on buying the correct shielding gas or any safety equipment you may need, please feel free to get in touch and speak to the team at Adams Gas.

Why You Can’t Use the Same Gas for MIG & TIG Welding

MIG and TIG welding are two different processes, so it stands to reason that the gases they use would also be different. While both use an electric arc to weld metals, MIG can be done with an active (also called semi-inert) gas, while TIG needs an inert gas. This means the gases are not interchangeable and should be selected carefully.

As bottled gas suppliers, we’re taking a look at the reasons why you need to choose the right gas when welding – and which ones should be used for each process.

Why Do MIG and TIG Welding Need Shielding Gases?

First of all, it’s essential to understand why both MIG and TIG welding needs shielding gas. This is because you need to protect the area you’re welding from substances like oxygen and water vapour, and gases like argon can provide this protection. Other gases can be added to improve the stability of the arc and ensure the final result is of the highest quality.

So, if you didn’t have a shielding gas, you’d end up with a bad weld, which would lead to a poor product. Shielding gases are denser than air and must be used slowly when welding. They also allow you to weld at high temperatures, remove or reduce issues like spatter, and so on.

Inert and Semi-inert Gases in Welding

While it would make your life a lot easier to use the same gas for everything (and even help you save money), it’s important that you know the difference between inert and semi-inert gases to purchase the right ones for your project.

After all, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to welding metal, which means you may end up doing both TIG and MIG welding. Having the right shielding gases will help you create a quality weld every time, regardless of which welding method you’re using.

Inert gases, like argon, don’t react with substances, making them ideal for certain welds, especially when it comes to non-ferrous metals. Semi-inert gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, have low reactivity but enough to improve the arc. We provide oxygen gas bottles and CO₂ bottles if you require them as well, so speak to us for more information on the correct gases for you.

Gases Used in Different Welding Processes

TIG welds can be easily damaged – the metal can become oxidised, for example – if you use semi-inert gases, while MIG is a more flexible process.

So, TIG welding typically uses argon because it’s versatile, safe and can be used on many different materials, such as aluminium and stainless steel. If you’re looking for TIG welding gas, we supply several argon gas bottles for various applications, so browse our product page to see our offerings.

This doesn’t mean that MIG doesn’t use argon, as this welding method can be done with different gases, including helium and CO₂. The CO₂ addition can impact the arc and increase penetration as well. You’ll be happy to know we also supply MIG welding gas bottles.

We’re written a blog about the difference between MIG and TIG welding gas, which will help you to make an informed decision when you’re looking to buy gas for your next project.

Why Are Gases Not Interchangeable Between MIG and TIG Welding?

As we’ve seen above, only a few gases can be used for TIG welding, while the same can’t be said of the MIG process (which can use combinations of inert and active gases).

Shielding gases affect the stability of the arc, the speed of the weld, the way heat is transferred, the penetration and the weld quality, so, to protect the tungsten electrode in the TIG welding process, you need a gas that can keep contaminants away and not impact the weld. An inert gas like argon will provide this stability and ensure there is no unwanted reaction with the metal when welding.

When it comes to MIG welding, you’ll see mixtures like 5% argon and 25% helium, which is a good choice for copper welds, for example, or even a mix of argon and carbon dioxide, which is not just a cost-efficient gas, but also creates a smoother arc. Using purely inert gas will lead to taller welds too, which don’t look good and don’t perform as well.

At Adams Gas, we love everything related to welding! Whether you’re just starting out or have many years of experience with both TIG and MIG welding, we have the bottled gases you need to make the project a success and other essential welding supplies, such as safety equipment and welding chemicals.

Understanding the different processes in-depth will help you know which gases are suitable for the work at hand, so if you’re unsure which bottle to get, you can send us a message with your enquiries, email us at sales@adamsgas.co.uk or call us on 0800 195 4445 for more information.

Spotlight On: Nitrogen In Coffee

Starting the day with a fresh, tasty cup of coffee is important to many people’s daily life. Whether you’re a barista serving hot coffee, a coffee merchant or a retailer offering whole bean, ground or instant, you want to ensure you have a quality product that will keep customers keep coming back.

Extending the shelf life of coffee roasts is a constant goal for suppliers, and nitrogen gas offers a practical, cost-effective solution. So today, we’re going to look at the invaluable uses of nitrogen gas in the coffee industry.

