Category: Boat Heating and Cooking

Boat Heating and Cooking

Welcome to our Boat Heating and Cooking category page, your go-to resource for marine appliances designed to enhance your boating experience. We offer a comprehensive selection of LPG, Diesel, and Solid Fuel heaters and cookers tailored to meet the unique demands of nautical life. Whether you’re seeking efficient heating solutions for chilly nights on the water or versatile cooking options for your galley, our collection is curated to provide you with the highest quality equipment and the latest technology.

In this section, you’ll find valuable information about the advantages and disadvantages of various fuels used for cooking and heating on boats. Each fuel type has its own characteristics that cater to different needs and preferences. For more in-depth insights, check out the links below to explore our Diesel Heaters and Cookers, LPG/Gas Heaters and Cookers, and Solid Fuel Heaters and Cookers. With our robustly built marine appliances, you can enjoy comfort and convenience no matter where your adventures take you.

Boat Diesel Heating and Cooking

Boat LPG Heating and Cooking

Solid Fuel Heating and Cooking

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Bubble Testers On UK Boat LPG Installations

Welcome to our blog post concerning bubble testers on boats in the UK. There is a lot of contradicting information out there when it comes to bubble testers in marine installations. This post is aimed to clear up the myths, explain the rules and requirements, and show the function of these safety devices.

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What Is A Bubble Tester and How Does It Work?

A bubble tester is a device that lets you test the LPG installation on your boat for leaks. This device should be installed in the gas locker. You can use it to test your gas pipes for leaks when you change the bottle. It is also useful when the system hasn’t been in use for a while. Boat LPG systems face much more movement and vibrations. They are under more stress than other gas installations. Therefore, they should be tested more frequently. We have recorded this short video to illustrate the use of a bubble tester.

To use the bubble tester, make sure all your gas appliances are switched off and any pilot lights are out. Open your gas bottle. Depress the red button on the bubble tester for two minutes and watch out for any bubbles showing in the liquid vial. With all appliances switched off, there should be no gas flowing and no bubbles should appear. If you see bubbles when there shouldn’t be any, this would indicate a leak. You should then contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to investigate further. Turn the gas supply off at the bottle until the engineer tells you that it’s safe to use.

Are Bubble Testers Required By Law?

Marine LPG installations should comply with the current standard BS EN ISO 10239. On most inland waterway boats the gas installation is many years old.They would have been fitted before this standard was written. For these boats, not having a bubble tester would be a fault classified as Not To Current Standard (NTCS). For faults classified as NTCS, a gas engineer would normally advise the boat owner to update the installation to the current standard, if they wish to do so.

For new installations, all systems should be fitted with an easy means for the boat owner to self-test them. This could be a high-pressure gauge or a bubble tester. If this isn’t done the fault is still classified as NTCS. Since this doesn’t put the gas installation At Risk or make it Immediately Dangerous, the boat owner cannot be forced to have a bubble tester or gauge installed.

Do I Need A Bubble Tester For A BSS Certificate?

No. This has been the subject of many discussions lately. There have been contradicting opinions and tales of what boat owners have been told by their BSS examiner. Feel free to check this with the Boat Safety Scheme if you have any doubts, but the answer to this question is no. There is no need to have a bubble tester installed on your boat.

To explain this further: There are two types of BSS examiners for privately owned live-aboard vessels. Those who are Gas Safe registered and those who are not. In the UK, any person carrying out “work” on a gas installation must be Gas Safe registered. To carry out a tightness test as part of the BSS examination on a boat without a bubble tester, the examiner would need to open the gas line at the test point fitting. This is classified as “work” under gas safety legislation. Therefore the examiner will need to be Gas Safe registered to do so. There is no need to open the gas line when tightness testing the LPG line with a bubble tester. This is then not classified as “work” and can be done by examiners who are not Gas Safe registered.

When weighing up the costs of having a bubble tester installed against the convenience of not having to find a Gas Safe registered BSS examiner, you need to consider that bubble testers need servicing periodically. This which is best done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

When Does My Bubble Tester Need Servicing?

Bubble testers need servicing regularly. The liquid should be topped up when the level gets too low. The liquid should also be changed every 5 years, or before then if it is discoloured. BSS examiners, whether they are Gas Safe registered or not, cannot use bubble testers if the liquid isn’t clear anymore.

