Gas hoses for gas stoves: varieties, how to choose and connect
During kitchen renovations, there is almost always a need to replace or rearrange the gas stove, and therefore to reconnect it. It is advisable to entrust the work to a qualified, certified gas technician, but you will still have to select and purchase the equipment yourself.
In this article, we will look at gas hoses for gas stoves, which one is better, how to choose and connect the equipment, and also tell you about the shortcomings of gas hoses and why they are dangerous.
The content of the article:
Methods for connecting gas stoves
Until relatively recently, about 30 years ago, gas hoses were not common and stoves were connected steel pipe. This connection is very reliable and durable, because the pipe will not leak, can withstand high temperatures and is resistant to oil. However, it is not possible to move the stove connected in this way, even by a centimeter. That is why, and also because of the complexity of installation, such a connection is not practiced now.
The first to replace the rigid connection were the so-called oxygen hoses, made on the same principle as car tires. The base is woven from heavy-duty cord threads, and they are already filled with rubber on both sides.Such hoses can withstand enormous pressure - up to 20 atmospheres, they are available in a wide range of diameters (from 16 mm) and lengths, are easy to install and are quite cheap.
Rubber-fabric hoses - the closest successor to oxygen ones, they differ only in the use of a special textile thread instead of cordova. They are still produced and sold today, and are inexpensive. However, due to the fragility of rubber, they also cannot be used in apartments, but for connecting the stove to a gas cylinder in the country this is perhaps the most convenient option.
Types of modern gas hoses
Rubber hoses today are more of a rarity than an everyday product. They are too short-lived, and black rubber looks unaesthetic, and it cannot be painted.
Therefore, when you have to choose which hose to buy to connect a gas stove in an apartment, it is better to choose one of 3 main options: bellows, rubber reinforced and PVC hose. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Rubber reinforced hoses
Perhaps these are the most common, inexpensive and reliable gas hoses. Externally, this eyeliner is absolutely the same as tap water liner, only instead of blue or red, it is braided and has yellow threads woven into it.
These hoses are three-layer. The inner layer is a polymer layer that prevents cracking and leakage. Medium - vulcanized rubber - the basis of the hose, its rigidity and density. Outer braid made of steel threads - for protection against external damage and additional rigidity.
The advantages of these hoses are low price and wide range, ease of installation and durability. Disadvantages - relatively short service life (about 10 years), high electrical conductivity (requires dielectric inserts).
Reinforced PVC sleeve
They are also three-layer: a reinforcing mesh is poured between two layers of polyvinyl chloride. In this case, the inner layer is usually black, and the outer layer is either completely yellow or with a yellow stripe.
It is by coloring that they can most quickly be distinguished from water hoses - but not most reliably; it’s worth double-checking the markings.
Such gas hoses have a number of advantages:
- do not conduct electricity - this is the only modern option, the use of which without a dielectric is absolutely safe;
- suitable for various flammable mixtures - both in the city gas pipeline and for mixtures from a cylinder;
- withstand pressure up to 0.63 MPa, which is 20 times more than the maximum operating pressure in the network;
- Available in different lengths - from 40 cm to 5 m;
- the cost is several times lower than bellows analogues;
- polyvinyl chloride is much stronger and more durable than rubber, and is much less susceptible to cracking;
- shelf life 12 – 20 years. Considering that the service life of a gas stove usually also does not exceed 20 years, this is quite enough.
Among the shortcomings, one can note only relatively low rigidity.
Bellows hoses for slabs
A bellows is a corrugated pipe made of rings or spirals, reminiscent of a sewer corrugation or shower faucet hose. Bellows hoses come in 4 types: regular corrugated, solid metal-plastic, metallic appearance, with stainless steel corrugation; with polymer coating on top of stainless steel - for protection from electricity; With heat-protective valves that automatically shut off the gas supply in case of overheating.
Gas hoses of this design have a number of advantages: they are safe, the likelihood of leakage is minimal; withstand pressure up to 6 atmospheres, which is 200 times higher than the maximum operating pressure in the gas supply network; look aesthetically pleasing; durable - the manufacturer’s warranty is usually at least 10 years; the service life of such a hose for a gas stove is about 30 years.
