What Is Calor Gas? A Guide to Propane, Butane and Patio Gas
If you’re looking for bottled gas for your home, caravan, BBQ, patio heater or business, you may be wondering which type of Calor Gas you need.
Calor Gas is the UK’s best-known bottled LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) brand. It supplies propane and butane in refillable cylinders for a wide range of domestic, leisure, commercial and outdoor applications.
Unlike mains gas, bottled LPG can be used where there is no natural gas connection and is easy to transport and exchange when a cylinder is empty.
But with different cylinder colours, sizes and connection types available, choosing the right bottle can sometimes be confusing.
This guide explains the differences between Calor Propane, Calor Butane and Calor Patio Gas, what each type is used for and how to choose the right gas for your appliance.
What are the different types of Calor Gas?
The three main Calor Gas options you are likely to come across are:
- Calor Propane – supplied in red cylinders and suitable for outdoor use, heating, leisure and commercial applications.
- Calor Butane – supplied in blue cylinders and generally used for indoor portable heaters and appliances.
- Calor Patio Gas – propane supplied in green cylinders, designed specifically for outdoor BBQs, patio heaters and other outdoor appliances.
The most important thing to remember is that you should always use the type of gas and regulator specified by your appliance manufacturer.
Thurlow Nunn Standen is your local Calor Gas stockist, with stores in Littleport, Kennett, Melton, Fakenham and Attleborough. Pop into your local store to exchange your bottle, or check prices and availability online »
Calor Propane Gas
What is Calor Propane?
Calor Propane is LPG supplied in red cylinders. Propane has a low boiling point of approximately -42°C, which means it continues to vaporise and supply gas effectively in very cold conditions.
This makes propane particularly suitable for outdoor applications and appliances that need to operate throughout the colder months.
Calor Propane is available in a range of cylinder sizes, making it suitable for everything from smaller leisure applications to higher-demand commercial and heating requirements.
What is Calor Propane used for?
Common uses include:
- Caravan and motorhome heating and cooking
- Boat heating and cooking
- Outdoor and site heating
- Home heating where mains gas is unavailable
- Commercial catering and mobile kitchens
- BBQs and outdoor cooking
- Workshop and industrial applications
- Blowtorches and other specialist equipment
What size Calor Propane cylinder do I need?
The right cylinder size depends on your appliance and how frequently you use it. Common options include:
3.9kg–4.5kg: Compact and portable, suitable for smaller leisure applications, boats, caravans, motorhomes and some specialist equipment.
6kg: A versatile option for leisure use, including caravans, camping and smaller catering or heating appliances.
13kg: A popular choice for caravans, motorhomes, boats, mobile catering and other higher-use applications.
19kg: Designed for larger commercial and industrial applications, including catering and workshop equipment.
47kg: Suitable for higher-demand applications such as larger properties, heating systems and continuous commercial use.
Most red propane cylinders use a POL screw connection, although you should always check the requirements of your appliance and regulator.
Calor Butane Gas
What is Calor Butane?
Calor Butane is LPG supplied in blue cylinders. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane, at approximately -0.5°C.
This means it is generally more suitable for indoor or sheltered applications where temperatures remain above freezing.
Butane is commonly used with portable heaters, cooking appliances and some leisure equipment.
What is Calor Butane used for?
Typical applications include:
- Portable indoor cabinet heaters
- Small cooking appliances
- Camping stoves
- Caravans and motorhomes during warmer weather
- Some indoor gas fires and heating appliances
- Other appliances specifically designed for butane
Common cylinder sizes include 4.5kg, 7kg and 15kg, although availability can vary.
Many Calor Butane cylinders use a 21mm clip-on regulator, but you should always check that your regulator matches both your cylinder and appliance.
Is butane suitable for outdoor use?
Butane can be affected by low temperatures and may not vaporise effectively as temperatures approach freezing.
For this reason, propane is generally a better choice for outdoor applications and cold-weather use.
If you are unsure if your appliance is designed for butane or propane, check the appliance manufacturer’s instructions before changing gas type.
Calor Patio Gas
What is Calor Patio Gas?
Calor Patio Gas is propane supplied in green cylinders and is specifically designed for outdoor appliances.
It is commonly used with BBQs, patio heaters, outdoor kitchens and other appliances designed for outdoor propane use.
The green cylinder and 27mm clip-on connection make Patio Gas easy to identify and connect to compatible outdoor appliances.
