I've recently bought the campingaz camping chef (the two burner with a grill) but haven't got the regulator or a gas cannister yet. I'm just wondering what you guys think is the best type of gas to go for - we're only going camping in July but will go for around a week. I'm completely clueless as previously I've cooked with mess tins and hexi stoves with solid fuel but now it's family camping with a 2 year old and I'll be heavily pregnant, so I thought that stove was impracticle for a proper meal.
As far as I'm aware, I need to get either a butane or a propane regulator, then that will dictate what type of gas I get? No idea what size cannister to go for/how many cannisters either. Advice would be appreciated!
oh and also - I didn't get the stand for the stove to go on, neither do I have a suitable table (ours is plastic). Do you think we could manage without or is that madness?
Hi Vonpop. First of all, in your condition, I would have thought that cooking on the floor would be quite hard. At least I would get one of those folding cooker stands - the concertina type. Make sure it's firm and level and keep toddler away.
Assuming you're camping in the UK, for a week I would have thought that one of the smaller gas cylinders would be quite enough, something like the 4.4Kg cylinder like THIS. Look up threads on obtaining gas bottles and try to avoid paying the full whack for a new one!! Then you'll need a suitable regulator from your local camping / caravan shop and a length of piping to connect the two. Also make sure you get a couple of jubilee clips to secure the pipe.
You could use Camping Gaz, but that costs more than twice as much by volume as Calor. However, if you are going abroard, Camping Gaz is almost a must as Calor isn't available on the continent.
Noo wont be venturing abroad, might get stuck if baby decided to come early!! Plus I like it in the UK. We'll be in the Lakes somewhere, haven't actually booked yet but probably should soon as we're confined to school holidays with OH being a teacher.
but I didn't want OH to grumble at me buying yet more camping stuff... I've become a tad obsessed...
I'll have a go at finding a gas bottle, are new ones really pricey? How does it work getting an old one filled up, do you send it off? I'm a real novice with this gas malarky!
Hi again. I would have thought that would be ideal for you in your condition. And it does not seem a bad price. Yes, gas bottles can be very pricey for a fist time user, so do your best to get a second hand one. They can often be found at places like car boot sales or even tips (but you may have to offer the guys there a fiver as a backhander). With Calor, you can swap any size or type of cylinder for any other, so if you so end up with a bigger one, even if it's the red propane one, you'll be able to swap it for the one you want. If you do get a second hand one, I would always recommend replacing it, even if it's got gas in it. You won't know how it's been treated before you got it and the vale could have been damaged. To replace one, have a look at your local caravan / camping stores or even some supermarkets and garages have them. You hand over your own bottle and they give you a replacement which has been thoroughly tested and refilled. You can't actually get them refilled, although that's what it's commonly known as.
If you are using the cooker inside a tent - which isn't recommended - or in a kitchen tent, I would get a couple of metres of piping and keep the bottle outside just in case of any leaks.
If you can get hold of any old empty Calor bottle of any size, ie from your local tip or carboot sale, that will be fine, just make sure it says Calor on the bottle somewhere. Then take that to any Calor stockist & exchange that for whatever size full Calor bottle you want, paying only for the contents.
The smallest 4.5kg butane bottle will do for your camping stove. You will also need the correct regulator, rubber gas hose & 2 jubilee clips.
Thanks very much. I've just looked up a nearby stockist so will be visiting after I've hopefully got my hands on an old bottle.
Nope I wont be cooking inside - I don't fancy a tent fire! I plan on having someone holding a golf brolley over me/whoever else is cooking if it rains, otherwise just the wind break will do as a little outdoor area.
Be warned - our local dumps won't sell Calor bottles any more. The deal with calor bottles is that you are effectively renting them from calor for an up-front fee and as such they should be returned to calor rather than sold. Hence why our local dumps now return them to calor rather than sell them on. They are sometimes sold on ebay or at car boot sales. We actually "bought/rented" ours and filled up on gas from a specialist gas supplier - as they supply the trade and charge trade prices rather than retail prices.
If you use calor then at least you have the choice of butane or propane, I do not think that there is any difference in the price so would suggest proppane as this will work even below freezing point whereas you can have problems with butane at low temperatures. Also look out for different quantities, we have got a 3.9kg tank as obviously the larger the tank the more valuable car space it will take up not to mention being that much heavier to carry
How long would the 3.9kg propane last for do you think? The only thing we have which is gas powered is the stove/grill.
And correct me if I am wrong, but this is what I have deduced...
I use the hose supplied with the campingaz stove to attach it to the regulator, then use another hose to attach to regulator to the gas cannister? I would have a play about with the stove to try and figure it out from the instructions but I'm supposed to be revising for my finals and OH will tell me off! So this is my secret break.
Quote: And correct me if I am wrong, but this is what I have deduced...
I use the hose supplied with the campingaz stove to attach it to the regulator, then use another hose to attach to regulator to the gas cannister? I would have a play about with the stove to try and figure it out from the instructions but I'm supposed to be revising for my finals and OH will tell me off! So this is my secret break.
I'm also interested in this but, I thought that you attached one end of the hose to the stove and the other to the regulator then attach the regulator directly to the gas cylinder using a spanner. Hmm, why does the regulator not just clip on to the gas like our barbecue one does?
Hi. The small 4.5kg gas bottle, or its propane equivalent has a screw thread. If I remember rightly, it is a left-handed one. This means you have to screw it on the "wrong" way. At least they always used to be when I last used one many years ago.
Peckedhen - why not use your barbecue one?
Quote: Originally posted by Peckedhen1 on 31/5/2010I'm also interested in this but, I thought that you attached one end of the hose to the stove and the other to the regulator then attach the regulator directly to the gas cylinder using a spanner. Hmm, why does the regulator not just clip on to the gas like our barbecue one does?
You are using Patio gas, regular propane and 4.5Kg butane use screw on regulators hence the spanner.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: which gas for campingaz camping chef?
