Adapting cooktop to use a 1 lb. propane bottle

[Jack McAllis]

I have installed a new Atwood Wedgewood cooktop in my restored '67 Safari. I don't have a dual fuel refrigerator and have electric heat and water heater. I don't plan to use the cooktop very often as we cook outdoors always (at least up to this point). I'd like to retrofit the cooktop to use a 1lb. bottle and the cooktop has it's own regulator. All this said, I haven't been able to come up with the necessary fitting/adapters so far. If any of you have done something like this, I'd appreciate input. I tried searching the threads but didn't see any topics on this.
Thanks,
Jack

[Protagonist]

You may actually be better off sticking with your big propane cylinders; or go with smaller 20-pound cylinders, rather than trying to adapt your cooktop.

One advantage is cost. Not only would you not have to pay to convert your cooktop, but even at around $4 per gallon to refill a 20# or 30# cylinder, that's less than $1 per pound, compared to buying disposable cylinders at $8 per cylinder ($8 per pound).

Propane doesn't degrade over time. You can store it in an intact cylinder for 10 to 12 years if you need to, right up until you have to get the cylinder recertified. Buy one cylinder-full, use it for as long as it lasts, even if it takes years to empty the cylinder. No harm done.

Disposal of disposable cylinders is problematical. First you have to make sure they're completely empty, then remove the valve, which requires a tool similar to a long tire valve stem tool, to make sure the cylinder is free of propane and won't blow up when crushed in a garbage truck.

The last place you want to store a propane cylinder is inside your Airstream. If it leaks, it can hurt you. Most people worry about exploding, but propane is hazardous to breathe at less than 10% of the lower explosive limit; by the time your LPG detector goes off, you've breathed enough to cause damage to your body.

[perryg114]

Are you trying to not have to carry any large bottles of propane? All you really need to do is to get a regulator for a small grill and that gets the pressure down to what the stove needs. You can get a cheap grill with the regulator for about $30.

Perry

[Wayward]

Should be straight forward. I assume from your question that you want to put this adapter close to the stove. If you put it up by the main tanks much of the gas in the 1lb can will be used to fill the lines.

The threads on a standard "Coleman" propane bottle are 1"-20 so you need a female connector to go on the propane can. An adapter like this ...






Connections to gas appliances are standard pipe thread so you will need to look at the stove connector and get a tee or three way valve.

A check valve in the line from the can is probably a good idea in case the main tanks are turned on when there is no propane can attached.

You may have to buy the propane can adapter from a specialty shop but the rest of it is standard plumbing.

[TinTin]

Where will the small propane cylinder be located? AFAIK, they are not approved for indoor use.

[Jack McAllis]

Perry,
Thanks for the info. After I posted the question, I found the adapter at Camping World to fit the 1lb bottle to the cooktop. I actually am carrying the original (1967) Perry 20 lb. Tanks that came with the Safari and they're refinished but not certified yet. I still have the gas line underneath and with a little effort, could reconnect the big tanks but no more than I'll be cooking inside, I just did not want to bother with cutting the our the new floor and cabinets to route the line. But this remains an option if I see that I may use the cooktop more than anticipated. Thanks again for the info.
Jack

[perryg114]

That adapter Wayward posted would need a regulator behind it. Typically, the RV regulators drop the pressure from about 100psi to a few inches of water. For home use they usually have two regulators. One drops it to about 5 psi and the other drops it to a few inches of water.

Perry

[Jack McAllis]

Thanks all. I understand about the regulator and would use one in line. The cooktop has one installed also. I also understand about not storing the bottle inside. I would never keep the bottle inside. I may end up getting by tanks certified and just re-connect the lines. I appreciate all the feedback.
Jack

[perryg114]

Where you going to keep the bottles if not inside? I put them above the fridge to keep them warm. Unless you throw them in a fire, they are pretty safe. Many aerosols use propane for the propellant. I have had problems with the valve at the top leaking when you remove them from a device. Then you have to leave them screwed in. You might want to be an external valve inline.

Perry

[Jack McAllis]

My actual intentions were to only have the 1 lb. bottle inside while using the cooktop. I have room in the cabinet to fabricate a mount to keep the bottle steady during use. When done, my intent was to remove the bottle and store it outside the trailer. I did a full restoration on this Safari which is documented in the 66-68 Safari trailer section of the forum. I couldn't post photos of the restored interior as I used up all my allotted space with Airforums on the exterior and chassis threads and photos. Anyway, the old Magic Chef range was in very bad condition when I acquired the trailer and I tossed it. So were the interior components other than the original aluminum coated walls and ceiling. Therefore, I gutted the interior to the frame and built it back from the subfloor up. I never intended to put a range back in and built in a microwave and the 3 burner Atwood. Like I said, if I cook on the Atwood once a year, that'll be about it. We camp with a couple of other vintage Airstreams in and around north Georgia and mostly love grilling outside or cooking fresh cut French fries on a Coleman stove outside to keep from making a mess inside. I would like the option of using the cooktop one way or another. I do understand and respect the safety aspect of this. I may rig up the small setup and see how it works. I can always reconnect the line from the big tanks if this doesn't work ok.
Thanks again for the input.