Calor propane retailers/prices?

[Kev888]

Thanks for all the info chaps; I'm new to this so its all very useful.

The Calor cylinder swapping rules do seem odd, particularly as the local places to me seem to charge the same deposit for all sizes, but it finally explains why I've been finding internet posts saying you can swap sizes and others saying you can't.

That gasdeal place does look interesting Fil, they could be worth a try if I obtain a flo-gas cylinder; Boingy's car-boot idea sounds like the way to go, and there are some on ebay (though curently not in the size/location that would suit me). I'd prefer a Calor in case I ever needed to just go out and swap it quickly/easily, but beggars can't be choosers and all that. Local to me is also Energas, who apparently only recently started charging deposits (which is a pity); I'd be limited to swapping at the one outlet during normal working hours, but at least I've found them pleasant to deal with (for Argon) in the past.

Cheers
Kev

[lord.president]

Best bet is to have a poke about in the grass once your latest infestation of pikeys have been moved on.

[Kev888]

I'll certainly be keeping my eyes open for cast-aways from all sources; there are a number of lay-byes about where people from town dump stuff too and I'm sure I've seen cylinders there before. Sadly a recent tour has been fruitless, as has freecycle so far, but it can only be a matter of time. I did just win a small cylinder on ebay though, which would be a slightly expensive way to buy gas but could be good as a compact backup.

Cheers,
Kev

[boingy]

Put a "Wanted" on Freegle and Freecycle.

[GrowlingDogBeer]

I have an empty 19kg Flogas one if anyone wants it. Wickford Essex / M25 to Reigate / Kingston on Thames area.

[tourer]

There is a weird Calor rule about changing sizes. There are "bands" that you cannot change across so you can change a 19 for a 13 but you can't change a 13 for a 6 (I think). No idea why they'd have such a daft rule. You are also not allowed to swap a butane for a propane although I have done this once with my local garage chap. Technically he's not allowed to do it but he said "they have no way of knowing unless they inspect every cylinder in the cage".

Incidentally, if you need a cylinder you can "buy" empty ones at car boots, typically for a fiver. It breaches several of the Calor "licensing" rules but, once again, they have no way of knowing.

I think the reason you can't trade down to a 6KG is there are not so many around. this size is normaly used in the leisure industry, Caravans/motorhomes. I've have problems getting a 6KG straight swap on occasions. If you go to your recyling tip there's loads of empties there (all sizes)-----talk nice to the man.

[Kev888]

My local recycling centre has firmly banned that sort of thing apparently, though there are some others a bit further afield that seem more human still. But I'll give freecycle a chance first - I put a wanted ad up and had a few responses; not with the size/type I actually asked for as yet but it seems promising.

Cheers
kev

[boingy]

I looked up the Calor exchange policy. It's dafter than I thought:

http://www.calor.co.uk/help-and-advice/ ... nge-policy

So you can pick up one of the small 3.9 kg ones and change it for anything except a 6 kg. If Tourer's theory about 6's being really popular then why don't they just make more of 'em?

Kev, good luck with the Freecycle. I look forward to hearing about your one-off stall at a car boot trying to sell on all the cylinders you don't want. Our local tip is now policed by rule-bound fascist jobs-worths so there is no chance of re-using anything from there, which is a shame because re-use is the best form of recycling.

[Kev888]

Ah, thats really weird, but also useful if I hit a blank with 13kg. Though I've used up my 'wanted' listing quota for the mo so fingers crossed.... I would prefer a flood to a drought

Though of course there's always the difference between theory and practice to contend with; the filling station closest to me was adamant they could only swap like-for like calor cylinders, so clearly they're confused by it too! Bring in the different fittings for some types and its a wonder anyone gets anything right; madness!

Cheers
Kev

[Kev888]

Oh bum.. there was one on ebay I'd been considering, ending today sometime, but ebay has been down all morning for some reason.

I suppose it'll be justice for all those bidders who leap in at 2 seconds to go, but it must be galling for anyone with an auction ending

Cheers
Kev