How Do I Install A Bubble Tester?

Bubble testers are installed in your LPG cylinder locker. They sit in the gas line just after the regulator hose and before the gas pipe. There are lots of safety considerations and legal requirements when working on boat gas installations. This work should only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer with LPG and Boat qualifications.

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27/11/2022
When Was Your LPG Regulator And Hose Last Changed?

Advice On Changing Your Butane Or Propane LPG Bottle Gas Regulator And Hose

Butane and Propane bottle LPG gas regulators on boats need to be changed regularly. Despite this information being widely available and every boat undergoing regular boat safety examinations, this seems to not be happening on many boats that we come across on the inland waterways.

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Following on from our post about solid fuel stove safety on your boat, we wanted to address this LPG safety issue. We’d like to encourage everyone reading this to take some action of their own. Have a look if you can find out how old your own regulator and hose are and see if they need replacing. Once that has been sorted, please share this post with your fellow boaters. We would like to create some awareness in the wider community.

How frequently should you change your Butane and Propane LPG regulator and hose?

It is general practice to replace hoses on propane and butane regulators every 5 years. Regulators should be changed at least every 10 years. Manufacturing dates are usually stamped on both.

However, this is a general practice only. If your LPG hose or gas regulator shows any signs of damage or wear, you should replace these immediately. You should also do this if you are buying a boat and there is no proof of how old your LPG regulator is.

What Type Of Regulators Are There?

Bottled gas for boats in the UK comes in two different types. The most commonly used is propane, but butane is available and still used on some boats. Generally speaking, propane is recommended on boats, as it is better able to cope with low temperatures in the winter.

When changing the LPG regulator on your boat, is is important that the correct type is used. Propane and Butane gases work at different pressures and this pressure is set by the regulator. Fitting the wrong type of regulator could have severe consequences. This can cause serious injury and damage to property through potential fire or explosion. Hoses work for both gases but must be of the correct type and stamp labeled. Since 2014 new regulators on boats must incorporate an over-pressure shut-off device (OPSO). At the moment this is only available on propane regulators.

How To Change Your LPG Regulator

The only advice we will give at this stage is to have your LPG regulator and hose changed by a professional GasSafe engineer. Crimp connectors are needed to connect the hose. There are different length limits for different types of hose. Connections should be tested after installation. Storage lockers and compartments on boats have many different regulations to adhere to. There are also many other things to look out for.

Our engineers will have the necessary training and experience to spot any irregularities as they go along. We can supply a regulator and hose with every LPG boiler service or other gas-related call-out if yours needs changing. This way you can be sure it’s the correct type and up to the current standard.

Finally

This article explains how often you should change your propane or butane LPG bottle gas regulators. It is designed to provide some general advice only. It is by no means exhaustive and regulations change all the time. If you need any gas-related work on your boat, hire a registered GasSafe engineer. The engineer should be qualified to work with LPG and to work on boats.

24/06/2020
How To Install A Boat Stove

In this post, we aim to give some general guidance on how to install a boat stove. Many boats on the canals use a stove as their main source of heat during the winter. Most boat owners will at some point need to replace their stove or install a new one from scratch. Needless to say, if you have any doubts or questions at all, seek our professional advice. Our experienced engineers are fully certified for solid fuel and diesel boat stove installations.

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

Safety First

Before going into any other details about how to install a boat stove, we need to talk about safety. You can find a whole article on boat stove safety here. Please have a read and familiarise yourself with stove safety before planning an installation on your vessel. The main things to consider are clearances from combustible materials, building a hearth, alarms, ventilation, and fire escapes.

– Regulations and Guidelines Concerning Boat Stove Installations

When replacing a stove on your boat is advisable to check the boat safety scheme guidelines. These are more onerous than the current British standard and represent best industry practices. Many old hearths and flue systems are not installed in a way that would be recommended today, and yours may need improving.

If you are replacing the stove or flue with a new one, it is necessary to follow today’s standards and it is advisable to follow BSS guidelines. Before you install a new stove on your boat, check the guidance given in the image below. This is supported by the Boat Safety Scheme and is considered best practice.

Which Stove Is Best For My Boat?

