European gas bottle advice

[LindsayH]

Please can someone talk me through everything I need to know about gas bottles in Europe? I currently have 2 x 7kg blue Calor which I think is butane. I have a regulator on a tube and swap when I run out (apprx every 4 weeks) and change the empty as soon as possible. Am I right in thinking that the best thing to do is take one of these with me and keep one foreign bottle in at a time, using the Calor just when the foreign one has run out and I'm looking for a new one? How does it work in Europe and going to different countries when you don't have a bottle to exchange? Do people just leave empty ones from other countries somewhere?
I think I need new regulators for each different bottle, are they easy to change? Can anyone point me in the direction of a good Youtube video for changing regulators?
Your practical experiences and advice would be welcomed
Thanks - Lindsay x

 

[witzend]

The size of bottles your motorhome will take will make a difference. A French bottle is the same connector as your uk butane but the bottles bigger and may not fit the smaller ones are larger diameter than your butane. So you need to post size of gas cupboard

 

[LindsayH]

The size of bottles your motorhome will take will make a difference. A French bottle is the same connector as your uk butane but the bottles bigger and may not fit the smaller ones are larger diameter than your butane. So you need to post size of gas cupboard

Ok, thanks for this. This is the sort of info that is really helpful. I'll have a look and maybe take some photos/measurements tomorrow.

 

[oppy]

Bottled gas is very much cheaper in France. You can actually buy a full bottle for less than a refill in the UK at supermarches and then buy refills as and when needed, they often come with a free regulator too.

 

[LindsayH]

Bottled gas is very much cheaper in France. You can actually buy a full bottle for less than a refill in the UK at supermarches and then buy refills as and when needed, they often come with a free regulator too.

That sounds fantastic, thanks!

 

[witzend]

Bottled gas is very much cheaper in France. .

11kg propane at Intermarche super market was 20€ last week their still only 1€ deposit. Intermarche are one of France,s largest super market chains with fuel stations all over France so a good bottle to use

 

[jann]

It all depends how long you go for.We take two 13 kg bottles which last 9 to 10 weeks.That is enough for us.Make sure you start off with two full bottles not 1 and half.If you need more you will have to buy when you get there,

 

[LindsayH]

Thanks the price info is helpful. It sounds like good value. Vanface is having a couple of niggley bits sorted by the garage at the mo but I'll take a look at the gas cupboard size as soon as I can as I'm a bit worried about that now. The two 7kg bottles are quite a tight fit if I remember rightly. Has anyone changed a regulator themselves? Is it easy enough? I'm on butane at the moment, should I look for that or is propane ok?
I will definitely need to change bottles when I'm there. It doesn't last that long and it's getting colder all the time...

 

[witzend]

This is intermarche own brand bottle
50 x 28 cm approx

 

[Canalsman]

I would recommend that you change to propane before the colder weather arrives.

Butane ceases to vaporise at temperatures not far above freezing so when you may need the gas the most it gives up the ghost!

 

[Channa]

If you can survive without your calor leave them at home the day you sail just carrying weight and yaking space

a 13 kg will probably fit rather than two smaller to change the regulator it pulls off the rubber hose and attach the new
Chewing it or dipped in hot water and a bit of fairy makes it easier to fit and secure with a jubilee clip

You are using a bottle top regulator so go for a 37 mbar suitable for propane the French word is detendre

If you are visiting Spain in France look for repsol brand as both countries use them, if not need a separate regulator but it is good to build a collection

Channa

 

[LindsayH]

This is intermarche own brand bottle
50 x 28 cm approx
View attachment 67440

This is SO helpful, thanks! I take it this is propane? Is this the larger 13kg ish bottle? Thanks again x

 

[LindsayH]

I would recommend that you change to propane before the colder weather arrives.

Butane ceases to vaporise at temperatures not far above freezing so when you may need the gas the most it gives up the ghost!

Thanks Chris! So it sounds like it's time I switch over wherever I go. I wonder why it has butane as it is an English van? If my gas gave up I would not be a happy bunny...

 

[LindsayH]

If you can survive without your calor leave them at home the day you sail just carrying weight and yaking space

a 13 kg will probably fit rather than two smaller to change the regulator it pulls off the rubber hose and attach the new
Chewing it or dipped in hot water and a bit of fairy makes it easier to fit and secure with a jubilee clip

You are using a bottle top regulator so go for a 37 mbar suitable for propane the French word is detendre

If you are visiting Spain in France look for repsol brand as both countries use them, if not need a separate regulator but it is good to build a collection

Channa

Thanks Channa! I'm not sure I can survive without gas, if I miss even one cup of tea I turn into a werewolf
I'd also rather not have the pressure of trying to find gas and change a regulator within a day or two. No doubt in the future I'll be confident enough to do this and it is a good idea. I have wondered if there is anywhere here I can find a French bottle and regulator. That way I could leave both my bottles in Windsor on my way South.
I do like to carry 2 bottles so there is no mad rush to find a new one but I guess I'll have to see how I go size wise. 'Detendre', thanks. Someone needs to write a motorhomers language guide to Europe! A few key words and phrases in the 6 most common languages or something...
I will look for Repsol as that sounds much easier!
x

 

[harrow]

Thanks Channa! I'm not sure I can survive without gas, if I miss even one cup of tea I turn into a werewolf
I'd also rather not have the pressure of trying to find gas and change a regulator within a day or two. No doubt in the future I'll be confident enough to do this and it is a good idea. I have wondered if there is anywhere here I can find a French bottle and regulator. That way I could leave both my bottles in Windsor on my way South.
I do like to carry 2 bottles so there is no mad rush to find a new one but I guess I'll have to see how I go size wise. 'Detendre', thanks. Someone needs to write a motorhomers language guide to Europe! A few key words and phrases in the 6 most common languages or something...
I will look for Repsol as that sounds much easier!
x

There was someone on here trying to give away a french or spanish bottle and search ebay.

 

[LindsayH]

Thanks Harrow, I'm just checking ebay now.

Another quick question, what is a 'pigtail' and do I need to change it?

 

[spigot]

Why not get a refillable system, Gas-It or Gaslow, then all you need do is top up at a filling station.

Saves all that frigging about with different bottles, pigtails, regulators, et al.

 

[Channa]

Thanks Harrow, I'm just checking ebay now.

Another quick question, what is a 'pigtail' and do I need to change it?

you wont need to change it on a bottle top regulator, attach the rubber pipe over the male part of the regulator and secure with a jubilee clip link to show you

37Mbar Standard Propane Regulator | Gas Equipment Direct

It is the fitting at the left hand side of the picture which differs abroad the picture illustrates a propane reg for calor

Channa

 

[LindsayH]

Why not get a refillable system, Gas-It or Gaslow, then all you need do is top up at a filling station.

Saves all that frigging about with different bottles, pigtails, regulators, et al.

I have looked into it, but for various reasons, not least of which the fact that I'm on a very limited budget and have to pay for a new shower tray and tax the van this month, have decided against at the moment.

 

[LindsayH]

you wont need to change it on a bottle top regulator, attach the rubber pipe over the male part of the regulator and secure with a jubilee clip link to show you

37Mbar Standard Propane Regulator | Gas Equipment Direct

It is the fitting at the left hand side of the picture which differs abroad the picture illustrates a propane reg for calor

Channa

Fab Channa, cheers. It's much easier to understand when looking at a pic without the hose attached x