Message 8 of 9
Posted by member Nick Askham on Saturday 30 December 2023

Greetings one and all - the current situation regarding the supply of gas in 4.5kg cylinders now seems much more "rosy". Having recently seen a posting on one of the boating pages on Facebook regarding the seemingly doomed 4.5 cylinder, I telephoned Calor yesterday. The lady who answered confirmed that due to the overwhelming support for that size bottle, received from many of the boating and caravanning groups and individuals, they, Calor, have backtracked and are once again going to supply and refill the 4.5kg size gas bottles. She did say that due to initially getting enough bottles to refurbish and refill for part-exchanging for consumers that it would take a while, probably early summer, but eventually it should be "business as normal" ; let's hope that this is the end of that saga !!???

Ironically, having two of the 4.5 cylinders on my boat and one being empty, I took it to the tip, aka recycling centre, a week before Christmas. I'm planning on going back there next week and seeing if it's still there so that I can reclaim it. I suspect that if, indeed, it is still there that I'll have to "put my hand in my pocket" ; hey ho a "tip" for the recycling staff !!!

Regards to all and a Happy New Year - and a plentiful supply of gas for use onboard.

Nick Askham.

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Message 6 of 9
Posted by member Peter Cox on Monday 6 November 2023

The PBO article: https://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/calor-gas-alternatives-for-boat-owners-77076

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Message 4 of 9
Posted by member Nick Askham on Monday 30 October 2023

Hi Tony - many thanks for locating the earlier thread; I had searched the website before but obviously not thoroughly enough.
I had thought, and hoped, that the Flogas 4.5kg butane bottle was going to be an easy answer - how foolish of me !!! Reference to the Flogas website gives the following information :

"Currently we can only process orders for this gas bottle if you have an equivalent empty gas bottle to return".

In other words, "no Flogas cylinder, no gas!". I phoned Flogas this morning and was told, just as the website, that they will only do a refill and NOT sell any cylinders. I asked whether they were, like Calor, going to phase that size out but the person I spoke to was fairly non-committal or didn't know. I asked how one could thus proceed and where would one obtain a cylinder. His reply was that one should either search Flogas depots or look on places like eBay and Facebook marketplace; very reassuring. It seems a conundrum to say the least. With that information I am no further forward, so to speak.

Thank you also for your comments about alcohol stoves. I may well look into the Campingaz cylinders as well.

Regards and thanks, Nick.

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Message 2 of 9
Posted by member Tony Weald on Sunday 29 October 2023

Hi Nick, in common with many owners we have the same issue with our Mariner gas locker, caused by the withdrawal of the 4.5 kg calor bottle.
There were earlier posts on this (under a different heading?) but I can't find at the moment.
I believe that the 3.9 kg Flogas might fit but haven't tried yet.
It was also suggested that main Calor gas depots might refill 4.5kg by appointment. Again not tried.
Years ago I had a twin burner alcohol stove. Bit of a faff starting, using heating cup of fluid around burner. The main issue then was getting the alcohol which I used to buy in France! May be different now.
Campinggaz type equipment has also been suggested.
Not much help, sorry, Tony

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