I have a quick question I would like to ask and I am hoping you can help!
I haven't been camping in a good ten years but have finally convinced my husband to give it a try (we now have a toddler so he's agreed for him I think!). Anyway, we have been looking at various camping stoves and my husband very much likes the Campingaz 3 in 1.
So first question is: Is it better to go for something campingaz or calorgas compatible? I'm thinking how economic it is over time.
Second question is: If we do go for the Campingaz 3 in 1, would the 904 canister do, or the 907.
I appreciate this is a little specific but we are trying to kit ourselves out so we can camp on a fairly regular basis. Children being expensive it's a good way to go away on a budget!
Campingaz and blue Calor are both butane (you can also get red calor which is propane), and the 3-in-1 could run off any. The different cylinders do take different regulators though (the bit you attach the gas hose to your gas cylinder with) so you will need to buy one of these at the same time as you buy your first cylinder.
Getting refills is a big consideration. Generally, Calor is cheaper but quite hard to obtain on the continent. Both are easy to get in the UK, so it really depends on where you intend going. I am no expert on Campingaz cylinders but I read a review saying the 907 was not as available as the 904 in the UK.
Canister size really depends on how tight space in your car is vs how much you plan to cook. I can only really speak from personal experience - I use a 4.5kg Calor butane cylinder. This seems to last us over 2 weeks on a 2-ring plus grill stove, and the cylinder stows nicely in a bucket in the car.
Earlier I mentioned propane. Some people prefer it because it is better in low temperatures - butane struggles below 5 deg C.
Normally find empty calor or camping gaz bottles at car boot sales, that takes away your initial out lay
------------- 2022
North and West wales grand tour (in T5)
Matlock (in T5)
New forest and IOW (in T5)
New Forest
La tranche sur mer
jevea (Valencia)
2023
Cotswolds
Tenby
(added a Compass Rallye to crew)
Royan
La tranche Sur Mer
2024
royan
La tranche
To give you an idea we use a 907 (readily available in the UK) and it will probably last us 6 weeks of camping. Last re-fill (at Easter on a campsite - slightly inflated prices) was £26 (cheaper in Europe - about £20 - we are taking an empty 907 with us!).
If you are planning on travelling to the continent the 907 is probably best, but yes more expensive. UK and you have the room then Calor
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
Calor gas is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned, campingaz 907 contains approx half that of a 4.5kg calor gas - but costs approx TWICE as much to refill!
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
But for the people who are tight for space a 907/904 are perfect
We use both it all denying on how much space we have left / how long we go for so if we go away for the weekend we take the 904 but if we go for 1 week we take the 907 or the 4.5kg