ALbee™ Weld Argon/CO2 Mix Gas 13.4 Litre Refill

For 7kg and 15kg Calor bottles, you’ll need a 21mm clip-on regulator that pushes securely into place.

Approximate usage durations are based on the appliance running for a few hours per day.

• 3.9kg Propane: Best suited for light camping use or single-burner BBQs. Provides approximately 9 to 15 hours of continuous burn time.
• 6kg Propane: Commonly used for caravans and campervans. Can last around 4 to 6 weeks when used only for boiling a kettle and light cooking.
• 13kg Propane: Ideal for regular household or motorhome cooking, as well as limited heating. Typically lasts around 11 to 14 days when used for a few hours of heating each day.
• 47kg Propane: Designed for whole-home central heating or heavy-duty use. Usually lasts around 2 to 3 weeks if running continuously during cold weather.

Propane and butane are both Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG), but they are suited to different uses.

Propane has a boiling point of -42°C, making it ideal for cold weather and outdoor storage. It is commonly used for central heating, static caravans, outdoor equipment, and large BBQs. Propane continues to turn from liquid into gas even in sub-zero temperatures, so it remains reliable throughout the winter.

Butane has a boiling point of around -2°C, making it better suited to indoor use or summer camping. It can struggle to vaporise efficiently in temperatures near or below freezing, which may cause appliances to stop working in cold conditions.

Temperature Performance

Propane works well in cold and sub-zero weather. Butane is less effective in freezing conditions and may stop working when temperatures drop too low.

Energy Efficiency

Propane has a slightly higher calorific value than butane, at around 50.35 MJ/kg compared with 49.1 MJ/kg, meaning it provides slightly more energy by weight.

Storage and Pressure

Propane produces a much higher vapour pressure inside the cylinder, so it requires thicker, heavier steel cylinders and should always be stored outdoors. Butane is stored at a lower pressure, allowing for lighter, more portable canisters that are suitable for indoor use.

Choosing Between Propane and Butane

Use propane for year-round outdoor appliances, static caravans, home heating systems, and larger BBQs. In the UK, propane cylinders are usually supplied in red bottles.

Use butane for portable indoor heaters, single-burner camping stoves, and lighters. In the UK, butane is usually supplied in blue bottles or aerosol-style pierceable canisters.

Patio gas is propane. It is simply a marketing term used for propane cylinders, which are often supplied in green bottles and designed for outdoor appliances. Patio gas works well all year round because propane continues to vaporise even in cold weather.