Dizziness after using Propane Blow Torch

[George Ward]

Hello,

I'm a DIYer and I recently bought a blow torch. The torch bit is a "Gas Torch Auto Ignition Gas Soldering Brazing Piezo Blow Lamp QP8088H", the gas bottle I'm using is "ROTHENBERGER DISPOSABLE PROPANE GAS CYLINDER 400G" from Screwfix. The torch ignites well, I adjust the flame to make sure it's burning blue.

I've been using it for cooking (searing meat and so on) but I've found that whenever I use it I feel a bit dizzy afterwards. In the past I've used a less 'serious' blowtorch (one from Wickes that you need to light manually) in the past and this has never been a problem.

Of course I'm a little paranoid that I'm poisoning myself or something awful like that, so I've stopped using it.

But has anyone has a similar experience? What could be causing it? Surely that's not normal. Do you think it's faulty unit that's somehow emitting carbon monoxide or something sinister like that? Or do you think I'm just sensitive to it? Certainly doesn't feel right at all.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

are you using it in a well ventilated place?

would think its a bit big for cooking with

 

[Old Account]

Hello George,

Welcome to the forum.
Breathing in or swallowing propane gas can be harmful. Propane gas takes the place of oxygen in the lungs therefore it makes breathing difficult or impossible. - dizziness----

It will give you some sort of cough , dizziness, headache, irregular heartbeat ...

You may have a leak at the torch ... perhaps you should not use it if you are unsure ...

 

[George Ward]

Yes, I used it just now with the back door open. It does the job perfectly (nice piece of sirloin beautifully browned on the outside and a little pink within still), but I shouldn't be feeling dizzy after using it should I?

 

[Old Account]

Yes, I used it just now with the back door open. It does the job perfectly (nice piece of sirloin beautifully browned on the outside and a little pink within still), but I shouldn't be feeling dizzy after using it should I?

I also wouldn't recommend using it for cooking though. You may should use an instant grill or better off proper charcoal

 

[ShaunCorbs]

depends how big the room size was

same thing can happen if your cooking in a small room

might be worth taking the set up to where you bought it and asking them does it look ok

 

[George Ward]

Hello George,

Welcome to the forum.
Breathing in or swallowing propane gas can be harmful. Propane gas takes the place of oxygen in the lungs therefore it makes breathing difficult or impossible. - dizziness----

It will give you some sort of cough , dizziness, headache, irregular heartbeat .

You may have a leak at the torch . perhaps you should not use it if you are unsure .

As I said, when I've used the other one before, the Wickes one, I've not had any symptoms like that. And it's not even like I'm using it for long (it's on for a minute, if that). Only been feeling a little dizzy, no headache or cough or anything else. But that shouldn't be happening should it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

no shouldnt happen any chance of a pic of the wicks one ?

 

[Old Account]

As I said, when I've used the other one before, the Wickes one, I've not had any symptoms like that. And it's not even like I'm using it for long (it's on for a minute, if that). Only been feeling a little dizzy, no headache or cough or anything else. But that shouldn't be happening should it?

No should not that's why I think you burn the fuel wrong ... which causes dizziness. It's either wrong burned or unburned propane which you then Inhale. I cannot think of anything else

 

[George Ward]

no shouldnt happen any chance of a pic of the wicks one ?

Here it is. As I say, whenever I've used this one (either for plumbing or for cooking) I've not felt odd at all.

 

[George Ward]

No should not that's why I think you burn the fuel wrong . which causes dizziness. It's either wrong burned or unburned propane which you then Inhale. I cannot think of anything else

How can I burn it correctly?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

when you attach the cylinder / gas canister can you hear anything eg is it leaking?

 

[George Ward]

when you attach the cylinder / gas canister can you hear anything eg is it leaking?

No, it all appears to be set up fine. No leaking sounds or anything like that.

 

[Old Account]

I had once similar issue and it leak at the side

How long can you store map gas for ?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I had once similar issue and it leak at the side

How long can you store map gas for ?

not mapgas just normal propane

op would take it back to where you bought it and maybe get a replacement / ask them do they see anything wrong

 

[Old Account]

not mapgas just normal propane

op would take it back to where you bought it and maybe get a replacement / ask them do they see anything wrong

I know, I was just thinking about my own bottles as I still have 2 stored for about 2 years and wondering if it's still useable

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I know, I was just thinking about my own bottles as I still have 2 stored for about 2 years and wondering if it's still useable

would say so only one way to find out

 

[Meady]

Does no one else think this is a wind up???

 

[Old Account]

Does no one else think this is a wind up???

Haven't thought about .... I'd think ppl are coming here to get help and not to take a micky

 

[Meady]

It just sounds to farthetched to me to be true

 

[George Ward]

It just sounds to farthetched to me to be true

What does? Me and my dizziness!? It is true. Although I'm worried now that I'm imagining it.

 

[Chalked]

Tiz a wind up. Me thinks

 

[George Ward]

Tiz a wind up. Me thinks

It's not!

 

[Last Plumber]

Have you checked for leaks with soapy water

( Washed off after as it corrodes and don't wet the ignition
and before anyone jumps down my throat, a DIY person may not have LDF and it's pointless buying it for this purpose).

Most plumbers ( I think) use propane in all sorts of spaces and I can't say I've ever felt dizzy or heard of it before.

 

[Stanios]

I've had times where I sat on my blowtorch for good minute untill realising there is a bad smell which isnt my arse, I didnt feel dizzy but felt this tingling in my behind as I knew what would have happened if it sparked.

 

[zzzjim]

Mistakeny inhaled CO from one of those burns till it goes out candle experiments im my youth ... Does sound like Carbon Monoxide
(If a CO alarm will confirm it --or alarm just die from meat fumes --- I'm not sure if you should invest )
Like others have said plenty of ventilation
(and get your blood presure checked out )

(Plenty of unburnt Butane from gas soldering iron has never bothered me-My M8s may disagree)
(USA packaging meat in CO to keep it looking RED -Idiots)..Don't Inhale..
(LAST _myth-Busters--Theory...)
( Smell of searing induces hunger/Blood lost to stomach = Light headed )

 

[kris]

At times ive went below the floors to glue waste pipes and got dizzy off the reek of solvents lol and thats in confined spaces aswell, by eck thats strong stuff lol

 

[zzzjim]

If anyone is still interested , did have a negative thought .
(Multiple -Devices )
Is it a modern well insulated/double glazed (sealed) house ?
... Are you already in the kitchen with the stove on ?
May have exceded ventilation capacity .
(I'm not GSR , so don't know calculations )
But do remember a stove + a new extension is a good reason to have the window open a little with just stove on MAXED out.