 

Extends The Shelf Life

Coffee production has an inherent issue that significantly shortens its shelf life. The roasting of coffee beans brings out the beans’ flavour, colour, and aroma to help create a quality product. But those same beans are now at risk of becoming flavourless and stale when exposed to air for long periods. Additionally, the oil from ground coffee beans will decay and leak a gas that negatively impacts the final flavour.

Whether roasting or grinding coffee, the clock is ticking on its shelf life. This is because carbon dioxide is released from coffee once roasted; this is called degassing. While whole bean coffee will release carbon dioxide slower than ground coffee, the degassing process will accelerate in both when exposed to the air.

Whole beans should be packaged as soon as possible after roasting to keep the coffee at the highest quality. The packaging stage is where nitrogen gas flushing comes in.

What Is Nitrogen Gas Flushing?

Food grade nitrogen gas is:

• Food safe and odourless
• Inert, non-reactive

Nitrogen gas is excellent for gas flushing because it’s an inert gas. In comparison, oxygen is a very reactive gas, making coffee and other foods go stale at an increased rate.

The flushing process is a vital part of the packaging process. The filled container is immersed in nitrogen as it’s sealed, displacing the oxygen and protecting the quality of the coffee inside.

As bottled gas suppliers, we know that nitrogen gas flushing is a clean, safe way of removing all the unwanted moisture from packaging filled with food, or in this case, coffee.

A certain oxygen level should remain even after this process, which makes this a delicate balance that yields fantastic results once achieved. However, oxygen levels over 5% will harm your coffee’s freshness and overall quality, but reducing that to 3% or less with nitrogen flushing will protect your product.

Benefits for Coffee Packaging

The nitrogen gas is used for flushing out the oxygen from the packaging filled with freshly roasted coffee. This removes the oxygen and any moisture residue that could cause bacterial growth.

Coffee packaged this way can stay fresh for up to six months after being packaged, but once purchased and opened, that will no longer be the case.

During the flush, the packaging is quickly sealed and made airtight; you can be confident that your product is the best it can be and ready for sale.

Longer Shelf Life For Coffee Pods And Bags

The lifespan of coffee pods can be extended using the same nitrogen gas flushing process. By acquiring a combination filler and sealer machine, nitrogen cylinders can be attached to adapt the same method of flushing into their integrated systems and keep your product fresh and tasty.

 

Bulk Silo Coffee Storage

Despite the advantages of packaging coffee quickly, sometimes it needs to be stored in bulk in a silo. In this case, it’s still possible to utilise nitrogen. Storage silos can be outfitted with nitrogen gas cylinders that constantly blanket the beans to keep the oxygen and moisture out.

With a system of blanketing and purging, the contents of your coffee silo storage can remain at 3% oxygen or lower, keeping your stock at peak freshness.

How Can You Benefit From Nitrogen gas?

Vacuum sealing is a valid option when packaging coffee, but nitrogen flushing substantially increases efficiency. To package your coffee with vacuum sealing, you would first need to wait for your coffee to off-gas.

Remember earlier when we talked about coffee giving off carbon dioxide? Before sealing your product, you need to wait for 24 – 48 hours with your coffee exposed to the harmful oxygen for this to pass. Nitrogen flushing allows you to skip this step and move straight to packaging your product.

Reputable Nitrogen Gas Supplier

As the leading company in various bottle gases, we at Adams Gas offer exceptional gas cylinder filling on a contractual basis that can cover everything from collecting, refilling and re-delivering customer-owned cylinders.

We pride ourselves on our reliability and punctuality when delivering our gas goods. If you have any questions about our nitrogen gas supply or how it can help with your coffee packaging, contact us today, and one of our experienced team members will be happy to assist you.

How to Supply Your Customers with Cellar Gas

Becoming an Adams Gas stockist can open up lucrative revenue streams for your existing business and complement your current offering and services. We have a huge range of gases available for our stockist network to supply their customers across many different industries. Some stockists choose to offer our full range, whilst others specialise in providing gas for specific sectors and become experts in what they do. One area you may decide to focus on is cellar gas, which is used by thousands of businesses up and down the country every day. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how to supply your customers with cellar gas.

Who Uses Cellar Gas?

The biggest consumer of cellar gas is the hospitality industry, which uses it predominantly for drinks dispensing. Many types of business fall under the umbrella of hospitality, including:

• Bars and nightclubs
• Pubs – both food and wet-led
• Restaurants
• Hotels with bars or restaurants
• Holiday or leisure parks that include eateries or bars
• Theatres
• Cafés
• Event catering companies (temporary festival bars, for example)

With the exception of temporary bars at outdoor or indoor events, which may be seasonal, all these businesses require a constant, regular supply of cellar gas from a bottled gas supplier to ensure they can dispense both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for their customers.

