What gas bottle do I need for my BBQ?

Propane, butane and patio gas

Propane and butane are both liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), but they behave differently. Propane stays usable in cold weather, well below freezing, so it suits year-round outdoor use. Butane vaporises poorly near 0 °C, so a butane BBQ can struggle on a cold spring or autumn evening, but it is common for camping and indoor heaters.

Patio gas is propane in a green bottle, sold for BBQs and patio heaters. It uses a clip-on regulator rather than the screw-on type often used on red propane bottles. The gas is the same type, so a propane BBQ runs on either, provided the regulator fits the valve.

Which gas does your BBQ need?

Your BBQ was set up at the factory for a gas category and pressure, and its jets are sized for that. The data plate, usually on the back or inside the cabinet, and the manual say which gas it uses. Many grills sold in the UK are set for propane at 37 mbar; some, particularly older or budget models, are set for butane or for both with different regulators.

Do not swap gas types unless the manual allows it and you fit the correct regulator and any parts the maker specifies. Some listings, such as the CosmoGrill Pro Deluxe, say plainly that a 37 mbar propane or 28 mbar butane regulator must be bought separately, so check what is included.

Bottle sizes in kg

UK suppliers sell BBQ gas by weight of gas, not bottle size. Common sizes are below; availability varies by supplier and area. Bigger bottles last longer but are heavy to move, and a full 13 kg bottle weighs far more than 13 kg because of the steel.

To estimate how long a bottle lasts on your grill, use our gas bottle burn time calculator or read how long a BBQ gas bottle lasts.

• Propane (red): around 3.9 kg, 6 kg, 13 kg and 19 kg sizes are common.
• Patio gas (green): around 5 kg and 13 kg sizes are common.
• Butane (blue): around 4.5 kg, 7 kg and 15 kg sizes are common.

Matching the regulator

The regulator must match the gas type, the outlet pressure on the BBQ's data plate and the valve on the bottle. Butane and propane regulators are not interchangeable, and clip-on regulators come in different sizes for different bottles. When you change supplier or bottle type, check whether you need a new regulator; the supplier can usually tell you.

Fit the regulator by hand, connect the hose with proper clips, and check every joint with soapy water before lighting. Our regulator problems guide covers the faults that follow a wrong or worn regulator.

Note:Store gas bottles upright, outdoors in a ventilated spot, away from drains, cellars and sources of heat, and never in the house or a basement. Keep the valve closed when not in use. Check joints with soapy water, never a flame. If you smell gas, turn off at the bottle and get advice from your gas supplier or a qualified engineer.

Buying, swapping and returning bottles

In the UK most BBQ bottles are rented: you pay for the bottle once under a refill agreement and then swap empties for full ones at a dealer. Keep the paperwork, as it is needed to return the bottle. Bottles from one supplier usually cannot be refilled by another.

If you are choosing a new BBQ, check which gas it is set for before buying, especially if you already have bottles. Our best gas BBQs for UK gardens and portable gas BBQs for camping guides list the grills; the manual for each confirms the gas.

Compare gas BBQs →

Frequently asked questions

Can I use patio gas on any propane BBQ? Yes if the BBQ is set for propane and you fit a clip-on patio gas regulator that matches its pressure, usually 37 mbar.

Is propane or butane better for a BBQ? Propane for most UK gardens, because it works in cold weather. Butane suits summer use and some portable grills.

What size gas bottle should I buy? A 13 kg propane or patio gas bottle suits most family grills; smaller bottles are easier to carry for portable grills.

Can I keep a spare gas bottle in the shed? Advice from suppliers is to store bottles outdoors in a ventilated place, not in an enclosed shed, garage or the house.