LPG cylinders, regulators, mantles and related items are all necessary for the safe usage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), most commonly, propane. Most people have probably seen these storage canisters, but few probably really understand how they work. Here is a little bit about the components of this gas storage system.

LPG cylinders are the metal containers used to store this fuel; they come in many different sizes, from small enough for a barbeque or large enough for a water heater. The size of the cylinder you need depends on the job you need it to do.

The primary function of regulators, as the name implies, is to regulate; in this case, the amount of gas being released from the cylinder. LPG is highly pressurised within the cylinder; allowing the gas to be released without being regulated could cause immeasurable damage (explosion, burns, even death).

Mantles are similar to wicks in a candle, and were first used in kerosene lamps in the late 1800’s. The mantle is made of a gauze-like material soaked in nitrites; when the gauze burns away, the metallic nitrites glow. These products are most often used in portable lanterns (i.e. Coleman).

Propane, though not as popular a home-heating fuel as natural gas or even electricity, is still used by many; some who do not use propane at home may still use the gas to fuel such items as barbeque grills or motor home cook-tops. LPG cylinders, regulators, mantles and related items allow people to enjoy the advantages this extremely affordable and clean burning fuel.