Gas Hose Installation Tips and Benefits to Using a T&S SwiveLink Connector

A chef is as prepared as his tools and something as out of the way as a gas hose can make the difference between success and failure. An improperly installed gas hose can mean poor performance, unnecessary replacement or even the risk of gas poisoning and death. Not such an insignificant part of the kitchen after all. T&S hoses begin with hydra performed inner core which provides strength and flexibility. The core is covered with a high quality stainless steel braiding and then with a thick extruded coating for added cleanliness. One of the main strains on gas hoses comes from when the unit gets connected to is pushed back toward the wall. A typical gas hose will twist or kink with a strain and repeated stress or even one stressful push can tear the hose material near its end fitting. Kinks in the hose can also restrict gas flow, meaning unpredictable cooking conditions or even unusable conditions. Another significant strain for a gas hose is the stretch a unit experiences when it is pulled away from the wall. Without a restraining cord or simply with careless staff pulling to far on the unit, the hose can be strained and experience the same risk of damage at its ends. Safety link connectors are designed to work together with our exclusive swivel link, the ultimate connector accessory for gas hoses. Swivel link adds a swivel to the end of each hose enabling it to turn from side to side without kinking. Swivel link can snug a hose closer to the wall without restricting its gas flow. A closer fit means addition kitchen space for more important things like cooking. Swivel link also provides the most reach for your gas hose, in addition our patented swivel design cant lock up unlike some of our competitors. Since safety link is available in a variety of lengths and diameters for increased BTU capacity, there are plenty of options to meet the needs of your kitchen environment. Installing a safety link is fairly simple, but keep in mind that the dangers of gas should guide you carefully through the process. First make sure the manual gas shut off valve is turned off. If you can’t find the shut off valve, turn off the main gas supply valve. Never proceed unless you know the gas is turned off. Look at your installation space to see how the appliance connection space will line up with the gas supply line. If both are more than 18 inches above the floor, use a vertical loop, if both are low use a horizontal loop, if one of the connections is higher than the other use a combination loop, turning the hose to accommodate the height distance. Now, assure the two ends of the hose will be offset from each other. This offset ensures that the hose, with swivel link installed, will be able to turn to fit snugly against the wall. If your connections are not offset, you will need to install an elbow on the supply line to create one. Then prepare the gas supply side. If the connection is already male, apply Teflon tape or pipe joint compound to its threads. If the connection is female, apply Teflon or pipe joint compound to a pipe nipple and thread that into the connection. Next install the swivel link applying Teflon or joint compound to the male threads to the fitting and threading it into the assembly you have been working on. Then move to the appliance side. Apply sealant and thread the male end of the other swivel link fitting into the elbow and tighten it. Attach the safety link gas hose to each swivel link and tighten. Check that all connections are tight and perform a leak test, then ensure that your safety link is appropriately marked. Affix the notice label to the back of the appliance and the yellow label to the wall of the shut off valve. Finally, and this is an important step. Attach the restraining cable to the wall and to the appliance you have just installed. Adjust the length so that the safety link can never be fully extended. This cable will keep your gas hose performing for a long life without unnecessary strain. Congratulations, you have just installed the best gas hose available. Treat it well and the T&S safety and swivel links will keep your kitchen appliances well fuelled for year and years to come.