Gas in Spain

KJT
KJT Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited November 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

I've done some research on this but can't find the answer I want.

My Calor bottle is almost empty but I understand I'll not be able to refill this in Spain.  If so I think I have 2 options.

1, by a Safefill and adaptor for Spain and get it refilled cheaply home and there.  Disadvatage is the upfront cost.

2, buy a local gas bottle and adaptor.  Disadvantage I can only use it in Spain.  

Any ideas of costs for the Spannish gas and bottles, any comments?

regards

Kev

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2

    why cant you use any left over spanish gas in the uk?

    you could get a spanish bottle, use it for your stay (including any necessary local swap/refills) then when its time to come home, being it with you and use the leftovers here...the gas is the sameWink 

    then, when its empty, switch to your next Calor and take the spanish bottle over to Spain on your next trip....

    OR....just get a Safefill and use it all over EuropeHappy

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #3

    We are off to Spain soon, and from all that I have read the difficulty is in obtaining the first Spanish bottle (empty or full). It seems that to obtain one 'officially' from a Repsol/Cepsa stockist is difficult if you are not a resident.  Many people suggest buying one at a carboot, or from a fellow camper (going rate £10-£20).  However  this seems uncertain and a hassle and time consuming.

    Once you have a bottle, exchange refills are much cheaper than Calor.  You need a 'jumbo' 35mm adapter for a bulhead regulator, or a 'jumbo' regulator. Both readily available either here on in Spain.

     

     

     

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #4

    Vic, you might be right...however on our last trip there we were at Bonterra Park and im sure i could have just got a bottle from reception..? that's what everyone else seemed to be doing...Happy

  • Geejay
    Geejay Forum Participant Posts: 232
    100 Comments
    edited November 2016 #5

    Just had a look at the Safefill.  It doesn't seem to have an external connection and from what I've read on other forums some gas stations wont fill a bottle if it doesn't have an external filling point, and you need to open the locker, so you may need to
    go to a self-service station, which aren't so common.  Maybe an external filling point can be fitted or go for a GasIt or Gaslow system where the filler is located on the outside of the vehicle/caravan.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,395 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2016 #6

    Vic, you might be right...however on our last trip there we were at Bonterra Park and im sure i could have just got a bottle from reception..? that's what everyone else seemed to be doing...Happy

    Some sites rent bottles, perhaps that was the case at Bonterra. I think if you intend to make regular trips to the Continent it is worth getting a refill system.

    peedee

  • KJT
    KJT Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited November 2016 #7

    I didn't realise it might be a problem getting hold of a bottle in Spain.  From the above replies it looks like the best option would be a Safefill system.  At least I should be able to use it when we go touring on the continent this summer.

    Has anyone used the Safefill system abroad with success?

    Kev

  • iansoady
    iansoady Club Member Posts: 419 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2016 #8

    I have no direct knowledge but would be surprised if getting a new bottle was any more difficult than in France, where it's just a matter of going to a petrol station, completing a form and handing over the cash. ISTR we put the campsite we were on as the
    address.

    A bottle (ELFI) plus free regulator was only around €20.

  • Geejay
    Geejay Forum Participant Posts: 232
    100 Comments
    edited November 2016 #9

    @KJT  Have a look at this thread:
    Gas in Spain     which discusses something similar.  You might want to join that forum and ask a question there as quite a few of their members live in Spain and have good local knowledge.  

    However, I would say that an external filling point is essential as then the filling station operator will think it's a properly fitted original system, rather than a bottle.  See the comment by Jumar on the thread I've linked to.

  • Doug n San
    Doug n San Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited November 2016 #10

    If you are close to Portugal Algarve, there are 2 place that will refill any bottle. If you plane to do some traveling in the future you would be well advised to get refilable bottles as its a nightmare changing bottles when moving form country to country.
    Also I know of no place on the Spanish coast the will refill for you.

  • Philnffc
    Philnffc Forum Participant Posts: 317
    edited November 2016 #11

    Hi Kev

    We live near Elche/Alicante and my last gas bottle cost 13 euros about a month ago which was brought off the Repsol driver who serves the local villages, any Ferreteria or garage will sell you a bottle with the right regulator (7 euros) so for a small outlay
    of about £17 you will have enough gas to last your stay.  The only place i've found that will fill a calor bottle is the port in Estepona in the south.

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