Most campers will have to deal with the subject of gas cylinders at some point, as they are an integral part of everyday life when camping for cooking, heating and sometimes for running the fridge. But what kind of gas cylinders are there, for what purpose are they suitable and where can they be exchanged or filled? We explain these questions and a few more below.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Which gas cylinders are available in Germany?
- Overview of gas cylinders
- What sizes of gas cylinders are available?
- Filling gas cylinders in Germany
- Gas locker in motorhome and caravan
- During transportation: Close the gas cylinders, disconnect them or continue to use them as normal?
- Experts in the podcast on the topic of “Basic knowledge – gas when camping”
Which gas cylinders are available in Germany?
Which gas cylinders are best suited for camping or traveling depends on the vehicle in question and, of course, your own wishes. You can cook, heat and run the fridge with a conventional gas cylinder. However, tank gas cylinders or aluminum gas cylinders are also ideal for on the go. However, before you decide on a gas cylinder, you should consider whether propane or butane is the most suitable gas for you.
Let’s start with the bottles commonly used in Germany.
Overview of gas cylinders
All bottle types are available in at least two sizes: 5 and 11 kilograms. This is the filling weight in each case. In other words, the amount of liquid gas inside.
The gray steel bottle
Often referred to as a proprietary bottle. If you buy such a bottle, it belongs to you. Hence the name. You can exchange it for another filled cylinder at any propane gas dealer in Germany.
This bottle is the best choice for campers, as it can be exchanged almost anywhere in Germany.
tip
Pay attention to the date printed on the bottle. The cylinders must be tested every 10 years and the owner pays for the test. Therefore, pay attention to the date of the new cylinder when exchanging it at the DIY store or petrol station, for example.
- Gas type: Propane
- Number of different sizes: 2
- Empty weight: approx. 5.8 kg and 10.4 kg
- Filling weight: maximum 5.1 and 11.4 kg
- Dimensions height x diameter: approx. 49 x 23.5 cm and 59 x 30 cm
- Price per bottle: approx. 60 euros
- Price of a filling: 2.5 – 3.5 euros
- Buy: The bottle can be purchased online, for example from Camping Wagner.
The red deposit bottle made of steel
You only borrow this bottle. You pay a deposit, which you get back when you return it. You can also simply exchange this bottle for a full one. But normally only at the retailer/gas supplier where you bought it. So not throughout Germany!
- Gas type: Propane
- Number of different sizes: 2
- Empty weight: approx. 5.8 kg and 10.4 kg
- Filling weight: maximum 5.1 and 11.4 kg
- Dimensions height x diameter: approx. 49 x 23.5 cm and 59 x 30 cm
- Price per bottle: approx. 30 and 40 euros
- Price of a filling: 2.5 – 3.5 euros
Aluminum gas cylinder
This bottle is not made of steel, but of aluminum. It is lighter than the two previous bottles. It is more expensive to buy. It is also a commercial bottle and can be filled/exchanged throughout Germany, but is not as widespread as the gray steel bottle.
- Gas type: Propane
- Number of different sizes: 2
- Empty weight: approx. 3.7 kg and 5.4 kg
- Filling weight: maximum 6.1 and 11.4 kg
- Dimensions height x diameter: approx. 39 x 30 cm and 57.5 x 30 cm
- Price per bottle: approx. 129 and 169 euros
- Price of a filling: 2.5 – 3.5 euros
- Buy: The bottle can be purchased online at Camping Wagner, for example.
Propane or butane?
Propane and butane are both alkanes, i.e. they are saturated hydrocarbons. These liquefied gases are only liquid in the gas cylinders under pressure; as soon as they leave the cylinder, they expand and change to a gaseous state. Both alkanes are therefore often used as fuels. They hardly differ in terms of their heating and calorific values. Here you can find more information about theproperties of liquefied gases. The difference between the two gases lies in the price (in Germany, propane is usually cheaper than butane).
On the other hand, you can also use propane in winter, but not butane. This is because the boiling points of the two gases are very different: pure butane no longer gasifies at temperatures below -0.5 degrees and can therefore no longer be used for heating and cooking. The boiling point of pure propane gas, on the other hand, is -42.1 degrees Celsius. A mixture of both gases is therefore often used. The standard gray gas cylinders that you can buy in Germany and exchange “empty for full” if necessary usually contain mainly propane gas.
Buy or borrow gas cylinders?
If you do not yet have your own gas cylinder, the question arises as to whether you would prefer to buy (gray gas cylinders) or borrow (red gas cylinders) one. At first glance, it seems more attractive to simply borrow the gas cylinder and return it when it is empty. After all, you only pay the refill fee and the deposit is refunded when you no longer need the gas cylinder.
The big disadvantage: the returnable bottles remain the property of the respective manufacturer and can only be exchanged at their sales partners. The network may be well developed in your residential area. But does it make sense when you go on vacation? When making this decision, you should also consider the purpose of the gas cylinder.
If you have a permanent caravan site, you can save money with a deposit bottle. If you travel frequently with your caravan or motorhome, it is advisable to buy your own gray gas cylinder. Here you pay a purchase fee, which you will not be refunded if you no longer need the gas cylinder. However, you can also exchange these camping bottles for a full one at almost any DIY store and at many filling stations.
