Recommendation
If you live in your van full-time and will do so for more than a year, refillable LPG pays for itself in gas savings within 6–9 months. The Safefill 7kg is the best option for most campervans — light enough to carry, compact, and fits in a standard gas locker.
Calor Gas vs Campingaz for Campervans UK 2026: Which Bottle & Regulator System is Best?
Every UK campervan that cooks with gas faces the same choice: Calor or Campingaz? The two systems use different bottle connections, different regulators, and different gas types. Pick the wrong one and you are stuck with a bottle you cannot refill or exchange on the road.
The Basics: Gas Types
| Gas | Properties | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Butane (C₄H₁₀) | Vaporises down to 0°C. Burns clean. | Summer use, mild climates. Used in Calor bottles with blue clip-on regulator. |
| Propane (C₃H₈) | Vaporises down to −42°C. Higher pressure. | Winter use, cold climates. Used in Calor bottles with red screw-on regulator. |
| Campingaz (butane/propane mix) | Proprietary gas blend. Vaporises around −10°C. | Campingaz CV 470/470 Plus cartridges. |
Key point for UK winter: If you use your van year-round, you need propane. Butane stops vaporising when the bottle temperature drops below 0°C, which happens in any UK winter. If you only use the van in summer, butane is fine.
Calor Gas
Calor is the UK standard. You find Calor bottles at every hardware store, petrol station, caravan dealer, and garden centre.
Bottles
| Bottle | Gas | Weight (full) | Typical Cost (exchange) | Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calor 3.9kg Butane | Butane | 6.9kg | £25–35 | Hob only, 2–3 weeks |
| Calor 4.5kg Propane | Propane | 9.5kg | £30–40 | Hob + diesel heater backup, 3–4 weeks |
| Calor 6kg Butane | Butane | 11kg | £30–40 | Hob + occasional grill, 3–4 weeks |
| Calor 6kg Propane | Propane | 11.5kg | £35–45 | Hob + winter use, 3–4 weeks |
| Calor 13kg Propane | Propane | 22.5kg | £40–50 | Full-time, hob + heater, 6–8 weeks |
Regulators
Calor uses two different regulator connections:
- Butane (blue): Clip-on regulator, push-fit. Smaller bottle outlet. £8–15.
- Propane (red): Screw-on regulator (POL fitting). Larger bottle outlet. £10–18.
Important: The regulators are NOT interchangeable. A butane regulator will not fit a propane bottle and vice versa. If you switch from butane to propane (for winter use), you need a new regulator.
How Calor Works
You buy the first bottle (which includes a deposit for the bottle itself). When empty, you exchange it for a full one at any Calor stockist — you pay for the gas only, not a new bottle. The deposit is refundable if you return the bottle permanently.
Pros:
- Widely available — every town has a Calor stockist
- Low upfront cost (£25–45 per bottle)
- Exchange system — no waiting for refills
- Two gas types for different seasons
Cons:
- Proprietary bottles — you rent the metal, you do not own it
- Heavy when full (a 6kg propane bottle is 11.5kg)
- Cannot take the bottle abroad (Calor is UK-only)
- No gauge — you run out without warning
- The bottle deposit is not always refunded if you lose the receipt
Campingaz
Campingaz is the European standard. You find it at camping shops, caravan dealers, and some petrol stations.
Bottles (CV Series)
| Bottle | Weight (full) | Gas Content | Typical Cost | Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CV 470 | 3.5kg | 1.8kg | £15–25 | Hob only, 1–2 weeks |
| CV 470 Plus | 5.2kg | 2.75kg | £22–32 | Hob + grill, 2–3 weeks |
Regulators
Campingaz CV bottles use a proprietary click-on regulator (specific to Campingaz). The regulator is built into the bottle connection, not a separate component. £12–20.
How Campingaz Works
Like Calor, you buy a bottle with a deposit and exchange it when empty. The deposit is lower than Calor (£5–8 for the CV 470).
