Camping Gas Bottles Explained: Propane, Butane, Calor, Flogas & Campingaz – Which Is Right for You?
Your complete guide to camping gas bottles, cylinder sizes, regulators and availability in the UK.
Whether you’re heading off on a camping weekend, planning a caravan holiday or exploring the UK in your motorhome, having the right gas supply is an important part of enjoying your time away.
From cooking breakfast on your camping stove to heating your caravan on a chilly evening, bottled gas helps keep many of our favourite home comforts running when we’re away from home.
But with so many different gas bottles available, choosing the right one can be confusing.
What’s the difference between propane and butane? Which gas bottle is best for your caravan? What’s the difference between Calor and Flogas? And where can you find replacement gas bottles when travelling?
At IDS Camping & Leisure, we’ve put together this helpful guide to explain the different types of camping gas, popular cylinder sizes, connections and availability across the UK.
Propane vs Butane – What’s the Difference?
The two main types of bottled gas used for camping, caravanning and motorhomes are propane and butane.
Both are forms of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), but they behave differently in colder temperatures.
Propane Gas – The Best Choice for Year-Round Touring
Propane is one of the most popular choices for caravans and motorhomes, particularly for people who enjoy travelling throughout the year.
Its biggest advantage is that it continues to vaporise at much lower temperatures than butane.
This makes propane particularly useful during autumn and winter when temperatures can drop below freezing.
Advantages of propane:
Suitable for year-round camping and caravanning.
Performs better in cold weather.
Ideal for compatible caravan heating and hot water systems.
Available in a range of cylinder sizes.
Widely used in motorhomes and touring caravans.
Propane has a boiling point of approximately -42°C (outside temperature), although the amount of gas a cylinder can supply still depends on temperature, cylinder size and demand.
Best suited to: Year-round caravanning, motorhomes, winter camping and compatible outdoor heating equipment.
Butane Gas – Ideal for Warmer Weather
Butane is another popular choice for camping and leisure equipment, particularly during the warmer months.
It is commonly used with portable gas heaters, camping stoves and certain caravan appliances.
However, butane doesn’t perform as well as propane in cold conditions.
With a boiling point of approximately -0.5°C (outside temperature), it becomes difficult to draw gas from a cylinder when temperatures approach freezing.
Advantages of butane:
Well suited to warmer-weather camping.
Popular for portable cooking equipment.
Available in smaller cylinder sizes.
Useful for summer holidays and occasional camping trips.
Best suited to: Summer camping, compatible portable cooking appliances and warmer-weather leisure activities.
Calor Gas Bottles – A Familiar Name in UK Caravanning
Calor is one of the best-known bottled gas brands in the UK and has been widely used by caravan owners, campers and motorhome enthusiasts for many years.
Calor supplies both propane and butane cylinders, with several sizes designed for different applications.
Common examples include:
Cylinder Typical use
6kg Propane -Touring caravans and motorhomes
13kg Propane - Larger compatible gas installations
7kg Butane - Camping and warmer-weather caravanning - 15kg Butane
Higher-consumption compatible appliances
Calor has also discontinued some smaller cylinder sizes, including its former 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane ranges.
If you have an older cylinder, it’s worth checking the latest exchange arrangements directly with Calor.
Where Can You Get Calor Gas?
Calor cylinders are available through participating UK retailers and gas stockists.
Availability varies depending on cylinder size, location and demand, particularly during busy holiday periods.
You can find more information at www.calor.co.uk.
Flogas Gas Bottles – Another Popular UK Alternative
Flogas is another major supplier of bottled LPG in the UK and offers a range of cylinders suitable for camping, caravans, motorhomes, barbecues and outdoor leisure equipment.
For people looking at alternatives to their existing gas supplier, Flogas is certainly worth considering.
What Types of Flogas Gas Bottles Are Available?
Flogas offers a selection of propane and butane cylinders, along with its lightweight Gaslight range.
