Searching for Calor gas near you usually means one of two things: your bottle has run out at an inconvenient moment, or you are buying your first cylinder and are unsure which size you need.

With red, blue and green bottles available in several different sizes, choosing the right option can be confusing.

This guide compares the most common Calor gas bottle sizes, explains what each is best suited to, and outlines where to buy, refill or exchange a cylinder.

Calor gas bottle sizes at a glance

Most of the confusion around Calor gas comes down to two factors: bottle colour and bottle size.

The colour indicates the type of gas inside, while the size affects how long the bottle will last and which applications it is best suited to.

Butane bottles

4.5kg or 3.9kg butane

Blue bottles suitable for portable indoor heaters and smaller cabinet heaters.

7kg butane

Designed for indoor cabinet heaters and occasional use.

15kg butane

A larger blue cylinder for higher-demand indoor heating.

Patio gas bottles

5kg patio gas

A green propane cylinder suited to a single barbecue or patio heater. Its smaller size also makes it easier to carry.

13kg patio gas

Designed for patio heaters, larger gas barbecues and applications requiring a longer running time.

Propane bottles

6kg propane

A red cylinder suitable for heating, catering and smaller appliances.

13kg propane

Used for domestic and site heating, catering and multiple appliances.

19kg propane

Designed for higher-demand heating and light commercial use.

47kg propane

A large-capacity cylinder suited to commercial heating and continuous or heavy use.

Autogas bottles

12kg and 18kg autogas

Propane autogas cylinders intended for forklift trucks and LPG fleet refuelling in business applications.

Always check that the appliance and regulator are compatible with the bottle before connecting it. Choosing the correct regulator is essential.

Butane or propane?

Before choosing the bottle size, it is important to select the correct gas.

Butane

Butane is supplied in blue bottles and is well suited to portable and cabinet heaters used indoors.

It burns cleanly, and the smaller 4.5kg and 7kg cylinders are relatively easy to lift and store.

However, butane does not vaporise effectively in temperatures around or below freezing, making it less suitable for outdoor use during colder weather.

Propane

Propane is supplied in red bottles and continues to perform in much lower temperatures.

This makes it suitable for outdoor appliances, catering, commercial use and site heating.

Propane operates at a higher pressure than butane, so it requires a suitable propane regulator.

Bottle sizes range from smaller 6kg cylinders to large 47kg options for heavier demand.

Patio gas

Patio gas is propane supplied in a green cylinder with a clip-on regulator connection.

It is designed primarily for gas barbecues and patio heaters.

The 5kg bottle is lighter and easier to carry, while the 13kg option offers a longer running time for regular or higher-demand use.

Where to buy or refill Calor gas

Adams Gas supplies Calor cylinders directly across Kent, with local delivery available in covered areas.

Customers can browse Calor gas, propane, butane, barbecue gas and patio gas products online and check whether delivery is available to their postcode.

Outside Kent, customers can use the Adams Gas stockist finder to locate an independent outlet offering refills and exchanges. The network includes more than 90 stockists across the UK.

In most cases, reordering involves exchanging an empty bottle for a full one.

A rent-free alternative

Traditional bottled gas arrangements may involve a refundable cylinder deposit or ongoing rental agreement.

Adams Gas also offers rent-free cylinders, allowing customers to pay for the gas without an ongoing standing charge for the bottle.

This can be particularly useful for pubs, caterers, market traders and tradespeople who use larger volumes of gas.

Lightweight Gaslight refillable propane bottles are also available for barbecues and patio applications.

Buying Calor gas for a business or retail outlet

Forecourts, hardware shops, garden centres and convenience stores may benefit from stocking bottled gas as a regular repeat-purchase product.

Adams Gas supplies trade partners across the South East and supports a national network of independent stockists.

Businesses interested in becoming a stockist can contact Adams Gas for more information.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between butane and propane Calor gas?

Butane is supplied in blue bottles and is best suited to portable and cabinet heaters used indoors. It performs poorly in colder temperatures.

Propane is supplied in red or green bottles and works in much lower temperatures, making it suitable for outdoor, commercial and catering use.

The two gases require different regulators.

Which Calor bottle should I choose for a barbecue or patio heater?

For most gas barbecues and patio heaters, choose green patio gas.

A 5kg bottle is suitable for occasional use and is easier to move, while a 13kg bottle provides a longer running time.

Always check that the appliance accepts a clip-on patio gas regulator.

Where can I buy or refill Calor gas near me?

Customers in Kent can order Calor cylinders directly from Adams Gas and check local delivery availability online.

Customers elsewhere in the UK can use the Adams Gas stockist finder to locate their nearest refill or exchange outlet.

How much does Calor gas cost?

Prices vary depending on the gas type and bottle size.

Most refills operate as an empty-for-full exchange rather than the purchase of a new cylinder each time.

For current prices, check the relevant product pages or contact Adams Gas directly.

Do I need to pay a deposit on a Calor gas bottle?

Many traditional cylinders involve a refundable deposit or rental charge.

Adams Gas also offers rent-free cylinders, where customers pay for the gas without an ongoing bottle rental fee.