I'm going to buy some gas today and the appropriate regulators to check my appliances work. I'm going away for 2 weeks only and the gas will be powering the water heater, and used for cooking. Would a small 3.9kg bottle last for 2 weeks? And are both butane and propane the same price?
How much gas?
- Thread starter Netti_374307085
- Start date
Hi Netti,
We have the next size up, 6kg propane (equivalent 7kg butane) as this seems to be the size that everyone else uses and is also the size that best fits the space in the gas locker. We carry two cylinders.
We have the next size up, 6kg propane (equivalent 7kg butane) as this seems to be the size that everyone else uses and is also the size that best fits the space in the gas locker. We carry two cylinders.
No you won`t have enough gas invest in a 6kg and the price of propane is different to butane,i would recommend that you change to propane and use this all year round as it will work in colder temperatures
Last year we started with two full 7kg butane bottles for a six week trip around Germany and came home with about one about a third full. This year we are changing to 6kg calor "light" propane and are off in May for a six week tour of France. Propane is a bit more pricey from our local stockist but because it is in the new light bottles it should save a bit on diesel. Also, I understand that propane has a higher calorific value so therefore should be more effective Again we will be starting with two full bottles.
I think that one 3.9 kg bottle is possibly cutting it a bit fine. If you change to Calor "Light" don't forget that you have to change the gas "pigtail".
Michael - Derbyshire
I think that one 3.9 kg bottle is possibly cutting it a bit fine. If you change to Calor "Light" don't forget that you have to change the gas "pigtail".
Michael - Derbyshire
I thought butane had the higher calorific value, and was cleaner burning - isn't that why people favour it unless they require the all-year-round capabilities of propane?
Butane has a lower calorific value and because of that it burns more smoothly, or cleanly, according to the Haynes Caravan Handbook.
I've just looked into the prices of the smaller bottles and from one supplier the difference is only
I've just looked into the prices of the smaller bottles and from one supplier the difference is only
I have looked up butane and propane in my old chemistry books and I was wrong before. Butane IS more heat efficient. So sorry about the mis-information. It teaches me to check before relying on a memory from 45 years ago!
Michael - Derbyshire
Michael - Derbyshire
Hello Netti,
It is a difficult question to answer exactly, simply because it all depends on how much you use. As a guide, all gas appliances should tell on their data plates you how much gas they use usually in grammes per hour when they are running.
What you have to be aware of is how long these appliances use the gas:
The fridge for example burns continuously so that one is easy,
The water heater burns to get the water up to temperature, then it turns off until the warter temperature falls. Generally if no hot water is being drawn of then the heater will run for about 6 mins every hour to maintain the temperature, So that is roughly 10% but of course it will turn on for longer if you use some hot water. It takes roughly 25 to 30 mins to heat water from cold so allow for that say twice a day,
The cooker is on as long as you turn it on, and of course you probably won't be using all of the rings/grill all at the same time. So you will end up using less than the data plate rate.
It should be possible to estimate your usage. With care a single bottle could last your whole trip, especially if the weather is warm.
A simple tip though it may be obvious, only heat enough water for your immediate needs , Only turn on the water heater half n hour before you need it, and off again immediately afterwards. Put on a jumper rather than lighting the fire etc.
Being in a caravan is far less damaging to the environment than being at home we fuels far more efficiently and sparingly.
It is a difficult question to answer exactly, simply because it all depends on how much you use. As a guide, all gas appliances should tell on their data plates you how much gas they use usually in grammes per hour when they are running.
What you have to be aware of is how long these appliances use the gas:
The fridge for example burns continuously so that one is easy,
The water heater burns to get the water up to temperature, then it turns off until the warter temperature falls. Generally if no hot water is being drawn of then the heater will run for about 6 mins every hour to maintain the temperature, So that is roughly 10% but of course it will turn on for longer if you use some hot water. It takes roughly 25 to 30 mins to heat water from cold so allow for that say twice a day,
The cooker is on as long as you turn it on, and of course you probably won't be using all of the rings/grill all at the same time. So you will end up using less than the data plate rate.
It should be possible to estimate your usage. With care a single bottle could last your whole trip, especially if the weather is warm.
A simple tip though it may be obvious, only heat enough water for your immediate needs , Only turn on the water heater half n hour before you need it, and off again immediately afterwards. Put on a jumper rather than lighting the fire etc.
Being in a caravan is far less damaging to the environment than being at home we fuels far more efficiently and sparingly.
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