Can I swap a patio gas cannister for propane

[Javert]

Typically will I be able to trade in a green patio gas cannister (13KG) for a second 6KG propane cannister for my caravan?

I have an old green one that is nearly empty and I no longer need .

I understand Patio gas is basically the same product as Propane just with a different connector?

 

[ProfJohnL]

According to the Calor website Patio gas is basically Propane gas but it has a unique cylinder connector. Theoretically if you can find the correct gas pigtails for the patio gas cylinders, you could connect them to a bulkhead mounted regulator in a touring caravan.

I'm not sure it makes sense as I suspect Patio Gas cylinders would be more expensive than conventional Calor or similar sized cylinders from other suppliers.

 

[Javert]

According to the Calor website Patio gas is basically Propane gas but it has a unique cylinder connector. Theoretically if you can find the correct gas pigtails for the patio gas cylinders, you could connect them to a bulkhead mounted regulator in a touring caravan.

I'm not sure it makes sense as I suspect Patio Gas cylinders would be more expensive than conventional Calor or similar sized cylinders from other suppliers.

Maybe but it's too big to fit as it's 13KG - what I am really wanting to figure out is whether they will let me exchange the green one for the smaller red one without having to pay for the actual bottle again.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I know Calor themselves won't do it, but a retailer might. Only one way to find out, try asking where Calor is on sale. I
If you don't ask the question you will never know the answer!

 

[IanB1485]

I was really chuffed when I saw the 'Calor' sign on the doors of my local B & Q so I took along my 6kg propane for an exchange - no deal , they only sell/exchange patio gas cylinders. My local Calor agent , a tool hire shop , just deals in propane and butane, but a nearby petrol station has all three , so if it was me in the OPs position I would try the petrol station and blag a 6kg propane off them, can't hurt to ask.. Please be aware your caravan may only be approved for propane cylinders upto 10kg.

 

[birdman101]

They will only change like for like. Once apon a time if you had a 7 kg Butane bottle they would change for a 6kg Propane as the bottles are physically the same size. But nowadays they will not swap. I have 3 Propane bottles, and 2 empty Butane bottles which I wanted to exchange for Propane to give my Daughter for her caravan, but no stockist will do this.

 

[Javert]

They will only change like for like. Once apon a time if you had a 7 kg Butane bottle they would change for a 6kg Propane as the bottles are physically the same size. But nowadays they will not swap. I have 3 Propane bottles, and 2 empty Butane bottles which I wanted to exchange for Propane to give my Daughter for her caravan, but no stockist will do this.

So if you have an empty bottle that you have no further use for, can you at least just hand it in for recycling, even if you don’t get any credit?

Also technically Patio Gas is propane not butane so I am not sure if that makes any difference.

They did actually already let me exchange a 13KG propane for a 6KG propane last week.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Try an ad on Ebay/Facebook market place offering a straight swap. You might strike lucky, certainly worth trying!

 

[birdman101]

They won’t even change a 3.9 kg Propane for a 6 kg Propane. They will give you £7.50 for an old bottle but then you have to pay for another contract for a different size, That is why now you see empty bottles being sold on EBay for more than the £7.50 being offered.

 

[Hutch]

Just looking at the Calor gas website, I see that Calor have renaged on getting rid of the 3.9 kg propane and the 4,5 kg butane.

 

[birdman101]

Just looking at the Calor gas website, I see that Calor have renaged on getting rid of the 3.9 kg propane and the 4,5 kg butane.

After pressure from manufacturers of Campervans as to the physical size of larger bottles fitting

 

[otherclive]

I was really chuffed when I saw the 'Calor' sign on the doors of my local B & Q so I took along my 6kg propane for an exchange - no deal , they only sell/exchange patio gas cylinders. My local Calor agent , a tool hire shop , just deals in propane and butane, but a nearby petrol station has all three , so if it was me in the OPs position I would try the petrol station and blag a 6kg propane off them, can't hurt to ask.. Please be aware your caravan may only be approved for propane cylinders upto 10kg.

Our local B&Q and a large department store have moved over to Flogas as have some local garages., and some sell the lightweight Flogas Gaslite translucent grp cylinders.

 

[RogerL]

So if you have an empty bottle that you have no further use for, can you at least just hand it in for recycling, even if you don’t get any credit?

Also technically Patio Gas is propane not butane so I am not sure if that makes any difference.

They did actually already let me exchange a 13KG propane for a 6KG propane last week.

If you've retained your copy of the original rental agreement you can get a small refund when you hand the cylinder in - note that Calor retailers are often more restrictive than Calor distributors.

 

[borderbilly]

After pressure from manufacturers of Campervans as to the physical size of larger bottles fitting

And roofers.

 

[Hutch]

And roofers.

And also, on Day cruisers and smaller yachts.

 

[Jcloughie]

Calor say exchanges can only be made within designated groups of bottles. Lots of retailers follow this to the letter. But some of the bigger experienced dealers are happy to be flexible.

Need to shop around.

John

 

[ProfJohnL]

So if you have an empty bottle that you have no further use for, can you at least just hand it in for recycling, even if you don’t get any credit?

Also technically Patio Gas is propane not butane so I am not sure if that makes any difference.

They did actually already let me exchange a 13KG propane for a 6KG propane last week.

Specifically with Calor products (and the same might apply to other retail gas suppliers) you do not own the cylinder, that is rented to you, consequently you should only dispose of the cylinder through a Calor gas agent. You cannot give it away or sell it as its not yours to sell. You only own the gas inside the cylinder.

Modern UK and EU caravans are specifically designed to cope with Propane or Butane LPG's They use a common 30 mBar regulator which is fitted to the caravan, so all you have to do is to find the appropriate pigtail (Hose and cylinder coupling feed pipe) to couple the cylinder to the system.

Butane cylinders stop producing gas in temperatures below about 5C Propane will continue working down to about -40C!