Gas options during shortages; refillable vs swaps

Dilby replied on 22/05/2023 09:58

Posted on 22/05/2023 09:58

Hi all - I’m currently in the throws of my campervan conversion and trying to sort out my gas. I had a location sorted where I planned to just use a calor gas bottle, but I’ve been calling around and am being told - as most people probably know on here - that there’s a shortage. So this has got my back to the drawing board and I’ve discovered the refillable option from Gaslow and I was hoping for some input from folks whether this is a good option for me in light of the shortage. I’m not living in the van, and would only be doing a combination of day trips, some uk holidays and over to europe for a max of 2 weeks at a time, never in winter. Only have a hob, and not hot water/shower and fridge is electric only. We’d also be using hook up quite a bit.


The refillable Gaslow option isn’t cheap initially, and a ballache for me to install at this point, but seemingly it does allow me to fill up in europe and gets me out of the bind of the calor gas (and flogas) shortage. It also means I can get away with 1 bottle (with refillables my plan was to have 2 bottles so I could have one-on, one-off, which seems less of an issue if I can just refill to the top again rather than sacrifice a bottle even if there’s a bit left).


But do folks think a whole refillable system with a hole in the side of my van is overkill just for a hob, and if there’s an easier way to get my hands on a refillable bottle? (However I’ve been told by the folks I called that even if I bring in a bottle there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to swap it at the moment as even the swap bottles are in short supply) Thanks!

Dilby replied on 22/05/2023 13:38

Posted on 22/05/2023 13:32 by Tinwheeler

"Electric only" suggests it might even be a domestic fridge. Who knows🤷🏻‍♂️

Posted on 22/05/2023 13:38

That's right, it's a Dometic CRE50 compression; uses both 12 & 230v but no gas. Fine for what we need and a proven option.

Tinwheeler replied on 22/05/2023 13:42

Posted on 22/05/2023 13:38 by Dilby

That's right, it's a Dometic CRE50 compression; uses both 12 & 230v but no gas. Fine for what we need and a proven option.

Posted on 22/05/2023 13:42

So a compressor fridge as hja suggested, rather than an absorption fridge. In that case your batteries and solar power will fit the bill.👍🏻

Lyke Wake Man replied on 02/07/2023 17:48

Posted on 02/07/2023 17:48

I have a safefill refillable for about 8 years now,

I can always get gas at Morrisons at £1.15 per kilo, where Calor is about £4.00 per kilo

difference £2.85 per kilo, and with refillable you just take with you what you want, you don't need a full bottle

replied on 03/07/2023 07:14

Posted on 03/07/2023 07:14

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