When it comes to outdoor adventures like camping and caravan holidays, having the right camping gas for your appliances – usually propane or butane – is essential. Camping gas bottles are portable and easy to use, and so are ideal for cooking, heating and lighting up your outdoor escapes.
These bottles come in small, lightweight cylinders and include a safety valve, so you can unscrew them from your appliance even when they’re not fully empty. But how do you choose between butane or propane? This guide explains what each gas offers, when to pick each one, and the full pros and cons of both.
Butane and propane explained
Butane
Butane is a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) known for its clean, efficient burn. It gives off fewer emissions per kilo than propane, and you’ll often get more usable gas out of a smaller bottle. Butane cylinders are lighter than propane ones too, which makes them easier to carry when space or weight is tight.
The trade-off is cold weather. Butane stops vaporising at around 0°C, so once the temperature drops toward freezing, the flame weakens or cuts out altogether. That makes it a strong choice for spring and summer trips, but not a reliable one for winter camping.
Propane
Propane is also an LPG, built to handle harsher conditions. It keeps vaporising down to around -42°C, so it delivers a steady flame through cold nights, early spring trips and unpredictable UK weather. Propane is stored at a higher pressure than butane, which suits demanding appliances such as patio heaters, larger barbecues and caravan central heating.
The trade-off runs the other way here. Propane cylinders are heavier than butane ones, and your appliance and regulator both need to be rated for propane’s higher pressure.
When to choose propane
Propane is the better fit if you’re:
- Camping through autumn, winter or early spring, when temperatures could reach freezing or below
- Touring in a caravan or motorhome and want one gas that handles cooking, heating and hot water all year
- Running higher-demand kit such as patio heaters or larger barbecues
- Staying off grid for longer trips, where a bigger bottle means fewer changeovers
When to choose butane
Butane makes more sense if you’re:
- Camping in spring or summer, when temperatures reliably stay above freezing
- Travelling light and want the smallest, most portable cylinder for the job
- Running a single-burner stove or a small portable barbecue
- After a clean, efficient burn for short trips and festivals
Benefits of butane vs. propane
Here’s how the two compare side by side:
| Gas | Pros | Cons |
| Butane |
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| Propane |
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Choosing gas by camping style
Climate isn’t the only factor. How you camp, and how much weight you’re willing to carry and want to take with you, will inform the right gas and cylinder for you too.
Tents and car camping
- Family and group trips can carry a bit more weight, so either gas can work depending on the season
- Mid-size cylinders such as our Campingaz 907 or 904, or an 11kg propane bottle, suit a two-burner stove and a small heater
- Camping outside peak summer? Propane gives you a safer margin against a cold night
Caravans and campervans
- Fixed installations run cooking, heating and hot water all year, so propane is almost always the right choice
- Larger cylinders, from 11kg up to 19kg, mean fewer changeovers on a longer tour
- A two-cylinder changeover kit with an over-pressure shut-off (OPSO) switches to your spare cylinder automatically, so the supply never runs out mid-trip
- Always store cylinders in the gas locker or an external, ventilated cupboard, never inside the living space
Choosing the right cylinder size and regulator
Picking the gas is only half the job. You’ll also need the right cylinder size and a regulator rated for that gas and your appliance’s pressure. For a full breakdown of cylinder sizes, regulator types and safe set-up, see our guide to gas for camping.
Crucial safety tips and advice
Camping gas is safe when it’s stored, connected and used correctly. Keep these points in mind on every trip:
- Store cylinders upright, outdoors or in a well-ventilated space at the campsite, and never inside a tent, awning or car
- Keep cylinders away from direct sunlight, campfires and other heat sources when you pitch up
- Check the hose, regulator and cylinder valve for cracks, wear or damage before every trip
- Replace gas hoses every five years and regulators every ten years, or sooner if they look worn so ageing kit doesn’t let you down mid-adventure
- Test every new connection for leaks with a 50/50 mix of washing-up liquid and water, and look for bubbles rather than checking with a flame
- Turn the cylinder valve off first when you finish, then let the appliance burn off the gas left in the hose
- Keep a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in your tent, caravan or campervan whenever you’re running a gas appliance
- Never run a camping stove or heater inside an unventilated tent, awning or vehicle, even for a short time
For the detailed rules on storing butane and propane cylinders, see our gas cylinder safety guidelines.
Our camping gas range
We stock a full range of camping gas bottles, including the popular Campingaz 907 and 904 cylinders, plus colour-coded bottles so you can identify butane and propane at a glance. The 907 is the most widely used size worldwide and suits most camping appliances. If you need something smaller, the 904 is a compact option that works seamlessly with any Campingaz appliance.
Choosing the right gas for your camping needs
Ultimately, the decision comes down to climate and how you like to camp. If you’re heading somewhere cold, touring through autumn and winter, or running higher-demand appliances, propane is the safer bet. If you’re camping in milder weather and want the lightest kit possible, butane does the job just as well.
Whichever gas you choose, get in touch and we’ll help you find the right bottle, regulator and size for your trip.