9kg Gas Bottle Exchange (8.5 kg gas bottle): BBQ Gas Bottles for Barbecues

The 9kg gas bottle with gas (8.5 kg gas bottle) is, by far, the most popular size small gas bottle for barbecues and barbecue gas bottle swap – bottled BBQ gas bottle exchange near you at great SWAP’n’GO prices.

They are the ubiquitous BBQ gas bottle around LPG fuel station BBQ gas bottle swap cages and gas bottles adjacent to backyard BBQs.

You can get BBQ gas bottle exchange (barbecue gas bottle swap) with a 8.5kg gas bottle with gas that come in a safety enhanced LCC27 gas bottle version whilst the older bottled BBQ gas bottle has POL valves.

Dimensions of 9kg gas bottle exchange (small gas bottle swap) or 8.5kg gas bottle are approximately 315mm in diameter, 475mm in height and a nominal 17.64L capacity.

Empty 9kg gas bottle exchange (BBQ gas bottle swap) weighs approximately 7.8 to 10.4 kg.

When full, an 9kg gas bottle with gas weighs approximately 16.8 to 19.4 kg.

The bottled BBQ gas weight range is do the the manufacturing variances of the many gas bottle manufacturers of a BBQ gas bottle.

How to Choose the Right BBQ Gas Bottle Valve

Small Gas Bottle Swap – BBQ Gas Bottle Exchange Nearby with POL BBQ Gas Bottle for LCC27 Gas Bottle with Gas

With SWAP’n’GO nearby BBQ gas bottle swap (barbecue gas bottle exchange), you can get small gas bottle exchange at a hardware store, LPG service stations or LPG fuel station near you with an older 4kg gas bottle or 8.5kg gas bottle for a newer LCC27 BBQ gas bottle with gas, at the same SWAP’n’GO prices

So, no LCC27 adaptor needed and the associated safety hazards are avoided.

So, if you purchase a new gas bottle BBQ with an LCC27 gas bottle connector but have an old POL BBQ gas bottle, you just need to go to SWAP’n’GO for a small gas bottle swap (barbecue gas bottle exchange).

You will find both kinds of small gas bottles for barbecues in SWAP’n’GO nearby gas bottle swap cages during the transition period, which will stretch over a number of years.

Remember, LCC27 gas bottle connectors are backwards compatible with POL regulators.

Note that the LCC27 valve is only for the small gas bottles for barbecues, the 9kg gas bottle exchange (8.5kg gas bottle) and 4kg gas bottle small gas bottle swap (3.7kg gas bottle), not 45kg gas bottles and larger.

9kg Gas Bottle Exchange vs 8.5kg Gas Bottle and 4kg Gas Bottle vs 3.7kg Small Gas Bottle

The supply of nominal 9kg gas bottle exchange (BBQ gas bottle swap) with an 8.5kg gas bottle with gas was a bottled BBQ gas safety initiative of the Australian LPG bottled BBQ gas industry.

The same is true of the small gas bottle, the 4kg gas bottle being a 3.7kg gas bottle with gas. But why?

Unfortunately, there are many small gas bottles for barbecues that are labelled as a 9kg gas bottle or 4kg gas bottle that are actually manufactured undersize, with less than the labelled bottled BBQ gas capacity.

This is a result of the manufacturing and design variances amongst the many manufacturers of a BBQ gas bottle that are imported, into Australia, from many countries around the world.

Surprisingly, Australia has no mandatory standard sizing for a BBQ gas bottle, so they are all approved for sale.

Filling an undersized BBQ gas bottle with a BBQ gas refill to a full 9kg gas bottle with gas or 4kg gas bottle fill, thus leaving less than 20% room for expansion (see image) and would create an overfill, which would be a major BBQ gas bottle safety issue.

Cold burns, fires and even possible explosion could result.

The solution was to take into account the BBQ gas bottle size variations and standardise the bottled BBQ gas refill amount on a 8.5kg gas bottle with gas and 3.7kg small gas bottle with gas for BBQ gas bottle swap.

This allows for the small gas bottle variances between the BBQ gas bottles around and prevents any unsafe bottled BBQ gas overfilling.

To make sure that consumers are fully informed, the small gas bottles for barbecues are labelled accordingly.

What is a gas bottle and how does it work?

A gas bottle or gas cylinder is a pressure vessel for storing and transporting liquefied gases (LPG gas) and compressed gas at above atmospheric pressure.

A gas bottle (gas cylinder) is typically made from steel or aluminium which is drawn, pressed and/or welded into a cylindrical shape.

The gas bottle (gas cylinder) has a threaded opening in one end, with or without a neck, for the attachment of a gas valve to control the release of the contained gas.