Pros:
- Lighter than equivalent Calor bottles
- The bottle + regulator is a one-piece system (easier to connect)
- Europe-wide availability (good if you travel to France / Spain)
- The CV 470 Plus is the lightest option for a hob-only setup
Cons:
- Less widely available than Calor (especially in Scotland and rural England)
- The gas is more expensive per kg than Calor
- Only one gas type (butane/propane mix) — not ideal for extreme cold
- Smaller range of bottle sizes
- The click-on regulator can leak if the seal is damaged (carry a spare seal)
Cost Comparison
| System | Bottle Cost (deposit + first gas) | Cost per kg of Gas | Refill Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calor 6kg Propane | £40 | ~£6/kg | £35–45 | Excellent |
| Calor 6kg Butane | £35 | ~£5.50/kg | £30–40 | Excellent |
| Campingaz CV 470 Plus | £28 | ~£9/kg | £22–32 | Good |
| Refillable LPG (Gaslow, Safefill) | £120–200 (bottle) | ~£1.50/kg | £12–18 | Moderate |
Running cost per month (full-time van life, hob + occasional grill):
- Calor: £35–45 every 4–5 weeks = ~£35/month
- Campingaz: £28 every 2–3 weeks = ~£40/month
- Refillable LPG: £15–20 every 6–8 weeks = ~£12/month
Refillable LPG: The Best Option
Refillable LPG (Gaslow, Safefill, or aluminium propane bottles) is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
How It Works
You buy a refillable bottle (which you own). You fill it at any LPG filling station (there are ~1,400 in the UK, findable via the MyLPG app). You pay for the gas by the litre.
Costs
| Bottle | Cost | Full Weight | Gas Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safefill 7kg | £130 | 12kg | 7kg |
| Gaslow 6kg | £180 | 11kg | 6kg |
| Gaslow 11kg | £220 | 17kg | 11kg |
Pros
- Cheapest gas: £1.20–1.80/kg (vs £6/kg for Calor)
- You own the bottle — no deposit, no rental
- Fill by the litre, pay only for what you use
- LPG is propane — works in all UK winter conditions
- No waste: you are not disposing of single-use steel bottles
- Can be filled on the continent (LPG is widely available in Europe)
Cons
- Higher upfront cost (£130–220 for the bottle)
- Only 1,400 LPG filling stations in the UK (less convenient than Calor exchange)
- LPG stations are closing slowly (down from 2,000 a decade ago)
- The filling process is slower than exchange (10 minutes to fill)
- Some filling stations refuse to fill non-standard bottles
Which Gas System Should You Choose?
| If You... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Use the van in summer only | Calor Butane 6kg (blue) |
| Use the van year-round | Calor Propane 6kg (red) or refillable LPG |
| Travel to Europe | Campingaz CV 470 Plus or refillable LPG |
| Want the cheapest gas | Refillable LPG (Gaslow or Safefill) |
| Want the simplest setup | Campingaz CV (click-on, no separate regulator) |
| Want the lightest bottle | Campingaz CV 470 Plus (3.5kg full) |
| Want the longest runtime | Calor 13kg Propane (but it is 22.5kg full) |
Gas Locker Requirements
Whichever system you choose, the gas bottle must be stored in a locker that meets these requirements:
- Sealed from the living space: Gas-tight seal between the locker and the van interior
- Drain hole: A 20mm+ hole at the bottom of the locker, venting to outside (not under the van floor)
- Drain must be at the lowest point: Gas is heavier than air — it collects at the bottom
- Bottle restraint: The bottle must be strapped or clamped so it cannot move in transit
- Accessible valve: The bottle valve must be reachable without pulling the bottle out
- Ventilation: The locker must have a 10mm+ vent to outside air (so any leak disperses)
FAQ
Q: Can I use a Calor regulator on a Campingaz bottle? A: No. The connections are completely different. You need the correct regulator for each system. If you switch from Calor to Campingaz (or vice versa), buy a new regulator.
Q: Can I refill a Calor bottle? A: No. Calor bottles are designed for exchange only. Refilling them is illegal and dangerous. If you want refillable, buy a Gaslow or Safefill bottle.
Q: How long does a Calor 6kg propane bottle last in a campervan? A: For a single person using a two-burner hob for 30–60 minutes a day, plus the occasional grill: 4–5 weeks. For a couple cooking all meals: 3–4 weeks.
Q: Does gas go off? A: No. Propane and butane have no expiry date. They store indefinitely as long as the bottle is sealed.
Q: Can I take a gas bottle on a ferry? A: Yes, but with restrictions. Most ferry companies allow one 6kg bottle per vehicle. It must be turned off at the valve. Some require you to declare it at check-in.
Q: Is Campingaz available in Scotland? A: Less reliably than Calor. The main Campingaz stockists are Go Outdoors, Halfords, and caravan dealers. In rural Scotland and the Highlands, Calor is much easier to find.