In addition, they can withstand temperatures up to 200 ° C, bend and stretch slightly, are fixed in a given shape with corners - they can be positioned beautifully and safely, do not rust or crack, are protected from any external influences, have sufficient rigidity - not are breaking down and do not twist, easy to install. In most models, the corrugated fitting is either soldered or made as a single piece - this is much more reliable than a clamp or glue.
Even with such a significant list of advantages, these hoses also have disadvantages. In addition to relatively high prices, they are dangerous due to electrical conductivity (if there is no polymer coating), and therefore can burn out from contact with household electrical appliances or even the cable of the stove itself.
How to choose the best option?
Choosing a hose to connect the stove to the gas pipeline is not an easy and very responsible task, because you risk the safety of your home and life, as well.
In order to choose the appropriate option from all the variety described above, you need to decide on several parameters:
- Hose length. When connected, it should sag a little - so much so that the stove can be moved away for cleaning or if something falls behind it. Installing the hose under tension is unacceptable - it is dangerous. The most popular sizes are from 1 to 2 m, but there are products from 40 cm, and the maximum length of domestic hoses reaches 4.5 and even 7 meters.
- Connection type. At one end of the hose, which is screwed to the stove, there will always be a nut with an internal thread - “female”, but at the other end, from the side of the gas tap, there can be either the same nut or a fitting with an external thread - “male”. Pay attention to what connector your gas tap has.
- Connection diameter. Half-inch nuts are most often used, but ¾-inch and more exotic options are also available. Remeasure the threads on your equipment.
- Metal connections. Avoid contact of white metal (steel) with yellow metal (brass) - this is unsafe.
- The diameter of the hose section for full operation of all burners must be at least 1 cm.
- Look at the output on your stove. If it is angled, great, but if it is directed at the wall, it can be dangerous. A hose wound directly onto such an outlet can break downwhen the stove moves towards the wall, and this is fraught not only with weak gas pressure, but also with leakage. To avoid this situation, purchase an additional metal elbow fitting. If there are 2 outlets on the stove, you will also need a plug.
- Assess your financial capabilities. Remember that expensive hoses will not only be safer and more beautiful, but will also last many times longer.
- If the hose may touch a microwave, dishwasher or other electrical equipment, insulation is required. Choose a PVC sleeve or bellows polymer coated hose.
Having decided on all the issues listed above, you can reduce the number of hoses to choose from to 2 - 4 pieces, and choose from them based on price and appearance. In addition, to buy a quality gas hose, pay attention to some details.
Contact only specialized stores and demand quality certificates for goods - this is your right and a guarantee of safety.
Do not believe offers to buy a branded sleeve at half the price - most likely it is a low-quality Chinese fake. But don’t refuse to buy just because it was made in China - many brands are moving their production of certified goods to this country, without compromising control and quality standards.
Look at how the fitting is connected to the braid. Soldering or solid cast the product is excellent, the glue is bad.
Read the warranty period and service life in the product passport, compare them with the type of hose and price.
In addition, buying an expensive branded bellows gas hose, beware of counterfeit. Carefully inspect the product - it should be neat, with invisible seams, without flaws, even small ones.
Take a look at the technical data sheet and check that the description matches reality. Request a quality certificate or at least a copy of it. A price that is too low should alert you, but a normal market price is not a guarantee of quality.
Differences between a gas hose and a water hose
Connecting a hose for other purposes is extremely dangerous, because the water hose is not designed for contact with gas, which is why it quickly wears out and begins to poison. In addition, even gas hoses differ for different compositions and physical states. To prevent a mistake in choosing a hose for supplying gas to the stove from becoming fatal, consider several factors.
First of all, absolutely everything gas hoses, regardless of type, are marked in yellow. This could be a braided thread, a yellow sticker tag on the hose itself, or a mark on the packaging and a plug, but something yellow must be present. There should be no blue and red weaves - these are indicators of hot and cold water supply.
Secondly, the purpose of the hose must be indicated in the product passport and quality certificate. Gas hoses differ in rubber or polymer composition, manufacturing methods and performance characteristics - they cannot be interchangeable, no matter how similar in appearance.