– Aesthetics

This is the exciting part of installing a boat stove. A stove is not only for heating. It has a place on your boat that is special. You’ll be spending many winter days looking at it. Your stove should have the right look for you and fit in with the interior design of your boat. Be careful here. Many stoves for sale in the UK today are unsuitable for boats due to the short flue lengths. Always check with the manufacturer before you buy. All our stoves listed on this website are suitable for boat installation.

– Location

When choosing your stove, make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions. This will give you an idea of the clearances needed for combustible materials and of the ventilation requirements for the boat’s cabin.

Consider how well the heat will spread through the boat. On a narrowboat, for example, it is better to locate the stove as centrally as possible. It will otherwise be difficult to spread the heat throughout the boat. Even though this can be overcome with radiators fitted to a back boiler, an even heat distribution is preferable.

Make sure your stove is located with the flue system in mind. A straight flue is preferable. Check for any structural issues where the flue exits through the roof. Make sure clearances from combustible materials and vents on the roof are maintained.

– Securing Your Boat Stove

When thinking about how to install a boat stove, you need to make sure it won’t move if it gets knocked. You will need to secure the stove to the hearth, either at the bottom or the rear. Make sure the heart is constructed in a way that this is possible. Most boat stove manufacturers like Bubble, Salamander or Morso will have designed their stoves with this in mind. Some stoves not made primarily for boats may not be suitable.

Flues For Boat Stoves

When you are installing a new stove on your boat, the flue needs plenty of consideration. Make sure you check with the manufacturer that the stove is suitable for the short flue lengths that are common on boats. Flues that are installed wrong or are unsuitable pose a serious risk to life and property. Considering fire safety, carbon monoxide risk, and accident prevention should be a priority.

– Types Of Flues

In the past, a simple, mild steel tube was used on most stove installations on boats. This is no longer considered good practice. On a new installation, a twin-wall insulated flue is the best way forward.

Modern twin-wall flues are constructed of a material that resists corrosion. This means it won’t become dangerous over time by rusting through, as many of the old flues did. Insulated flues also improve fire safety and prevent injuries from burns. The flue gases in these types of flue stay hotter for longer. This means an improved draft, which promotes a cleaner burn and minimises the risk of carbon monoxide escaping. Make sure you have the correct cowl for your flue type, stove type, and environment. More information can be found in our blog post about twin-wall insulated flues.

– Securing The Flue

When choosing a flue system to install on your boat stove, keep in mind which way you are going to secure it. With some systems, like the Morso flue kits, the flue will be secured to the stove spigot and roof collar. Other flues will need to be secured to the wall with a bracket or ceiling plate.

Make sure that any fittings, such as roof collars and wall brackets, are suitable. On many boats, the roof and walls are angled. This means some flue supports designed for houses won’t work on boats.

– Flue Location

The best location for your flue (and stove) is determined by many factors. Most stove manufacturers will specify a minimum length of the flue. This must be adhered to, to ensure there is sufficient draft to clear all the fumes. You must also find a suitable place to cut through your roof, without compromising its strength. The end of the flue will need to keep a minimum distance from flammable materials, vents, and windows. The manufacturer will state these distances in the instructions.

Installing Diesel Stoves On Boats

A few brief notes on diesel stove installations on boats. All fuel lines and any day tanks must be secured against movement, clipped down, and protected from accidental impacts. Install shut-off valves at the tank and at the appliance. A fire stop valve must be installed to stop fuel flow in case of a fire. All diesel stoves on boats should have a solid floor beneath them. Minimum thicknesses are stated in the manufacturer’s instructions. Always fit a drip tray to catch any accidental spills.

Finally

We hope we have covered most aspects of how to install a boat stove in this article. It is worth repeating that it is best to consult our professional boat stove instal lers if you have any questions. This is not only a safety concern. Damage to the vessel caused by bad craftsmanship can often be expensive and time-consuming to repair. In addition, many manufacturers will not honour warranty agreements for DIY boat stove installs.

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

11/06/2020
Complete Plumbing and Heating Services for your Boat

Since Marine Heating Solution was founded, it has always been our intention to offer complete plumbing and heating services for your boat. From the Summer of 2020, we are rolling out new services and appliance lines. Our aim is to bring all boat plumbing and heating services under one roof. We will be able to service all your appliances in one call-out, saving you time and money.

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

This far, we have been offering servicing and installation for solid fuel and diesel stoves and appliances. This work has seen us travel to marinas and caravan parks nationwide. As our name and services become more established, we are also increasing our range of products and skills.