Other businesses that may use cellar gas include cinemas and leisure facilities with concession stands, brewery tap houses, sports clubs, sports stadiums and members clubs. Domestically, cellar gas is also used by people who have invested in home bars.

What Types of Cellar Gas Could You Supply?

When we talk about cellar gas, we aren’t just referring to one gas type. Businesses that rely on cellar gas often require more than one style, depending on the products they’re serving. If you were to supply cellar gas as a stockist, you should expect to see demand for the following gases:

Pure CO2

100% CO2 cylinders are perhaps the most common type of cellar gas, used predominately in dispensing highly carbonated drinks such as lagers, ciders and post-mix soft drinks (cola, lemonade, soda water, etc.)

30/70

A mix of 30% CO2 to 70% nitrogen is used for dispensing creamy stouts and bitters. The high nitrogen content gives these particular beers their characteristic, smooth mouthfeel.

60/40

Another mix of CO2 and nitrogen, 60/40 is perfect for IPA and pale ales – some venues may even run lagers on 60/40 because it is more stable at a higher ambient temperature than CO2. However, it will affect the taste of the product over time.

You don’t have to be an expert in every single beer or soft drink and which gas they all require to stock cellar gas. Venues will know which gas they require based on instructions from their suppliers – all you have to do is ensure you’re stocking the gas they need and supplying the correct volumes at a consistent rate that means their business demands.

How Much Cellar Gas Do Businesses Need?

It’s impossible to put a blanket number on how much cellar gas you could supply as every individual business will have its own requirements. How much cellar gas is needed will depend on several factors, including:

• The businesses capacity
• The businesses product offering
• Whether the business is wet or food-led
• Seasonal uplifts and dips in trade

For example, a pub with a big beer garden will likely consume far more cellar gas in the summer months when everyone is enjoying a beer in the sun and less in the colder months when rain and low temperatures deter people from gathering outside. Furthermore, a small, unlicensed café that only dispenses soft drinks won’t require anywhere near as much cellar gas as a high-volume nightclub. That said, a boutique craft beer bar may require a broader range of gases for their varied product offering when compared with said nightclub.

When it comes to understanding how much cellar gas you could be supplying regularly to local businesses, the best thing to do is talk to the business owners, make connections and understand each venue’s requirements.

Is Cellar Gas Demand Seasonal or Year-Round?

Supplying cellar gas is a year-round operation if you’re supplying to bars, restaurants and pubs. However, as discussed, you may see peaks and troughs in demand that correlate with seasonal trade. For example, venues with beer gardens often see an uplift in cellar gas consumption in the summer months. Conversely, many hospitality businesses without beer gardens will require more gas throughout the Christmas period when people are out celebrating the festivities. All in all, though, supplying cellar gas to the hospitality industry is a lucrative, year-round commitment.

If you choose to focus on home bar bottle gas supplies or cellar gas for mobile event bars, you may find demand more sporadic. This doesn’t mean it isn’t a revenue stream worth pursuing; in fact, supplying smaller cylinders for domestic use or to smaller vendors can be a great jumping-off point for stockists who don’t want to commit to providing larger venues with higher demands immediately.

Things To Bear In Mind When Supplying Cellar Gas

Gas safety is incredibly important for protecting yourself, your staff, and the staff at the businesses you’ll be supplying cellar gas to. So with safety in mind, here are some pointers on supplying cellar gas safely and efficiently:

• Never supply damaged or faulty cylinders to your customers
• Ensure you’re wearing the correct PPE when moving cylinders
• If you’re delivering to a business, make sure the path down to the cellar is clear of obstructions and free from hazards like wet floors

Have a read of our comprehensive guide on handling and storing CO2 gas for more safety information.

Become an Adams Gas Stockist

If you’ve read all of the above and spotted potential business opportunities for supplying cellar gas to businesses and individuals in your local area, get in touch with us today. We’re always on the lookout for viable companies to join our stockist network and work alongside us to deliver more of our high-quality gases to the UK.

Types of Welding Gas and What They’re Used For

Gas welding is a versatile process used in various sectors, including metalworking, shipbuilding, automotive, etc. Replacing the older stick welders, gas welding has become the best choice for industrial or domestic welding.

There are many welding gases to choose from, and it’s important to use the right gas for your application. Today we will discuss the different welding processes and which gas best suits each process.

