Is a Stainless Steel Flexible Gas Connector the Safest Choice for Modern Gas Systems?

1. Hidden dangers of rubber hoses: Why must they be eliminated?

Traditional rubber hoses have the following fatal defects:

Easy to age: They will harden, crack, and lose their sealing properties in about 2 years.
Not resistant to high temperatures: They are easily deformed by long-term heat, increasing the risk of leakage.
Afraid of rat bites: Rubber materials are easily bitten by rats, causing gas leakage.
Unstable connection: The clamp is not firmly fixed and is easy to loosen and fall off.

2. Four major safety advantages of stainless steel below

① Super corrosion resistance, lifespan of up to 8-10 years

Using 304/316 stainless steel, it is corrosion-resistant and oxidation-resistant, and is not affected by kitchen fumes and humid environments. Its service life far exceeds that of rubber hoses (national regulations require that gas connection pipes be used for no less than 8 years).

② Explosion-proof and pressure-resistant, high and low temperature resistant

Temperature range: -20℃ to 150℃, suitable for various environments.

Strong pressure resistance: can withstand pressure above 0.4MPa, which is much higher than the household gas standard (0.01-0.1MPa).

③ Anti-rat bite and anti-fall design

Metal braided layer: cannot be bitten by rats, eliminating the risk of animal damage.

Threaded interface: a metal nut + sealing gasket is used, which is more firmly fixed than the clamp of the rubber tube.

④ Flexible and bendable, easy to install

Stainless steel bellows have a certain flexibility and can adapt to different installation angles to avoid stress problems caused by hard pipe connection.

3. How to correctly purchase and install stainless steel bellows?
Purchase points

Recognize the national standard: choose products that meet the GB/T 26002-2020 standard.

Material selection: 304 stainless steel (sufficient for home use) or 316 stainless steel (more corrosion resistant).

Suitable length: not too long (generally not more than 2 meters) to avoid bending and affecting airflow.

Installation precautions

Must be installed by professional gas company personnel and cannot be operated by yourself.

Check the sealing: After installation, use soapy water to check whether the interface is leaking.

Regular inspection: Check the pipeline status every 1-2 years to ensure that there is no deformation or rust.

4. Stainless Steel Bellows FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Will the stainless steel bellows leak?

Rarely leaks if properly installed:

The threaded thread + sealing gasket is used, which is more secure than the clamp of the rubber tube;

It must be installed by professionals of the gas company and the sealing must be tested with soapy water.

Can you install the stainless steel below?

Self-installation is prohibited!

Gas pipelines involve safety and must be operated by licensed gas company personnel.

Self-installation may cause leakage or even an explosion.

Can the stainless steel bellows be bent?

It can be bent moderately, but repeated bending is prohibited:

The natural curvature must be maintained during installation to avoid right-angle bending that affects the airflow.

Excessive bending may cause metal fatigue and reduce the service life.

Gas safety is an important part of family life that cannot be ignored, and the hoses connecting gas stoves, water heaters, and other appliances are directly related to gas safety. In recent years, metal spiral hoses have gradually replaced traditional rubber hoses and become the choice for gas connections. Why do professional organizations and gas companies recommend the use of metal spiral hoses? What are its advantages?

1. Hidden dangers of traditional rubber hoses
Before the popularity of metal spiral hoses, families used rubber hoses to connect gas equipment. However, rubber hoses have many safety hazards:

Easy to age and crack: Rubber is exposed to the kitchen environment for a long time, affected by high temperature, oil smoke, humidity, etc., and is prone to harden and crack, causing gas leakage.
Easy to be damaged by rat bites: The rubber material may be bitten by rats, causing damage and leakage, which can lead to safety accidents.
Short service life: National standards stipulate that the service life of rubber hoses shall not exceed 18 months, but many families use them beyond the expiration date, increasing the risk.
Poor pressure resistance: The rubber hose has a low pressure bearing capacity. If the gas pressure fluctuates greatly, it may rupture.

These shortcomings have led to the gradual replacement of rubber hoses with safer metal spiral hoses.

2. Advantages of metal spiral hoses
Metal spiral hoses are made of 304 stainless steel wire braided layer + corrosion-resistant synthetic materials, which have significant advantages over rubber hoses:

l Super corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance
The stainless steel outer layer can resist the erosion of kitchen fumes and humid environments, and does not easily age.
It has high temperature resistance and can withstand temperature changes from -30℃ to 150℃, suitable for various gas equipment.
l Anti-rat bite and anti-wear
The metal braided layer can effectively prevent rats from biting and avoid accidental damage.
The outer metal protection makes the hose more wear-resistant and less likely to leak due to friction.
l Pressure-resistant and explosion-proof, good sealing
The metal spiral structure enhances the pressure-bearing capacity, can withstand higher gas pressure, and reduces the risk of leakage caused by pressure fluctuations.
The threaded interface + sealing gasket is more secure than the snap-on connection of the rubber hose to prevent falling off.
l Long service life
The service life of metal spiral hose can reach 8-10 years, far exceeding the 18 months of rubber hose, reducing the trouble of frequent replacement.
 

3. How to purchase and install correctly?
Although metal spiral hose is safer, you still need to pay attention to the following when purchasing and installing:

Recognize national standards: Choose products that meet GB/T 26002 or CJ/T 197 standards to ensure quality.
Matching interface type: The interface of gas stoves and water heaters may be threaded or quick-insert, which needs to be confirmed before purchase.
Moderate length: The hose should not be too long (generally not more than 2 meters) to avoid bending that affects airflow.
Professional installation: It is recommended to be installed by a gas company or a certified technician to ensure that the interface is sealed and leak-free.

4. What should be noted when using metal winding hoses?
Regular inspection and replacement
Leak detection method: Apply soapy water to the interface after installation and regularly to observe whether bubbles appear.
Aging signs: If cracks, rust, hardening, or loose joints are found, stop using and replace immediately.
Replacement cycle: Even if there is no damage, it is recommended to replace it every 2-3 years.

Use taboos
No wall penetration/hidden burial: The hose must be installed openly and cannot be hidden in the wall or cabinet to prevent leakage from being difficult to detect.
Refitting is prohibited: The interface must not be cut off, lengthened, or modified by yourself.
Adapter: Only for designated equipment, such as gas stoves and water heaters, not for high-pressure or non-gas scenes.

Emergency treatment of leakage
When a gas leak is found, immediately close the main valve, open the window for ventilation, do not touch the electrical switch, and go outside to call the emergency repair phone.