When you are choosing which type of fuel to use in your caravan or motorhome, the range of options might seem a little overwhelming at first. The more you read up on the different choices available, the more confusing it can become.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a straightforward summary of three of the most popular types of gas bottles that are commonly used in motorhomes and gone through some of their major benefits.

Most of the fuels that are suitable for camping use in motorhomes are based around two different types of hydrocarbons; propane and butane. Each has some benefits and some drawbacks that are important to consider when you are choosing the gas for your caravan or motorhome. Our wide range of propane, butane and Campingaz bottles and cylinders, are all safe and suitable for motorhome use, but there might be some specific qualities that will make one of these three the best choice for your particular circumstances.

Butane

Probably the most commonly used of all camping fuels, butane is a gas at room temperature but is easily compressed into a liquefied form. This means that it can safely and easily be stored in compressed containers, making it a popular choice for camping gas canisters.

Although it is naturally a fairly odourless gas, when it is used in fuel canisters, there is usually a small amount of hydrogen sulphide or other offensive smelling substance added. This means that leaking gas can easily be smelt, which is an important safety measure for any kind of gas to be stored and used near motorhomes.

Butane gas bottles are usually slightly cheaper than propane-based alternatives, meaning that they are a popular commercial option. They also burn more efficiently, meaning that they are usually considered to be slightly better value for money. They provide an effective option to fuel your motorhome, roughly 12% more fuel-efficient than a propane-based fuel system. You can find both small and larger bottle sizes, depending on the length of time that you intend to travel for. We offer a range of cylinder sizes from 15KG butane bottles to 4.5KG butane bottles.

Propane

Propane does bear a number of similarities to butane – it is another form of petroleum gas that is a by-product of petroleum production. Although it has a slightly different chemical structure to butane, it burns in a similar way and still produces carbon dioxide and water as it burns. Both types of gas will produce a comparable level of heat, so there isn’t a noticeable difference in the kind of temperature that you can generate by choosing one over the other.

However, propane gas bottles are a popular choice for campers who will be touring over winter. This is because propane is able to burn more effectively at cold temperatures – including when the temperature has dropped below freezing. This means that many motorhome users will choose to equip themselves with propane gas bottles if they are anticipating cold temperatures as they travel.

The last thing you need on a cold-weather trip is for your burner to stop working! If nothing else, most experienced motorhome owners will consider that it is a worthwhile endeavour to take a small back-up canister of propane with them, if there is a risk of cold conditions.

Bottle Gases offer 47KG propane cylinders down to sizes of 3.9KG propane cylinders, so we have a size that will suit your needs.

Campingaz

Campingaz is a popular alternative brand, and we are also pleased to stock a wide selection of Campingaz cylinders. The range of cylinders contain propane-based fuel, so you can expect the same high-quality performance at low temperatures that you would see from Calor butane bottles.

The particular advantage that Campingaz offers, compared to Calor, is that Campingaz is particularly popular across Europe. That means that if you are travelling for a long period of time across Europe – and you need to refill, you should find it easy and straightforward to find refills. Additionally, all of the Campingaz cylinders in the range we offer have an extremely straightforward screw-fit mechanism on their regulators – so they are easy to use and handle. We offer 901, 904 and 907 Campingaz cylinders.

So whatever kind of LPG gas bottle or canister you’ve decided is the best choice for your motorhome, you can pick the perfect size from our range of Calor and Campingaz fuel bottles and canisters. Browse our full selection to find out more!