Common options include:
Cylinder Typical use
6kg Propane -Caravans and motorhomes
11kg Propane - Compatible outdoor appliances
7kg Butane - Camping and leisure
13kg Butane - Larger compatible appliances
5kg Gaslight - Portable outdoor leisure equipment
10kg Gaslight - Barbecues and compatible outdoor appliances
The exact range and availability can change, so always check with Flogas or your chosen stockist.
Flogas Gaslight – A Lightweight Alternative
One of the interesting products offered by Flogas is its Gaslight range.
Unlike traditional steel gas cylinders, Gaslight bottles feature lightweight composite construction.
They also allow users to see the approximate level of gas remaining, which can be particularly useful when planning a camping trip or barbecue.
Gaslight cylinders can be easier to handle than comparable traditional steel bottles, although compatibility with your equipment and storage arrangements must always be checked.
How Available Is Flogas Across the UK?
Flogas has an extensive network of suppliers and stockists throughout the UK.
This makes it a useful option to investigate if you’re looking for a local gas supplier or planning a longer touring holiday.
Flogas also operates cylinder exchange arrangements for eligible bottles.
However, it’s important to remember that not all stockists carry every cylinder size, and exchange conditions can vary.
Our advice: Before setting off to collect a gas bottle, contact your chosen supplier to confirm that the size and type you need are available.
You can find your nearest participating supplier using the Flogas Stockist Finder.
Can You Exchange Calor Bottles for Flogas?
Flogas may accept certain cylinders from other brands under its current exchange arrangements.
However, not all cylinders are eligible, and exchanges may be restricted by cylinder type or category.
Always check directly with Flogas or an authorised stockist before assuming that your existing cylinder can be exchanged.
Campingaz – A Popular Choice for Camping Stoves
Campingaz is particularly popular with tent campers and people using portable camping stoves. It is more suited for the warmer months
Its compact refillable cylinders are useful where space is limited and a large gas bottle isn’t practical.
Two familiar Campingaz cylinder types are the 904 and 907, although availability can vary.
Campingaz also produces smaller gas cartridges designed for compatible portable appliances.
One advantage of Campingaz is its established presence in a number of European countries, which can be helpful for campers travelling abroad.
However, cylinder exchange arrangements and product availability differ between countries and retailers.
Gas Cartridges – Ideal for Portable Camping Stoves
Not every camping stove requires a traditional refillable gas bottle.
Many smaller stoves use disposable gas cartridges, which are convenient for short camping trips, picnics and backpacking.
Common cartridge types include:
Threaded EN417 cartridges: Often used with lightweight backpacking stoves.
Bayonet cartridges: Commonly found in portable tabletop camping stoves.
Pierceable cartridges: Used with certain older or specialist camping appliances.
Some cartridges contain butane, while others use propane and butane mixtures or other LPG blends.
Always use the cartridge type specified by your stove manufacturer. Different fittings are not automatically interchangeable.
What Size Gas Bottle Do You Need?
Choosing the correct gas bottle size depends on several factors.
Think about how long you’ll be away, how much cooking you’ll do and whether your gas will also be powering heating, refrigeration or hot water.
For short camping trips, a small cylinder or compatible gas cartridge may be sufficient.
For touring caravans and motorhomes, 6kg propane cylinders are a popular option because they provide a useful balance between capacity and portability.
Larger cylinders may be suitable for some installations, but you must always check the dimensions of your gas locker, the manufacturer’s permitted cylinder sizes and the maximum safe weight.
IDS Camping & Leisure Tip: Before buying a new cylinder, check the space available in your caravan or motorhome gas locker. Not all cylinders are the same shape or size, even when they contain similar amounts of gas.
Gas Regulators – Getting the Right Connection
A gas regulator is an essential part of many bottled gas systems.
It reduces the pressure of gas leaving the cylinder to the pressure required by the appliance.
Different systems can require different regulator pressures and connections.
Traditionally, many UK appliances use:
37mbar regulators for propane.
28mbar regulators for butane.
30mbar regulators for compatible modern caravan and motorhome installations.
Some gas bottles use screw-on connections, while others have clip-on fittings.
A regulator that physically fits a cylinder is not necessarily suitable for the appliance.
Always check the correct gas type, regulator pressure, connection and flow capacity.
