English FAQ for Gas BBQ Grills in Japan

Please scroll down to see answers

1. Where can I buy propane (LP) gas in Japan?

2. Where can I buy a propane tank or propane regulator in Japan?

3. I’ve heard that it’s illegal to buy LP gas to use with a gas BBQ grill. Is this true?

4. I have a gas BBQ grill and propane tank purchased in a foreign country. Can I use them in Japan?

5. Back in my home country the tanks are bigger that 5kg. Can’t I use a larger tank in Japan?

6. Is a 5kg tank big enough? How long will a 5kg tank of gas last?

7. What do I need to take when I go to have the propane tank filled?

8. Is the regulator included with a California Patio gas grill?

9. Can I use charcoal in a California Patio gas grill?

10. What’s the purpose of the warming rack on the California Patio gas grill?

11. Why are lava rocks important for California Patio gas grills?

12. How long does it take for a California Patio gas grill to warm up?

13. Can I use a gas grill indoors?
——————————————————————–

1. Where can I buy propane (LP) gas in Japan?
Japan has over 20,000 propane gas shops. The easiest way to find one close to you is to do an internet search with the following terms in Japanese. The Japanese words here are LP Gas Refill. This will give you results in Japanese and then you need to ask a Japanese speaking friend to phone for you. Best to phone first.

“Your City or ward in Japanese” LPガス充填

2. Where can I buy a propane tank or propane regulator in Japan?
We sell propane tanks, regulators, gas hoses and other gas parts in our BBQShop.jp site. If you have trouble accessing the site or can’t find what you need please contact us here.

3. I’ve heard that it’s illegal to buy LP gas to use with a gas BBQ grill. Is this true?
It is not illegal for a propane gas shop to sell you gas for your BBQ grill. Although in rare cases a shop owner may not want to sell you the gas for safety reasons . The law states that the gas shop owner must confirm that you have a proper Japanese regulator and that you understand that the gas is to be for outside use only. The shop owner is required by law to fill out an informed consent form like this sample. California Patio gas grills include a Japanese made regulator when you buy the grill. Take the regulator with you when you go and buy the gas.

4. I have a gas BBQ grill and propane tank purchased in a foreign country. Can I use them in Japan?
No, you can only refill propane tanks that are purchased in Japan. You can purchase a tank here. You might be able to use the gas grill. Here are some tips but this is not inclusive because every gas grill maker is different. Check with the manufacturer of the grill to see if the propane gas pressure the burner was designed for is suitable for the gas pressure produced by a Japanese propane gas regulator. If it’s not suitable, you will need to replace the burner. You’ll need to replace the hose and regulator. You can purchase those here.

5. Back in my home country the tanks are bigger that 5kg and 8kg. Can’t I use a larger tank in Japan?
According to the Japanese propane gas safety laws, the 8kg tank is the largest one you can use freestanding with rubber hose connection to a gas appliance. The 5kg tank is the most popular size for gas grills. The 5kg and 8kg size tanks are the “moveable” size tanks. These can be used while connected directly to an LP gas appliance like a BBQ grill, RV or camping car. There are larger sizes you can buy such as the 10kg and 20kg tanks. These sizes can only be used at a fixed location while connected to a gas meter. It is against the law to use these larger tanks with a BBQ grill or RV in Japan.

Equivalence Tank Size approx 2kg (4.4 lbs), 5kg (11 lbs), 8kg (17.6 lbs), 10kg (22 lbs ), 20kg (44 lbs )

6. Is a 5kg tank big enough? How long will a 5kg tank of gas last?
Our Smarty C gas grill  uses about 200 gm of gas per hour on high heat. That will give you at least 25 hours of use with a 5 kg tank.

7. What do I need to take when I go to have the propane tank filled?
Most propane shops will need to confirm that you are using the tank with a proper gas regulator. There is a ten year limit on the lifespan of a Japanese gas regulator. Disconnect the gas regulator from your propane appliance and leave it connected to the propane tank when you have it refilled.

8. Is the regulator included with a California Patio gas grill?
Yes, a regulator is included with the purchase of any California Patio gas grill.

9. Can I use charcoal in California Patio gas grill?
No, our gas grills are designed to handle the heat created by burners and not the heat created by burning charcoal. Using charcoal in a gas grill will be very damaging to components of the gas grill.

10. What’s the purpose of the warming rack on the California Patio gas grill?
This is to be able to move the food away from the heat while keeping it warm. It also can give more total cooking area to be able to cook more food.

11. Why are lava rocks important for gas grills?
The rocks are heated by the gas flame and cook like charcoal. Keeping the rocks clean is about the only maintenance task you’ll have with a gas grill. If there is a buildup of grease on the rocks you will have flare-ups during cooking which can burn the food. You can clean the rocks with a mild dish soap and water solution. Occasionally rearrange and turn the lava rocks so heating and cleaning is more even. Do not stack lava racks. They should be only one layer deep on the grate.

12. How long does it take for a California Patio gas grill to warm up?
After lighting the gas, it takes about 5 minutes until the grill is hot enough to use. Compared to a charcoal BBQ which takes about 30-45 minutes.

13. Can I use a gas grill indoors?
No, gas grills are designed and sold for outside use only.