With the ever increasing cost of Calor gas cylinders and similar on an “exchange” basis, it was time to look at other options. “Enter the Safefill refillable gas cylinder”. This is a lightweight cylinder, available in three sizes that has the advantage of having a built-in filler/connector.  This allows the user to fill up at a LPG pump, unlike cylinders from Calor, Flogas etc. The latter have to be exchanged on an “empty for full basis” at a local dealer.

Our primary reason for purchasing the Safefill refillable gas cylinder was to cut the costs of gas. To demonstrate, here is a “ready reckoner” of our costs for the Safefill cylinder and potential savings. It is tricky to do a direct comparison with Calor, as the Calor cylinders available in various sizes including 6 kg and 13 kg but not a 10 kg version. As we used  13 kg cylinders in the past, here goes the number crunching.

Safefill refillable gas cylinder – cost savings versus Calor

Cost of a Calor exchange, 13 kg cylinder, last done April 2016 – £26.50. This is approximately twenty-five litres of LPG, so let’s call it £1.05 per litre.

The Safefill gas cylinder holds 10 kg in total, so approximately 19 litres of LPG. This cost us fifty pence per litre, so £9.50 to refill the Safefill. As a direct comparison, and if there was a comparable sized Safefill to our outgoing Calor, 19 litres of LPG, assuming the price of £1.05 per litre as shown above, would cost £19.95, so a saving of £10.45 per fill up.

The Safefill gas cylinder cost us £150 from The American 5th Wheel Centre. Based on our figures, we would need to refill the Safefill fifteen times to break even.

Now for even bigger savings. Caravanners often use 6 kg cylinders, and these presently cost £20.50 for an exchange. Six kilogrammes are approximately 11.5 litres of LPG. 11.5 litres of LPG from the LPG point at the fuel forecourt would have cost us £5.75, so a massive, yes massive saving of £14.75 of product. Based on these figures, a 6 kg Calor user would break even after ten refills.

Note when acquiring a Calor cylinder for the first time, you also have participate in the “Calor Cylinder refill agreement” – see here. This cost should be a feature in your maths!

Even more advantages for the Safefill refillable gas cylinder

• The cylinder is of a lightweight design. The 10 kg variant that we use weighs approximately five kilograms when empty, so less than half the weight of comparable steel cylinders.
• Adaptors are available to refill the cylinders overseas. Accordingly, the problem of gas usage and availability goes away for those who enjoy continental touring
• Visual of the contents – the user can see exactly how much LPG remains in the cylinder.
• Continental van users – now this is interesting. Many continental vans have a smaller gas locker than the UK ‘vans. The Kon-tiki can hold 2 x 13 kg Calor cylinders, but many continental ‘vans have a smaller locker. European cylinders are often 11 kg in size, and as such, the UK 13/15 kg cylinders will not fit in the locker. My friend recently imported a Knaus from Germany – the locker could not hold a 13 kg Calor cylinder.  It could however accept the 10 kg Safefill. Needless to say, the Knaus also has a Safefill!
• Back in 2007, we had a Gaslow system fitted to our motorhome. This was quite an expensive addition, as in addition to the cylinder, came the cost of the steel hoses and filler cap.
• When you part ex or sell your ‘van, simply remove the cylinder and take it with you to the new outfit!

There is more information about the Safefill refillable gas cylinder on the Safefill website.

Filling a Safefill refillable gas cylinder is easy

When initially looking at the cylinder at the supplying dealer, I was a little confused as to the filling process and where to connect the LPG gun. The answer is pure simplicity. The brass connector, where the pipe carrying LPG from the cylinder to the motorhome regulator can be found, is also the adaptor for the LPG gun!