Re-filling Propane bottles

[birdwoman]

I've read in several threads that it is possible to get Propane Gas bottles refilled in Sweden, Norway, Denmark & Netherlands. Do you have to provide the adapters or do the gas stations have them?

 

[jollyrodger]

You will need these IF you have refillable bottles
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/201199732551

Or this if you only have std propane bottles
But only if know how to fill them



And by the way your

 

[vwalan]

filling other bottles as been done for years in many countries . usually if close to a good marina .
holland is very easy.
most places with marinas or canals etc someone will know where to send you.

 

[birdwoman]

Thanks for the info. Jollyroger - What do you mean "only if you know how". I assumed ignorantly that with the adapters one could use lpg found in petrol stations

 

[Speve]

Thanks for the info. Jollyroger - What do you mean "only if you know how". I assumed ignorantly that with the adapters one could use lpg found in petrol stations

If you have a refillable system in your van such as Gaslow or Gasit you can fill up with Autogas but not simple cylinders such as Calor.
We were in Sweden last year we have a refillable system,have to say that Autogas pumps were scarce especially the further North you go.

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[jollyrodger]

Thanks for the info. Jollyroger - What do you mean "only if you know how". I assumed ignorantly that with the adapters one could use lpg found in petrol stations

Not all filling points / garages will let you fill in fact may come out to check .have just gone over to refillable bottles as things are getting tougher to fill
Fill only when empty ,valve open,connect nozzle ,fill to 80% and close valve on bottle before removing nozzle . Find the quickest route to A&E if things go wrong ,though it maybe too late for that

 

[TerryL]

Ermm, if I could just expand on that a bit: I'm assuming you have a standard refillable system installed with a separate filler.

Bottle doesn't have to be empty;
Gaslow (and others) say you should keep the bottle valves closed when refilling, although it actually doesn't make any difference;
Connect nozzle - using a suitable adapter, 3 or 4 types cover different countries. You can buy a set off Ebay;
Fill until the pump cuts off - there is an automatic cutoff within the bottle to prevent it overfilling;
You'll probably get a spurt of gas when you disconnect which is quite normal; worth wearing a pair of decent gloves 'cos it's VERY cold.

If ever I've had a problem, the attendants are usually happy to help.

I've only ever been refused in France, but I just moved on to the next filling station. It seems to be a problem mostly on the autoroutes.

There ARE other ways of filling gas bottles, some legal and others bloody dangerous - that's when you REALLY have to know what you're doing!

 

[birdwoman]

Er, no, currently I have 2 x 13kg returnable calor gas bottles. I wanted to know if you can refill these. If not what I will need for an extended trip to Sweden/Norway.

 

[TerryL]

Okaaay.....

Well the kit on the link will probably work - but I believe it is devices like this that have caused the problems in France, I understand there have been several accidents using them. Your choice but I wouldn't touch them - personal opinion to all the keyboard warriors waiting to contradict me.

 

[birdwoman]

Tx Terry. Looks like I will have to take one full cylinder from the UK and purchase a new cylinder one Norway. , unless it possible to get adaptors to convert pigtail to what ever they use in Norway

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[EX51SSS]

 

[mikethebike147]

We have not had our motorhome very long and we have the Gaslow refillable LPG system, but we have not tried refilling it as yet. One bottle remains untouched whilst the other is looking like its about a quarter full. As we are heading to France for an extended stay very soon I would have liked to have had a 'go' at filling here in UK before I had to mess about doing it with adaptors (which I have) in France. So can anyone confirm (as there seems to be mixed views), is it best to have bottle valve closed and is it ok to fill it before it's showing completely empty? Also I have no idea how much it takes to fill a bottle so just wondering if there is anything at the stations that says you have to draw a minimum amount?

 

[jockaneezer]

I think it's recommended to close the valves before refilling, I do if I remember As to filling when you're not sure how much gas you've used, don't worry about it, I think I refilled before our last one nighter in December, but as we're booked onto Chester for 5 nights over Easter with the chance of The Beast From The East Mk 3 putting in an appearance, I'll be going to my local outlet to top up to be on the safe side. Might be a bit embarrassing if we only need half a litre, but better that than running out during a mini Ice Age.

 

[joka250]

We have not had our motorhome very long and we have the Gaslow refillable LPG system, but we have not tried refilling it as yet. One bottle remains untouched whilst the other is looking like its about a quarter full. As we are heading to France for an extended stay very soon I would have liked to have had a 'go' at filling here in UK before I had to mess about doing it with adaptors (which I have) in France. So can anyone confirm (as there seems to be mixed views), is it best to have bottle valve closed and is it ok to fill it before it's showing completely empty? Also I have no idea how much it takes to fill a bottle so just wondering if there is anything at the stations that says you have to draw a minimum amount?

If I am absolutely honest as I neared the time I needed to fill our Gaslow bottles I dreaded it, silly isn't it. It was easy, just follow the instructions on the pump. There is a minimum fill on most pumps, I forget the amount, but not much. Don't wait till empty, you'll be fine as you are. Yes it is recommended to close valves before filling. If like me after the first fill it's just as routine as Derv or petrol. I downloaded an app from www.filllpg.co.uk it's free and quite useful. Enjoy your travels.

