Dual Fuel Range
 

Afternoon!

Very keen to install a dual-fuel range.

I will be getting a sparks in to do the electricity bit... I was just wondering what the deal was on the gas installation? We don't have mains gas, so I was planning to pop a 35kg bottle outside in a little atelier with a pipe through the wall. Can anyone advise whether there is a French equivalent of 'Corgi Registered' or is a DIY approach acceptable?

Many thanks in advance, as always!

M

Re: Dual Fuel Range
 

I haven't come accross gas bottles that size for domestic cooking. Most people use the smaller size that we would put inside a portable gas fire in the UK. The French happily put their gas bottles under the sink or even inside the cooker.

However, they do take some care. Whilst looking at a burst pipe, my plumber gave me a row for having a coonecting gas pie which was more than 4 years old (they're dated).

Re: Dual Fuel Range
 

remember to change the gas jets if you use bottled gas

Re: Dual Fuel Range
 

You will be amazed to learn that there are lots of rules and regs about using gas in France - no storage of propane inside the house (butane allowed up to 13kg), if two cylinders connected together then should be done by a professional, etc. - there is the equivalent of Corgi in France (Qualigaz, I think...)

Spend a little time searching the web for 'Installing and Using Gas Heating and Appliances in France'...

And yes, do make sure the jets are for propane/butane, and they're adjusted correctly! I fitted our (very simple) arrangement with no problems - changed the jets, adjusted them, sited the butane in a wee cupboard next to the cooker, and used a life-time warranted flexi-hose with appropriate regulator on the bottle. Works fine.

But do a search - it's all there.

Re: Dual Fuel Range
 

I hope L'Acajou (a friend from the same village) won't mind me quoting her input on a similar thread a short while ago :

'To my great delight, we bought a dual-fuel Rangemaster when we first arrived in France. The 5 burners run on a 13kg Butaine bottle, bottles last us about 4 months and are about 28€ a time. We were told that bottle gas is cheaper than mains. The ovens, grill and warming plate run on electric - we had the electricians in to wire it in. I think Rangemaster is part of Aga and is now "Falcon" in France.

Happy cooking

Sue'

I have enjoyed some splendid meals, and wonderful baking off this Rangemaster, and can confirm that Sue is still very happy with it!

Re: Dual Fuel Range
 

Hi Luke, thanks for that! Nice to be appreciated :) My lovely range cooker sits in what used to be a fireplace, it originally had a bread oven in the back. The 13kg gas bottle is cunningly hidden high up in a little cupboard kindly fabricated by some friends when we first moved in - genius! You have reminded me that I need to arrange for the cooker to be serviced, after 8 years of heavy-duty cooking it could use some technical TLC. I know I can arrange this through our local Leclerc who sell Falcon cookers.
One thing though, we did have to upgrade our electric because as soon as I switched on both ovens at the same time, the electric tripped out. I'm sure Luke can explain about that, way too complicated for me :confused:

Sue