How a Country Comfort Water Heater Works

(And Why It Won't Let You Down)

In short: A Country Comfort is a tankless, instant portable LPG water heater. When water flows through it, a water diaphragm trips a microswitch, a battery-powered solenoid opens the gas valve, and the burner lights within seconds. Turn off the water, and everything shuts down. There's no pilot light, and several safety switches automatically cut off the gas.

If you've never owned a portable gas hot water system before, the idea of gas and water working together outdoors can sound a bit daunting. It isn't. Steve says nearly every first-time buyer asks him the same three questions: how much gas does it use, is it safe, and does it come on instantly? "It's yes," he says, "and they go, well, that's all we need to know."

Here's exactly what's going on inside the unit, from the moment you turn the tap on to the moment you turn it off.

How Does a Portable Gas Water Heater Work?

A portable gas water heater like the Country Comfort is tankless, which means it doesn't store hot water. Instead, it heats water as it flows through the unit, using an LPG burner beneath a heat exchanger. Nothing is heated until you need it, and nothing is wasted once you're done. A Country Comfort heats over 360 litres of water per hour at your set temperature.

What Happens When You Turn It On?

Turning on a Country Comfort is as simple as opening the water flow, whether it's a tap or a showerhead. Here's the sequence, which takes a matter of seconds:

1. Water starts flowing through the unit from your tap, tank or pump.
2. The water diaphragm moves as the water passes through it.
3. A micro switch trips. That's the ticking sound you'll hear as the igniter fires.
4. The gas solenoid opens, held open by the batteries, allowing gas to flow to the burner.
5. The burner lights and starts heating the water as it flows through.

From there, you adjust the temperature on the digital display, and you're off.

What Happens When You Turn It Off?

The sequence runs in reverse. When you turn the water off, the gas solenoid shuts, the micro switch closes, and everything stops. Nothing is left burning, and nothing is left running.

Does a Portable Gas Water Heater Have a Pilot Light?

Not a Country Comfort. "Is there a pilot light that stays on?" is one of the most common questions Steve gets, because people are understandably wary of gas. The answer is no. The burner only lights while water is flowing, so the unit uses gas only when you're actually using hot water.

What Makes It Shut Itself Off?

The same water-flow logic that starts the unit is also what keeps it safe. Every Country Comfort has several automatic shut-offs, and none of them needs you to do anything:

• Water supply drops out: if you run out of water or the flow is restricted, the burner shuts off straight away rather than running dry.
• Gas runs out: if the bottle empties, the solenoid closes, and the unit shuts down.
• The unit gets knocked over: a built-in tilt switch cuts the gas immediately, whether it's a curious horse, a gust of wind or an unstable stand.
• The flame goes out: flame protection shuts off the gas if the burner isn't lit.
• Batteries run low: the batteries hold the gas solenoid open, so if they drop below about 1.5V, the solenoid closes, and the unit shuts down rather than running on an unreliable charge.

For practical advice on placement, gas checks and storage, see our safety tips for using a portable LPG water heater.

What Do the Batteries Do?

There's no mains power involved. A Country Comfort runs on 2 x D-cell batteries that power the igniter, digital display, and gas solenoid. Because the solenoid relies on them, weak batteries are the most common reason a unit clicks but won't light.

It's also the most common setup mistake. People unbox the unit, connect everything, and forget to put in the batteries. Fresh, good-quality batteries solve most ignition problems. Here are some simple battery tips to keep your water heater running smoothly.

How Do You Set the Temperature?

With the digital display on the front of the unit. You set the temperature you want, and the unit holds it, which also helps avoid scalding. The display doubles as a diagnostic tool, so if something isn't right, it's usually the first place to look. Our troubleshooting support page covers the most common fixes.

Why Does the Flame Stay Steady in the Wind?

Portable gas water heaters sold in Australia are tested to a wind rating of around 65km/h, including Country Comfort. The difference is what happens in real-world wind. Many units mount their burners low in the case, so a stiff breeze pushes the flame sideways and causes the water temperature to fluctuate.

