Nothing ends a camping trip faster than a stove that will not light.

Whether you are heading away for a weekend under canvas, running a food stall at a summer event or stocking a campsite shop, choosing the right camping gas is what keeps the kettle boiling.

That means selecting the right type, the right size and the right fitting.

This guide explains the options in plain English, helping you order once and get it right.

Camping gas vs Camping Gaz: clearing up the confusion

The two names are often used interchangeably, which causes plenty of ordering mistakes.

Camping gas is the general term for the bottled butane, and sometimes propane, used to power camping stoves, lanterns and heaters.

Camping Gaz is a specific, long-established brand. These are the blue bottles many people recognise from campsites across Europe, most commonly the 904 and 907 models.

When someone asks for a “camping gas canister”, they usually mean one of these refillable bottles rather than a small disposable cartridge.

Adams Gas stocks genuine Camping Gaz 904 and Camping Gaz 907 butane bottles, alongside other refillable options, so you can match the appliance you already own.

Bottle or canister? Know what you are buying

There are two broad formats of camping gas, and appliances are designed for one or the other.

Refillable butane bottles are sturdy steel bottles, such as Camping Gaz 904 and 907, that connect to your stove or heater through a valve or regulator.

When empty, they are refilled or exchanged rather than thrown away.

This is the mainstay of the Adams Gas camping range.

Small disposable cartridges are the compact screw-thread or pierceable canisters used by backpacking stoves.

They are handy for lightweight trips, but single-use and more expensive per use over time.

For most family camping, caravanning and event use, a refillable bottle is the more economical and reliable choice.

It also means there is less to carry back to the shop.

Which gas does my camping stove take?

Before buying, match the gas to your appliance rather than the other way round.

Most camping stoves, lanterns and portable heaters run on butane, supplied either from a small screw-thread or pierceable cartridge, which is common on compact backpacking stoves, or from a refillable bottle such as a Camping Gaz 904 or 907 connected by a hose and regulator.

Larger stoves and catering burners often take a bigger butane bottle on a clip-on regulator.

The golden rule is to check what your stove’s connector expects, whether that is a cartridge thread, screw-on valve or clip-on regulator, and buy the matching gas supply.

If the stove came with a hose and regulator, you almost certainly need a refillable bottle rather than a cartridge.

Adams Gas camping gas bottles cover the refillable side of that choice, and if you are unsure which your appliance takes, the team can help before you order.

Camping gas bottle sizes at a glance

Bottle size determines how long you can cook, heat or light before needing a refill.

Camping gas bottles are available in a range of sizes, from small weekend bottles to larger cylinders for regular and trade use.

Camping Gaz 904 is the smaller option, with Campingaz listing it at approximately 1.8kg of butane.

It is best suited to weekends, lightweight trips and a single stove.

Camping Gaz 907 is listed by Campingaz at approximately 2.75kg of butane.

It is better suited to longer trips, small heaters and regular use.

Leisuregaz 007 is a refillable 2.75kg butane option.

It is suitable for caravans, awnings and cost-conscious regular users.

Calor butane bottles in 7kg and 15kg sizes are better suited to static caravans, catering, events and trade use.

If you are only cooking the occasional meal, a 904 can last a surprisingly long time.

If you are running a heater or feeding a family for a week, step up to a 907 or a larger Calor bottle.

Screw-on or clip-on? Getting the fitting right

The most common ordering mistake is buying a bottle that does not match the regulator.

Two fittings dominate.

A screw-thread valve is used by Camping Gaz 904 and 907 bottles. The regulator or appliance hose screws directly onto the bottle valve.

A 21mm clip-on regulator is used by many Calor butane bottles. The regulator clips on top rather than screwing in.

Check what your stove or heater’s hose ends in before ordering, and match the bottle to it.

If you are unsure, Adams Gas can help you choose the right bottle and regulator combination.

Butane or propane for camping?

Most camping gas is butane, which is ideal for spring and summer use.

In cold weather, however, butane struggles to vaporise once temperatures drop towards freezing.

For winter camping, cold stores or reliable year-round use, propane is the better performer.

For a typical British summer trip, butane is the standard and most economical choice.

Refill, exchange and no long-term rental

Refillable bottles are where camping gas becomes genuinely cost-effective.

Instead of buying a new bottle every time, you refill or exchange the empty one, paying for the gas rather than a brand-new cylinder.

Adams Gas runs a straightforward refill-and-exchange model with no long-term rental contracts, so you are not locked into the ongoing bottle-rental agreements some suppliers require.

The Leisuregaz 007 is a popular refillable choice for this reason.

Using camping gas safely

A few simple habits keep camping gas safe and trouble-free.

Always connect and change bottles outdoors, away from any flame or ignition source.

Never use a gas stove or heater inside a tent, awning or closed vehicle, as carbon monoxide and fire risks are serious.

Check hoses and regulators for cracks or perishing before each trip, and store bottles upright in a ventilated space.

For a fuller checklist, see the Adams Gas guide to using gas safely while camping.

Where to buy camping gas: local delivery, stockists and trade supply

Adams Gas offers reliable local delivery and cylinder refill and exchange across Kent, backed by a nationwide network of more than 92 independent stockists for when you need a bottle quickly.

Use the Adams Gas stockist finder to pick up or exchange locally, or order refillable bottles through the camping gas range.

If you run a campsite, caravan park, garden centre, hardware shop or outdoor retailer, camping gas is a dependable seasonal seller.

Stocking it is easy with a supplier that handles refills and exchanges for you.

Become an Adams Gas stockist to offer customers trusted camping gas with no rental headaches.

Frequently asked questions

Is camping gas the same as Camping Gaz?

Not quite.

Camping gas is the general term for bottled butane or propane used for camping.

Camping Gaz is a specific brand, best known for its blue 904 and 907 butane bottles.

Adams Gas stocks genuine Camping Gaz 904 and 907 bottles alongside other refillable bottles.

What size camping gas bottle do I need?

For weekends and lightweight trips, a Camping Gaz 904 is usually plenty.

Campingaz lists this bottle at around 1.8kg.

For longer stays, small heaters or regular use, step up to a 907, which is around 2.75kg, or a larger Calor butane bottle.

Check current sizes on the Adams Gas camping gas bottles page.

What is the difference between a screw-on and clip-on fitting?

Camping Gaz 904 and 907 bottles use a screw-thread valve that the regulator screws onto.

Many Calor butane bottles use a 21mm clip-on regulator instead.

Always match the bottle to your appliance’s regulator and check before ordering.

Should I use butane or propane for camping?

Butane is the standard choice for spring and summer camping and is the most economical option.

In cold or winter conditions, propane performs better because butane struggles to vaporise near freezing.

Can I refill a camping gas bottle instead of buying a new one?

Yes.

Refillable bottles such as Camping Gaz 907 and Leisuregaz 007 are refilled or exchanged when empty, so you pay for the gas rather than a new bottle.

Adams Gas offers refill and exchange with no long-term rental contracts.