Gas change-over or not?

[albouy]

Hi, I just ran out of gas, ouch! I have been looking at buying a re-fillable bottle and kit. I pay 22euros for a 10kilo bottle. The bottle size is not huge which is a bonus. So, at 22 e a month, what advantage/disadvantage would it be. If I decide to buy a re-fillable, who has the best deals? Thanks all.

 

[Phill D]

Hi, I just ran out of gas, ouch! I have been looking at buying a re-fillable bottle and kit. I pay 22euros for a 10kilo bottle. The bottle size is not huge which is a bonus. So, at 22 e a month, what advantage/disadvantage would it be. If I decide to buy a re-fillable, who has the best deals? Thanks all.

That's about a euro a litre (approx) which is only slightly above refillable prices.
So the outlay for you would only likely be offset by convinience.

 

[Wagoneer]

If you only have a one bottle system, you've got just as much chance of running out, even with a refillable.

If your gas compartment is large enough, suggest you supplement your existing bottle with another from the same supplier. For convenience of operation, this will involve installing a changeover valve + new connecting hoses.

With this arrangement, you can keep the secondary bottle turned off. When the primary bottle runs out....just open the valve on the secondary bottle. You'll then know to exchange the primary bottle.

 

[gpat]

If you only have a one bottle system, you've got just as much chance of running out, even with a refillable.

If your gas compartment is large enough, suggest you supplement your existing bottle with another from the same supplier. For convenience of operation, this will involve installing a changeover valve + new connecting hoses.

With this arrangement, you can keep the secondary bottle turned off. When the primary bottle runs out....just open the valve on the secondary bottle. You'll then know to exchange the primary bottle.

I get what what you are saying, but with a refillable you can top up. With exchange bottles you can't unless you write off the remaining gas each time, so in a way, you have less chance of running out (if you top up)

 

[Stealaway]

Last time I bought a 13 kg bottle which holds 22 ltr of gas it was £35. It seems calor is now up to £45 per 22 ltr.
My Safefill refillable bottles hold almost 20ltr and costs less than £15 to fill.
A third of the price?
That's a good saving.

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[Wagoneer]

I get what what you are saying, but with a refillable you can top up. With exchange bottles you can't unless you write off the remaining gas each time, so in a way, you have less chance of running out (if you top up)

Depends how you manage the exchange bottle system if you have 2 bottles.

Once the primary bottle is exhausted, you replace it but continue to use the secondary bottle until it is exhausted (then replace it). It's a continuous process of exhaust & replenish, thereby there is no leaving unused gas in the exchange bottles.

Since the OP can purchase exchange gas at only slightly more than having refillable bottles...using exchange bottles seems to be an economical viable solution, if used in tandem.

I have 2 refillable bottles but find that EU gas varies in percentage of propane/butane, requiring a regular top-up with UK 100% propane to avoid loss of operating pressure. I guess the exchange bottles in EU (where the OP is based) is 100% propane.

 

[gpat]

Depends how you manage the exchange bottle system if you have 2 bottles.

Once the primary bottle is exhausted, you replace it but continue to use the secondary bottle until it is exhausted (then replace it). It's a continuous process of exhaust & replenish, thereby there is no leaving unused gas in the exchange bottles.

Since the OP can purchase exchange gas at only slightly more than having refillable bottles...using exchange bottles seems to be an economical viable solution, if used in tandem.

I have 2 refillable bottles but find that EU gas varies in percentage of propane/butane, requiring a regular top-up with UK 100% propane to avoid loss of operating pressure. I guess the exchange bottles in EU (where the OP is based) is 100% propane.

I was talking about a situation where you only had one bottle.

 

[cyberyacht]

Assuming exchange bottles are widely and readily available and given the cost of a refillable installation, there is no significant advantage to the OP. The UK situation is entirely different given the stranglehold by a couple of LPG suppliers on exchange cylinders.

 

[Landy Andy]

It also depends on which countries you tour. Having a refillable system allows you to top up, refill in any country. There is not that option if you have uk/French cylinders, and are touring Spain/Germany.