We will now be offering LPG gas services, as well as fresh, grey, and black water plumbing. Many boats have two or more appliances. Our heating engineers will have the knowledge, professional certifications, and the right type of insurance to work on all of them.

Boat LPG Services

Boat LPG services are essential for a heating and plumbing business in the marine industry. We are always in training to acquire new skills and deeper knowledge relating to our services. We have spent the last 18 months becoming Gas Safe registered. The first step of this was to become licensed for domestic natural gas installations in January 2020. Now, from the end of July, we will also be licensed to work on all domestic LPG installations, including on boats. We are now also offering a new range of boilers and cookers for sale. These include popular brands like Morco and Thetford, among others.

Marine Hot and Cold Water Plumbing

Hot and cold water plumbing requirements are different for every boat. This far, we have been able to install freshwater set-ups. We have also been dealing with hot water systems connected to diesel heaters, engines and solid fuel stoves via a calorifier. From summer 2020, we will also be installing and servicing LPG instant water heaters. This means whatever your needs, we can design, supply and install full hot and cold water systems on your boat.

Boat Central Heating

Central heating on boats is most often powered by diesel heaters, such as a Webasto or Planar. Solid fuel stoves with back boilers are also very popular. We have been servicing and installing these systems for many years and will continue to do so. As of this year, we are also licensed to work on LPG central heating for boats.

Boat Toilets

We are expanding our complete range of plumbing and heating services for your boat. Now, we also service and install macerators and drop-through pump-out toilets. Additionally, we handle the installation of Cinderella LPG Incinerator Toilets. Have a look at our new product range here. We can also supply waste tanks and anything else that’s needed to install a pump-out toilet on your boat.

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

06/06/2020
Is Your Boat Stove Safe To Use?

A post about solid fuel and diesel stove safety on boats.

Boat stove safety is an important issue for people living on the inland waterways. At Marine Heating Solutions, we work on boats nationwide. Lately, we have come across some boat stoves which were in shockingly bad condition. Many of these were posing a serious fire and carbon monoxide poisoning risk. This post is aimed to give you an initial idea of what is needed for your boat stove to be safe. We are following Boat Safety Scheme guidelines and best industry practices. Always seek professional advice, if you have any doubts at all.

So let’s look at some basics like the general condition of the stove, flues, hearths, distance from flammable or combustible materials, and ventilation.

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Hearths:

Hearths are an important part of your boat stove installation and need to be constructed correctly with the right materials. Heating appliance manuals will normally specify what distances need to be kept from combustible materials. Soliftec – The Solid Fuel Technology Institute gives guidance on how to construct a safe hearth for your stove.

Generally speaking, the hearth should be made of fireproof materials. Underneath the stove, this can simply be tiles, sheet metal, or other non-flammable materials. Some manufacturers specify a 30mm base. This can be made of a fire board, paving slabs, granite, or other solid materials that don’t transfer heat. Some manufacturers require a 50mm air gap below the base. Always check the installation instructions, and if in doubt, apply all of the above to ensure your boat stove base is safe.

Unless specified differently by the manufacturer. Hearth bases should extend at least 150mm to the sides and back of the stove, and at least 225mm to the front.

Behind the stove and to its sides, the guidelines require fire boards of 25 mm thickness to be fitted. These need to be fixed in a way that leaves at least a 10 mm gap behind the board, preventing heat from being transferred directly onto the boat’s wall panelling. Fire boards can then be tiled or clad in other non-flammable materials.

If the above is not achievable, please contact us. We sell inherently safe boat stoves that come with built-in hearth and heatshield options. With this type of setup, there is no need to construct a hearth on the boat. Take a look at the Go Eco Adventurer. It is very economical to run, with up to 50% less fuel consumption, and we offer a free installation on this stove.

Flues:

Traditionally, flues for solid fuel and diesel boat stoves were of the single skin type and made from mild steel. However, this has created problems in the past, and accidents have occurred, some of them fatal. Single-skin flues made from mild steel can rust. This means over time, they can develop holes and gases will escape into the boat. Holes in the flue can be very small to begin with, and the boat owner may not necessarily notice this straight away. Even a small hole can be enough for carbon monoxide and other gases to escape, posing a serious health risk.

