A while ago I mentioned on a thread that I was investigating ways of running the new Coleman Propane stoves from bulk propane cylinders instead of the 1lb disposable canisters, and a few people expressed interest in how this would work. The Coleman propane format is relatively new in Europe, but has been around for yonks in America, so I trotted off there to find out more.
There's more than one way to achieve this, but here's what I have done and tested ....
To run the stove from a bulk red Calor cylinder I purchased a hose assembly from Mr Heater, part number F273701. This connects directly between the cylinder and the stove regulator pipe fittings. Simply screw the hose onto both ends, open the cylinder valve, and off you go. Coleman US also sells something similar, but charges more.
To save me from lugging a big cylinder around, I also wanted to be able to refill the Coleman disposable canisters. Although these are marked "Not refillable", they are commonly refilled in the USofA, where this format is the standard format for disposable canisters.
I purchased a Propane Tank Refill Adapter from Mr Heater, part number F276172. This connects directly between the cylinder and the canister. This works in exactly the same way as refilling a gas cigarette lighter from an aerosol type butane can.
Results ... Running the stove with the hose from the red cylinder works painlessly.
Refilling the canisters is a bit more fiddly, as my first attempts didn't scoosh very much gas through. However, if you chill the canister in the freezer for an hour, and make sure that the cylinder is upside down when connected, you can get almost a full refill very quickly. (See Boyle's or Charles' or someone else's Law for the physics involved.)
Please note that these adapters have a 1" POL LH thread fitting to couple directly to the standard red Calor Propane cylinder. You must therefore use the Coleman built in regulator when running from the red cylinder. I have not seen any adapters which would fit the clip-on Patio Gas cylinders, or the clip-on Butane cylinders.
As I said, I'm sure that there are other ways to achieve this, but these are purpose built fittings widely available on shop shelves, and are not Heath Robinson cut'n'shut affairs cobbled together in my shed. So they are as safe as any mass market gas devices around.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone has done something similar but different ?
It’s just a pity that the Mr Heater kit looks very "USA only" at the moment. I’ve been on their web site and it lists on-line retailers that flog their bits, but it looks like quite a task to find one of them that:
1) Stocks the relevant bits and
2) Accepts orders from the UK.
If you know of such a site please do tell.
I personally am not too bothered about refilling the canisters, but would like the option of running off regular Calor cylinders.
both sell the things, and will export to the UK. But. The shipping cost is a killer. $20 surface mail from Cablelas. $40 air mail.
2. Camping International advertises lots of Coleman type bits, and has a UK phone number.
3. Touring Gear imports Coleman type bits AND can access stuff not readily available in the UK.
4. There is a UKCS member called "Cockney" who runs a shop which sells Coleman stuff. Perhaps he could be contacted and asked the question. There may be other members too.
I think the basic issue is that the whole format - disposable Propane canisters - is so new in Europe that Coleman itself has only recently dipped its toe over here, and it may be a year or so before the format takes off. The format is certainly the norm on the other side of the Atlantic, (stoves, BBQs, lanterns, heaters)and it was just fortuitous that I happened to be over there when the burning (good pun, eh?) topic was at the front of my mind.
Where did you get the adaptor hose? Was it from the States or UK?
Please give all the details as I too really want one of them (I have a PrefectFlow, which uses the same regulator assembly).
Thanks in anticipation.
Yes, we bought ours in the US on a trip last year. They don't seem to stock them here yet, but it's worth checking Ebay. If you know someone going on holiday there then that's even better. The Mr Heater ones are the same as Colemans.
Thanks for the link hik01. I've had that in my favourites since Mulligrubs originally linked to them, but I haven't checked on it for awhile.
Unfortunately the situation remains the same. The hose assembly is reasonable at about $20 (£15 ish) for the 5ft length, but the shipping hasn't changed and is still a killer $20 surface and $40 air email.
I think I may wait to the end of the season and winter, and then re-consider it.
Lets hope (once again) that these units get imported into the UK by someone eventually.
I changed computers and lost this thread - glad to have it resurface.
I especially like that you can refil the propane bottles because they can be used in the lantern as well.
Wish I'd rediscovered it last week - a friends OH has been in USA all this week and he would have had an idea of what he was looking for!!
Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 20/5/2010I changed computers and lost this thread - glad to have it resurface.
I especially like that you can refil the propane bottles because they can be used in the lantern as well.
Wish I'd rediscovered it last week - a friends OH has been in USA all this week and he would have had an idea of what he was looking for!!
Walmart stock the Coleman ones if IRC.
Post last edited on 20/05/2010 20:44:28
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 20/5/2010
I changed computers and lost this thread - glad to have it resurface.
I especially like that you can refil the propane bottles because they can be used in the lantern as well.
Wish I'd rediscovered it last week - a friends OH has been in USA all this week and he would have had an idea of what he was looking for!!
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------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 20/5/2010
Thank you - just the thing - much appreciated
before you spend your money I'll get hubby ( mulligrubs himself ) to make sure the one lb cannisters work with our propane cyclinder, it'll be tomorrow most likely.
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Fold n Go from bulk Propane
