Having recently decided we would give camping a proper go [we've only ever done 'slumming it' weekends in a small tent and eaten takeaways etc!!] we purchased the Outwell Montana 6 and are looking forward to camping with our two young children; 4 and 7 years old.
I think we've pretty much bought everything we need: table and chairs, cooking stand & stove [Campingaz camping chef - bargain £29.99 from an Ebay business seller], airbeds, sleeping bags, electric hookup adapters, electric coolbox etc etc.
The only thing we have yet to get is the actual gas cannister for the Campingaz stove. I think we will be buying from GoOutdoors. My question is: that the stove states it is compatible with wither 904 or 907 cannisters; obviously one being much bigger than the other. Can anyone tell me roughly how long these cannisters last? Obviously the smaller cannister would be more convenient to store and travel with, but I wouldn't want it to run out mid way through our holiday!...we will only be using the stove for the evening meal and the odd boiling of water for a cuppa; so it's not like we will be using it excessively.
Also, I understand I need to buy a regulator? Does anyone bother with the gas leak safety spray stuff? [something in the instructions mentioned using this to identify any leaks]. Obviously with two young children, we wouldn't want to do anything that's dangerous and the thought of playing with gas cannisters worries me a bit!!!
Also, is it 'safe' to travel with the gas cannister in the roof box of our car whilst we travel to and from our destination?? Unfiortuantely the HUGE montana tent and electric coolbox will take up most of the boot...!
As long as you buy the correct regulator, you could use calor gas. A 4.5kg cylinder costs about the same to refill as a campingaz 907 - but you get twice the amount of gas!
you should be able to easily see out a season with a cylinder - depending on how often you camp. how much you use it.
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
The last 907 I bought was about 3 years ago in France and it cost £18, I only used it for the barby, lasted about a year but decided to change to Calor as a 7kg was cheaper and 3 times the gas roughly. As eel28 says you'd probably be better off with a 4.5kg Calor.
We use our 907 for cooking only (i.e. not a fridge or anything else) although we do also have a small electric oven that shares a lot of the cooking and with about 8 weeks camping a year probably change it only every two or three years. According to CampingGaz website there's 2.75 kg of gas in a 907 and 1.8 kg of gas in a 904 so with the amount we use I'm sure even a 904 would last us a season.
Yes, Calor is a lot cheaper but aren't the cylinders much bigger?
I'm not sure I would risk carrying the gas bottle in a roofbox. In the boot and wedged so it can't move about would be better I would think.
What ever you decide on it is often better to get a used bottle off freecycle or ebay than to pay the 'deposit' charge when buying a full bottle from a gas dealer.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
We bought our camping chef with reg and 907 bottle from ebay (used a couple of times, then family upgraded to caravan - bargain!).
When I weighed the 907, I calculated just over 2kg of butane remained in it. A week of camping later, and there is still well over 1.5kg in it, if not even closer to 2kg.
I read all the posts about Calor being easier to obtain in the UK and more gas for the money, however our local Winfields is within easy reach and does exchanges for a fair price, and we aren't likely to go through huge amounts of gas so opted for the smaller size of the campingaz bottles.
Tip: however you choose to transport it, always keep it upright. The seals can easily cope with keeping the gas in, but the liquid butane shouldn't be kept in contact with it as it is much more likely to result in a leak.
If you haven't made your mind up yet, better alternatives are either Calor propane (the red cylinders and you can get the lightweight version of the 6Kg cylinder) or BP gas from Homebase (which is also propane).
Propane evaporates at lower temperatures than butane (calor blue or Camping Gaz) and while that's completely irrelevant during the day or evening, it might make a big difference for the early morning cup of tea after a clear night.
A chilly start to the day can mean butane struggles to maintain pressure and so the flames will be smaller and everything takes a long, long time.
We've been using a big bottle of gas that while it is cheaper per kg of gas to refill, takes up lots of space in the car and costs extra money in fuel transporting it about. I've just got a 904 off ebay which was going to be for weekend camping, but after reading this thread I will probably look out for another and take them both on longer breaks as well. It'll give my hubby the extra space he craves for a blow up sofa, we'll have a spare when we finally do run out of gas and will cost less to transport about.
So I'd stick to the 904 or 907, keep an eye out on ebay or the local tip for one and have more space to pack those little luxuries.
Quote: Originally posted by Cheery_Camper on 08/5/2011
Also, is it 'safe' to travel with the gas cannister in the roof box of our car whilst we travel to and from our destination?? Unfiortuantely the HUGE montana tent and electric coolbox will take up most of the boot...!
I would keep the roof box for the lighter equipment as placing heavy items on the roof will affect the stability and road holding of the car. However, you have if you have heavy items in the car you have to make sure that they are secure and don't go catapulting forward in the event of an accident.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
Hi, we have a Campinggaz 907 and it has done a 10 night trip to Cornwall, two 4 night trips and a few weekends. There is still gas left in it, and it will probably do us another couple of weekends.
We are a family of four who cook most evening meals and usually breakfasts too when we are camping.
Dont worry about running out. Most larger campsites sell the gas bottles, as do garages and garden centres. We were in the middle of nowhere in Scotland a couple of years ago when we realised we were getting low on gas. We had no trouble finding somewhere that sold it.
I would carry the gas bottle in the boot if you can squeeze it in. As for the spray, I have never heard of it and we have been camping for 20 years using the gas stove without a bother!
there are only 2 of us, but we use it for all meals and boiling the kettle, and a gas barbie, 904 lasts us for our main 2 week holiday, with still some left.
our 1st 907 lasted about 4 years but that was with elec. Then weve been non elec for a couple of years.
Last few times used all time even for boiling kettle when we have elec - just habbit, worked out it lasted 4 weeks, doing 2-3 meals a day plus boiling water for washing pots and coffee.
We did think about going over to Calor but just got a sppare bottle for £3 off ebay - local tip was a no no! Now got a half one and a full one ready for Chy Carne, but they do sell them there
another vote for the 907/904 cylinders from me. I do have 4.5kg butane ones for my camper, never had any problems with it being too cold - camped at the end of October last year. I just got a spare 907 cylinder for £7.50 off ebay. My first 907 I got from a dealership in March 2008. It is still not empty, and gets more use than the butane even now I have the camper - I got it to fuel the cooker in my TT but now use it with my cadac. I would say it has so far cooked at very least 75 meals, probably over 100, usually for at least 3 people.
I have never used any kind of spray, but always store the cylinder upright. I personally would never transport a gas cylinder in a roof box. it has always been stood upright in the boot of the car and strapped down with a luggage net thing. Or in the box on the a frame of the trailer, which I was never certain about either tbh. I am sure the cylinders are safe, but having seen first hand what happens when gas cylinders explode, I tend to err on the side of extreme caution!
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Topic: Campingaz 904 / 907 - Lasts how long?
