More complex answer to 1), Flo Gas do a range of different cylinders aimed at different markets, industry (and caravan) with std 'POL' screw coupling for propane or butane screw coupling, leisure with 21mm or 27mm clip on coupling, and lightweight 'plastic' cylinders with 27mm clip on couplings. Now many of the cylinders are the same size/weight, and the same gas (propane or butane) BUT the prices vary significantly depending on coupling/market!
Like for like 6Kg screw 'POL' coupling propane, is about the same price as Calor.
Places like some B and M stores were doing a slightly discounted price.
Flo Gas seem to have a pretty good distribution network, and they don't seem to be suffering the same supply issues that Calor are going through at the moment!
Different couplings and matching pigtail hoses are easily obtained, so no need to stick with what you already have fitted if you want to change to suit a different cylinder.
FloGas seemed to be aimed at the industrial market. They had a reputation for including oil which damaged camping regulators. Dont know if that still applies.
We used to have a big Calor depot near us who traded as Budget Gas. Their cylinders were a bit cheaper than Calor, plus they had a point for LPG cars and RVs to fill their tanks.
It was owned by Calor but the bean counters shut it last year with quite a few redundancies. Shame as it was very convenient and had really great staff.
I now use a local guy who delivers, but he has had to increase his prices as he used to get his bottles filled by Budget Gas.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by davie on 24/4/2022
FloGas seemed to be aimed at the industrial market. They had a reputation for including oil which damaged camping regulators. Dont know if that still applies.
That must be going back many years! Maybe due to all the other bottled gas companies they have acquired over the years, and the taking over of Gaslight range from BP, but now well ensconced in the leisure market (BBQs, patio heaters etc.), as well as their extensive domestic supply infrastructure (bulk LPG, large bottles, small portable heater bottles etc.). With more outlets than Calor claimed, think maybe 'industry' market has fallen behind leisure and domestic supply.
'Oil' in the gas seems to be an inherent risk from any LPG source, indeed one of the stated reasons for generally not having any 'dips' (acts as a collection point) in the flexible hose from bottle to bulkhead regulator on caravans. Heard of it being an issue with some forecourt LPG refillable supplies, but never particularly with FloGas. Some years ago, there was an issue with a particular Truma bulkhead regulator that seemed highly susceptible to being affected by 'oil' in the gas, but back then, Calor would have been the dominant bottled gas in use on caravans.
When my current Calor cylinder runs out, I'll replace it with a FloGas Gaslight, for peace of mind on refill availability, and the bonus of less weight on the caravan nose.
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Topic: GAS
via mobile 24/4/2022 at 7:18pm
