Cooking with gas - usage?

[wee bugger]

So I need a refill on a gas bottle and have a choice of what to fill. I currently have a 5KG patio/propane gas in the van, and its lasted nearly 4 years, but takes up too much room. I also have an empty 907 (better for space it frees up) and am tempted to just pay the extra 50% to get just over half the gas...we have cooked in the van spordically, and regularly end up cooking outside on our Cadac with a 7.5kg Butane tank instead.

Now my question is this to people using 907's - we have a double burner stove, how long roughly does your 907 last eg. "2 weeks cooking breakfast & dinner for 4"???

***Now reading this as I posted it, the 907 makes more sense to me as it will free up a big chunk of space under the hob, and I like storage. Even with the extra cost I reckon it'll still last use nearly two years if we stick with similar usage, and 2 pints less a year to cover extra gas costs sounds acceptable

Still be good to know what kinda usage a 907 will get me?

[ghost123uk]

It's difficult to say because folks use their vans so very differently. Some only go away 4 times a year, for a weekend, and then only boil a kettle or make toast. Others go away 20 times a year, for days on end and cook 2 full meals a day.

Back in the day, when I used 907s, I would go away maybe 15 weekends a year, cook one proper meal per day, plus a couple of kettles for a brew, plus the fridge for the beer (sorry, meant burgers and milk). That sort of usage resulted in about 3 bottles per year (and bliddy expensive).

Now I have Propex heating, so I now use a legally re-fillable (at a normal LPG garage) SafeFill bottle which works out VERY cheap to run, plus it has a sight level, so you can see how much is left in it

[wee bugger]

I'm definately at the lower end, the more I think about how we use it, the less important cooking in the van seems to be...as the wife pointed out we boil water in our Ghillie and cook mostly outside on the cadac, or a bbq. The last show we went to we didnt even use the hob inside for 6 of us over 3 days...gonna grab a 907 and come back and review this question in 2019

[a1winchester]

If you plan to camp / cook in near freezing temperatures, Propane is better than Butane / Camping gaz.

[Jonnyb416]

Just an option but I use a Coleman dual fuel stove. Google it. It's been brilliant. Uses unleaded fuel. If away for a week or so then I take the fuel can with spare unleaded in and if just a weekend then just fill the canister that attaches to the stove. Family of 4 cooking at least breakfast and 1 meal plus loads of brews for a week costs about £3. The bonus is when the weather is good I just take it outside and cook on it.

[nicq]

People on here go on about the price of 907's if you can afford to run the bus the price of the gas is minuscule use what is most convenient for your van.
I bottle will last for 3 weeks cooking, get an indicator to show how much is left. Most big sites have refills here and abroad.

[a1winchester]

Just an option but I use a Coleman dual fuel stove. Google it. It's been brilliant. Uses unleaded fuel. If away for a week or so then I take the fuel can with spare unleaded in and if just a weekend then just fill the canister that attaches to the stove. Family of 4 cooking at least breakfast and 1 meal plus loads of brews for a week costs about £3. The bonus is when the weather is good I just take it outside and cook on it.

In a previous life, I was a Leader Trainer in the Scouts, and involved in demonstrating to new leaders many different types of camp stoves. I must agree with the above ^^ that the Coleman dual fuel stoves are the 'canine spheroids' when it comes to stoves.
I have to confess to being a bit of a nerd when it comes to camping stoves and I have a varied collection.
Dorset Scouts had a couple of rare 3 burner dual fuel stoves. I think they are only available in the USA now. http://www.coleman.com/product/3000000460#.VeMuIX3Kalw

[Ant-t]

I used a Coleman dual fuel (single burner version) pretty heavily for a couple years which I took with me backpacking around the world. A brilliant stove and very reliable, also like the primus multi fuel stove which is good but a different flavour from the Coleman.

I mainly use various gas stoves these days which one I chose to take depends on what I'm up to. My van has the standard autohomes twin burner with grill which is relative luxury after many years on single burners, great for fryups with toast on tap