 

[jumar]

If I am absolutely honest as I neared the time I needed to fill our Gaslow bottles I dreaded it, silly isn't it. It was easy, just follow the instructions on the pump. There is a minimum fill on most pumps, I forget the amount, but not much. Don't wait till empty, you'll be fine as you are. Yes it is recommended to close valves before filling. If like me after the first fill it's just as routine as Derv or petrol. I downloaded an app from www.filllpg.co.uk it's free and quite useful. Enjoy your travels.

Ask assistance from attendant, tell them its the first time you have done it and you don't want to blow them up, explain that if you do they will be OUT OF A JOB and you will be OUT OF SPACE if you get it wrong. Close cylinder valves on both, topping up is one of the advantages of re-fillable cylinders....along with many more. Once seen you will see how easy it is.....

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[Pete5996]

As others have said, it is recommended to close the valve - if you're travellling, it should be closed anyway (Secumotion excepted). Doesn't need to be empty either - keep your finger on the button and the fill will stop automatically.

I've found that the French system with the funnel adaptor is actually easier than the UK bayonet.

Short video here may help:

 

[Shrimp]

@mikethebike147
It’s actually easier in France to fill Gaslow, the nozzle clips on and stays on there whilst you hold the button on the pump until it stops then the bottle is full.
Hubby says it’s far easier in France, you need an adapter tho.
Last time we filled in France the other day it cost 18€ for 21 litres.

 

[EX51SSS]

18€ for 21 litres is expensive IMO. Just passed our local LPG filling station and it had just gone up to £0.53 litre.

 

[jollyrodger]

When filling
STD propane non refillable -Empty - valve open (OP)
Refillable Gasit or whatever valves closed
To protect regulator. Fill anytime half full top up Simples
Trago Mills Heathfield Devon £0. 63lt
Cribbs causeway Bristol junction 17 poss cheaper
Popcorn sold in the kiosk

 

[mikethebike147]

Thanks for all the advice, ee it's a grand place this is!!

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[Jenben]

Er, no, currently I have 2 x 13kg returnable calor gas bottles. I wanted to know if you can refill these. If not what I will need for an extended trip to Sweden/Norway.

You will find a number of lpg dealers in Norway who will refill any type of bottle for you. They have the adapters and kit to properly refill most bottles to the correct 80% fill level. We bought a refilled campinggaz bottle out there - they had an exchange in stock but said if not they would have just refilled ours.

Here’s an example in Voss .

We found several similar dealers on our travels up through Norway - We used the mylpg.eu website. You will need to check the links to each suppliers website though as many you find will be basic lpg pumps at a petrol station rather than a bottle filling agent.

 

[TerryL]

Yes, in Norway we only refilled once and that was at a place that filled gas bottles (found it on MyLPG).

 

[Freespirit1]

I've read in several threads that it is possible to get Propane Gas bottles refilled in Sweden, Norway, Denmark & Netherlands. Do you have to provide the adapters or do the gas stations have them?

Connect a high pressure pipe between them - tie the full one upside down in a tree and open both taps - stand well clear and wait till you can’t hear any more hissing noise

Yep my conscience has got the better of me:

Don’t do it - it’s very unsafe but can be seen in Morocco as one solution

 

[Minxy]

Just to add ... when refilling Gasit/Gaslow type cylinders please, please wear gloves ... if the gas gets anywhere near you it will give you 'cold' burns which are very nasty.

 

[TheBig1]

Just to add ... when refilling Gasit/Gaslow type cylinders please, please wear gloves ... if the gas gets anywhere near you it will give you 'cold' burns which are very nasty.

proper freezer gloves too, not wooly gloves, kitchen gloves or garden gloves. when liquid propane escapes and turns to gas it expands to 200 times the volume and instantly freezes anything it touches. it will burn flesh to the bone within seconds. it is very nasty stuff to be playing with if you dont know exactly what you are doing. even if you do know, accidents happen. ask @Snowbird who got a nasty burn a while back

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/caution-with-lpg.127154/#post-1791613

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[rickwiggans]

before I had to mess about doing it with adaptors (which I have) in France

It's not particularly difficult. Once you've done it a couple of times you'll be fine. Actually, it's easier using the French fitting than the UK one - if you are OK here, you'll find it a doddle in France.

 

[chaser]

It's not particularly difficult. Once you've done it a couple of times you'll be fine. Actually, it's easier using the French fitting than the UK one - if you are OK here, you'll find it a doddle in France.

That is very true, why on earth we don't have the French type here I just don't know.

 

[hilldweller]

Last time we filled in France the other day it cost 18€ for 21 litres.

And I am fuming - right now we are on Calor so I go to local shop, swap a 6kg Calor and get charged £22.

Thats £22 for 12l isn't it - nearly £2 a litre.

It was daylight and I was robbed.

PS... Just looked up a price on www. 6kg = £21.80 but 13kg = £29.68. So a massive "service fee" is in there.

 

[Shrimp]

We wouldn’t go back to ordinary cylinders now even if we change the van we will have refillable again-Gaslow or ? Depends what’s about & price!

 

[Electraglide]

And I am fuming - right now we are on Calor so I go to local shop, swap a 6kg Calor and get charged £22.

Thats £22 for 12l isn't it - nearly £2 a litre.

It was daylight and I was robbed.

PS... Just looked up a price on www. 6kg = £21.80 but 13kg = £29.68. So a massive
"service fee" is in there.

Just done the same, a least it was a welding kit/steel supplier. Certain I paid about £25.00 in a garden centre a few years ago on a Sunday. Only place open

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