If you’re unsure about your gas installation, consult a suitably qualified gas professional rather than attempting to modify it yourself.
How Long Does a Camping Gas Bottle Last?
This is one of the most common questions asked by caravan and motorhome owners.
Unfortunately, there’s no single answer because gas consumption varies considerably.
For example, cooking a few meals each day will generally use much less gas than running a caravan heating system during cold weather.
Your gas usage depends on:
The size of your cylinder.
The appliances you’re using.
How often you cook.
Whether you use gas for heating or hot water.
The outside temperature.
The efficiency and settings of your equipment.
As a simple example, a 6kg propane cylinder could theoretically supply an appliance consuming 0.3kg of gas per hour for around 20 hours.
Actual running times will vary, particularly when several appliances are being used.
If you’re heading away for a longer trip, it’s worth checking your gas supply before leaving and identifying possible replacement suppliers along your route.
Essential Camping Gas Safety Tips
Whether you’re using Calor, Flogas, Campingaz or another gas brand, safety should always come first.
1. Keep gas cylinders secure and upright.
Standard vapour-withdrawal LPG cylinders should normally be stored and used upright, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Check hoses and connections.
Inspect accessible components for visible wear or damage and arrange replacement when required.
3. Never use outdoor gas stoves inside tents.
Outdoor cooking equipment can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in enclosed spaces.
4. Make sure ventilation openings remain clear.
Caravan and motorhome gas lockers and appliances require suitable ventilation.
5. Never check for leaks with a flame.
Use an appropriate leak-detection product according to its instructions.
6. Use the correct regulator.
Never force a connection or use an unsuitable adapter.
7. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm.
A suitable alarm provides an important additional safety measure in caravans and motorhomes.
8. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Gas appliances, cylinders and installations can have different operating requirements.
If you smell gas, turn off the supply if safe, avoid ignition sources and electrical switches, leave the area and seek appropriate assistance.
Permanent LPG systems should be installed and serviced by appropriately qualified professionals.
Which Camping Gas Is Best for You?
Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose.
Camping activity Gas option to consider
Summer tent camping - Butane or suitable cartridges
Winter caravanning - Propane
Year-round motorhome touring - Propane
Portable camping stoves - Manufacturer-approved cartridges
Caravan heating - Gas approved for the installed system
Outdoor barbecues - Compatible propane or butane
European camping holidays - Campingaz may be worth considering
Remember that the best option isn’t simply the cheapest or most widely available bottle.
It must also be suitable for your equipment, regulator and intended conditions.
Where Can You Find Camping Gas in the UK?
Gas bottle availability can vary considerably depending on where you are and which cylinder you need.
Before heading off on holiday, it’s sensible to check that you have enough gas and know where replacements can be obtained.
For current availability, you can check directly with the main suppliers:
Calor: www.calor.co.uk
Flogas: www.flogas.co.uk
Campingaz: www.campingaz.co.uk
Always confirm cylinder sizes, stock and exchange arrangements with the supplier before travelling.
Does IDS Camping & Leisure Supply Gas Bottles?
At IDS Camping & Leisure, we love helping people make the most of their camping, caravanning and motorhome adventures.
Although we don’t currently sell or exchange gas bottles, we believe that sharing practical information is an important part of helping our customers enjoy the great outdoors.
Understanding the differences between propane, butane, Calor, Flogas and Campingaz can help you make better decisions about your equipment and prepare for your next trip.
For bottled gas purchases and exchanges, please contact an authorised gas supplier.
Get Ready for Your Next Adventure with IDS Camping & Leisure
Whether you’re enjoying a weekend camping trip, heading away in your caravan or setting off on a motorhome adventure, good preparation makes all the difference.
Choosing the right equipment, understanding your gas setup and checking everything before departure can help make your holiday safer, easier and more enjoyable.
At IDS Camping & Leisure, we’re passionate about camping, caravanning and outdoor leisure, and we’re always happy to share useful advice and information.
Explore our range of camping and leisure products and get ready to make more memories in the great outdoors.
Happy camping from the team at IDS Camping & Leisure!
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