When getting a gas-powered appliance installed, it’s important to get it done by a professional you can trust to have the best chance to minimise future disasters. This is why using a certified technician is vital. Should a gas leak spring and it's found out by insurance that you cut corners, you could end up with your claim rejected.

Here are some of the ways improper installations and half-completed jobs can affect your home.

• A slow and steady gas leak causes damage to surrounding appliances or other fixtures of the home.
• The gas leak is caused by an ageing appliance that you’ve failed to keep up with routine maintenance.
• A gas leak can occur due to a connection issue in an appliance that was improperly installed.
• The gas leak occurs due to damage to an appliance struck by a natural disaster that is not covered (e.g., flood, earthquake, or mudslide).

Be smart - follow safety protocols

Most, if not all, gas installations require proper certification. From gas hot water systems to stoves and ovens, you are covered as long as you adhere to these guidelines.

If you are using gas in any of these ways then you will need to make sure that your chosen technician has a Certificate of Conformity. This regulation is stipulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

All gas installations need to be carried out on a smooth and flat surface with your gas bottles safely and securely locked in a cage. This is one of the most important things to do to ensure compliance with your insurance policy.

Always be aware of your gas appliances and take necessary precautions to ensure that they are regularly turned off when not in use and that all of your gas bottles are safely and legally stored in a secure place.

Safety Guidelines for proper installations

A certified and professional technician will already have these points memorised. However, these are also important for homeowners to take note of. Be aware that gas installations have to adhere to the following guidelines.

• 1m sideways from doors and windows.
• 1m from the property boundary wall.
• 1.5m from any light bulb.
• 2m from drains and air vents.
• 3m below windows.
• 5m sideways from a switchable electric point or plug switch.

The savvy homeowner’s queries

Are you unsure about gas safety and certification but still want the job done right? Consider asking these questions.

• Are your gas systems and appliances annually checked by a certified technician? If not, you could be at risk of owning appliances that could void your policy.
• Are you properly insured against all forms of fire damage?
• Should significant damage be done to your property due to a gas leak, is your home properly covered for the cost of demolition? Such events can be dire in terms of personal cost and not all insurers automatically include these in their clause.
• Should the damage be severe enough that you need to move to temporary lodging, does your insurer cover the costs?

Keep up with the routine maintenance, too. You as the homeowner are considered responsible for maintaining the safe working order of appliances in your home.

We Deliver Diesel to your home or business!

Do you need diesel for your generators, a small fleet or your forklifts? Contact Sims Gas and we will deliver the diesel straight to your door.

Please note: the diesel price changes often,  so call or email our office for the latest price.

Phone: 0861 746 7427
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will deliver to your home or business, so order today!

Johannesburg Phone: 011 494 4232
Durban Phone: 031 902 6533
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or fill in your gas supply query here: http://ow.ly/B7YH30mIb8h

Do not worry, as experts in the field of LPG, Sims Gas will guide you through this pretty simple process. Not only that, but we will give you some tips on how to check for gas leaks and the proper way to refill. All you need to do is read on ahead and we will do the rest!

What to look out for

This tried and true test is pretty simple to conduct but not too obvious from the outset so don’t feel bad if you have never considered this!

First things first, boil up some water and pour it down one side of the gas bottle. This will allow for a line of condensation to appear on the outside of the bottle. With the power of the sense of touch, run your hand along the surface and you will note a distinct change of temperature where the gas level sits.

Where there is no gas, the surface will be hotter, and where the gas line starts, the surface should be much cooler, if you feel no difference at all then, Congratulations - You’ve got an empty gas bottle!

What if my gas bottle is leaking?

Good question! We find that most gas leaks occur from defects within the lining of the rubber tubes, a faulty regulator, or damage incurred from mishandled gas bottles. Generally speaking, you will know when you have a gas leak thanks to the distinctive smell you will pick up. 

Did you know that gas is odourless? That’s right! The smell you pick up is an additional additive put in for your safety so act quickly when you smell gas lingering around. LGP is colourless, non-toxic, but also very hard to detect without additional awareness of its properties.

My Gas Bottle is empty, can I refill it myself?

We tend to recommend against trying to DIY a gas refill unless you are a certified gas whiz like our employees at Sims Gas.

Because gas cylinders are highly pressurised, if you tried to remove or refill the gas yourself without any expertise then you could cause yourself some serious harm or worse! When your gas bottle is empty, return it to us at Sims Gas and our expert team will gladly refill and exchange your bottle safely.

