Changing a gas cooker
Discussion
A good friend of mine has a rather grotty gas cooker in his kitchen which he would like to replace with something newer.
Now, my good friend isn't a registered corgi or anything like that, but surely if obvious precautions are taken, swapping one gas cooker for another should be a relatively simple task?
Make sure the supply is turned off, bit of PTFE tape, don't smoke, tighten everything up properly and that's about it - right?
Or is the DIY approach a false economy in this case and could my good friend die in a massive ball of fire?
Now, my good friend isn't a registered corgi or anything like that, but surely if obvious precautions are taken, swapping one gas cooker for another should be a relatively simple task?
Make sure the supply is turned off, bit of PTFE tape, don't smoke, tighten everything up properly and that's about it - right?
Or is the DIY approach a false economy in this case and could my good friend die in a massive ball of fire?
I replaced our gas/electric cooker a few years ago, it was easy. The gas pipe had a shutoff tap thing (see I'm not a techie 
) and the electric connection had a weird plug that you had to wire in to the cooker circuit. I turned the mains off for that bit. This was well over 5 years ago and we haven't had any problems, so I think your 'friend' should be ok.
) and the electric connection had a weird plug that you had to wire in to the cooker circuit. I turned the mains off for that bit. This was well over 5 years ago and we haven't had any problems, so I think your 'friend' should be ok.Hi guys,
Sorry to rain on your parade here, but I disagree. Any gas connections should be carried out by a gas safe engineer, and followed up with a certificate.
Gas isn't something to mess about with, especially if you consider the insurance and legal issues.
On a plus side it doesn't take an engineer too long to fit, and alot of retailers who supply gas appliances can often arrange it for you.
Sorry to rain on your parade here, but I disagree. Any gas connections should be carried out by a gas safe engineer, and followed up with a certificate.
Gas isn't something to mess about with, especially if you consider the insurance and legal issues.
On a plus side it doesn't take an engineer too long to fit, and alot of retailers who supply gas appliances can often arrange it for you.
The regulations are quite bizarre, you can disconnect and reconnect an existing cooker to wallpaper behind it for instance but you can't install a new one, quite what the difference is I'll never know.
I had the documentation somewhere but seemed to have misplaced it since moving house, I'm sure they can be found on the youguv website somewhere.
ETA Found it
I had the documentation somewhere but seemed to have misplaced it since moving house, I'm sure they can be found on the youguv website somewhere.
ETA Found it
HSE Website said:
Where a gas cooker is installed for the first time or repositioned permanently, it is considered "gas work" and must therefore be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who holds the appropriate proof of competence.
The disconnection/reconnection (at the same location) of a self-sealing appliance connector following installation is not deemed "gas work" and therefore may be carried out by a non-registered person(s) for example when a home owner temporarily removes the cooker when cleaning.
LinkyThe disconnection/reconnection (at the same location) of a self-sealing appliance connector following installation is not deemed "gas work" and therefore may be carried out by a non-registered person(s) for example when a home owner temporarily removes the cooker when cleaning.
Edited by Sheets Tabuer on Thursday 31st March 21:44
miniman said:
Have you checked whether it has a bayonet connector? Could just be plug and play.
You still have to fit the new hose to the cooker which he isn't qualified to do, I agree with Gruff boy 
and think you may have problems with the insurance if you have any problems in the futureif you go to www.localtradesmenonline.co.uk walter from northlake is a heating engineer so he should be able to keep you right but i dont think anyone is allowed to touch gas except a proper gas engineer,best to be safe
Isn't there something about adjusting the burners to match the gas pressure and thus ensure that the knobs give an appropriate range of flame? This would explain why initial installation should be done professionally but disconnecting / reconnecting the bayonet thingy is OK as a DIY job.
I'm sure somebody qualified will be along soon to confirm / deny.
I'm sure somebody qualified will be along soon to confirm / deny.
oldcynic said:
Isn't there something about adjusting the burners to match the gas pressure and thus ensure that the knobs give an appropriate range of flame? This would explain why initial installation should be done professionally but disconnecting / reconnecting the bayonet thingy is OK as a DIY job.
When I moved in the house had the bayonet fitting removed and capped for some reason, so I needed a new one fitting so I had a gas engineer out. He explained the rules as mentioned above - removing/refitting is fine but a new install should be performed by a registered engineer. He didn't adjust anything but did explain the main issue is that the hose needs to be the correct length, fitted with PTFE tape and tightened correctly (at the cooker end), and routed properly (some ovens have hot spots for example). Nothing massively tricky but plenty of potential to create a leak. Also the bayonets can leak easily so even refitting an existing one needs care.Simpo Two said:
Griff Boy said:
On a plus side it doesn't take an engineer too long to fit
On another plus side, a stop end and bit of PTFE tape is all you need.The regs are there for a reason, to keep you and your family safe, and also future owners of the house.
As regards altering the jets on a new oven, usually that's LPG jets as opposed to mains gas, this is when the burners need adjusting as well as the new jets fitted. No adjustment generally needed on mains natural gas.
Griff Boy said:
A little bit of knowledge can be more dangerous than none at all.......
The regs are there for a reason, to keep you and your family safe, and also future owners of the house.
I have no family and I plan to leave here in a box.The regs are there for a reason, to keep you and your family safe, and also future owners of the house.
I was mistakenly thinking of simply capping the supply (for an electric oven), not fitting a new gas oven. Whether or not flexible hoses/bayonets can be used has been discussed before; not sure what the answer was. I wouldn't care to hard-plumb a gas cooker. But I can fit a stop end as well as anyone. Come and fit my boiler by all means but I really don't need to pay an expert £70 to tighten a nut
Simpo Two said:
Pah, lightweight - I'm about to boil a kettle! Fast lane to oblivion, oh yes.
Be careful out there:-In 2002, an estimated 7,000 people in the UK attended A&E departments as a result of an accident in the home involving a kettle. The vast majority of injuries were burn or scald injuries. The incidence of burns and scalds is much higher in young children than in older children and adults.
Hot drinks cause the majority of scald injuries, with hot bath water causing around 600 injuries per year.
As well as general burn and scald preventative advice, which can be found on RoSPA’s website, RoSPA would recommend the following in relation to the use of kettles:
Never leave a child unattended near hot liquids
Encourage the use of a coiled flex or a cordless kettle
Keep kettles to the back of the worktop
Try and avoid carrying kettles of boiling water across the kitchen – keep drink making things together
Keep small children out of the kitchen whenever possible
It is also important to ensure that all electrical equipment, including kettles, is in good working order and fit for purpose to minimise the risk of electric shocks and burns.
I must have been lucky
I also microwaved something and I must have been really lucky right because they give off radiation which is like atom bombs and stuff?
(sorry, lapsed into Armstrong & Miller there)
I know a joke about a gas cooker and a parachutist but I'll save that for another day...
I also microwaved something and I must have been really lucky right because they give off radiation which is like atom bombs and stuff?
(sorry, lapsed into Armstrong & Miller there)
I know a joke about a gas cooker and a parachutist but I'll save that for another day...
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