Different Types Of Gas Welding

To start with the basics, gas welding uses the heat from burning fuel gases like CO2 for welding. When these gasses burn, they can reach temperatures around 3200°C (or 57,00°F). While this is cooler than using an arc welding machine, gas welding has many advantages.

The intense heat generated from these burning gases is used to bond two metal workpieces together. Gas welding is incredibly popular thanks to the ease of use, making it accessible to hobbyists, versatility and relatively low cost.

The three main types of gas welding are TIG, MAG and MIG.

TIG Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (or TIG) uses inert TIG welding shielding gas similar to MIG welding mentioned later. But unlike MIG welding, TIG has a non-consumable tungsten electrode which saves you from replacing it continuously. As a result, TIG welding leaves a high quality and clean finish and creates very little smoke and fumes.

At Adams Gas, we pride ourselves in our supply of 2L to 50L cylinders of inert argon welding gas as the premium choice as a shielding gas for TIG welders.

MAG welding

Metal Active Gas (MAG) uses active gas mixtures to create a shielding gas that works well with welding steel. Usually, these gasses are a mixture of argon, CO2 and oxygen.

MIG welding

Metal inert gas (or MIG) uses only inert MIG welding gas mixtures such as argon and helium for its shielding gas. This type of welding is used on aluminium and other non-ferrous metals. At Adams Gas, we specialise in MIG welding gas that includes a 5% to 20% mix of Argon/ CO2.

As you can see, each shielding gas has its purpose. The shielding gas essentially keeps the oxygen in the air from getting to the welding point. The make-up of the shielding mask has a significant effect on the welding process. The gas can affect arc stability, metal transfer, and spark spatter. It can even affect the mechanical properties of the joint where it was welded.

Inert and Reactive Gas

Two classifications come with welding gasses, Inert and Reactive. An inert gas will not form reactions with other chemical substances. This means it cannot create any chemical compounds that would create hazards for welding. Helium, argon and neon are all inert gases.

On the other hand, reactive gas can chemically combine with the material elements in the weld pool and change them both. Some reactive gases are nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and CO2.

Argon Gas

Argon is one of the most cost-effective and commonly used welding gases and is suitable for many different welding processes.

Argon gas has no colour or scent and is not toxic or flammable. Argon could cause asphyxiation if exposed to a vast amount of it in an enclosed space, but it has no ill effects in a ventilated area.

Argon gas is delivered around the welder’s tip to surround the arc. This protects the weld from any contamination that would make it uneven, spore it or bridle and ruin the weld.

CO2 Gas

CO2 gas bottles are also an easily attainable and cost-effective shielding gas. In addition, pure CO2 gives deep penetration when welding, making it excellent for thick materials.

Pure CO2 does create a less stable weld, though, so many companies will choose a CO2 argon mix to increase their weld quality. A 5% CO2, 95% argon mix will usually produce an effective, high-quality weld.

Oxyacetylene Welding Gas

Oxygen is a colourless and odourless gas that is not flammable but is used to support combustion. This isn’t simply the air we breathe; 100% pure oxygen gas bottles are considered a vital material in welding.

It can be blended with Acetylene gas for Oxyacetylene welding. It can give you a more controlled weld and a better finish when mixed correctly.

Before choosing, we recommend exploring our myriad of options online, including one of our favourite acetylene gas alternatives – Propylene.

International Bottle Gas Supplier

As a leading company in welding gas supply in the UK, we stand proudly behind our range of gas supply services. We are confident that we can be your next gas cylinder supplier with our catalogue of both MIG and TIG welding gases at very affordable prices.

To find out more about our range of welding gas and the other gas services we can provide, please get in touch with us online or call us on 0800 195 4445. Our expert and dedicated team are eager to discuss all your needs and find the perfect solution you need.

Cellar Maintenance – Avoiding Common Cellar Gas Issues

If you own or manage a pub, bar, or restaurant, you will already know how integral your cellar is to day to day operations. The cellar is not only a storage space for stock but home to all your dispensing equipment and keeps your kegs at the correct temperature. Problems in the cellar will eventually translate into problems in the front of house. Even though it’s an area of your business that customers can’t see, good cellar maintenance is key to a successful pub. Today, we’re going to outline some of the most common gas-related cellar issues that you may come up against and how you can prevent them from happening in your venue.

Leaking Valves, Pipework and Connections

Gas leaks are, without a doubt, the most common cellar issue faced by pub and bar managers. Within a beer dispensing system, there are multiple places from which gas can escape if the connection between the two parts of the system isn’t sound.

