Gas Bottle Refill Prices: Calor Gas Cylinder Sizes and Delivery Options

Refilling a gas bottle is a routine task for anyone who cooks, heats, or barbecues with bottled gas, but the pricing can be confusing. A refill is rarely a simple like-for-like swap: the amount you pay depends on the size of the cylinder, the type of gas inside it, whether you already own the bottle, and whether you collect it yourself or have it delivered. This guide breaks down how refill pricing works, the cylinder sizes you are most likely to see, and the delivery options that can save you time.

How Gas Bottle Refill Pricing Works

Most bottled gas is sold through a cylinder exchange system rather than a true refill. You pay for the gas, and you hand back an empty cylinder of the same size and type in exchange. If you do not have an empty to return, you usually pay a refundable deposit or an outright charge for the container.

That means the total cost of your first purchase is almost always higher than the cost of later refills. Once you hold the cylinder, each subsequent exchange covers only the gas and any handling or delivery fee.

Prices are set by the supplier and vary by region, season, and gas type. There is no single national price, so comparing two or three local stockists before ordering is worth the effort.

Common Cylinder Sizes and What They Cost

Cylinder sizes are usually described by the weight of the gas they hold, not the size of the metal bottle. Smaller cylinders cost less per bottle but more per kilogram of gas; larger cylinders cost more upfront but offer the best value per kilogram.

Typical size	Gas type	Common uses	Relative cost
3.5–5 kg	Butane or propane	Camping stoves, small patio heaters, single burners	Low
6–7 kg	Propane	Barbecues, small outdoor heaters	Low to medium
12–13 kg	Butane or propane	Home cooking, patio heaters, caravans	Medium
15–19 kg	Propane	Workshops, larger heaters, mobile catering	Medium to high
47 kg	Propane	Off-grid heating, commercial use, long-run appliances	High (lowest per kg)

Note: Exact weights and naming conventions differ between suppliers, so always check the label on the cylinder and match it to your appliance’s regulator and recommended gas type.

Small Cylinders

These are the cheapest to buy and the easiest to carry. They suit occasional use such as camping trips or a single burner. The trade-off is a higher cost per kilogram of gas.

Medium Cylinders

Sizes around 12 to 13 kg are the most popular for household cooking and outdoor heating. They balance portability with reasonable running costs and fit most standard regulators.

Large Cylinders

Cylinders of 19 kg and above are heavy and usually need two people or a trolley to move. They are the most economical per kilogram and are typically chosen for continuous heating or commercial use.

Propane and Butane: Why the Price Differs

Propane and butane are not interchangeable in every appliance, and they are priced differently. Propane works reliably in cold weather and is the standard choice for outdoor heating and many barbecues. Butane is often slightly cheaper but performs poorly below roughly freezing point, so it suits indoor cooking and warmer months.

Always use the gas type your appliance specifies. Using the wrong one can affect performance and may be unsafe.

What Affects the Price You Pay

Cylinder size: Larger bottles cost more in total but less per kilogram.
Gas type: Propane and butane carry different wholesale costs.
Deposit or cylinder charge: Applies when you do not return an empty.
Delivery fees: Home delivery often adds a charge, sometimes waived above a minimum order.
Season: Demand for heating gas rises in winter, which can push prices up.
Location: Remote areas may attract higher delivery costs.

Delivery and Collection Options

Collecting From a Local Stockist

Hardware stores, garden centres, fuel depots, and some supermarkets stock cylinders. Collection is usually the cheapest option because there is no delivery fee. You take your empty to the counter, pay for the refill, and swap it on the spot. Availability varies, so calling ahead is sensible.

Home Delivery

Many suppliers deliver cylinders to your door, typically within one to five working days. Delivery is usually kerbside, meaning you are responsible for moving the bottle onto your property. Some suppliers require an empty cylinder to be left out for collection at the same time. Check minimum order values and whether the delivery fee changes for larger bottles.

Online Ordering With Click and Collect

Ordering online and collecting in person combines convenience with lower cost. You reserve and pay online, then collect from a nominated point. This works well if you have a vehicle suitable for transporting a cylinder safely.

Automatic or Scheduled Delivery

Households and businesses that use gas continuously can arrange regular deliveries. This reduces the risk of running out and sometimes lowers the per-bottle cost. Ask whether automatic top-ups are available in your area.

Bulk Delivery for Large Users

Very large users may be supplied by tanker into a fixed tank rather than exchangeable cylinders. This is arranged directly with a supplier after an assessment of usage and site access.

How to Order a Refill: Step by Step

Note the size and gas type printed on your existing cylinder.
Check your appliance’s manual to confirm the correct gas.
Compare prices from two or three suppliers, including any delivery fee.
Confirm whether an empty cylinder must be returned and in what condition.
Place your order online, by phone, or in store.
For delivery, leave the empty cylinder in an accessible, safe outdoor position.
Inspect the new cylinder on arrival and check the seal before use.

Safety Points to Keep in Mind

Store cylinders upright in a well-ventilated area, away from heat and ignition sources.
Never store cylinders in a basement, cellar, or below ground level.
Transport cylinders upright and secured, ideally in an open or ventilated vehicle.
Check hoses and regulators regularly and replace any that are cracked or worn.
Turn off the valve when the appliance is not in use.
Never attempt to refill a cylinder yourself or use a damaged one.

Simple Ways to Reduce Refill Costs

Choose the largest cylinder your appliance and storage space can safely handle.
Keep your empty cylinder, since deposits and container charges add to the first purchase.
Buy refills before winter, when demand and prices tend to rise.
Collect rather than pay for delivery if transport is available.
Combine orders with neighbours to meet free-delivery thresholds.

Conclusion

Gas bottle refill prices come down to four things: the size of the cylinder, the type of gas, whether you already own the bottle, and how it reaches you. Matching the cylinder to your appliance, comparing local prices, and choosing collection or delivery based on convenience will usually give you the best balance of cost and effort. Always check the cylinder label before ordering and follow basic storage and handling guidance to stay safe.

If you are also sorting out other household essentials, our guides on home heating, appliance maintenance, and everyday utility costs can help you plan ahead with fewer surprises.