Old bbq gas bottles

WSB

I have a collection of large empty patio gas and propane gas bottles.

What is the most cost effective use of them?

Should i get them refilled or can you part exchange them for new ones?

Currently, they're in mg garage taking up space.

QrizB

You should be exchanging them when you buy replacements, not buying (renting) new bottles every time. Exchange is (should be) much cheaper.

If you've got far more than you are ever going to need, you can probably sell the empties for £10 each to people who want one to exchange.

Section62

WSB said:

I have a collection of large empty patio gas and propane gas bottles.

What is the most cost effective use of them?

Should i get them refilled or can you part exchange them for new ones?

Currently, they're in mg garage taking up space.

What brand are they?

Typically you have a rental agreement for the bottle which lasts for a fixed number of years.  If the agreement has expired for the empty bottle and/or you have no proof, then the bottle might have zero value for exchange/return.

You need to know the brand to know exactly what the return policy is.

Calor, for example, sometimes have an amnesty where they will pay a nominal amount for out of contract bottles if you return them to an authorised seller.

Brie

For space clearing only - our tip takes them so that would tidy them up.  And they do sometimes get offered on Freegle occasionally.  

I luckily found someone local to me that will deliver and swap out the cannister for me so have never accumulated any.

casper_gutman

The bottles can have significant value, so don't just throw them out if you can help it.

For example, the Calor patio gas bottle I use for my BBQ is worth £54.99.

Section62

casper_gutman said:

..
For example, the Calor patio gas bottle I use for my BBQ is worth £54.99.
...

That's what the CRA costs, but normally you won't get the full amount back when you return the bottle.

casper_gutman

Section62 said:

casper_gutman said:

..
For example, the Calor patio gas bottle I use for my BBQ is worth £54.99.
...

That's what the CRA costs, but normally you won't get the full amount back when you return the bottle.

True. But the empty bottle allows anyone else who wants a full bottle to save that much by getting a refill instead of a new bottle. You should be able to find someone willing to pay good money - not the full £54.99 maybe, but a fair portion of it.

Section62

casper_gutman said:

Section62 said:

casper_gutman said:

..
For example, the Calor patio gas bottle I use for my BBQ is worth £54.99.
...

That's what the CRA costs, but normally you won't get the full amount back when you return the bottle.

True. But the empty bottle allows anyone else who wants a full bottle to save that much by getting a refill instead of a new bottle. You should be able to find someone willing to pay good money - not the full £54.99 maybe, but a fair portion of it.

Except - at least in theory - the Calor retailer shouldn't do the exchange without seeing evidence of the CRA for the cylinder.  Sometimes you can get lucky, but sometimes not.  Buying a cylinder without a valid CRA is a risk, so personally I'd not pay very much.

casper_gutman

Section62 said:

casper_gutman said:

Section62 said:

casper_gutman said:

..
For example, the Calor patio gas bottle I use for my BBQ is worth £54.99.
...

That's what the CRA costs, but normally you won't get the full amount back when you return the bottle.

True. But the empty bottle allows anyone else who wants a full bottle to save that much by getting a refill instead of a new bottle. You should be able to find someone willing to pay good money - not the full £54.99 maybe, but a fair portion of it.

Except - at least in theory - the Calor retailer shouldn't do the exchange without seeing evidence of the CRA for the cylinder.  Sometimes you can get lucky, but sometimes not.  Buying a cylinder without a valid CRA is a risk, so personally I'd not pay very much.

Oh, right - that's interesting. Neither of the local places has ever asked for evidence, and I've used them both interchangeably for refills for years. I didn't even realise the paperwork was useful for anything at all unless you wanted to get your initial fee refunded!

chrisw

I've got some 'other' makes eg Altagas that I just can't get rid of. The normal stockists won't take them back, the local tip/recycling centre won't take them and you're not allowed to put them in skips or similar. I'm thinking of taking an angle grinder to them if I can be sure of them being empty.

WSB

Thanks all.
All bottles i have were given to me years ago.