In a typical cellar dispensing set-up, the gas cylinder is connected to a hose that runs to the primary valve, then the secondary valve, and finally into the side of the keg coupler. Beer or lager runs from the coupler, which is connected to the beer keg, to the cellar buoy, then through the cooler and from the cooler to the beer tap.

If there is a weak or broken connection at any point in the set-up, the system cannot effectively draw beer through the lines and up to the beer tap. The most common places for gas leaks to occur are at valves that have been poorly maintained and worn away over time. The issues presented by gas leaks in dispensing equipment are multiple:

• Wasted gas, which can be costly for the business
• Unable to dispense drinks correctly, resulting in unhappy customers and wasted stock
• CO2 leaks can build up in pools if unnoticed and lead to a risk of asphyxiation if unaddressed.

Regular inspection of gas cylinder valves and points of connection in your dispensing equipment will help safeguard your cellar against gas leaks. Leaking valves are most commonly caused by moisture mixing with CO2, which causes corrosion and weak spots. You should always ensure you’re using a reputable cellar gas supplier who can assure you that they regularly and consistently check their cylinders are in good working condition before supplying to customers.

Staff Training in Cellar Gas Safety

When it comes to cellar safety, you’re only as strong as your weakest member. That’s why it is crucial to train any staff who are using the cellar in correct cellar maintenance. Teaching your team how to change, store and move gas bottles correctly will not only save your time, money and effort but contribute significantly to a safe working environment for everyone. In fact, most of the issues we’re going to discuss now can be avoided with thorough and regular staff training.

Using the Right Gas for Each Product

Staff who attempt to change gas cylinders without proper knowledge may connect the incorrect gas to the dispensing system. For example, it’s not uncommon for pubs and bars to stock both CO2 and CO2/nitrogen mixes. Whilst pure CO2 is suitable for dispensing lager, you will immediately run into issues if you try to connect a CO2 cylinder to a stout or bitter line. This is because stouts and bitters require a CO2/nitrogen mix to give the beer its creamy, smooth texture. Forcing CO2 through a stout keg will result in over-carbonation and a poor quality pint.

It is, therefore, essential to educate your team on the different types of gas your business stocks, which products use each gas and how to identify the cylinders. Many bars and restaurants will even stock gas outside of drinks dispensing – like helium cylinders for balloons. Connecting a helium bottle to your drinks dispensing system is unlikely to go well since helium is not soluble in water or beer. Ensure your staff understand the importance of checking the gas bottles before connecting to the dispensing system.

Correct Gas Cylinder Storage

Incorrect gas bottle storage can be hazardous. For example, if a pressurised cylinder were to fall over onto the concrete floor of a cellar, the valve fittings could break, causing CO2 to escape and propel the heavy cylinder across the floor.

Full cylinders should be stored upright and securely fasted to the wall using a chain to prevent them from toppling over. Empty cylinders can be laid on the ground somewhere out of the way where your bottled gas suppliers can access them easily to swap them for full bottles. Any empty cylinders that are laid on the ground should be chocked to prevent them from rolling around – alternatively, empty bottles can be stored upright with your full bottles. Still, they must be chained to the wall and cannot be freestanding as even empty cylinders can be a hazard.

Never Tamper With a Gas Cylinder

We’ve discussed the importance of regularly inspecting your cellar equipment for gas leaks, signs of corrosion, and weak points – but it is important to note that staff should not tamper with cylinders if they find a leak in the system. For example, suppose you experience issues with the valves on your gas cylinders. In that case, the best course of action is to close the valve, disconnect the gas bottle from your dispensing system and alert your supplier that you have a faulty cylinder. A reputable supplier will remove the cylinder from your site and take it away for testing to determine whether it can be repaired or scrapped.

It is also worth noting that you should never attempt to refill your gas cylinders yourselves. Instead, your gas supplier should carry out gas cylinder filling, as they have the correct tools and understands the best and safest procedure.

Using a trusted gas supplier is vital to avoiding common cellar issues that, if left unaddressed, will likely catch you out in the middle of a busy service. Here at Adams Gas, we supply cellar gas to pubs, bars and restaurants both directly and through our stockist network. If you would like more information on our beer gas, please contact us today.

Things to Consider When Welding Dissimilar Metals

Many welding projects will require you to join two dissimilar metals together. In order to achieve strong, high-quality welds when working with dissimilar materials, several factors must be considered, including the type of materials you’re welding, the style of welding process you’re working with, and the temperature of the workpieces. With the correct tools and knowledge, it’s possible to weld many dissimilar metals together successfully. Today, we will discuss how welders create strong, long-lasting joins between different metals.