The gas is generated when the LPG – propane liquid boils (see image) and turns from LPG to gas in bottle, when you release some of the pressure in the LPG gas bottle by using gas.

Vaporisation is LPG boiling from liquid into gas in bottles

An LPG gas bottle (LPG cylinder) works with some of the LPG at the top of the LPG cylinders as gas in bottle whilst it is liquid at the bottom. (See image above)

All LPG gases, including propane, are compressed into liquid at relatively low pressures and are also referred to as natural gas liquids – NGL.

Importantly, almost all of the uses for an LPG gas bottle involves the use of the gas in bottle, as opposed to the liquefied gas.

What are the different types of gas bottles?

There are BBQ gas bottles, home gas bottles, commercial gas bottles, forklift gas bottles and industrial gas bottles for other than LPG.

What sizes do gas bottles come in?

BBQ gas bottles are the 4kg or 9kg gas bottle.

Home gas bottles are 210kg, 90kg, and 45kg gas bottle sizes.

Forklift gas bottles are the 18kg and 15kg gas bottles.

How do I choose the right gas bottle for my needs?

If portability is your primary concern, you would choose a 4kg gas bottle.

If you intend to provide gas for a stationary outdoor appliance (BBQ or patio heater), then you wouold choose a 9kg gas bottle.

If you are a typical home gas bottle user or a small business user, the 45kg gas bottle would be the typical choice.

Forklifts require a special forklift gas bottle, as it is liquid withdrawal.

Where can I buy or refill a gas bottle near me?

You can buy or refill a 9kg gas bottle at SWAP’n’GO dealers throughout Australia.

SWAP’n’GO sells a full 9kg gas bottle with or without a swap.

You can also refill a 9kg gas bottle at a local service station near you that has a gas bottle refill storage tank(s).

How much gas is in a standard gas bottle?

A 9kg gas bottle with an 8.5kg fill has 16.66L of LPG gas.

A 4kg gas bottle with a 3.7kg fill has 7.25L of LPG gas.

How long does a gas bottle last?

How long does a 9kg gas bottle last is dependent upon the application.

The following table gives some examples for the most common applications.

What is the difference between LPG and natural gas bottles?

The big difference is in volumetric energy density.

LPG has almost 3x the energy density with 25MJ/L for LPG versus only 9MJ/L for CNG – compressed natural gas storage.

Another major difference is that compressed natural gas storage pressures can be more than 10x that of LPG.

LPG pressure is less than 2 MPa whilst CNG – compressed natural gas storage is 20 – 25 MPa.

In other words, for comparable capacity cylinders, the LPG cylinders will last more than twice as long.

This much higher CNG (compressed natural gas) storage pressure requires a much heavier and more expensive cylinder or tank.

This also means it is impractical to make them large enough to offset the energy density deficit, due to the size and weight required.

Are gas bottles safe for home use?

SWAP’n’GO bottles are always in-date and are leak tested.

Combined with the fact that every gas bottle has a pressure relief valve and gas bottles are very safe for home use.

How do I store and transport a gas bottle safely?

The best way to safely store a gas bottle:

• It is best to store a 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle is outdoors in a well ventilated space.
• Gas bottles should never be stored indoors.
• Gas bottles should always be stored upright and secure.
• It should be on level ground and not where water can accumulate.
• Do not store your 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle near an ignition source.
• If you store your BBQ or patio heater indoors, when not in use, you should always detach the gas bottle first and store it separately outdoors.

The same points apply to transporting 9kg gas bottles plus:

• Do not transport more than two 9kg BBQ gas bottles at a time and make sure the valves are closed
• Transport BBQ gas bottles secured and upright in the boot, not in the passenger compartment for gas bottle safety
• The gas bottle should not be left inside of a hot vehicle.
• The time inside the vehicle should be kept to a minimum.

Can I use the same gas bottle for my BBQ, heater, and hot water?

Whilst the gas is the same, there are technical reasons this doesn’t really work out.

A 45kg gas bottle would be difficult to connect to a BBQ, because it must remain upright and the typical gas hose wouldn’t reach.

A BBQ gas bottle is too small to vaporise gas at a sufficient rate to supply a hot water heater or large room heater.

How do I check how much gas is left in a gas bottle?

