How long does a large gas bottle last?

At Adams Gas, we stock a wide range of gas bottles that are suitable for many different applications. This includes beer brewing, camping, tyre inflation, TIG and MIG welding, and so much more. Whether you need some gas for a home project or for your business, you may have asked yourself the question: just how long does a gas bottle last?

So, in this article, we’re providing a few estimates on how long specific bottles can last, which will help you see the value for money and the exact amount of gas you require for your project before you make a purchase.

Factors That Impact Gas Consumption

As a gas bottle supplier, we know there are several things that influence how long the gas bottle lasts. These factors include:

Your Burner

The type of burner you’re using will make a huge impact on this, and so will the size of the burner, as bigger ones will consume gas faster. So, depending on what you have at home or use in your business, you may want to buy more or less bottles to ensure you have the right amount and don’t have to make additional purchases or pay for too much gas.

Low Heat or High Heat

When cooking, for instance, setting the cooker on a high heat will consume gas faster than on a lower heat. Same if you cook for a longer period of time since this will consume more gas. So, if you ever find yourself running out of gas, then it’s a good idea to keep it on a low setting to ensure you don’t run out when you least expect it – and try to make it quick!

Gas Flow in Welding

If you’re welding, the flow through the aperture can greatly impact how long the gas will last. The more you use, the faster you’ll run out.

The End Use

How are you using the gas bottles? Are you welding, making beer or filling balloons? The gas application is a major factor because it determines how much gas you need. Cooking a BBQ on the patio throughout summer will probably consume less than welding for that same amount of time.

Frequency of Use

And, if you’re using your gas bottles every day, then they won’t last as long as if you only use them sparingly, of course. Frequency of use is crucial when deciding how many bottles to buy, so don’t skip this step if you want to purchase the right amount.

So, How Long Will Your Gas Bottle Last?

Keep in mind these are only estimates, as we’ve just seen there are many factors that influence how long the gas bottles actually last. Still, they can be incredibly useful if you’re about to make a purchase but aren’t sure where to even start.

How long does a 45kg gas bottle last?

A 45kg cooking gas bottle can last around 244 days, depending on the burner you have and the frequency you use the gas. If you use it for over an hour a day, for example, you can expect the bottle to last a lot less. No matter what, it’s still a very respectable number, so you can expect such a large bottle to keep working for you for a long time.

How long does 6Kg cooking gas last?

If you were camping and cooking on a full-size BBQ, for example, you could expect your 6kg bottle of BBQ and patio gas to last, approximately 18 hours. Plenty of time for a few delicious meals over the span of a few days, so you don’t have to worry about running out in the middle of your trip.

How long does a 6kg propane gas bottle last?

Is there any difference with propane? If you have a Calor gas propane 6kg bottle – and if you consider that 1kg of propane can give around 13.6 kWh of energy – you may be able to use a cooker for about 81.6 hours.

How long does a butane tank last?

At Adams Gas, we provide many different types of gas, including butane. Each 220g of butane, more or less, will last about 3 to 4 hours on low heat, meaning you can really get your money’s worth with this type of gas. One of our Calor gas butane 15kg bottles could last, therefore, approximately, 238 hours on low heat.

If you want more accurate estimates, why not get in touch with Adams Gas today? We can let you know how long your gas cylinder will last depending on the project on hand, so you’ll get a figure that’s more tailored to you.

You can send us an online message any time you want, and we’re more than happy to help. Likewise, we can answer any questions you may have about any of our products.

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How long should a 45kg gas bottle last? We will discuss the consumption rate of a 45kg gas bottle in an RV, explain how to calculate the autonomy of a gas bottle and review other important and interesting facts about RV gas consumption. 

How long your 45kg (100 lbs) propane bottle will last will depend on the fuel consumption of your camper and how much you use it. One gallon (3.7 L) of propane gas offers 91,500 BTUs of thermal energy and weighs 4.25 pounds (1.9 kg), which is equal to 21,500 BTUs of heat energy per pound of propane gas. 

If your camper heater uses 26,000 BTUs per hour, you will receive 50 minutes of burn time per pound of propane gas. You will consume a little over a third of a gallon of propane gas per hour or three and a half hours burn time for every gallon (3.7 L) of propane gas.

If your camper heater uses a pilot for lighting, the flame consumes about 600 BTUs per hour or 14,400 BTUs per day, which is equivalent to about a gallon of propane gas or about 4 pounds (1.8 kg) of propane each six days.

Examples of how long a 45 kg gas bottle will last:

• At a consumption rate of 26,000 BTUs per hour, your 100-pound bottle (45 kg) will run your propane fireplace for approximately 84 hours, which is equivalent to 3.5 days of continuous 24/7 operation. 

• If you use your propane fireplace for two hours a day, seven days a week; the 100 pounds (45 kg) propane bottle will run your fireplace for almost six weeks.

• If you use your fireplace for four hours a day, the bottle will last for about three weeks. Similarly, if your fireplace uses 52,000 BTUs per hour instead of 26,000 BTUs and you use it for two hours a day, you could use it for about three weeks from your 100 (45kg) pound bottle.

How to calculate the autonomy of a gas bottle?

