Keeping Burner Hoses on the safe side

What most affects the hoses is sunlight and UV light, high temperatures, ozone, and organic resolvent. This is even worsen when the hose is in any kind of pinched position, e.g. bent at a sharp angle. For Kubicek hoses, the tightest bend allowed is with a diameter of 90 mm. 

Over time, the hose dries out and its outer layer stiffens, resulting in cracks and tears in the hose. When the damaged hose is bent, dirt can get into the hose and affect it from the inside. And the whole process accelerates… 

When a tear is so deep that sunlight and other harmful effects can reach the inner layer, the situation worsens quickly. The inner layer is not designed to resist outer effects. In extreme cases, the inner layer can crack and fuel may leak. 

When propane is in contact with the inner layer of the hose over a longer term, it can damage the gas-proof aspect of it. This damage is impossible to see while examining the system and may result in gas leaks.

There are two basic rules for using fuel hoses:

1. Empty the hoses after each flight. Never leave gas inside the fuel hoses.
2. Do not bend the fuel hose to a radius sharper than 90 mm (minimum radius allowed)

Other very important aspects of usage of the fuel hose

1. When folding and putting away the burner, make sure its spiral is cooled down.
2. When storing the burner do not put the weight on the hoses.
3. Do not leave the burner and the hoses in direct sunlight or e.g. in a car window. Hoses are black and the surface temperature can easily reach 80°C.
4. Never go over the hoses with a car or trailer or stack the cylinders on top of them. This leads to flattening and the wire braiding can crack. Cracked wires damage the rubber layer and the hose may leak.
5. Transport and store the burner in the burner bag.