For emergencies, contact:
Emergency - Ambulance (10177)
Emergency - Cell phone (112)
Emergency - National (10111)

We Deliver Diesel to your home or business!
Do you need diesel for your generators, a small fleet or your forklifts? Contact Sims Gas and we will deliver the diesel straight to your door.

Please note: the diesel price changes often,  so call or email our office for the latest price.

Phone: 0861 746 7427
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We will deliver to your home or business, so order today!

Johannesburg Phone: 011 494 4232
Durban Phone: 031 902 6533
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or fill in your gas supply query here: http://ow.ly/B7YH30mIb8h

Spend less time worrying about what you’re going to prepare over your gas braai this weekend and take a look at our seasonal meal picks that will have you coming back for more!

From juicy Cajun shrimp kabobs to an all-new interpretation of mashed potatoes, a combination of each of these delights will constitute a braai day dad’s will remember.

Cajun Shrimp Kabobs

Named after an ethnic group of french-speaking Louisianans in the Southern USA, Cajun Shrimps on a kabob is a classic American delicacy, while kebab is (British) a dish of pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted on a skewer or spit. We are bringing it to you straight off the gas grill!

Impress dad by whipping these up in under five minutes and enjoy.

Cajun Shrimp Kabob Ingredients:

1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter.
4 cloves of garlic, minced, or pressed.
1 Tbsp of Ina Paarman’s cajun spice (provides mild heat and is not too spicy!).
1/2 tsp salt (leave out if using salted butter).
1 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 medium-sized lemon).
800 g uncooked large shrimp (21-25 count), peeled and deveined.
12 medium wooden skewers.

(For the best value, buy your cajun spice and shrimp from Checkers)

Cooking instructions:

1. Begin with soaking your skewers in boiling water 180˚C for 30 mins (This helps to stop the sticks from burning).
2. Mix all your marinated ingredients into one saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove the pan from your gas grill, pour half of the mixture into a ramekin, and let the rest marinade in the pan (half for the grill and half to marinate your shrimp later).
3. Skewer four or five shrimp per stick and avoid spaces between them. Lay flat. brush one side of the skewer with the mixture, and leave in the refrigerator for two minutes to allow the butter to thicken. Flip to the other side, brush, refrigerate, repeat.
4. Place the skewers onto your gas grill and keep the lid closed for about two minutes. Be careful not to overcook as shrimp can become rubbery. Brush your remaining marinade before serving.

Winner-WinnerSteak for Dinner

If you’re looking for a tasty and substantial meal to share with the family and dad at dinner time, this quick and easy steak recipe is bound to do the trick! All you need is 30 - 40 minutes. 15 minutes prep, 15 minutes to cook (depending on your steak preference, we prefer medium-rare) for a yield of up to four sizable portions.

A good steak is juicy, tender, and loaded with flavour. Try sourcing from your local family butcher for a fresh cut of the day for this recipe. 

Ingredients:

4 strip steaks (about 350g each) or trimmed filets mignons (300g each)
Extra-virgin olive oil (2 Tbsp)
Salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Before you start grilling, you’ll need to let your steaks sit, so cover them with a paper towel for about 20 minutes once out of the fridge. This is to ensure they reach a nice stable room temperature.
2. Brush your steaks with olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Heat your gas grill to high and place it on the grill for about four to five minutes. You’ll know if they’re ready once they're slightly chard with a nice golden brown. Turnover and grill for another four to five minutes for medium-rare, two minutes more for medium, and a further two for medium-well.
3. Once cooked to your preference, place on a cutting board, loosely cover with foil for 5 minutes, slice into strips, and serve.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Remember dad’s McCain hot chips? Well boy, do we have a spin on those for you! Surprise him this Father’s Day with your new favourite potato dish recipe... 

Ultra-crispy smashed potatoes!

These buttery and crispy delights taste like freshly fried hot chips even though they look nothing alike. They are fluffy and soft on the inside yet ultra-crispy on the outside. Who needs flattened french fries when the more nubbly the texture, the better the crunch?

