BBQ gas

[daleyd]

Hi all you knowledgeable folk out there - our charcoal barbecue has finally bitten the dust and my missus decided she wanted a gas bbq - so where is the best/cheapest place to get hold of gas for these things? I’ve not currently got a bottle so would be starting from scratch.

Ta!

Dale

 

[Dieselman 63]

We get ours from the petrol station. You buy the gas and bottle first, then it’s just a trade from then on in.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Go Outdoors was reasonable for a Calor 13kg bottle of Propane. My friends paid similar at their marina. Flo Gas is another option, But they use different size bottles. I would go with what the local suppliers offer. Makes exchanging easier when you run out.

 

[RonA]

I use my gas bottle for the bbq & caravan.
We also have a main bottle supply depot near us & I used to change my bottle there, thinking the main supplier would be cheaper. By chance on a major holiday the depot was shut but a large outdoor camping accessory shop nesrby was open. Changed the bottle there & the price was substantially lower.
Conclusion shop around like they tell you on all the consumer programmes.
RonA

 

[R-D-R]

I use a local calor depot, I have an account with them just for this it works out loads cheaper than the petrol stations and garden centres. I’m bbq mad though and have two 47kg on fail over for the main bbq and two 19kg for the pizza oven and we get through it!

 

[Wightsparks]

My local classifieds almost always has gas bottles available for £5-10 - saves the £40 odd for the first one.

 

[daleyd]

Thnaks chaps - yeah I was aware that I would likely need a deposit to start off with, but some good advice there.

I think my brother may have an empty bottle lying around that he picked up from somewhere, I'll ask him if I can nab it if it's calor or flo gas, that might make it a bit easier. Failing that I may have a look in classifieds as @Wightsparks says.

 

[optima21]

calor gas has the advantage that they can be exchanged at hundreds of places around the uk, but are likley to cost more than a local independant supplier.

when I wanted a 6kg propane bottle a couple of years ago, the cost of the first cylinder from calor gas was £41 plus £21 for a refill (£62 total), my local independant supplier wanted £25 for the bottle and £17 for the refill (£42 in total). as I was only using it at home the calor gas was an expensive option

 

[rtbcomp]

Bear in mind different brands may have different size regulators, so if a reg. came with the BBQ check to see what bottles it will fit, otherwise buy your reg. at the same time as the bottle.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Bear in mind different brands may have different size regulators, so if a reg. came with the BBQ check to see what bottles it will fit, otherwise buy your reg. at the same time as the bottle.

Yeah Butane & Propane use different regulators!

I would go for Propane, As it has a lower freezing point + it has a higher btu output. Always handy for those christmas dinners

 

[rtbcomp]

To clarify, butane bottles from different brands may have different size regulators (the snap-on type).

 

[daleyd]

Thanks all - I've just checked and it came with a 27mm snap on type propane regulator ( I didn't buy the bbq, it was a birthday present my missus got "me" while I was away offshore for a couple of weeks.)

 

[gordon stephenson]

Best price a found by far was "Flo Gas" and free delivery. P.S. Edit, Forgot to say as well as the low price, free delivery there is no deposit to pay.

 

[eSCHEn]

Thanks all - I've just checked and it came with a 27mm snap on type propane regulator ( I didn't buy the bbq, it was a birthday present my missus got "me" while I was away offshore for a couple of weeks.)

If you go down the butane route there's a brand new 20mm quick connect with your name on gathering dust here.

 

[TechnicAl]

Id look on your local free ads type thing and get a Propane bottle....Id get a 6Kg they hold enough and easy to move....not a LITE because they are discontinued...go on ebay and get a propane reg and a bit of tube and your away.. most of the regs these days hand tighten....6Kg refills are about 20 quid....18 to 23 round here

Thats what I use when we are caravanning and occasionally at home

 

[RonA]

I use a local calor depot, I have an account with them just for this it works out loads cheaper than the petrol stations and garden centres. I’m bbq mad though and have two 47kg on fail over for the main bbq and two 19kg for the pizza oven and we get through it!

I think you hit it on the nail with “I have an account with them”, for us mere mortals I thiink they see us as easy targets, despite saving them money on transporting bottles to & frow.
RonA

 

[R-D-R]

I am a mere mortal, I opened the account just for my bbq gas. I’m a personal customer not trade I just asked the question when I went in. they said if you buy two bottles now we will set you up with an account which made sense nothing worse than running out of gas mid bbq :-)

 

[RonA]

I am a mere mortal, I opened the account just for my bbq gas. I’m a personal customer not trade I just asked the question when I went in. they said if you buy two bottles now we will set you up with an account which made sense nothing worse than running out of gas mid bbq :-)

Never been offered that deal when Ive been to change a bottle, will make enquiries again.
RonA

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Our local recycling place [aka 'the skips' ] has a load of empty gas bottles of all the sizes and all the colours, free for asking nicely......

 

[FergalFarty]

Don't do it! Charcoal BBQs may be more effort than gas, but the food tastes better.