The BBQ and camping season is back, and there’s plenty to think about before you set off on your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re cooking on a gas-fired BBQ, firing up a camping stove or hooking up a caravan heater, the right gas for camping is the difference between a smooth trip and a frustrating one. A good gas cylinder paired with the correct gas regulator keeps your appliance running safely and at the right pressure – so you can spend less time fiddling with kit and more time enjoying the outdoors.
Gas-fired BBQs are becoming more popular; they’re less messy than charcoal, heat up in minutes, and give you proper control over the temperature. That means less faff before you cook, and better results once you do, whether you’re searing steaks at home or feeding the family at a campsite.
This guide walks you through the essentials: butane versus propane, picking the right cylinder size, choosing the correct regulator, and setting everything up safely.
A quick guide to butane and propane gas for camping
When you’re shopping for gas for camping, you’ll usually be choosing between two gases: butane (typically supplied in blue cylinders) and propane (typically red). Both are liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), and both work well for outdoor cooking, heating and lighting – but they behave quite differently.
- Butane is the cleaner-burning, more efficient option in milder weather. It produces fewer emissions per kilo, and the cylinders tend to be lighter and easier to carry, which makes it a popular pick for summer camping trips, festivals and portable barbecues. The catch is the cold; butane stops vaporising at around 0°C, so once the temperature drops, you’ll get a weak flame, or nothing at all.
- Propane is the all-weather workhorse. It keeps vaporising down to around -42°C, so it’ll happily run your stove or heater through winter escapes, early spring weekends and chilly autumn evenings. It’s also stored at a higher pressure, which makes it the better choice for higher-demand appliances like patio heaters, larger BBQs and caravan central heating. The trade-off is that propane cylinders are a touch heavier, and your appliance needs to be rated for propane pressure.
A simple rule of thumb: if you only camp in summer and weight matters, butane is fine. If you camp year-round, tour in a caravan or motorhome, or want one cylinder that handles everything, go with propane.
Choosing the right size gas bottle
The right cylinder size comes down to three things: how much gas your appliance uses, how long you’ll be away, and how easy it needs to be to move around. Here’s a quick guide to the sizes we stock most often.
- Small portable camping cylinders (around 2 to 3kg) are designed for short trips, single-burner stoves and compact portable BBQs. They’re lightweight, easy to carry and use a screw-on valve – a great fit for weekend camping, festivals or anywhere weight matters. Expect roughly 8–12 hours of cooking, depending on how hard you push the burner
- Mid-size cylinders (11kg propane or 13kg butane) are the everyday choice for family camping, two-burner stoves, mid-sized BBQs, awning heaters and caravans. They strike a nice balance between run-time and portability, and they’re straightforward to lift, transport and swap out when empty
- Large cylinders (18kg propane and above, up to 47kg) are built for heavier or longer-term use – full-time touring, mobile catering, patio heaters running for hours at a time, or as a backup for a fixed installation. They’re too heavy to move around regularly, but they offer the lowest cost per kilo and the longest run-time between changes
Not sure which size suits you? Take a look at your appliance’s rating plate; it shows gas consumption in kilograms or grams per hour. Multiply that by the hours you expect to use it, and you’ll have a rough idea of how much gas you’ll need for the trip. Our experienced team are more than happy to help you match the right cylinder to your kit if you’d like a second opinion.
Choosing the right type of regulator for your camping gas
A regulator only does one job, but it’s an important one: it brings the high pressure inside the cylinder down to the steady, lower pressure your appliance is designed to use. Fit the wrong regulator and you’ll get no gas, a weak flame, or, at worst, a dangerous situation.
Regulators are sized to match the cylinder valve and rated for either butane or propane. Here are the main types we stock for camping, caravanning and outdoor use:
- Clip-on regulators: Push on by hand and secure with a locking collar, no spanner needed. We supply 21mm clip-on butane regulators (28 mbar, used on standard butane cylinder valves including our 13kg butane bottle) and 27mm clip-on propane regulators (37 mbar, used on 27mm propane patio valves including our 11kg propane patio cylinder)
- Screw-on regulators: For cylinders with a threaded valve, including larger propane bottles and many smaller camping cylinders. We stock screw-on butane regulators and a 37 mbar screw-on propane regulator suitable for larger propane bottles
- Hand-wheel propane regulator: A screw-on propane regulator that tightens by hand. A good choice if you swap cylinders often and would rather not carry a spanner
- Low-pressure regulators: For appliances that run at a lower pressure than the standard 28/37 mbar setup. We stock both low-pressure butane and low-pressure propane versions for compact portable BBQs and certain catering or workshop equipment
- Regulators with built-in gauges: Our 21mm clip-on butane and 37 mbar screw-on propane regulators are also available with a pressure gauge built into the body, so you can see at a glance how much gas is left. Handy for caravans, mobile catering and anyone who doesn’t want to get caught out mid-cook
- Two-way changeover regulator with OPSO: Connects two propane cylinders at once and automatically switches to the second when the first runs out, so the gas supply never gets interrupted. The Over-Pressure Shut-Off (OPSO) safety device cuts the gas if pressure rises above the safe range. A solid upgrade for caravans, motorhomes and longer trips
Always check your appliance’s data plate for the operating pressure it needs (typically 28 mbar for butane, 37 mbar for propane, or 30 mbar for mixed-use caravan systems) and match the regulator to that pressure as well as the cylinder valve. If anything looks worn, cracked or older than ten years, replace it. Hoses should be replaced every five years, or sooner if they show signs of damage.
Setting up your camping gas safely
Once you’ve matched your cylinder, regulator and appliance, the setup itself is straightforward.
Important: Always work outdoors, in a well-ventilated space, well away from naked flames, sparks or cigarettes.
- Start with the appliance turned off and the cylinder valve closed. Have a quick look at the cylinder for any damage, the rubber sealing washer inside the regulator for cracks or perishing, and the hose for splits, abrasion or stiffness. If anything looks suspect, don’t connect it
- Fit the regulator next. Clip-on types press firmly onto the cylinder valve until the collar locks into place; screw-on types tighten clockwise (or anticlockwise on POL fittings – they’re left-hand threaded)
- Run the hose so it can’t be trodden on, kinked or pinched against hot surfaces.
- Before you light up, do a leak test. Brush a 50/50 mix of washing-up liquid and water onto the connection between the regulator and cylinder, then open the cylinder valve. If you see bubbles forming, close the valve, tighten or re-fit the connection, and test again. Never use a flame to look for a leak
- Once everything’s tight, open the cylinder valve slowly and light the appliance following the manufacturer’s instructions. When you’re done, always turn the cylinder valve off first and let the appliance burn off the residual gas in the hose before turning that off too.
Store your cylinders outside or in a ventilated outdoor cupboard – always upright, away from direct sunlight, and never inside a tent, car or living space.
Need help choosing the right gas for camping?
Whether you’re setting up your first BBQ or kitting out a caravan for a year of touring, we’re here to help. Get in touch and we’ll point you to the right cylinder, the right regulator and the right hose, so you can head off on your outdoor adventures knowing everything’s safe and working as it should.