Ingredients:

12 - 14 or 700g of small potatoes.
6 - 8 or 1.2kg medium potatoes.
Salt (1 tbsp) & 3/4 tsp for sprinkling.
Melted unsalted butter (2 tbsp).
Olive oil (1 tbsp).
black pepper (1/4 tsp).
Finely chopped parsley as an optional garnish.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook your potatoes as you normally would. Here’s a refresher! Add 1 Tbsp of salt to a pot of boiling water and cook your potatoes until soft and fluffy on the edges. The smaller ones should take about 20 minutes and the mediums up to 30 minutes. Don’t stress if the skin splits, it only adds to the texture later.
2. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
3. Drain your potatoes and let them dry in a colander for about five minutes.
4. It's smashing time! Steam dry and place potatoes on a cooking tray then use a large fork or potato masher to squash them. Yet do your best to keep them in one piece (if you don’t it doesn’t matter). Thin = crispier. Thicker = fluffier insides. More nubbly surface = better crunch! (All are perfect!) 
5. Steam dry again and then leave on the tray for a further five minutes. This helps to get them all crispy.
6. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper and drizzle with melted butter and olive oil.
7. Bake for 45 minutes (small potatoes) to 55 minutes (medium) or until deep golden and crispy. Avoiding flipping!
8. Serve hot, sprinkled with parsley if desired.

We Deliver Diesel to your home or business!
Do you need diesel for your generators, a small fleet or your forklifts? Contact Sims Gas  and we will deliver the diesel straight to your door.

Please note: the diesel price changes often,  so call or email our office for the latest price.

Phone: 0861 746 7427
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will deliver to your home or business, so order today!

Johannesburg Phone: 011 494 4232
Durban Phone: 031 902 6533
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or fill in your gas supply query here: http://ow.ly/B7YH30mIb8h

Gas is vital for the winter months. We use it to prepare meals, keep our showers hot, and warm up our homes on those frigid days. That's why adequate preparation, the correct storage of your LPG canisters, and knowledge of where to resupply is important to staying warm and comfortable! 

Winter savings
The Northern Hemisphere is coming out of one of the coldest winters to date. That means that we may be heading into one ourselves. With regular gas prices fluctuating into the higher price range thanks to this cold spell, buying your gas before the winter craze hits is usually the way to go. This year may see a slight dip in prices during our winter month which means that the best time to stock up on refills or more bottles is now! 

Correct storage procedures
The first rule of thumbs; don’t store your gas canisters inside. It may seem intuitive to stow your gas away from the harsh elements of winter but keeping them outdoors is the most important safety precaution you can take. Although there are occasions where storing gas in your home is the only option. You will need to ensure that it's stored in a hard to reach and ventilated cupboard and be sure to have this space checked and cleared by a certified gas professional.

That said, gas can still go bad under the wrong circumstances so always ensure that your gas valve is tightly shut and that it's standing in a permanently upright position.

At SimsGas we test each of our LPG bottles rigorously so that they meet the standard safety requirements before we hand them over to you. But despite this, it is up to each client to treat their canisters with care and use gas responsibly. 

Have Extra Stock
The colder months leave plenty of uncertainty when it comes to exactly how much gas you use as opposed to how much you think you’ll use. Even though it's important to save wherever possible, it's extremely challenging trying to balance that with staying warm. Always have extra stock of LPG bottles stored away for an emergency. It's much better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them!

Refills 
Need to know the most efficient way to refill your gas canister? One important tip to bear in mind is that you should NEVER attempt to refill yourself. At SimsGas, we offer a once-off price for both gas and your canister. Bring it back empty and we’ll refill your gas. You’ll pay no more than the original gas deposit fee. 

Check out our options here: https://www.simsgas.co.za/shop/gauteng.html

Buying your LPG
Look no further than SimsGas!

SimsGas is a well established and a recognised accredited agent, as well as a distributor of Petroleum Products for BP South Africa. We are your number one suppliers of LPG canisters and deliver straight to your door since gas distribution is core to our business model.

SimsGas is a highly service driven company with customer satisfaction at the forefront of our operational strategies. We aren't just gas suppliers, we are your energy business partner! 

Contact us for refills or take a look at our site for further details:  https://www.simsgas.co.za/shop.html

We Deliver Diesel to your home or business!
Do you need diesel for your generators, a small fleet or your forklifts? Contact Sims Gas and we will deliver the diesel straight to your door.

Please note: the diesel price changes often,  so call or email our office for the latest price.

Phone: 0861 746 7427
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We will deliver to your home or business, so order today!

Johannesburg Phone: 011 494 4232
Durban Phone: 031 902 6533
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Or fill in your gas supply query here: http://ow.ly/B7YH30mIb8h