Here’s how to check gas bottle level (test gas bottle level) using condensation and/or temperature change as your gas bottle gauge (gas bottle level indicator):

1. Fill a bucket with hot tap water. More water is better for how to check gas bottle level (test gas bottle level).
2. Slowly pour the hot water (not boiling water) down one side of the gas bottle. (Take care not to scald yourself)
3. A line of condensation may appear as the gas bottle level indicator (gas bottle gauge). If not:
4. Wait a few seconds and then run your hand down the same side of the gas bottle, where you poured the water.
5. You should feel a noticeable cooler change of temperature at the level of the gas. The point where the temperature changes is another gas bottle level indicator (gas bottle gauge) for gas bottles.
6. If you feel no difference when you check gas bottle level (test gas bottle level), it may be empty.

PRO TIP: The hot water test to check gas bottle level (test gas bottle level) works even better during or after you use one of your LPG appliances, making the finding of the gas bottle level indicator for gas bottles even easier.
For example, if you have LPG hot water, look for the gas bottle level indicator (gas bottle gauge) during or right after someone takes a shower. The condensation gas bottle level indicator (gas bottle gauge) may even appear without pouring the bucket of hot water.

What should I do with an empty or expired gas bottle?

The best option is to just swap it at SWAP’n’GO.

You can swap any empty bottle, even an expired one.

Can I swap or refill my gas bottle? What’s the difference?

Here are some of the reasons you might choose to swap at SWAP’n’GO instead of refilling:

• You get your choice of either 8.5kg gas bottle or 3.7kg gas bottle swap.
• We stock the 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle in both POL and LCC27 gas bottles.
• You can buy a gas bottle even if you don’t have one to swap
• You can swap an older POL 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle for a newer LCC27 gas bottle at the same SWAP’n’GO prices (same SWAP’n’GO gas bottle price)
• You can swap your 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle without worrying about:
  a) When it was last checked to and if it is still in date.
  b) Whether it has been filled correctly.
• We pride ourselves on our BBQ gas bottle exchange quality
• All BBQ gas bottles are new or checked & refurbished by fully trained technicians
• Every SWAP’n’GO BBQ gas bottle is precision filled and leak tested.
• The yellow SWAP’n’GO seal on the neck or tamper proof plug indicates that it has been quality checked and filled to safe industry standards.
• No waiting to refill your BBQ gas bottle at petrol stations
• You get a fresh 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle every time you gas bottle swap
• You own the 3.7kg or 8.5kg gas bottle you receive
• You won’t have to travel far to find SWAP’n’GO, with thousands of outlets, city and country.

There are two reasons you might choose gas bottle refill:

• The cost of the gas is a bit lower.
• You get to keep your same gas bottle.

Why choose ELGAS SWAP’n’GO as your gas bottle supplier?

• You get your choice of either 9kg gas bottle with gas (8.5kg gas bottle) or the 4kg gas bottle with gas (3.7kg gas bottle), nearby gas bottles for barbecues at great SWAP’n’GO prices.​
• As SWAP’n’GO dealers set their own prices, you can shop around for the cheapest SWAP’n’GO near you.
• At SWAP’n’GO, you’ll find a bottled BBQ gas bottle with both POL and LCC27 gas bottles for bottled BBQ gas bottle exchange near you.
• You can buy a full BBQ gas bottle even if you don’t have a 4kg gas bottle or 8.5kg gas bottle gas bottle swap (BBQ gas bottle exchange).
• You can do small gas bottle exchange nearby of an older POL gas bottle for a newer LCC27 gas bottle with gas, at the same SWAP’n’GO prices.
• Do a bottled BBQ gas bottle swap of your empty small gas bottle without worrying about:
  a) When the BBQ gas bottle was last checked and if still in date.
  b) Whether your bottled BBQ gas bottle has been filled correctly.
• We pride ourselves on having the best quality bottled BBQ gas bottle around
• Every 4kg gas bottle and 8.5kg gas bottle is either a new BBQ gas bottle or checked & refurbished by fully trained technicians
• At SWAP’n’GO, our BBQ gas bottle is precision filled and leak tested.
• The yellow SWAP’n’GO seal on the neck or tamper proof plug indicates that the bottled BBQ gas bottle has been quality checked and filled to safe industry standards and ready for your BBQ gas bottle exchange (barbecue gas bottle swap).
• No waiting around a LPG gas station near a BBQ gas refill, just do a bottled BBQ gas bottle swap (4kg gas bottle and 8.5kg gas bottle gas bottle exchange).
• You get a fresh full BBQ gas bottle near you every time you do a bottled BBQ gas bottle exchange nearby (small gas bottle swap).
• You own the BBQ gas bottle you receive when you do bottled BBQ gas bottle swap (barbecue gas bottle exchange).
• With SWAP’n’GO, you won’t have to travel far to find nearby gas bottles for barbecues, with bottled BBQ gas bottle near you at a hardware store, LPG service stations or LPG fuel station near you including thousands of outlets, city and country at great SWAP’n’GO prices.