oldgit
Well-known member
is it just me ?
Shortage of 4.5 kilo Butane.
- Thread starter oldgit
- Start date
Gitane
Well-known member
No.
I had a devil of a job getting 4.5kg butane in Newlyn last month. Ended up renting a car and driving for an hour to source a bottle.
Apparently, the gas industry is short of bottles due to Covid as many more people than usual are buying bottles for staycations and not using the gas fast enough to return empties in time. The industry is reluctant to order more bottles in fear of being stuck with them when the Covid crisis is over.
I had a devil of a job getting 4.5kg butane in Newlyn last month. Ended up renting a car and driving for an hour to source a bottle.
Apparently, the gas industry is short of bottles due to Covid as many more people than usual are buying bottles for staycations and not using the gas fast enough to return empties in time. The industry is reluctant to order more bottles in fear of being stuck with them when the Covid crisis is over.
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
Calor are idiots. Year before Covid there was a shortage in the Summer too, their excuse then was that they were having to repaint the empty bottles and it took time. Reminds me of British Leyland.
ex-Gladys
Well-known member
Leisure vehicles (boats, motorhomes and caravans at least) are selling like hotcakes and the demand for gas has increased dramatically...
jaydee1976
Member
go for the bigger bottles
ballyabroad
Member
Having spoken to a Calor rep earlier today, there is unlikely to be any increase in supply of 4.5kg cylinders before the autumn. They have also been hit by their staff being 'pinged' and have had to deploy remaining drivers strategically around the country. Deliveries are at present delayed by up to 7 days. So rather than a supplier being able to order for next day delivery it may arrive sometime the following week. Apart from Patio 5 cylinders, all other cylinders are only being exchanged on a like for like basis. Again unlikely to change before the Autumn.
Bru
Well-known member
3.9 propane also hard to get hold of, i need one!
(It's all very well saying "go for bigger bottles" but bigger bottles won't fit in the gas locker!
(It's all very well saying "go for bigger bottles" but bigger bottles won't fit in the gas locker!
oldgit
Well-known member
The shortage has been going on for some considerable time.
Nobody around the Medway Towns has any 4.5k bottles..
Have tried the biggest "Camping International" and the smallest little garage in the middle of nowhere.
Even Plant Hire outlets.
The Isle of Sheppey is barren of gas as well
The good news .
A boater on our moorings has revealed he has an unused bottle on his boat .He removed all his gas appliances a few years ago and he was wondering what to do with the bottle.
Have decided to help him solve his problem.
Nobody around the Medway Towns has any 4.5k bottles..
Have tried the biggest "Camping International" and the smallest little garage in the middle of nowhere.
Even Plant Hire outlets.
The Isle of Sheppey is barren of gas as well
The good news .
A boater on our moorings has revealed he has an unused bottle on his boat .He removed all his gas appliances a few years ago and he was wondering what to do with the bottle.
Have decided to help him solve his problem.
peter.m
New member
I have been thinking about changing from camping gaz to calor. Perhaps I will stay as I am for a while longer.
Bru
Well-known member
Under normal circumstances it's a no brainer provided you've space for the slightly larger Calor bottles
But at the moment you're probably wise to hold off until Calor sort out their supply situation.
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
It's not a problem to fill your own small Calor bottles from a larger one, just need a hose to connect between the two. The full bottle needs to be upside down during transfer.
Aquaboy
Well-known member
Much of the world refills your own bottle, it's a British thing to only do exchanges
Bru
Well-known member
"It's not a problem" is extremely debatable! If you're gonna do it, do some research and find out how to do it as safely as possible. Done right it's reasonably safe (for a given value of safe) but it *is* potentially dangerous
And bear in mind that following several high court rulings in recent times, it is now established that it is illegal to refill branded exchange gas bottles (e.g Calor, Campingaz, FloGas etc) so if you're gonna do it, don't shout about it!
FloGas and Calor, in particular, are getting very aggressive and targeting not only dodgy companies refilling their bottles but individuals too - you could actually lose "your"* gas bottles and be banned from using their brand of gas in future if, for example, they find out what you're up to via social media. (You could also theoretically be prosecuted and fined but it's unlikely they'd pursue an individual through the courts**)
* Remember that you don't own the bottles, they remain the property of the gas company. They can terminate your rental agreement and demand their bottles back any time they like if you're found to be in breach of their terms and conditions ... which DIY refilling most certainly is!
** there have been several reports of companies going after individuals posting "how to" guides on social media from the camping and caravanning world although, to be fair, none that i can absolutely 100% confirm. Never the less, the gas bottle companies have said they'll take action against anyone who comes to their attention
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
Sounds similar to sailing then, or crossing the road, or just driving your car. All potentially dangerous.
FWIW i don't refill my "own" bottles, a bottle last me at least 6 months and my locker holds four, so no shortages here
Bru
Well-known member
Yep, there are many things in life that are dangerous if you do them wrong.
For what it's worth, i don't refill my own bottles either and nor would i as imo it's a bloody silly thing to do. But telling people it's a daft idea doesn't always get through hence the advice about the pitfalls if people insist on being, well, daft!
There are things that are dangerous and fun, those I'll do taking suitable precautions.
Then there are things that are dangerous and unavoidable. Being unavoidable the best one can do is minimise the risk
But doing dangerous things just to save a few quid? Nope, life's too short for that afaic
For what it's worth, i don't refill my own bottles either and nor would i as imo it's a bloody silly thing to do. But telling people it's a daft idea doesn't always get through hence the advice about the pitfalls if people insist on being, well, daft!
There are things that are dangerous and fun, those I'll do taking suitable precautions.
Then there are things that are dangerous and unavoidable. Being unavoidable the best one can do is minimise the risk
But doing dangerous things just to save a few quid? Nope, life's too short for that afaic
Aquaboy
Well-known member
Dangerous, I,ve never really understood what that means..... How do you quantify it really. Its banded around, more than ever these days usually by someone who just doesn't like the idea of someone else doing something.
Rappey
Well-known member
I bought two of them 2 days ago from the local chandlery (youboat) .. I ran out in december and just kept forgetting to exchange them..
Facebook market had lots of bottles for sale..
ROBMH
Member
My Boat takes the smaller 904 bottle which are also hard to source and also incredibly expensive given the weight of gas.
ballyabroad
Member
We've just had our first delivery of 4.5kg cylinders in months, despite the rep telling me on Friday they weren't supplying them until the Autumn. The driver was surprised as I was that they were out for delivery. They were repainted 3.9kg bottles with new valves, so there is hope yet!
Habebty
Well-known member
I have inherited an empty 4.5 kg bottle from daughters recent camping trip. Is it worth anything if I take it back to the local calor dealer?