Country Comfort's burners sit higher than the industry standard, and they're stainless steel, which helps them retain heat. The result is a constant flame and a steady temperature, which matters a lot when you're relying on it for a shower at a windy campsite or a wash-down at a horse event.

Does It Work in Freezing Weather?

Yes. Country Comfort has run live demos, for example at the Mudgee Field Days in minus 4 degrees and still delivered hot water at around 38 degrees. Cold water does take more gas to heat, so expect a bottle to run down faster in winter. The only thing to watch is water left sitting inside the unit overnight in frosty conditions, which is why it's designed for easy drainage. Here's how to winterise your water heater to prevent frost damage.

How Much Gas Does It Use?

Only what you use while the hot water is running. Customers consistently report 25 to 38 hours of hot water from a 9kg bottle, depending mostly on how cold the incoming water is. Here's the full breakdown of how long a gas bottle lasts with a portable hot water system.

What Water Pressure Does It Need?

Very little. The unit is designed to start at minimal water pressure, which is why it works from a garden tap, a water tank, a jerry can, or a bucket with a small 12V pump. Pumps range from 4.3 litres per minute for basic rinsing up to 12.5 litres per minute for tank and rainwater setups. Here's how to choose the right pump for your setup.

What's Actually Inside a Country Comfort?

• An industry-leading full brass water manifold that allows the unit to connect to a permanent water source without the risk of bursting under sustained pressure.
• Elevated stainless-steel burners for a steady flame in the wind.
• A stainless steel faceplate, chosen for durability in harsh sun, frost and coastal salt air.
• Standard half-inch fittings for water in, water out and gas.
• A compact case measuring 440 x 350 x 140mm, so it's easy to pack and carry.

What Comes in the Box, and How Long Does Setup Take?

Every unit comes with a 1200mm LCC27 gas hose and regulator, a three-setting shower rose with on/off switch and holder, a 1.5m shower hose, a tap connector and the user guide. Longer gas hoses (2m, 3m and 4m) are available if you want the bottle further away.

Most people can set it up in a couple of minutes, with no plumber needed. Here's our step-by-step guide to setting up a portable hot water system for camping.

Is It Certified for Use in Australia?

Yes. Every Country Comfort is certified to Australian Standard AS2658, under certification number GMK10277. Certified designs can't simply be changed later to cut costs. Any change has to go back through certification, which is why the only notable addition to the unit over the years has been the tilt switch. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a portable gas water heater work?

It heats water as it flows through, rather than storing it. On a Country Comfort, flowing water trips a micro switch, the batteries open a gas solenoid, and the burner lights within seconds. Turn off the water, and it all shuts down.

Is it safe to use a gas hot water system outdoors?

Yes. A Country Comfort only uses gas while water is flowing, and it shuts the gas off automatically if the water or gas runs out, the flame goes out, the unit is knocked over, or the batteries run low.

Does a portable gas water heater have a pilot light?

Not a Country Comfort. The burner only lights when water is flowing and shuts off the moment you turn the tap or shower off.

Why won't my portable water heater light?

The most common cause is flat, weak or missing batteries, since they power the igniter and hold the gas valve open. Low water flow and an empty gas bottle are the next things to check.

Will wind affect the flame or the water temperature?

Country Comfort's burners are mounted higher than the industry standard, which keeps the flame steady in conditions where lower-mounted burners can flicker and cause temperature changes.

What happens if the unit gets knocked over?

The built-in tilt switch cuts the gas supply immediately if the unit isn't sitting upright, whether it's bumped, knocked or blown over.

Does a portable gas water heater work in cold weather?

Yes. Country Comfort units have delivered hot water at around 38 degrees in minus 4-degree conditions. Drain the unit if it will sit overnight in frost or freezing conditions.

Does it need mains power or mains water pressure?

No. It runs on 2 x D-cell batteries and starts at minimal water pressure, so it works with tanks, jerry cans, and small 12V pumps.

 

Got a question we haven't covered? Our Country Comfort FAQs answer the most common ones.