BBQ gas connection in Exeter
Professional bbq gas connection services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Gas bottle connected to your BBQ safely, all connections leak-tested with soapy water, ready to fire up. No explosions, no drama.
Get Connected Safely
LPG bottles are safe when connected properly - but nobody wants to be the person who causes a fireball at the family barbecue because they didn't bother checking for leaks.
💡 Pro tip: Gas connections should be leak-tested EVERY time you connect a bottle - not just the first time. Takes 30 seconds and could save your eyebrows.
Why Proper Connection Matters
It's not complicated, but it needs doing right. Cross-threaded regulators and perished hoses both leak.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Regulator hand-tight, not forced | Cross-threaded or over-tightened |
| Hose in good condition, properly clipped | Perished hose ready to split |
| All connections leak-tested | "It'll be fine, let's just light it" |
| Bottle upright and stable | Tipped on its side or wobbly |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Check | Inspect regulator, hose, and bottle valve for damage |
| Connect | Fit regulator to bottle correctly |
| Test | Leak test all connections with soapy water |
| Position | Ensure bottle is upright, stable, and safely placed |
📦 You're Left With
- Gas safely connected
- All connections confirmed leak-free
- Bottle positioned correctly
- Ready to light and cook
Pricing
| What's Involved | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Connect & test existing setup | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Connect, test, plus new regulator/hose | 30-45 mins | £60 + parts |
Based on £60 minimum visit. If you need a new regulator or hose, I can pick that up - just add cost of parts.
Perfect For...
✅ New BBQ owners - first time using gas BBQ
✅ Nervous connectors - want someone to check it's safe
✅ Faulty equipment - suspect a leak or damaged parts
✅ Pre-party peace of mind - make sure everything's safe before guests arrive
Why Choose Us for BBQ gas connection in Exeter?
Regulator correctly fitted
All connections leak-tested
Gas bottle positioned safely
Safety advice provided
What to Expect
Step 1: Inspection
I'll check the condition of your regulator, hose, and bottle. If anything's damaged or perished, I'll let you know before connecting.
Step 2: Connection
Screw the regulator onto the gas bottle valve - hand tight, no tools. Connect the hose to the BBQ inlet. Make sure everything's properly seated.
Step 3: Leak Test
Turn on the gas (don't light the BBQ yet). Spray all connections with soapy water. Bubbles = leak. No bubbles = safe. If there's a leak, tighten and retest.
🔧 DIY Tips
This is actually easy enough to do yourself - here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Gas bottle (propane or butane)
- Correct regulator for your bottle type
- Hose (usually comes with BBQ)
- Spray bottle with soapy water
- Spanner (usually not needed, but have one handy)
🔥 Types of gas
- Propane (red bottle) - works in all weather, better for UK
- Butane (blue bottle) - struggles in cold weather
- Patio Gas (green bottle) - propane with easier clip-on fitting
- You MUST use the correct regulator for your bottle type!
🔗 Connecting it up
- Make sure everything's off
- Check the rubber washer is inside the regulator (often falls out)
- Hand-screw the regulator onto the bottle valve - clockwise on propane (normal), anti-clockwise on butane (backwards, I know)
- Hand-tight is enough - don't use a spanner unless it's genuinely too stiff
- Connect hose to BBQ inlet and tighten the jubilee clip
- Position bottle upright and stable - use the BBQ's bottle shelf if it has one
💧 The leak test
- Mix washing up liquid and water in a spray bottle
- Open the gas bottle valve (but don't turn BBQ knobs on yet)
- Spray soapy water on:
- Regulator connection to bottle
- Hose connection to regulator
- Hose connection to BBQ
- Bottle valve itself
- Watch for bubbles - even tiny ones
- Bubbles = leak - turn gas off, tighten that connection, retest
- No bubbles anywhere = safe to use
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Cross-threading the regulator (stop if it feels wrong, unscrew and try again)
- Missing or damaged rubber washer in regulator
- Over-tightening with tools (hand-tight is correct)
- Not doing a leak test ("it worked last time")
- Using damaged or perished hose
💡 Pro trick: If you smell gas when everything's supposedly connected and tight, STOP. Turn off the bottle, check for damage, and either fix it or call someone. Don't just light it and hope.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ Gas safety basics: Always connect/disconnect outside, never indoors. Store bottles upright, outside only. If you smell gas, turn everything off and investigate - don't ignore it.
Regulator lifespan: Replace regulators every 5 years even if they look fine. Cheap insurance against leaks. Date of manufacture is usually stamped on them.
Hose condition: Check hoses for cracks, perishing, or damage every time you use the BBQ. If it's stiff or cracked, bin it and buy a new one - they're cheap.
Bottle storage: When not in use, turn the bottle off at the valve. Store bottles upright, outside, away from drains. Never inside buildings, sheds, or garages.
Patio Gas advantage: Clip-on regulators (on Patio Gas bottles) are easier to connect and less prone to cross-threading than screw-on types. Worth considering if you're buying new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a Gas Safe job?
No - connecting a portable LPG bottle to a BBQ isn't Gas Safe work. That's for fixed gas installations in buildings. This is just making sure the bottle, regulator, and hose are connected properly and not leaking.
What's included in the leak test?
I connect everything up, open the gas valve, and spray soapy water on all the connections. If it bubbles, there's a leak - tighten and retest. No bubbles = safe to use.
Can you supply the gas bottle and regulator?
I can pick up a regulator if you need one, but gas bottles you'll need to get yourself from a petrol station or DIY store. Most do exchanges - you pay a deposit first time, then swap empties after that.
What if the connections are seized or damaged?
If the regulator won't screw on properly or the hose is perished, I'll tell you what needs replacing. Old regulators and hoses should be replaced every few years anyway - they're not expensive.
Will you check my BBQ works properly?
I'll make sure it lights and the burners all come on. If you want a full service/clean, that's a separate job - this is just about getting the gas connected safely.
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