Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

OAT · 2018-10-01 23:01:06

After four nights last winter at under -12 in the beast from the east, I am going to indulge in a bit of heating this year but don't fancy the cost of using camping gaz.

I currently use various sizes of Camping Gaz despite the rip off price, due to them fitting out of the way in my cupboards. Depending on the trip I usually carry a spare so on a long trip I have two large cylinders to stow.

I was thinking of closing the rear doors off for winter which would mean I could change to having a medium calor bottle strapped against the door.

I wondered though if the situation with Gaslow type refillables had improved at all? Last time I looked, it was legal to refill them at the pump but most forecourts didn't allow it.

Anyone using refillables and how easy are they to get refilled?

I don't mean "unofficial" refilling from large cylinders btw. I don't fancy that.

kenbw2 · 2018-10-02 13:45:06

It's a shame the Campingaz ones are so outrageously expensive to refill as I agree, they're the perfect size =/ I have a 4.5kg Butane Calor for the primary bottle, and a 904 Campingaz as my backup spare.

The Calor is strapped to the inside of the van, right in the back corner. I have it in a sealed bucket with a pipe going running outside to the vent near the sliding door. No need to block off the rear doors, it fits reasonably nicely if you raise it up a bit so it sits on the wheel arch.

Last edited by kenbw2 (2018-10-02 14:03:08)

OAT · 2018-10-02 22:06:15

Can't put anything to the sides in the back of mine as I have built in units there. My fridge and stove are where your cylinder is. I might use the porta-potty locker on the nearside for a 3.9 propane though.

Sealing the rear doors is as much for insulation as anything else. I would also either mount a minicat heater on a door or have a minicat cabinet heater up against them. I would also have a side to side worktop over them.

If I go for a cabinet heater the cylinder will be inside it. If wall mounted, it will be in the near side cupboard. With appropriate containment and dropouts of course.

Only for winter as I like to be able to open all six doors in summer and don't need space for the heater or it's extra gas.

Good idea with the insulation round the cylinder. I was reduced to taking disposable canisters to bed with me last year when my cylinders froze.

Last edited by OAT (2018-10-02 22:21:31)

kenbw2 · 2018-10-02 23:01:04

OAT wrote:

Can't put anything to the sides in the back of mine as I have built in units there. My fridge and stove are where your cylinder is. I might use the porta-potty locker on the nearside for a 3.9 propane though.
Sealing the rear doors is as much for insulation as anything else. I would also either mount a minicat heater on a door or have a minicat cabinet heater up against them. I would also have a side to side worktop over them.
If I go for a cabinet heater the cylinder will be inside it. If wall mounted, it will be in the near side cupboard. With appropriate containment and dropouts of course.
Only for winter as I like to be able to open all six doors in summer and don't need space for the heater or it's extra gas.

Makes sense smile

OAT wrote:

Good idea with the insulation round the cylinder. I was reduced to taking disposable canisters to bed with me last year when my cylinders froze.

Oh that insulation isn't there to keep the bottle warm. In winter the gas bottle gets really cold and I got condensation on the outside of the bucket which left a puddle in the corner. The insulation is to lessen that.

I've definitely had to share a sleeping bag with those butane canisters before. I switch to propane in winter now I have the Calor.

Graydog · 2019-01-09 11:40:22

I have a small refillable propane bottle I acquired in Germany which has a screw valve to release any air left inside when filling,
I use it to fire the twin cooker in my day van it gives me several hours(5-6) usage which is more than adequate for my needs.
I can send pictures and more information should any one be interested

OAT · 2019-01-15 17:30:13

It's the filling of them that I'm mostly bothered about.

I heard that many, if not most forecourts won't let you fill loose bottles of any type. Only through the wall fixed fillers allowed. How do you get on filling yours in the UK Greydog?

Also, I understand that they shouldn't be filled above a certain percentage. How do you ensure you don't overfill?

I was at first thinking of the commercially available (and vastly overpriced) refillable bottles, but like the idea of this adaptor for standard Calor bottles :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlExdqtAvjM

Graydog · 2019-01-16 21:15:42

My refillable gas bottle only holds about 1.5litres, the main reason I use gas in such a small bottle is to fit in the space I have built for it and I only really use it to make cups of tea and coffee so don't need a larger bottle (as I say mine is a day van rather than a camper van), I fill it from any larger gas bottle I can manage to turn upside down using a gas line I bought from ebay which works fine for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHYpor_a0jQ

Similar method to this

OAT · 2019-01-18 19:01:43

Thanks Greydog.

I may give it a go.

OAT · 2019-01-18 21:23:08

Thanks Greydog.

I may give it a go.

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#1 2018-10-01 23:01:06

Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#2 2018-10-02 13:45:06

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#3 2018-10-02 22:06:15

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#4 2018-10-02 23:01:04

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#5 2019-01-09 11:40:22

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#6 2019-01-15 17:30:13

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#7 2019-01-16 21:15:42

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#8 2019-01-18 19:01:43

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

#9 2019-01-18 21:23:08

Re: Refilable Gas Cylinders...Anyone using them?

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