Propane (chemical formula C3H8) is a less dense gas than Butane (chemical formula C4H10). Although Butane burns hotter than Propane, Propane regulators release the gas at a faster pace to compensate, so the gas burner produces the same amount of heat in practice.
So Butane has to be superior? If if life were that easy. However, because butane has a greater temperature boiling point than propane, it does not perform well at low temperatures. At + 5C, butane evaporates (cooks), whereas propane evaporates at – 44C. The vapor from the gas cylinder, which is the gas that passes through the regulator, is used. When it becomes too cold, it turns into a liquid, and the gas pressure falls. Once the bottle temperature drops below 10 C, a butane gas cylinder will produce less pressure. Furthermore, when you draw gas, all gas bottles become colder, and the faster the rate at which you utilize gas, the colder the bottle becomes. So, if you utilize Butane too quickly in cold temperatures, the gas pressure will drop dramatically. Because Propane has a significantly lower boiling point, this difficulty is eliminated, and bottles placed outside can be used all year.
Gas bottles come in a range of sizes and are color-coded according to the type of gas they contain. Butane comes in blue bottles while Propane comes in red cylinders in the UK. Propane bottles utilize red bottles with a screw-on regulator that must be tightened with a spanner, while Butane bottles use a clip-on regulator with a standard internal valve size of 21mm. Patio Gas is a novel propane format that was released a few years ago. This comes in green bottles with a clip-on regulator that measures 27mm. This means that a butane regulator cannot be connected to a propane bottle and vice versa.
To sum up, if this is your first gas bottle, be cautious. Patio gas is the ideal option because it has a simple clip-on style regulator and operates well in all weather conditions.
Is it possible to use a propane regulator with butane?
Please keep in mind that Propane gas cylinders have a far higher pressure than Butane cylinders, therefore regulators are built for either Propane or Butane and are not interchangeable due to the difference design pressures and cylinder connections.
What type of butane regulator do I require?
- Because patio gas bottles have a 27mm valve, make sure you have a 27mm clip-on regulator on hand.
- Because your patio gas bottle doesn’t have a protective cap, make sure the top of the valve is clean.
- Please keep in mind that the regulator should never be disconnected when the switch is turned on.
- Please read our PDF technical paper on how to use patio gas safely before using a patio gas bottle.
What happens if butane is substituted for propane?
While it’s evident that propane has a long list of advantages, butane is also a viable option for usage as a BBQ gas.
- Fast and Effective Burn Butane ignites quickly and quickly reaches maximum heat output, so there’s no need to wait for it to warm up. This is an excellent quality for anyone who wants to light up their grill.
- Despite the fact that propane and butane are derived in the same way, butane is actually somewhat less expensive than propane.
- Low Toxicity – If you are concerned about the environment, butane may be the best gas for you. When compared to propane, butane burns cleaner because it produces just carbon dioxide when ignited.
- When the same amount of butane and propane are burned at the same time, butane typically provides roughly 12% more energy than propane. Butane is especially appealing to individuals who use their barbecue a few times a week.
- Easy to Use Using butane with a BBQ couldn’t be easier; simply connect the gas and let it to run into your cooker; then all you have to do is ignite the BBQ and begin cooking your meal.
- Extremely Efficient In Warm Weather When it comes to cooking efficiency in warmer weather, butane is a clear victor. However, it should be remembered that when the temperature is cold, butane gas will not flow.
So there you have it; you now know everything there is to know about butane and propane gas, allowing you to make an informed decision the next time you need gas for your grill.
If you’re looking for butane or propane gas for your barbecue, check out our selection for some of the greatest deals around. We’ve been offering specialist bottled gas in and around Kent for over 25 years, so you can trust that the gases we offer are of the greatest quality.
What makes a propane regulator different from a butane regulator?
Each regulator is made to fit a specific type of cylinder valve, and one that fits one will not fit any of the others. Propane cylinders have a screw threaded valve that only accepts Propane regulators.
High-pressure regulators feature a much narrower nozzle and use a much narrower hose than low-pressure regulators (see picture below).
Are the hookups for propane and butane the same?
Because the connectors on propane regulator cylinders differ from those on butane regulator cylinders, they cannot be used interchangeably.
Are all regulators compatible with all gas bottles?
Different brands (such as Campingaz) have distinct fittings for their gas cylinders, and both Butane and Propane gas bottles have different fittings. You must obtain the proper fit.
To discover the proper regulator and hose for your gas bottle, look below. To give you a sense of how much each item costs, we’ve included a pricing search.
Kits that combine the regulator and the hose are sometimes available, which can save you money. The one drawback I’ve discovered with the kits is that when your stove is on your camping table, the hose can be a little short. Your gas cylinder should be out of the way of your stove, on the ground. To figure out how long a hose you’ll need, measure the height of your camping table and add a few inches to allow you to easily put your stove on it.
Remember that if you have a camping kitchen table with a built-in windshield for stoves, as I recommend, these are higher than standard camping tables, thus you’ll need a longer gas hose.
Should I grill with propane or butane?
Energy efficient – If you’re seeking for a fuel source that will provide you with the most heat for your money, butane is the way to go. For the same volume of gas burned, butane typically provides 12 percent more energy than propane. So, if you’re a regular BBQ user, make sure you have plenty of butane gas on hand!
Butane or propane, which is better for camping?
If you’ve ever tented in the cold, you know that certain types of fuel won’t function below a particular temperature. The temperature at which gaseous fuels such as butane and propane work is referred to as the flash point; below this temperature, your fuel will turn liquid and will not pass through your stove.
Propane has a flash point of -43.6F/-42C, which implies it will never be too cold to use unless you’re going to Antarctica. Butane’s flash point is 30.2F/-1C, or just below freezing, therefore you won’t be able to use it if you’re going winter camping in a cold region. It also doesn’t work as well above 5,000 feet in altitude. To summarize, propane is excellent for all-season camping at high altitudes, whereas butane is only suitable for warm-weather camping and lower heights.