What size Patio Gas do I need?
Calor Patio Gas is commonly available in 5kg and 13kg cylinders.
5kg Patio Gas: A convenient option for smaller and medium-sized BBQs, pizza ovens, tabletop patio heaters and portable outdoor grills.
13kg Patio Gas: Better suited to larger BBQs, full-size patio heaters, flame towers and other higher-demand outdoor appliances.
What is Patio Gas used for?
Patio Gas is commonly used for:
- Gas BBQs
- Patio heaters
- Outdoor kitchens
- Pizza ovens designed for LPG
- Fire pit tables designed for propane
- Outdoor catering and hospitality
Because Patio Gas is propane, it is suitable for outdoor use in cooler weather where butane may struggle.
Calor Propane vs Butane: What’s the difference?
One of the most common questions is “Should I use propane or butane?”
The main difference is how the gases perform at lower temperatures and the applications they are designed for.
| Feature | Calor Propane (red) | Calor Butane (blue) | Calor Patio Gas (green) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas type | Propane | Butane | Propane (branded for outdoor use) |
| Best environment | Outdoors and cold weather; also indoor appliances designed for propane | Indoors or sheltered areas; mild temperatures | Outdoors only (patios, gardens, terraces) |
| Cold‑weather performance | Excellent (down to around −42°C) | Poor near/below 0°C | Excellent (same as propane) |
| Typical cylinder sizes | 3.9–4.5kg, 6kg, 13kg, 19kg, 47kg | 4.5kg, 7kg, 15kg | 5kg, 13kg |
| Common connection | POL screw (LH) on most red bottles | 21mm clip‑on | 27mm clip‑on |
| Typical uses | Home heating, caravans, boats, catering, industrial | Indoor heaters, small stoves, summer caravanning | Patio heaters, BBQs, outdoor fire pits |
Which Calor Gas do I need?
If you are still unsure, please see our handy FAQs section below.
Where can I buy Calor Gas locally?
If you need to exchange or purchase a Calor Gas cylinder, Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS) is a local Calor Gas stockist.
You can visit your local TNS store to exchange your empty Calor cylinder, or order Calor Gas online and choose to collect it from your local TNS store.
If you are unsure which type or size of Calor Gas you need, the TNS team will also be happy to help. Our teams can provide additional information and answer questions about the different gas types, cylinder sizes and their typical applications.
Not sure which Calor Gas you need? Speak to your local TNS team before ordering.
Calor Gas FAQs
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For most compatible gas BBQs, Calor Patio Gas in a green cylinder is the appropriate option. Choose the cylinder size according to your BBQ and expected usage.
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Calor Patio Gas is designed for compatible outdoor patio heaters. A 5kg cylinder is convenient for smaller applications, while 13kg is better suited to larger or more frequently used heaters.
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Depending on your appliance and how you use your caravan or motorhome, you may need propane or butane.
Propane is generally more suitable if you need reliable gas supply in colder weather, while butane can be suitable for warmer-weather leisure use.
Always check the appliance manufacturer’s requirements and the regulator fitted to your caravan or motorhome.
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For heating applications, propane is commonly used, particularly where a property is not connected to the mains gas network.
Larger cylinders may be required for higher-demand heating systems. Your heating system or LPG supplier can advise on the appropriate setup.
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Many portable cabinet heaters are designed for butane and use a compatible 21mm clip-on regulator.
Check your heater’s instructions before purchasing a replacement cylinder.
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Thurlow Nunn Standen is your local Calor Gas stockist. You can order Calor Gas online and in stores.
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At TNS we offer both. You can simply pay for the gas refill and swap your empty for a full one. If you don’t have a matching empty (first‑time buyer, lost bottle, different brand), you’ll need to buy a new cylinder, which includes a one‑off Cylinder Refill Agreement (CRA) deposit for the bottle itself, plus the cost of the gas inside. After paying the deposit once, you can keep exchanging that same Calor bottle indefinitely, paying only for refills.
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If you’re new to Calor or your bottle is non‑Calor/mismatched, you’ll need to purchase a new full cylinder. It is a one‑off Cylinder Refill Agreement (CRA) deposit for the bottle. Once you own that Calor bottle, you can exchange it for refills in the future and won’t pay the deposit again as long as you keep returning the same Calor cylinder.
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Yes, we at Thurlow Nunn Standen offer online ordering for new cylinders and refills, please visit our online store to check prices and availability »