In order to estimate the gas cylinder autonomy for the device of your choice, you just need to find the gas consumption of the device in g/h. Then, all you have to do is do the following calculation:

Amount of gas in the cylinder (kg)/consumption (kg/h)

For example, for a gas cylinder supplying a barbecue with a maximum consumption of 915 g/h, you have to do the calculation 13/0.915 = 14.21. We can therefore estimate that at maximum power, the bottle can be used for at least 14 hours.

Since it is rare to use the device at high power continuously, we can estimate that the autonomy of a 13kg gas cylinder will be greater than 14 hours.

Can we increase the consumption of a gas cylinder?

It is not technically possible to increase the autonomy of a gas cylinder, but the autonomy of the entire installation can be extended by associating several cylinders with one another. Using a reversing coupler, it is possible to connect several gas cylinders from the outside or inside so that they supply all the desired devices.

The reversing coupler can be automatic or manual and is used to switch from one bottle to another when one of them is empty. There is therefore no risk of gas failure since the consumer can use another bottle before going to exchange the empty one.

The advantage is that it makes it possible to identify whether a bottle is empty or full and above all which one.

An installation with a reversing coupler does not dispense with the presence of regulators in order to limit the gas pressure. Two solutions are possible for the installation of butane bottles indoors:

1. A pressure reducer is connected above the reversing coupler and shut-off valves are connected to each device;
2. Each device has a safety trigger regulator.

In the case of an installation of propane cylinders, which must be done outdoors for safety reasons, a pre-regulator precedes a pressure limiter at the cylinders. Then, each device has a safety trigger regulator.

What factors impact the autonomy of a gas cylinder?

The autonomy of a gas cylinder varies according to several factors and in particular the type of device supplied. If this device is energy-intensive, the gas cylinder will last less.

Likewise, if the use is intensive (ignition of all the hotplates on a gas stove, for example), the autonomy will be considerably reduced. It is therefore difficult to estimate with precision the autonomy of a gas cylinder as it varies from one use to another.

What type of gas to choose for an RV?

If you are looking for a gas cylinder for your motorhome, know that you will have to choose between two types of gas, depending on your uses:

• Propane gas cylinder: If the cylinder is connected to the passenger compartment from the outside. It is a cold-resistant LPG and remains effective at temperatures down to -44 ° C.

• Butane gas cylinder: If the cylinder is stored inside the vehicle.

What is the ideal dimension for a motorhome gas cylinder?

For travel by caravan or motorhome, the gas cylinders should be small to medium size. These dimensions are sufficient to reconcile power and autonomy on the roads.

When the cylinder is placed outside, provide a 5 kg propane cylinder or a 13 kg propane cylinder. Inside, bring a 13 kg butane bottle, a small 10 kg Calypso butane or a 5.5 kg Elfi butane. The latter two sizes have the advantage of being easy to set up and transport.

How do I know how much gas is in my cylinder?

Here’s how to check how much you have left in your gas cylinder:

1. Fill a jug or bottle with hot tap water.
2. Pour it over the side of the gas cylinder.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Using your hands, feel a change in temperature on the bottle.
5. The cool-to-touch portion will indicate the amount of gas remaining. If it’s cold near the top, you’re fine. If it’s hot all the way down, you may need to replace the gas bottle soon. 

Do the gas cylinders expire?

Gas cylinders have a date stamp applied during manufacture. A bottle over 10 years old, must be rigorously inspected before it can be refilled. The inspection should be carried out by an approved tester. Once the bottle meets government safety standards, the tester will re-tampon it for an additional 10 years of filling.

How to change a gas cylinder?

To change a gas cylinder you’ll have to:

1. Turn off the flywheel of the empty gas cylinder (clockwise).
2. You then move the switch valve lever to point at the other (full) gas cylinder.
3. Turn the handwheel on the full gas cylinder to ON (counterclockwise).

Remember to order a replacement gas cylinder so you don’t run out!

Conclusions

To supply the uses of a motorhome, you can buy a bottle of butane or propane gas. The choice of gas is made according to the location of the storage: if it is inside, we opt for butane and if it is outside, we choose propane.

Now that you have a better understanding of how your RV uses gas and how long a cylinder lasts, you are ready to hit the road with confidence, for a comfortable and economical trip!

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments on the content. 

FAQ on How long should a 45kg gas bottle last?

How long does a 4.5 kg gas bottle last?

A 4.5 kg gas can last you up to two-three days of camping, or 8 hours of continuous use. However, the autonomy of a gas cylinder depends on several parameters, in particular, the expected consumption and the power of the connected devices. Focus on these two elements when estimating the lifespan of your 4.5 kg gas bottle.

​​How long can a 6Kg gas cylinder last in an RV?

A 6Kg gas cylinder can last you up to 12 hours of continuous use in an RV, but in reality, the consumption time is very relative. 

How long will a 9kg gas bottle last in a caravan?

A 9kg gas bottle will last about a week in a caravan, depending on how it is used. You may think that is more than enough for a short trip, or you may think that a 9kg gas bottle will not suffice. You are right either way, since it all depends on personal preferences, number of persons on board and frequency of use. 

How long does a 19kg gas bottle last in a static caravan?

​​A 19 kg gas bottle will suffice for a few days or even a week in a static caravan. It will all depend on how many appliances you have. However, in winter, when heating is used, it will be necessary to provide several 19 kg gas cylinders, which can optionally be connected using an inverter-coupler.

References

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