Aluminum gas cylinders
The big advantage of aluminum gas cylinders is their low weight compared to red or grey steel cylinders. Alugas claims that its cylinders are 75% lighter than conventional ones. This can be a particularly exciting point for motorhomes, which often have to contend with the problem of a low payload. The major disadvantage, however, is the high purchase price, as aluminum gas cylinders are usually also purchased cylinders. They can be filled with butane or propane. You can find a list of filling stations on the Alugas website.
Gas cartridges
Gas cartridges are suitable for those who are minimalist when camping or have a space or weight problem. These are not now also available from other manufacturers. However, the blue Campinggaz cartridges are probably the best known and certainly the ones with the best-developed dealer network in Europe. Gas cartridges are disposable gas-filled containers that can generally be used for cooking, barbecuing or lighting but not for heating. They are usually filled with a gas mixture containing more butane than propane and are ideal for camping due to their small size and low weight.
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What sizes of gas cylinders are available?
There are different sizes of gas cylinders, which are always intended for different purposes. When choosing the right size, you need to pay close attention to this fact. Of course, you don’t need an 11 kg gas cylinder for your hiking vacation or if you’re going camping for two or three days. I have shown you the sizes and, of course, the recommended use:
- Gas cylinders 11 kg: The 11 kg cylinders are perfect for your caravan or motorhome. With this bottle you have enough gas to boil and get hot water.
- Gas cylinders 5 kg The 5 kg cylinders are more suitable for the gas barbecue or for camping for a few days or if you do not have enough space or payload for an 11 kg gas cylinder.
- Gas cartridges The gas cartridges are perfect for hiking or camping. They are ideal for small burners so that you can cook on the go.
Filling gas cylinders in Germany
A gas cylinder can sometimes run empty during a vacation. However, the bottles are refillable . Unless you have a model that does not have a device for an adapter connection. The question is, however, where you can refill your gas cylinder. As mentioned above, there are various options for this. However, you must pay attention to which gas you need, i.e. propane or butane, and what type of gas cylinder you are using. In Germany, many petrol stations, DIY stores and camping retailers offer to fill or exchange the gray gas cylinders, regardless of where you first bought them.
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With the red deposit bottles, you need to make sure you find the retailer who has your bottle in their range. This also applies to the aluminum gas cylinders. In general, however, filling is much easier in Germany than abroad. This is because all connections are standardized in the same way. Abroad, however, you need to make sure you have the right connection and possibly buy a gas adapter.
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Gas locker in motorhome and caravan
Now you have decided on a gas cylinder, you know the size you need and the gas it should contain. Now the question is: How and where do you store the bottle(s)? A gas box in which the gas cylinders are securely lashed down is mandatory in the motorhome or caravan. This gas box must be sealed airtight in the interior.
This means that in the event of a possible leak, no gas may penetrate into the interior of the vehicle. Instead, a non-closable opening to the outside must be installed at the lowest end. This must have an area of around 10 x 10 cm, i.e. 100 cm². If you install a gas box in your motorhome, you must adhere exactly to the regulations, otherwise you will not get approval for your camping home. You can find all further information in worksheet G 607 “Liquid gas systems in vehicles”.
Incidentally, the maximum number of filled gas cylinders that you may carry in the gas locker is limited to 2 x 11 kg (please also pay attention to the drawbar load here!). So if you are staying abroad for a longer period of time, you should look into gas adapters and gas cylinders abroad.
During transportation: Close the gas cylinders, disconnect them or continue to use them as normal?
There are numerous rumors surrounding this question. In fact, unlike when transporting by car, you do not have to disconnect the gas cylinder in the motorhome or caravan during the journey. Only the spare cylinder, which is not connected, must be closed during the journey and fitted with a red protective cap.
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But there is a small catch: the Heating Appliances Directive 2001/56/EC with the amendments 2004/78/EC and 2006/119/EC. This states that motorhomes built from 01/2007 onwards require a safety shut-off device for the operation of a liquid gas heater while driving, which prevents gas from escaping in the event of an accident with a pipe rupture. These safety shut-off valves are available from Truma, for example, as so-called “Mono” or “Duo-Control” with integrated crash sensor for one and two-bottle systems.
The cost of the complete set for one bottle is approx. 200 euros, for two bottles approx. 320 euros. According to the manufacturer, installation should be easy. There are no restrictions for vehicles built before 01/2007.
But be careful if you are traveling to France, for example: There, the operation of the gas system while driving is only permitted in type-approved vehicles with first registration from 01/2007. Owners of older vehicles must freeze, because even with a safety shut-off device they must close the gas bottle while driving. Caution: Absorption refrigerators may not be used at filling stations and on ferries. For your own safety, however, we advise you NOT to operate the gas system while driving, especially in older vehicles.
Experts in the podcast on the topic of “Basic knowledge – gas when camping”
In our podcast, Nele and Sebastian shed light on the topic of“Basic knowledge – gas when camping“, providing information and tips. Be sure to give it a listen:
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