How long does a gas bottle last before it's empty?

How long is a piece of string. So many variables, such as size of camping stove, how much the tap is turned on, how many burners used, outside ambient temp etc.

We always use a 9 kg bottle - and after writing my original post was off doing some chores and thinking about taking my own advice! Wouldn't have any idea how many meals/billy boils/hours it would give me. One time I had a gauge which fitted on top and would tell me Full/half/empty (except it was faulty) - and I know how many times we've run out of gas whilst cooking (and no spare). Ian's way to measure is to pick the gas bottle up and say 'Yeah, that's enough for this trip'!
Patrolman Pat - you posed too many variables (anyone would think you were ex-Army) - so, who is going to be the guinea pig and measure? Please could I have the answer in terms of 50 billies of early morning tea and 67 dinner meals? I'm just a girl.

Easy way to check how much gas is left without scales.
The gas is in a liquid state prior to release from the bottle.
Open the valve just a tiny bit, enough to let some gas just his out.
Then tilt the bottle slowly until the liquid hits the valve. A white jet will shoot out like when you have the bottle filled.
Then picture an imaginary level line across the bottle at the valve position.
All below that line is remaining gas.

Just don't do this near a naked flame.

Bob

Ok I'll wear some flack, but I've got broad shoulders.
2 adults, 2 kids, cooking and light for around 3 hours a night. a 9kg lasted us around a week.
To check how much gas pour warm water over the bottle, the gas will be colder than the rest of the bottle.
You can also buy a gauge that tapes on the side, uses the same system.
I've often wondered if I could buy a cheap gas gauge, like a tyre pressure gauge ?

A 9kg bottle will run our three way fridge in the jayco, and also supply enough through the stove for eight days straight. this is with the fridge set on "5", and using the stove for breakfast and dinner every day.
even so, we still carry a spare bottle with us.
Best way to find out how much is left is simple. Turn upside down and pour water over cylinder, gas is cold so level will show up as white area.

rick.

you should be able to work it out using the amount of grams an hour the apliances use a small gas light uses about 66g per hour a large uses about 112g per hour each burner on your gas stove will use between 150 to 250g per hour and one kilo of gas is 1000g your products possibly have the specifications on it.
Regerd derraux

Hi,
OurOdyssey ZR carried 2 x 4.5 kg gas bottles. The one driving the HW system lasted for the entire trip across the top eg 12 weeks plus a couple of weekend trips. This was on the basis that we lit the system while preparing dinner in the evening and turned it off usually as we went to bed. The system was still hot enough for washing up after breakfast.
The 2nd bottle was stove - 2 burner and grill - only and while I had it refilled after 7/8 weeks. It was not empty when that was done. By having the two bottles we reckon that the one on the HW is our back up as we can always use the stove to boil water for the washing up and swap the empty one to the HW system. Estimated total useage on the stove bottle by two people B'fast x 56 Smokos x 168 Dinners x 48
The new toy - Galaxy 18' Off Road - has two 9 kg but also has a 150l 3 way fridge as well as the 4 burner stove.
Our gaslight is on a separate 2kg bottle but only gets used when the bugs are bad.

Kevin J

I was amased how long the gas bottle lasted after I ditched the Gas Lamp, replaced it with a 12V Versalite and just used the bottle for the stove. Much brighter light and robust. Doesnt answer your question I know but I thought you may not be aware that those gas lights use a lot of gas

Yes far too many variables but here is my experience with my old setup now changed.

My Chescold freezer 60L running on gas for about 13 hours per day and 12V the rest of the time and on flat out when on gas uses a 9kg in 10 days. How that compares to your stove I don't know.

My 2 kg lasts 7 days when used to cook breakfast, and evening meal for two, plus a very occasional cuppa mid day.

I try to plan my trips so that I can reill evry 7 days, or else I take more gas.

Dave O

Thanks for all your replies. Didn't get the exact answer I wanted, but it sure helped make up my mind to take both the 4kg and 3kg bottles. Use the 4kg first and use the 3 for emergencies or until I can get the 4 refilled. Didn't know either that the bottle had to be turned upside down to tell you how much is in the bottle.

Hi Dunc

We have slightly different solution in that we use the little 220g gas cannisters for camping , also to keep weight down and reliability up. (take 2 single burner stoves).

And as per others use 12v flouro's for light mostly. (1 watt amber leds when bugs around)

With typical 100g of fuel per hour we know they last for 2 to 2 1/2 hours each which is about our daily use.

Hence when camping we just chuck in 1 can for each day out and a spare.

Makes it easy to control as you can readily monitor your use and adjust as required.

Robin Miller

use the 9kg see how long it lasts, divide by nine then multiply by 4 & 3 that should tell you how long each bottle will last? cheers

The notes on my camping list tell me I use about 500gm of gas a day for both cooking and a 39lt gas fridge which is always set to maximum and on 24 hours a day. All my coffee/tea water and cooking is done on the gas stove and I cook moderately elaborate meals which usually simmer for an hour or two each evening plus rice or pots or similar. My shower and washing up water is heated over the fire.
This is for one or two adults.

Throw out the gas lamps (they use heaps of gas) and switch to electric or Coleman Dual Fuel lamps.

Mike Harding

One thing I found is that the temp of the day and also the person who fills them, affects the amount of Gas one can fit into the bottle, I always fill mine myself here, so I know how much is in there, am thinking of moving to the gasngo things where you just get a whole new bottle each time

Thanks guys & girls keep them coming all good stuff. Didn't know about the disposable cannisters not working at low temps - bit like me.