Calor 4.5 Butane and 3.5 Propane to be discontinued

[jimi]

Just been down to the local supplier who told me they've received notification that these will be discontinued as from 1st Feb. I cant see the 7kg fitting in the gas locker. So I wondered what other possible solutions there are as I'm sure I'm not the only one with a gas locker for the above sizes. Is it possible to keep the bottles and refill from a larger bottle perhaps?

 

[Refueler]

Is Calor the only supplier you can find ??

 

[LadyInBed]

Decanting will be the only option for me due to locker size.
I wonder if the retailers will do a 4.5 for 7 exchange?

 

[jimi]

Decanting will be the only option for me due to locker size.
I wonder if the retailers will do a 4.5 for 7 exchange?

I was told they'd do a 4.5 to 7 exchange.

 

[LadyInBed]

Is Calor the only supplier you can find ??

My lockers were built specifically for Calor. Camping gaz would fit but rattle around, also it would be a hike in cost.

 

[jimi]

My lockers were built specifically for Calor. Camping gaz would fit but rattle around, also it would be a hike in cost.

Ditto

 

[dunedin]

Calor have been giving all sorts of weasel words for 2+ years on this topic, blaming all sorts of things for their failure to be able to supply these cylinders - without seeming to actually try to do anything about it, in spite of many challenges to their head office.

There have also been lots of semi accurate messages from various gas outlets - not always consistent. Hence it might be very helpful if it were possible to get a copy of the “notification” message from Calor - both to be clear precisely what they have said, and to allow clarification with Calor HQ.

Think Yachting Monthly had a small item on this recently - with usual Calor waffle in response. Hence they might be interested if have a (depersonalised) copy of an actual Calor communication

 

[Humblebee]

Ditto

Me too. I have just sent an enquiry to Calor and will post any reply I receive.

 

[lustyd]

Flogas 4.5 is the same size as Calor pretty much and widely available.

Bit of a thread here

 

[LadyInBed]

I've just called the Calor Support line and the guy there said he hasn't been told that that size are being withdrawn!

 

[Refueler]

I don't know if its same problem in UK .... but over here - near where I live is a Gas Sales place ... for refueling cars and exchanging gas ballons.
Its been quite a while since I was in there - but sales lass was remarking that too many ballons were being lost as people were discarding them at dumps / behind sheds etc. Instead of returning to 'dealer'.
I know the small ballon I need for my boat - was in short supply ... so I actually found via my Lab empty ballons to swap with the 'dealer'. I still have a couple as well as the 25kg large ones ...

 

[LadyInBed]

Flogas 4.5 is the same size as Calor pretty much and widely available.

Thanks, yes, both say Bottle Dimensions : Height-340mm. Diameter-240 mm.

 

[Whaup367]

Flogas 4.5 is the same size as Calor pretty much and widely available.

Bit of a thread here

Indeed... and on that thread the subject of possible discontinuation was raised (Gas Rage Post 135) but yet to be backed up by any actual statement or evidence beyond persistent rumour.

If anyone can produce a link, cite, scan of official notification or similar, that would be informative. Otherwise.... remains unsubstantiated rumour.

 

[Whaup367]

Thanks, yes, both say Bottle Dimensions : Height-340mm. Diameter-240 mm.

Check the regulator fitting, though: I think that while Calor 4.5 uses a screw-on fitting, the Flogas 4.5 uses a clip-on regulator that also fits the 7Kg & up...

 

[lustyd]

Check the regulator fitting, though: I think that while Calor 4.5 uses a screw-on fitting, the Flogas 4.5 uses a clip-on regulator that also fits the 7Kg & up...

Yes the FloGas uses the more standard fitting so will need to be changed. It's an easy swap though and the confidence of being able to just buy gas when you want to is worth it.
I agree with Whaup367, there is no evidence outside of a complete lack of availability and Calor retailers saying they are discontinued. Calor have been silent outside of a few contradicting statements here and there. I'd love to think it's temporary, but after 3 years had to do something so made the switch. FloGas have been excellent to deal with so far, and even have distribution centres open to the public (Calor did confirm theirs are permanently closed).

Just remember, it's not a religion, it's a gas supplier. If your god doesn't show up it's normal, if your gas supplier doesn't show up...change supplier!

 

[Porthandbuoy]

From the Calor website. (I've highlighted relevant text in bold). I get the impression Calor are taking the 4.5kg Butane bottles out of circulation.

Strikes me we'll have to switch to FloGas.

Service Statement


Gas cylinder availability
If you’ve got an empty gas bottle, you can exchange this for a like-for-like replacement at one of our Calor retailers nationwide. We recommend calling your local retailer to check availability and opening hours before travelling.

There’s currently a hold on new cylinder issues so if you’re looking to buy a new bottle, I’m afraid we won’t be able to help just yet. Gas bottles are also unavailable on our online shop at present.

We encourage customers to return any empty or unused cylinders to improve availability. If you have a gas bottle to return, please call your local Calor Distribution Centre (CDC), who will be able to advise accordingly.
For all information regarding Returns, Refills and Exchanges please see our Gas cylinder area.

 

[Whaup367]

From the Calor website. (I've highlighted relevant text in bold). I get the impression Calor are taking the 4.5kg Butane bottles out of circulation.
... Service Statement ...

That statement doesn't just apply to the 4.5: it's generic about bottles and if you check their online store, you'll see that they all have some variation on not-available-online.

I fear you are just adding grist to the rumour mill.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

That statement doesn't just apply to the 4.5: it's generic about bottles and if you check their online store, you'll see that they all have some variation on not-available-online.

I fear you are just adding grist to the rumour mill.

It's no rumour the 4.5kg bottles are in short supply. I'd say since the October '21 recall.

 

[jimi]

Indeed... and on that thread the subject of possible discontinuation was raised (Gas Rage Post 135) but yet to be backed up by any actual statement or evidence beyond persistent rumour.

If anyone can produce a link, cite, scan of official notification or similar, that would be informative. Otherwise.... remains unsubstantiated rumour.

Well the official distributor I spoke to this morning seemed pretty definite that they'd just received notification of discontinuation and that 4.5 could be exchanged for 7 as from the 1st of Feb. That seemed a trifle harder than unsubstantiated rumour to me.

 

[dunedin]

It's no rumour the 4.5kg bottles are in short supply. I'd say since the October '21 recall.

I think it was before that - as their first set of hollow excuses were Covid related, in 2020

And suspect that page linked to in #16 above may have been posted some months / years ago