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Hello going to France shortly and need some advice regarding taking gas bottles.

• About to buy a calor or gelert stove with grill - and need a bottle. Concerned about taking gas in a car.  Is it best to take a gas bottle with you or do campsites offer a hire service ?
• There's 2 adults and 1 small un going - how much gas are we likely to use in 2 weeks ?

Been out of camping for sometime and it feels great to be getting back into it. So glad I found this website.

You can`t get calor gas refills in France..take Camping Gaz.You can buy refills in any supermarket for about the same price as here.

I`ve carried Gaz bottles in the car many  times. They have a self seal inside, so are pretty safe. Disconnect the regulator and keep upright...wedge it in between holdalls or something so it can`t move around.I don`t recall ever having seen Gaz bottles just to hire in France, though perhaps just not noticed.

As to how much Gaz you would need for two weeks...well, how long is a piece of string? Depends on what cooking you`re intending to do, and if you`re running anything else off the cylinder like a barbecue. But if you`re just doing simple meals and the odd cup of tea, I`d say one of the 907 bottles, the most common size, would last you for the fortnight.

Remember to get the correct regulator and hose, BTW. Often it`s not included with the cooker.

Thanks Val,

great advice

  Be careful the ferry company's may not take your car on board if they know that you have gas cylinders in the car

denbob,

Quote: Originally posted by denbob on 09/08/2004

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  Be careful the ferry company's may not take your car on board if they know that you have gas cylinders in the car

denbob,

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 I`ve never heard of this, so had a look at Condor,  Brittany Ferries and P&O web pages. They all ban cans of petrol, and P&O do indeed say loose gas cylinders may not be carried, which probably means half the caravans and all the campers on board are breaking this rule?

Condor say a maximum of three refillable cylinders, securely carried, but that they must be declared to the Officer-in-Charge. Or 12  of the cartridge type.

Brittany Ferries just say no dangerous items to be carried, and in doubt check with them. We almost always travel with Brittany Ferries which is no doubt why I`ve not heard anything about this restriction.

 Other ferry companies no doubt have different restrictions.  

I can`t honestly see them searching every car for cyinders, so I would just keep them well out of sight myself. Shielding them from the sun of course. Or you could stump up for a new cylinder at the hypermarket when there and dump it when you come back? 

I understood the reference to gas bottles was aimed at the fact it's illegal to have one fitted and turned on whilst being carried on a ferry, for keeping the fridge cool for instance.

I do know they insist that all gas bottles are turned off at the valves on the tops of the bottles prior to boarding the ferry.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this please.

Bill.