The other problem with single-skin flues is that the gases travelling inside them cool down too fast. Cold gases will not rise well in the flue. All it takes is a windy or wet da,y and the adverse weather conditions can create a backdraft, which will draw carbon monoxide and other gases back into the cabin.

For this reason, boat stoves should be fitted with stainless steel twin-wall insulated flues. These keep the smoke inside them hot and help gases to rise. Twin wall flue systems also tend to be made from stainless steel or other non-corrosive materials, which means they will not rot and likely won’t have to be replaced for the lifetime of the stove.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions to check what flue length is required. Many stoves are not safe to use on boats as their design requires a 4.5-meter flue to be fitted. If you find that the stove on your boat is not suitable for short flues, do not be complacent about it. Short flues can lead to carbon monoxide build-up, which can be life-threatening.

Flues should be cleaned regularly. We recommend having your flue swept at least once a month if you are running the stove daily.

Ventilation:

Providing enough ventilation is an important part of any safe boat stove installation. Every solid fuel or diesel stove needs an air supply. As the fire burns, it will consume the air inside the boat’s cabin, which needs to be replaced. There should be a completely open vent of 550mm² for each 1kW of stove output, preferably divided between vents at high and low levels.

When calculating your ventilation requirements, it is also important to look at any other air-consuming appliances in the boat. These can be gas cookers, boilers, extractor fans, dryers, or anything else that removes air from the boat. All air removed from the cabin needs to be replaced by a vent. If you are unsure, you can check the data sheets of your appliances or contact us for more information.

General Condition Of The Stove:

When considering safety, it goes without saying that the stove on your boat should be in good condition. But what exactly does that mean? Your stove should be inspected with its annual service to make sure that the stove body is in good order. There should be no cracks, gaps, or other signs of damage. The fire brick liner should be intact, and fire bricks should be free of cracks and gaps. The door seals should be attached solidly and make for a tight fit. The boat stove must be securely fixed to the hearth to prevent it from moving.

If your stove is in poor condition, you may not necessarily need to replace it with all the associated costs. We offer marine appliance refurbishment services and may be able to restore it.

Finally:

It is worth noting that this is by no means an exhaustive list, and regulations change all the time. Always use an experienced engineer with proper marine public liability insurance. Engineers should be competent and should hold certificates from HETAS or OFTEC. Certificates must be renewed every 5 years. Always follow the Boat Safety Scheme guidelines and adhere to industry standards. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your boat stove is as safe as it can be.

Make sure that you have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. These should be tested at least once a month. Alarms should be suitable for boats and labelled BS EN 50291-2 for carbon monoxide alarms, and BS EN 14604:2005 for smoke alarms

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

16/12/2019
An introduction to Marine Heating Solutions Ltd.

No more cold boats with Marine Heating Solutions

We are Marine Heating Solutions Ltd, a marine business specialising in boat heating and plumbing. A cold boat is an unhappy boat, but your boat doesn’t have to be cold in winter. Our team can help extend the enjoyment you get from your vessel throughout the winter season.

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

Formed by directors of Floating Boatyard, Marine Heating Solutions brings our considerable marine experience to the boat heating sector. Our boat stove fitters, diesel heating engineers, and marine LPG engineers are experienced tradesmen who will work with you to get the right solution for your vessel.

Even wintery days like this can be cruising days with the help of Marine Heating Solutions Ltd.

Our background

Marine Heating Solutions Ltd. was formed in 2018 by passionate liveaboard boaters. The directors had the aim of ensuring no boat was cold and damp during the winter season. They experienced harsh weather during the Beast from the East of Spring 2018, and many previous winters also presented challenges. It became apparent that boat owners were having real difficulty finding reliable, safe, and competent marine heating engineers.

Our aims – no more cold boats

Living with a cold boat, even for just a weekend, has dramatic effects on the comfort and the safety of the crew. When the crew are tired and exhausted from being on a cold boat, mistakes are more likely to happen. Even gentle, inland waterways can be difficult territory during the winter. Ice forms on the narrowboat gunwales, and locks become slippery and dangerous. Keeping your wits about you is essential, which is why a warm cabin to recuperate is important. On sailing vessels, too, it is possible to provide cockpit heating. This keeps fingers and toes defrosted enough to safely handle lines and walk around the boat.

For quotes and bookings, call or email us here.

21/08/2018