Availability of 4kg versus 9kg gas bottles
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:08
ThreadID:
105724
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11877
Replies:
11
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Diego T
Hi all,
I am considering downgrading from 2x9kg gas bottles to 2x4kg for space reasons. We're using the gas for cooking only, so a single 4kg should last us a good week or two..? That would also be the time frame during which we need to source a replacement.
My question would be if changing to 4kg bottles would limit our capability to refill or swap when travelling in rural or outback Oz ? Are 4kg bottles as readily available as 9kg bottles or is there a big difference when moving far away from the big smoke ?
Any hints appreciated,
Cheers,
D.
Reply By: Racey - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:15
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:15
So many
places now are only swap and go I would be inclined to stick with the 9kg which are now only 8.5kg.
Cheers
AnswerID:
524051
Follow Up By: Member - bbuzz (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:26
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:26
Many country
places will re-fill. You also know if its been filled to the top.
BCF (no connection etc etc) are often the cheapest.
I would take 2x 4kg as you can use one while waiting for the opportunity to fill the empty one.
bill
FollowupID:
805618
Reply By: outback epicurean - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:25
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:25
Hi
I only have 1, 4 kg cylinder that is only used for cooking on our camper. Lasts is 4 - 5 wks. Used to carry a 1 kg "spare" but never used it so don't do this any more. Never had any trouble getting the 4 kg filled anywhere.
Cheers
AnswerID:
524052
Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:33
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:33
Mate we use a 3kg bottle for the baby Q and have never had a problem filling it as most country towns have a place that fills bottles.
I find the expensive
places are those that sell
home gas appliances.
FollowupID:
805621
Reply By: racinrob - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:32
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 17:32
As Racey says many
places will only swap bottles now, I paid $38 for a 9 kg bottle in
Emerald last year, no one would fill my new but empty bottle !
Yesterday in a
Sydney Bunnings they had three cages of newly delivered "Swap and Go" bottles and of all those bottles only four were 4 kg, or as someone will correct me 3.8 kg, so availability is limited especially if you want short fat bottles like me to fit your gas bottle compartment. Also take into consideration the cost, at Bunnings a 4kg bottle is $17.88, a 9kg is $22 something.
Rob. VKE237 Sel 6678
AnswerID:
524055
Reply By: Member - kev.h - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:01
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:01
If you think 2x4kg is enough gas why not only carry 1x9kg half the space
AnswerID:
524057
Follow Up By: Diego T - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:28
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:28
To save height, not having to
check levels and not having to rush away from that amazing but remote beach when gas runs out. More space, low maintenance...
FollowupID:
805626
Follow Up By: Brian 01 - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 09:21
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 09:21
I carry a 9 plus a spare 4 as an emergency and also for the bbq.
I only ever get the 9 filled at a depot and then top up the 4 from that.
Not having a gas fridge generally allows me around 120 days travelling between fills, just using hot water and cooking.
FollowupID:
805662
Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:19
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:19
The smaller bottles seem to come in different shapes for the same capacity. If you make a rack to suit the 4kg bottles you initially buy, it is very likely that the few 4kg bottles at a Swap'n'go will not fit your rack. I have found that - too fat, too skinny, too tall, bottom ring won't fit my rack, etc.
For this reason we have 2 bottles so we can last without dramas until we can get a refill.
Cheers
AnswerID:
524060
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:43
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 18:43
Yep, I keep my own 4kg bottles for the same reason. I got them recertified recently - cost $28 each.
FollowupID:
805627
Reply By: Member - peter c1 (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 21:17
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 21:17
We had a 9kg bottle refilled at BCF, In
Emerald mid last year. Drop off, do shopping at Woolies and then pick up.
Peter
AnswerID:
524065
Reply By: Pushy - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 22:31
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2014 at 22:31
just make sure the 4 kg bottle has a POL outlet not a 3/8 left hand or primus.
the POL fittings are much more common and easier to fill and swap.
AnswerID:
524068
Reply By: Kris and Kev - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 08:57
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 08:57
We carry two 4 kg bottles and have never had a problem with getting them filled and we have travelled a lot. Also they are lighter to carry, by carry I mean if you cannot park near the place where you are getting it filled. 9 kg bottles when full are a pain to physically carry a long way. Kevin
AnswerID:
524079
Reply By: Rangiephil - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 09:21
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 09:21
I removed one of my 2 x4KG bottles from my
Camp'o'matic about 7 years ago to give space for an extra storage box.
A single 4 Kg cylinder lasts me 5-6 weeks with stove only, and I have NEVER had a problem refilling it.
You can easily
check the volume left by locating in an
open space away from any fires or ignition sources, cracking the valve slightly, tipping the cylinder over with teh valve sideways or downwards until the mist turns to fluid. This takes about 10 seconds to do and gives you a pretty accurate idea of how much is left. Obviously be careful , do not be in a dip and all the other caveats that the nitpickers will grasp to cry "Oh how dangerous". In other words use some common sense.
I carry a small cartridge burner in case I run out but have never run out. I always
check prior to going into areas where there are no facilities for several days if I have been on the road for weeks.
I guess the penalty is that you may pay for an extra Kg of gas if in a position that you need it with some still in the cylinder.
In my experience nearly all caravan parks have filling facilities.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID:
524082
Follow Up By: Brian 01 - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 09:28
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 09:28
Gee Phil, you're a brave man. lol.
Waiting for the bun fight to develop.
I mentioned this method some time back on another
forum, and the warm and fuzzy brigade went berzerk.
Got to admit that it was fun to watch.
FollowupID:
805663
Follow Up By: Member - Paul K - VIC - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 13:38
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 13:38
Philip
you can
check the level of gas much more safely with a kettle of boiling water. pour the boiling or near boiling water onto the side of the gas bottle and the use you hand to feel the side of the bottle the side will be cooler at the level of the gas.
FollowupID:
805676
Follow Up By: Brian 01 - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 14:20
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 14:20
Safer???
An order of magnitude greater number of people get injured by boiling water accidents than by lp gas explosions. lol
Be very careful that you don't burn your hand.
FollowupID:
805678
Reply By: Diego T - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 10:05
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 10:05
Thanks to all fellow
Explorers, this has certainly helped me a lot !
AnswerID:
524084
Reply By: allanw - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 18:30
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014 at 18:30
I travel with only 1 x 4KG bottle and keep one of those cheap cartridge burners+ canisters as a spare (or mostly as an additional cooker...). The few times we have run out of gas has meant that we have to
cook on the cartridge stove for a day or two. No drama.
AnswerID:
524105