What Are Dissimilar Metals?

Dissimilar metals have different properties, with the nobility being the property that determines how corrosion resistant a particular metal is. How easily a metal gives up its electrons correlates with its corrosion resistance. Noble metals are better at holding onto their electrons than base metals, making them more corrosion resistant.

When two dissimilar metals meet under the right conditions, the nobler metal will naturally take electrons from the less noble metal. For example, stainless steel is more noble than aluminium and will take electrons from it whenever it can, which over time will corrode the aluminium if there is an electrolyte present (such as water). The more noble a metal is than another, the higher the chance of corrosion occurring. Understanding where metals rank on the scale of nobility aids welders in understanding which metals are likely to co-operate with each other. Here is a list of the most common metals and their nobility:

Most Noble
Gold
Silver
Titanium
Stainless Steel
Copper
Brass
Tin
Lead
Carbon steel
Aluminium
Zinc
Least Noble

Why Weld Dissimilar Metals?

Attempting to fuse different metals can lead to corrosion and weak joins. Still, it’s common practice to weld dissimilar metals as it can often be beneficial to a project. Having more than one type of metal in the same workpiece can utilise the properties of both; allowing for the strength, ductility and weight of different workpieces to be altered at different joins.

Sometimes the benefit is cost-effectiveness. For example, you may need to use aluminium for a specific part of your weld for its lightweight properties; however, aluminium tends to be more expensive than metals like steel, so using aluminium sparingly and welding it to cheaper steel can save you money on materials.

Things to Consider When Welding Dissimilar Metals

While welding dissimilar metals can be advantageous, you must approach the process with care and consideration. You may end up damaging or destroying your workpieces if they are welded incorrectly.

Fusion Welds

The correct welding process is required to join dissimilar metals together successfully. Fusion welding, such as metal inert gas welding, which relies on MIG welding gas, and tungsten inert gas, which uses TIG welding gas are the techniques of choice for most dissimilar metals. Compared to other joining methods, fusion welding adds more filler. Welders should choose a filler that matches the strength of the weaker metal to reduce the risk of cracking—using a filler with greater tensile strength than the weaker metal can put unnecessary strain on the joint and result in weld failure.

It’s also worth noting that you may be trying to weld together two types of metal suited to different welding styles. Aluminium, for example, is typically welded using TIG, whilst steel is often welded using MIG. When fusing the two, a decision will have to be made over which style best suits the project. Please read our article on the difference between TIG and MIG welding to learn more about the two processes.

Metal Melting Points

It is crucial to be aware of the melting points of your workpieces, as different metals melt at drastically different temperatures. For example, steel generally won’t melt until it is heated to around 1370^oC, but aluminium will start to melt when it reaches 660^oC. Therefore, welders will need to modify their technique by ensuring a temperature is reached that is high enough to melt both metals, allowing them to fuse.

Thermal Expansion

Different metals contract and expand at different rates when heated or cooled. Residual stress can be increased at the weld point if you attempt to join two metals with thermal expansion rates that are too varied. This stress is most prevalent in the intermetallic zone – the point where the two metals blend together. To weld metals with drastically different thermal expansion rates, welders use methods that join metals whilst creating a minimal intermetallic zone.

The Products End Environment

The environment in which the finished workpiece will be used will affect its long-term durability and should be considered when selecting which metals to the for the project. For example, if left unprotected, carbon steel will likely corrode in salt-heavy air if steps are not taken to galvanise the material or add a protective coating. The intended environment and use are key considerations for any welding project but are particularly important when welding dissimilar metals. You will have to consider the suitability of two different materials.

Incompatible Metals

An experienced welder with a good knowledge of the metals they’re working with will know which welding technique to use and which filler is best suited to the application to bridge together unlikely materials. That said, some metal combinations do not respond well to fusion welding, including:

• Titanium and steel
• Aluminium and copper
• Aluminium and stainless steel

This is not to say that you cannot weld these metals together, but a different method will be required. This may include laser welding, diffusion bonding, friction welding or solid-state welding.

As a reputable gas cylinder suppler, Adams Gas understand that there are many approaches to welding and that each process requires a specific type of gas. If you would like any more information about our welding gas and how we can help, please contact us today.

Which Industries Could You Supply as a Stockist?

