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We've twice been in the situation where the gas has run out half way through cooking a meal. One time, in France, this meant packing kids in the car and a trip to the local bar/general store which was the nearest gas stockist. Second time was this weekend and, although the campsite stocked gas, they wouldn't take a credit card for it, so we had to whizz off to the nearest cashpoint, get money, then the gas then continue cooking.....

I suppose my question is, at what point do you replace the gas? Is it when you know you've been using it for a while and it's likely to run out? Or do other people do like us and wait till it goes completely? And as an aside, what is the most inconvenient situation in which people have had gas run out....?

Get a second cylinder, then replace the empty asap. Its the path to enlightenment.

Having only one cylinder its for the birds

Have two cylinders - the one you are using and a full spare.  When the one you are using runs out, change them over and carry one, and get a re-fill ASAP.

Most inconvenient situation to run out?  Well, as I have 2 cyclinders 'run out' isn't really the problem.  Problem was a leak!!  First time out with new Pathfinder, could smell gas in gas-bottle locker ... Dad did the old soapy water trick and found the leak was from where the pig-tail from the regulator connected to the cyclinder.  Dad cleaned the collection, tightened it up, and all seemed well ... when the gas ran out at the UKCS meet at Dent (it was just me and Little Scamp - ScampisOH was off somewhere else that weekend!), I set about changing the cylinder ... could not for the life of me undo the connection (I have a gas spanner, before anybody says!).  Eventually, after much fighting and a little swearing, Bernard (who happens to be a gas engineer) managed to loosen the thing - turns out Dad had stopped the leak, but only by over-tightening the connection (and he's a mechanic - should have known better - 'tight's tight and too tight's buggered' is one of his favourite sayings!!!).  So I had to drive half way across Cumbria to find a new pig-tail ... ended up in Ulveston (just a few miles from Dent then!!).  By 1pm, when we got back from finding the pig-tail (gas was empty when we got up - it had run out over-night with the heater being on), I'd had nothing to eat and no coffee all morning, and was ready to go back to bed!!!!!  Oh - the joys of camping!

Unleaded is the way forward.  Cant go wrong.

G

Make use of your spare cylinder and buy a 3 way fridge, that way if the cooker runs out, you can always disconnect the fridge for a short while whilst you finish the meal.

The big plus point of all this is constant CHILLED BEER.

Hi Jek.....If you do not want to purchase a second gas bottle as being suggested,  you can purchase - from most caravan type shops - a magnetic gas bottle indicator.

You place on the gas bottle near to the bottom and as the gas depletes it shows via a colour gauge what is left / how much used to date etc. 

Cost about a fiver when I bought one some time back. On changing the bottle just pull of the magnet off  and replace on new bottle and away you go again.  I hope this proves helpful.....safe and happy touring.......Pete  

Have a look at one at www.justkampers.com

Kevin & Jayne

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I supppose a 2nd gas bottle is the obvious solution, but up till now we've barely had room in the car for all the essentials so no space for extra gas. Husband has promised to sort out buying a roof box before main summer trip so then we'll be able to travel without bags around our legs and maybe have space for a few extras. Gray - we use the low-tech bucket of water approach for chilled beer! Interested in the gas-level indicator - will have a look for one.

Thanks again.