what type of gas?

[Chris-W]

I've got a new two ring burner, never used, came already fitted.

I was wondering what type of gas is suitable? Propane, butane, camping gaz?

Cheers

[scanner]

That depends on

1) Temperature you will be using it at - if the temperature drops too low Butane "freezes" - not enough gas is given off to light a flame.

2) How much (safe) storage space you have for the cylinder.

3) Where you want to buy refills - here or abroad - you cannot get UK cylinders (other than Camping Gaz) replaced in other countries almost all have their own cylinder fittings, some countries have several systems.

4) How much you are happy to pay for a system where you can buy compatible cylinders almost anywhere - Camping Gaz is that - BUT - gas bought through them is at least twice as expensive as Propane or Butane from the likes of Calor or Flogas.

[g8dhe]

I understood it was the regulator that adjusted the pressure for the type of gas used, rather than the burners themselves ?
Check the sizes of bottles you can fit in your vehicle first that may well be the constraining factor!
Camping Gaz is normally the smallest size with the 901, 904 and 907 sizes - we use a 907 and carry a 901 as spare. They all use the same regulator, unlike straight Butane or Propane cylinders.

The 901 cylinder contains 0.454 kg of gas with cylinder dimensions of H150mm D110mm,
the 904 contains 1.81 kg with cylinder dimensions of H170mm D203mm and
the 907 contains 2.72 kg with cylinder dimensions of H250mm D203mm

From the Calor gas site http://www.calor.co.uk/customer-service ... r-queries/;

Cylinder Type/Size Height Diameter
Butane: 4.5kg 340mm 240mm
Butane: 6kg BBQ Gas 314mm 306mm
Butane: 7kg 495mm 256mm
Butane: 15kg 580mm 318mm
Propane: 3.9kg 340mm 240mm
Propane: 5kg Patio Gas® 314mm 306mm
Propane: 6kg 495mm 256mm
Propane: 13kg Patio Gas 580mm 315mm
Propane: 13kg 580mm 315mm
Propane: 19kg 800mm 315mm
Propane: 47kg 1290mm 375mm

The other factor is likely temperatures you will be using it in Butane only works down to 0°C whilst Propane goes to -40°C.
Propane cylinders are higher pressure (RED cylinders) and hence the cylinders themselves are heavier than Butane (BLUE cylinders).

[scanner]

I understood it was the regulator that adjusted the pressure for the type of gas used, rather than the burners themselves ?

There is also a difference in calorific value between the gases as I understand it and I think it may be the reason anyone bother using butane.

Propane cylinders are higher pressure (RED cylinders) and hence the cylinders themselves are heavier than Butane (BLUE cylinders).

Are you sure? I can't say I have ever noticed any difference.

[Chris-W]

Thanks for the info. I think it's a safe option to go for a camping gaz 904 or 907. Don't think the Mrs is too happy about having any more than that in the van.

[Chris-W]

Jeez, just seen the difference in prices. If a calor 3.9kg propane bottle fits I'll have one of them. Better for the bank account and the Mrs won't know the difference.

[Simon Jones]

CampingGaz is more expensive that Calor, but you can get it pretty much anywhere in Europe so you have the extra piece of mind. I've got a 907 cylinder and it usually lasts well over a year between refills, but of course it all depends on usage. Refill cost is about £17 if I recall correctly, but you'll pay a premium to buy the bottle initially.

[Chris-W]

£80 for a 907 and a refill at go outdoors. £50 for a 3.9 kg calor propane bottle and refill direct from calor. Just refills are £25 and £15 respectively.

[g8dhe]

We find that a 901 cylinder lasts two of us a week for, drinks, 5 kettles worth, during the day and and an evening meal using both burners for perhaps 30 minutes or so. The 907 cylinder lasts around 9 months but is much more difficult to judge not having kept a record of the dates we have bought them!

[Bongoplod]

Small calor bottles are easy enough to aquire from builders or scrap yards or similar,for free or a few quid.

If you get a blue butane one,just swap for a red propane when you refill it. Most places will interchange

Brian

[briwy]

If we had room in the gas cupboard then I would use Calor for the UK because of the cheaper cost and Gaz for abroad and use one of the these connectors for easy swapping.
http://www.gasandhireltd.com/quick-rele ... d_316.html
We have them fitted on our Gaz bottles, so much easier to take unscrew the regulator when it's out of the cupboard.

[MountainGoat]

You should have thought of that a bit earlier Brian. Having a Heatsource gas heater, which I only use when June is with me, I asked my converter for a sightly enlarged gas cupboard. So now I have the choice of a 4½kg Calor gas bottle or a Camping Gas 907 gas bottle. I just have to change the regulator when I change the bottle. I got both my bottles from the local recycling centre for nowt in the days when the council had not yet cottoned on to their value.

Tony

[Chris-W]

Well the calor is out of the equation, too big for the cabinet.

The cabinet is 27cm high, a 904 will fit. How much height does the regulator add?

Cheers.

[MountainGoat]

I don't think that the door of my gas cupboard is any bigger than normal. What Elite Camper Conversions did was to make a circular cut out in the normal roof of the cupboard about 6" to 8" diameter (could measure it tomorrow) then take a bit off the botom of the full height cupboard adding a new side wall and roof to the gas cupboard.

Bit of a faff getting the 4½ kg Calor Gas bottle out as it has to be tipped over backwards on its side before it can be pulled through the door to change the bottle. Considering that my current gas bottle has been in use for over two years and is still going strong it is not much of a problem.

So if you want to save money on gas in the UK by using Calor Gas (which is actually more available in remote places than Camping Gas in the UK) a small modification to your gas locker / storage cupboard is all that is required. You just have to decide if you can live with a little bit taken off your full height storage cupboard.

Tony

[Chris-W]

Thought about that, but the cupboard above has a water container in it, which then wouldn't fit...