We’re always on the lookout for well-established businesses across the UK to join the Adams Gas stockist network. By adding our gas products to your existing business offering, you’ll be tapping into a lucrative revenue stream. We have a wide range of gases available; the ones you decide to stock are up to you, and the decision will be guided by the industries you want to supply. If you’re still wondering how our gases could sit alongside other products in your business, keep reading to better understand the different sectors you could supply as an Adams Gas stockist.

 

The Hospitality Industry – Pubs, Bars and Restaurants

There are approximately 38,500 food-led licensed premises in the UK and a further 57,000 wet-led licensed premises. Most of these businesses utilise bottled gas in their day-to-day operations. Any venue serving draught beer will rely on gas to keep the beer flowing, and pubs, bars and restaurants must have a reliable, consistent supply of gas to keep things running smoothly. Stocking pub gas is an excellent choice for those prepared to deliver gas to local licensed premises weekly and who have a solid reputation in their area for being reliable, punctual and flexible. Running out of gas can be incredibly detrimental to wet-led businesses, and suppliers who can offer out-of-hours gas delivery or emergency orders will thrive in this sector.

What Kind of Gas Could You Supply to Hospitality?

• CO2 – for draught lager, cider and post-mix dispensing
• CO2/Nitrogen Mixes – for stouts, smooths, bitters and craft beer
• Helium – less frequently, but often used for balloons and celebrations

Seasonal or Year-Round?

Supplying gas to your local hospitality sector is a year-round opportunity. However, you may see upticks in demand across the summer months for venues with beer gardens and in December when venues are busier, thanks to Christmas celebrations.

Want to know more about what it’s like to be a cellar gas stockist? Please have a read of our Consumable Solutions Case Study.

Professional and Hobbyist Welders

Becoming an Adams Gas stockist is an obvious choice for any business that deals in welding supplies and consumables. With our comprehensive range of MIG and TIG welding gases in a variety of sizes, we’ve made it easy to access both the hobbyist and professional welding markets. Depending on your business,  you can choose to supply both hobby gas and trade gas, or focus your efforts on one or the other. Many industries rely on welding, including agriculture, construction and automotive, so choosing to supply trade gas can open up serval revenue streams.

What Kind of Gas Could You Supply to Welders?

• Argon – for TIG welding
• Argon/CO2 Mixes – for MIG welding
• Propylene – for fusion welding, cutting and heating metals

Seasonal or Year-Round?

Supplying welding gas, particularly for trade, is a year-round opportunity. However, if you choose to go down the hobbyist route, you may find demand dipping in the coldest months, as cold welding can impact the technique and finish; non-professionals may be put off by this.

If you would like to learn more about how lucrative supplying welding gas could be, have a read of our Basic Welding Services Case Study.

Domestic Heating and Patio Gas

If you’re looking for business opportunities that allow you to capture the domestic market, offering propane gas and butane gas to your customers can be an excellent supplement. There are around 4 million off-mains homes in the UK that aren’t connected to the national gas network. Many of these rely on LPG gas bottles for heat, and even those on the gas network often consume LPG by using BBQs and patio heaters. Supplying propane and butane can also be a fitting addition for businesses geared towards camping, outdooring and motorhomes. Hikers regularly rely on Campingaz cylinders to cook food outdoors, and motorhomes require gas to power their cookers.

What Kind of Gas Could You Supply For Domestic and Recreational Use?

• Large Volume Propane – for off-mains home heating
• Smaller Volume Propane and Butane – for BBQs, patio heaters and motorhomes
• Campingaz – portable canisters for outdoor living

Seasonal or Year-Round?

LPG bottles for BBQs and patio heaters will predominantly be seasonal, with demand rising in the summer months. However, supplying LPG for off-mains heating will be year-round if the LPG is also used to power kitchen equipment like hobs and overs, with natural surges in the winter when the heating systems are on.

If you’re interested in supplying domestic propane and butane and would like to know more, have a read of our Andy’s Gas Case Study.

Food and Drinks Industry

We’ve discussed how businesses can benefit from supplying the hospitality sector with gas. Still, there are more opportunities to be had for those looking to provide gas to other industries centred around food and drink. For example, suppose your business is adjacent to food production, processing or packaging, or you have connections in those sectors. In that case, there is room for the supply of food grade CO2 and nitrogen, which are frequently used in food growth and preservation.

What Kind of Gas Could You Supply to the Food and Drinks Industry?

• Nitrogen – for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), food and drinks preservation, and glass frosting.
• Food Grade CO2 – for hydroponics

Seasonal or Year-Round?