Thus, it is necessary to distinguish the purpose of the hose, and if you do not fully trust the competence of the seller, be sure to request documents for the product, where the manufacturer indicates that this hose is intended for gas.
Features of connecting a gas stove
The first thing you should remember if you decide connect the stove yourself – now you yourself are responsible for your life, and for the safety of the kitchen, and the stove itself. The manufacturer's warranty is not valid if the work was performed by an unqualified gas technician.
If the risks do not bother you, we will provide brief instructions for action.
- evaluate all the initial data and, if necessary, purchase what is missing;
- if the thread diameter on the hose and on the plate or tap do not match, stock up on a suitable adapter -futorka;
- check availability paronitova gaskets included with the hose. If you don’t have it, buy the one with the mesh;
- if the stove has 2 outlets, buy a plug and screw it tightly into the outlet farthest from the gas pipe;
- when connecting a hose with an open metal sheath, it is better not to skimp on the dielectric - a special insert with a plastic core that does not conduct current;
- install all the necessary adapters, but try to minimize their number. The dielectric is screwed into the gas tap, and a hose is screwed onto it;
- screw one end of the hose to the gas valve or to the dielectric, or to futorke if available;
- tighten tightly with an open-end wrench, but do not be too zealous so as not to strip the thread;
- arrange paronite gasket at the outlet of the plate;
- Screw the other end of the hose to the stove.The nut rotates freely on the hose, so it should not become twisted or wring;
- dissolve solid soap or mix liquid soap with water. Apply the resulting solution to all connections, including the factory connections on the hose;
- open the gas tap, but do not turn on the stove burners, but watch carefully. If soap bubbles do not appear at any joint, the stove can be used.
When connecting a gas stove yourself, remember that the hose should not come into contact with electrical appliances and wires, or hide behind furniture - this is unsafe.
Compliance with security measures when connecting
Every year, explosions and fires of household gas occur in different parts of our country, causing fires and large-scale destruction, injuries and deaths. To prevent such a disaster from happening to you, do not neglect any of the safety rules outlined below, because such a risk and savings can be very expensive in the future.
The hose must be one, solid, without extensions or unnecessary connections. Each connection is a potential leak point, and composite hoses are prohibited according to GOST.
The gas hose cannot be hidden behind furniture or painted - buy one that suits you externally. This is prohibited not only for the opportunity to inspect the hose at any time, but also in order to instantly notice a malfunction and replace gas hose. The paint dries out and causes the rubber to crack.
From gas tap There should be one connection, without connections or branches. If necessary, call a gas technician who will remove another tap using a pipe.
It is not recommended to use gas hoses to connect gas stoves whose dimensions exceed 2 m. If necessary, it is better to lengthen or move the gas pipe – a metal gas pipeline is more reliable, safer and much more durable.
Do not allow the hose to be twisted or kinked - this will negatively affect not only the gas pressure, but also safety. At the bend, and when twisted at the fitting, the hose will very quickly become leaky and begin to corrode.
Replace the hose regularly, following the expiration date specified by the manufacturer. Do not use a hose in your apartment that has a service life of less than 10 years, such as a rubber hose. After just 2 to 3 years of constant use, it may become unsafe.
Do not weld or solder near the hose, avoid condensation accumulation. If possible, invite a specialist to carry out any work on the gas pipeline - your own safety is always more valuable than their services.
Don't neglect electrical insulation metal hose and do not allow it to come into contact with household appliances and wires. Even if the wiring in your kitchen is in perfect order, the catalyst for a discharge, burnout of the hose and ignition can be, for example, lightning striking a gas pipeline.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The following video will talk about how to choose the right gas hose to connect the stove:
Considering all of the above, choosing a hose for connecting a gas stove is a very responsible task, in which savings should not be placed above safety. By carefully studying all aspects, you can choose and buy the best gas hose for your stove without overpaying, but also without putting yourself, your family and your neighbors at risk.
Which gas hose for connecting the stove did you choose and why? Please tell other visitors to our site about this. Write your comments, ask questions, share your experience - the contact block is located below.
when vdgo they said to replace the bellows hose