Gas usage?

[Mark_sat]

Hi all,

I am off to France for 3 weeks and wondered if 2 full 7kg bottles will be enough to see me through.

Based on one bottle being used on the cadac, and one for the cooker.

If I use the Cadc for an hour and the cooker for an hour each day, will this be sufficient? (My Mrs is ALWAYS cooking something)

Due to locker size, I cannot take any larger bottles.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GeorgeB]

Mark,

I've never used 1 7kg in 2 weeks in France, nor have I used a 3.5kg one for the barbie in the same time so I reckon you're going to be OK

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mark-sat

To be able to give you a more definitive answer, you have not supplied enough information. Clearly how long the bottles last will depend on usage, but to be more specific requires more information, and you can actually do the sums yourself:

Each of the gas appliances will have a data plate, which will tell you their gas consumption rate in grams per hour (g/h).

By estimating how long each appliance will be running and multiplying it by the number of hours, you can get approximate total gas consumption in grams for your stay. Divide that by 1000 to convert it to Kg, and compare it to your bottle size. (Note - the cooker will quote the rate for the whole cooker, so for estimating divide the cookers rated figure by the number of rings, grills and ovens etc.)

If you are not using a mains hook up, then don't forget to factor in the fridge, water heater and space heater.

If you find you are in danger of running out of gas, then consider arranging to fit Camping Gaz bottles, which are available throughout France and most of Western Europe, Depending on your system, you may need to arrange new regulators or pig tails.

Alternatively, Take both your bottles (I assume Calor) and use them exclusively for the caravan appliances, but also obtain a Camping Gaz regulator to take with you exclusively for your BBQ. To save weight, only purchase a bottle of Camping Gaz when you are there.

I hope this is of some help - Enjoy your holiday.

 

[Mark_sat]

Thanks for the replies.

I was hoping to calculate what we would use as suggested, I know the Cadac uses 298 grams/hour, so I figure I can get just over 23 hours usage from one bottle.

I cannot find any figures for the cooker however, I don't think that burns as much as the Cadac, so hopefully it would be enough. In my old van I could carry 2 x 13kg bottles, so I always had plenty.

I will be using electric hook up, for everything else. The gas is purely for cooking.

If we run out, we will have to have salads and french bread, not such a bad thing!

 

[Rioja]

Coincidentally, we have had the same thought process as you. We are going for a month in September and I have just been and bought two full 6kg Propane bottles. The reality is that we probably won't need them ,but better with rather than without despite the extra weight. In a month in Scotland we used less than one 6kg as we had electric for water heater, heater and fridge. Hopefully the same will apply in France, but, if due to low ampage, we then have the option to switch to gas if necessary. i used to van without mains hook up on a regular basis, and if you used gas for all the appliances I would use a 6kg bottle in about 3 days, but that was with the water heater left on constantly and having about 6 full showers and washing up too.

At home we run our cooker's gas hobs from a 19kg propane bottle and one lasts for years !

Enjoy the holiday ! We are getting quite excited as it's our first foreign venture !

 

[vernon]

I didn't even use one 7Kg cyclinder in eight weeks in France, but that was with no Cadac.

 

[NorfolkMike]

2*7kg are plenty for a month with Cardac in tow. If it is hot you will not want to be in the van cooking

ttfnso the cardac is king. Anyway you must cook eggs and bacon on the cardac outside just to show the continentals what breakfast is about.

 

[ValA.]

We take a two ring electric hob - plugged in to the outside electric point, and just inside the awning. It's amazing how delicious breakfast bacon tastes when cooked outside!

Next trip, in two weeks, we'll probably have to do without because of the restrictions due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease - oh well, back to the lovely crispy croissants, apricot jam and lavender honey - how will we manage.

 

[Rioja]

They sell bacon and eggs in France don't they ? If not, they certainly have sausage, egg,tomatoes, mushrooms, beans , STOP ..........I'm off to the kitchen right now ! Starving !

 

[graham_5040474]

We went to France for 9 weeks in 2005 with two full 7kg butane bottles. The first bottle lasted the full 9 weeks, and a further week back in the UK. We don't have a gas barbecue, though, and we ate a lot of picnic-style meals. As you are only catering for 3 weeks I'm sure you'll be fine for gas.

Have a great trip!

Graham

 

[trucker]

I did see in one of the magazines a set of connectors which fit most types of bottles of gas you can get on the continent, you screw one end to your connector and fit the other end to the different bottle. There were about 6 differing sizes in all, so if you are still worried about running out buy a set of connectors and you will be fine.

Kevin H