Stocking nitrogen and food-grade CO2 is a year-round opportunity, as there is always demand for food production and preservation.

Find out more about how to supply customers with bottled nitrogen.

Adams Gas is a versatile gas supplier. We understand that demand for our products spans multiple industries, and you could help satisfy demand by joining our stockist network. Contact us today to learn more about working with us as a stockist.

Cold Weather Welding

A good weld takes skill, patience, access to quality equipment and ideally, good weather. There’s some flexibility for hobby welders, such as when and where you weld, but for professionals, you often get little choice. Your customers are relying on you to produce high-quality work even in winter. Professional welding projects are rarely halted by cold weather, and this is achieved by welders who know how to protect themselves, their equipment and materials from the elements. Today, we will discuss the issues and solutions associated with welding in cold weather.

 

 

Keeping Yourself Warm & Comfortable

The first thing to consider when welding in cold weather is your clothing. You must maintain feeling in your fingers to weld safely, and you can’t afford to let the cold distract you. If you’re uncomfortable, the quality of your weld will suffer, so wrap up warm and ensure you’re wearing sensible clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement. Welding is a manual, physical process that requires concentration, which can diminish if you’re uncomfortably cold.

Of course, it’s not just about maintaining quality welds; you also need to consider your own safety. If you’re welding in an elevated position, you’ll need to ensure you’re using fall protection equipment and quality work boots with good grip to reduce the risks of slipping on icy scaffolding platforms. Whatever you wear to protect yourself from the cold, ensure your outer layer is flame retardant, you’re wearing quality, heavy leather gloves with a spare pair on hand in case yours get wet, and you’re not wearing any polyester. As welding gas suppliers, we also stock a range of welding safety equipment suitable for cold weather welding.

 

 

Keeping Your Equipment Safe

In winter, consideration also needs to be given to your welding equipment, particularly when it is being stored. If you’re following the gas cylinder storage rules, ensuring your gas is stored in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and combustible materials, cold weather should not affect your MIG welding gas or TIG welding gas.

Your welding machine and rods should be treated with caution in cold weather. Ideally, welding machines should be kept in a dry, tepid environment. However, manufacturers understand that isn’t always feasible, and most good welding machines are built to be heavy-duty and withstand fluctuations in temperature. It’s actually the dust and moisture that come with cold weather that you should be wary of. Excess moisture that finds its way into your welding equipment can damage the machine and cause corrosion. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep your welder covered in winter when not in use to protect from dust and moisture.

Industrial welding supplies like welding rods should be kept warm, dry and treated with care. If a welding rod becomes wet when in use, the heat from the arc can cause the shielding layer of the rod to crack and crumble from the rod during a weld. Water vapour created by a wet rod can contaminate the weld and offer little shielding of the weld puddle.

How Are Welding Materials Affected by Cold Weather?

Most metals will become brittle at low temperatures, in fact, they will have a narrow but tangible temperature range at which they transition from ductile to brittle. For many types of steel, this will occur at 0^oC, making it difficult to weld in cold weather. However, stainless steel’s ductile-to-brittle transition temperature is much lower (around -200 ^oC), allowing for safe welding in winter without the risk of shattering. Before welding at low temperatures, you should check the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature specific to your chosen welding material.

 

 

Weld Strength in Cold Temperatures

The strength of a weld can be affected by cold temperatures through cracking and poor penetration, which occur when the weld cools too rapidly. Since the rate of heat lost is directly proportional to the temperature, we know that cold condition welds will cool faster. There are other factors are at play here, including the chemistry of the steel, the hydrogen levels in the weld and humidity levels of the work environment, but cold weather can heavily impact weld strength and quality.

Preheating Metal Workpieces

A weld will fail if the base metals are not penetrated correctly due to cold weather, which can be incredibly dangerous, particularly for large, heavy-duty projects. When cold, base metals can immediately suck the heat from a fresh weld. This is what leads to cracking and poor penetration. Preheating the workpieces is the advisable solution. It is typical to use an acetylene gas torch, and although it can take some time to get the metal up to temperature, it is well worth it to ensure a high-quality weld, even in winter.

 

 

Cold weather impacting your welds is only logical since welding is a thermal process. As long as you stay aware of all the issues we’ve discussed today, use high-quality workpieces and get your welding gas from reputable bottled gas suppliers, you should be able to weld successfully in cold temperatures. Here at Adams Gas, we supply a wide range of gases suitable for different types of welding. Please contact us if you would like more information about our products.