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 Topic: Scarcity of 4.5kg Butane - Portable Hob
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18/7/2022 at 10:28am
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Not perhaps as straightforward as first appearances suggest.
Trying not to get too techno-babble here, at it's crudest, the instantaneous power drawn by some appliances set to a nominal 'low' or 'medium' setting may be as high as a 'full' setting but limited in duration in a kind of pulsed on-off duty cycle to give an AVERAGE of a 'low' or 'medium' setting. That means for the 'on cycle' it could exceed the power supply rating as effectively running at full power for a limited time, so setting it to a low or medium power doesn't reduce it's demand on the supply, only reduces the EFFECTIVE power applied to the pot on the hob(s). Microwaves are a typical appliance that cannot be run from an underrated supply because they draw their max power regardless of the power setting, it's only the duration of the application of that power that is adjusted by the 'power control' to average out the max power over time to give the simulated effect of reduced power output.
It all depends on the sophistication of the hob and it's power control system which technically could only draw reduced power, but that is sometimes very difficult to determine as manufacturers rarely divulge such detailed info. Probably better to buy an appliance that at it's MAX does not exceed the supply rating, there are quite a few 'low wattage' camping specific hobs on the market. Can't really comment on induction hob power demands as knowledgeable of the technology behind them but not familiar with actual appliances.
Before you go electric, have you considered FloGas instead of Calor as a gas source? Flogas do a 4.5Kg Butane cylinder, and FloGas don't seem to have the supply issues plaguing Calor, they also claim to now have more outlets than Calor! You'll need a different regulator as FloGas 4.5Kg Butane is a clip on fitting. https://www.flogas.co.uk/product/4-5kg-butane-gas-cylinder?c=all-cylinders.
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18/7/2022 at 10:49am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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I like the look of the Vango Sizzle Double Induction Hob, and that's what I would go for if I were to get an induction hob for camping use.
It may not be as powerful as my own single and double catering quality ones, however, it will be very versatile with 2 burners.
My own induction in the van is a 2-burner Thetford one designed for the RV market and cost significantly more than my catering one with special features such as auto-switching power to avoid blowing a 10A supply.
Had the Vango one been available when I was kitting out my van, I might have opted for it instead and saved some money.
Instead of the Vango induction hob, please also consider getting a Coleman 424 Dual Fuel 2-burner hob, as it is very powerful, can be used all year round, fuel widely available, compact to carry, no need to use induction-ready utensils, etc. etc... I cannot recommend this stove highly enough, only sold mine after years of good use as I switched from being a tenter to a van, and regretted it as I could do with one for camping off-grid as I do not use LPG in my van.
DK 
Post last edited on 18/07/2022 10:53:37
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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
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18/7/2022 at 12:47pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Quote: Originally posted by junglesim on 18/7/2022
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Also thanks Monty15, what you say is what I was worried about. Flogas is very interesting, thanks for the link, I will take a a deeper look however I can see all gas going the way of Calor with supply being reduced to that for home heating only, so the concern there is that it is short-term fix for a short-term, problem, if only I had a crystal ball.
The world really has turned upside down recently.
I believe Calor's woes were threefold, not sure which had the most impact, there was/is a shortage of cylinders to refill, there was a huge surge in demand for popular sizes due to Covid stopping international holidays and driving people towards staycation camping, and they sourced their bulk LPG from the Netherlands which was impacted by Brexit transport disruption. Some of those issues should have passed, but Calor don't seem to have improved at all for now the 3rd year on the trot! I don't believe FloGas have had any issues, and I think have gained a lot of business from disgruntled former Calor customers! Certainly got my business.
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18/7/2022 at 12:59pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Quote: Originally posted by junglesim on 18/7/2022
Thanks DK, the Vango sizzle looks just the ticket, thanks for the suggestion, the only real drawback is that I will need to buy new pans and while I have induction at home my wife it adamant that kitchen pans are for the kitchen! Tbh I have some camping pans that I have no complaints about so I would loath to double up. While, if I was starting from scratch, I would jump for the Vango sizzle, my preferred plan is to be additional to what I currently have. I am leaning towards getting a 2.4kW double that I know if at full with trip a 10amp circuit but I am willing to run the gauntlet and risk the situation that Monty 15 pointed out. I have run the risk by senior management her at home (who was non plus a few weeks back when our 4.5kg Butane Calor gas bottle run out mid-cooking and I could not get a replacement) and she is on board so when we end up not being able to cook at the site, we'll go on that diet that we have always said that we should do, but the finger pointing can't happen.
I lusted after a set of Tefal Ingenio induction pans for years and could not justify getting a set as I have very good pans at home already.
Eventually, I bought mine when I started to do pop up kitchen events at a local pub etc. (hence I have catering quality induction hobs and other equipment), with the intention for the smaller pieces to be kept in the van for camping use, and the larger ones for pop up kitchen events.
Can't recommend them highly enough.
Just a thought about getting Calor gas.
At the campsite for my last trip, namely Beech Croft Farm in Derbyshire, they stocked Calor gas cylinders in different sizes, orange (propane) as well as blue (butane) ones.
Perhaps you could contact the campsite to see if they have any for sale?
DK
-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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