I know I will have to invest in a different regulator for France, but are they divided into butane and propane as in the Uk or do they follow the brand?
Do I need to have an existing bottle to swap in to buy gas in france? How do I get one?
Also there seems to be a confusing array of brands available at the main supermarkets, which are the most commonly available?
Last but not least what can I expect to pay for 13-15kg bottled gas and a new regulator?
Thanks
------------- Flyder
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The main French gas makes are Butagaz, Antargaz & Primagaz. Google for their websites, tells you all you want to know, cut & paste web adresses into google translate. Carrefour & LeClerc supermkts have their own brand bottles a bit cheaper.
'Consignee' price, cost of bottle is normally about 18€ but can be half that on special offers. Gas exchange price is similar to Calor UK. The French 13kg butane bottle will take the screw on Calor butane regulator. Other bottles take either 20mm or 27mm clip. 27mm clip is also used on UK supplied BP propane bottles so interchangable with French LeCube propane bottles. Bottle top regulators are same 28mb butane & 37mb propane as in UK.
Regulators are dearer than UK, expect to pay £10-15. Rubber pipes are supplied as screw on(expensive)& not push on jubilee clipped but with a little ingenuity you can mix & match. If you have a bulkhead regulator on your caravan it will be ok with French gas with correct pigtail.
Great answer as usual from Tentz. But, Flyder, how much gas do you plan to use? Our smallest size Calor is just starting its third tour of France. But set off with a full one if you are worried.
I agree with Berriow.. how long do you plan to go for ? We used to go for 4 weeks in July & August, We took 2 x 6kg calors, one for the van one for the BBQ and always came back with plenty to spare, enough to last for Easter & May day of the following year before replacing.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Ok we are obviously greedy on gas. We wild so everything is gas, Fridge, hot water, heating, cooking. We never eat out. We have worked out that we get through .5kg to 1 kg a day in spring or autumn type weather. We always seem to have a halfull 13 or 15kg which means we have to take two bottles in case the weather is extra cold, or hot! Ironically the fridge in hot weather seems to use almost as much as having the heater on.
We've had our gas bottle for five years, two holidays a year, and it's still about a third full! We stay on campsites, and use a hook-up which runs the fridge in the van, and an outside fridge, two-ring cooker, small electric oven, kettle, water heater, hair-dryer, and so on! (Not all at once, I hasten to add!). The only times we use gas are on our journeys to and from campsites when we might stop for lunch and boil a kettle!
The cost of the hook-up is included in the cost of our 11 euro/night ACSI site.
At the moment it's running our electric heater, because contrary to our normal holidays, it's really cold and damp here at the moment! We can't move on because our car is playing up so we're making the most of it, and having a nice lunch and the odd verre de vin rouge!
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: French Gas Advice please
