Outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, and camping are extremely popular. This is because of the fact that it is highly interesting, highly motivating, and of course one of the best ways to exercise both mind and body. However, it also requires quite a bit of planning especially if you are going in for a camping activity that could last for a few days. You need to have the right accessories and tools for the purpose.
In this article, we will have a look at the importance of camping gas. It is without any doubt, an important accessory and perhaps even indispensable. You must have the right information and knowledge when it comes to choosing the right camping gas New Zealand option. Over the next few lines, I’ll share what I’ve learned in my research. I will have a look at the advantages of camping gas and also try to find out what type of gas cylinder can you get in New Zealand.
I also will look at the rules governing camping gas transportation by plane, road, rail, and other forms of transport. I believe that it will go a long way in understanding more about camping gas and also the kind and type of camping gas that is used by campers for various purposes.
In New Zealand, you can get four types of gas:
- Natural gas
- Butane
- Propane
- LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) – mostly a combination of butane and methane)
LPG gas bottles are considered to be the best as they have the highest efficiency and speed of heating, combined with cost, and readily availability.
Things to consider when choosing a camping gas?
Let us have a brief look at the various points to be kept in mind when we plan to choose the right camping gas cylinders in general. After that, we will get into the specifics as far as gas cylinders as far New Zealand campers are concerned.
- How long does a gas cylinder for camping last? This is perhaps one of the most important points to be considered when selecting a particular cylinder for your camping needs. For example, butane and propane gas cylinders last for different periods of time. For example, a 4.5kg butane cylinder would last approximately for around 3.5 hours. On the other hand, a 3.9kg propane cylinder should last for around 2.5 hours with a regulator rate of 1.5kg/hr. Hence, make sure you choose a cylinder that is in line with your specific needs.
- Look for the most cost-effective gas cylinders. The price of the cylinder will depend on capacity, the type of fuel, and so on. Make a choice without compromising on quality and safety.
- Buy it only from registered and licensed outlets. Never try to cut corners and try saving a few dollars. You could end up compromising on quality and also the quantity of gas could be much less than what has been specified.
- Be sure that the brand of gas cylinders allows for easy refilling. It should not take you too much time to get this done.
While the above would have given the readers a reasonable understanding of the things to be kept in mind while choosing a gas cylinder when camping, let us now try and answer some specifics that pertain to New Zealand.
If you want to look more into how long a gas bottle will last in a caravan, you should check out my overview here…
Can you bring camping gas on flights to New Zealand?
The rules pertaining to transporting gas cylinders onboard flight in New Zealand is quite clear. While the rule does not prevent the passengers from carrying a cylinder that can stock flammable gas, you must make sure that a few rules are adhered to. The fuel in the gas cylinder must be empty. In case there is some gas left in it, the same must be emptied and when you board any flight within New Zealand or to and from New Zealand, please make sure that the cylinder is totally empty.
However, different airlines might interpret the rule differently and there could be some people who believe that there is ambiguity in the whole thing. While some airlines are quite liberal and accommodative and go by the rule book, there could be others who are not so very open and transparent. Hence, it would be better to make sure that you are traveling on the right airline whether inside New Zealand or in and out of it. Ensure that they have clearly written down rules with regard to carrying flammable materials while on board.
What type of gas does New Zealand use for campers and BBQ?
There are many options when it comes to choosing the right type of gas as far as campers are concerned. However, the most common options are LPG variants such as butane, propane, and natural gas. Each one has its own features and we need to understand the differences between the two. A butane-propane mix is what LPG or liquefied petroleum gas all about. This is by far the most common and popular type of gas that is used by campers and also for those who are looking for the right fuel for a barbeque. Natural gas on the other hand consists of methane.
There are some basic differences between the two, though they may be used for camping purposes and also for BBQ. The energy content of LPG is obviously higher and it has a much better caloric value when compared to natural gas. Hence, when it comes to camping and cooking, LPG is considered to be a better option. In other words, you need less gas for producing the same amount of heat when compared to natural gas.
LPG on the other hand requires a higher gas to oxygen ratio and the ratio is approximately 25:1. Natural gas can work fine with oxygen to gas ratio of 10:1. That is the reason most gas cylinders come with a lower amount of LPG but the pressure exerted is more. This ensures more availability of oxygen when burning.
What type of camping gas bottles does New Zealand use?
There is no doubt that camping gas bottles are an essential part of any camping accessory. However, if you are not very familiar with camping habits in New Zealand, you may wonder as to which type of gas bottles are used for lighting campfires and also for cooking and other purposes. Though there could be many different sources of fuel, when it comes to camping people mostly prefer to choose between LPG or liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas.
However, when it comes to popularity and usage, there is no doubt that LPG is always preferred. This is because of certain advantages that LPG has over natural gas. LPG is mostly a combination of butane and methane. It is used not only as a cooking fuel in thousands of homes but also as the preferred fuel for outdoor camping and other activities.
The biggest advantage of using LPG is that it produces more heat when compared to natural gas. Hence, in terms of efficiency, speed of heating, and cost, LPG gas bottles are considered to be better. On the other hand, liquid gas may be less expensive but will not deliver the same kind of heat efficiency and cooking power when compared to LPG. However, at the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preferences and needs.
What type of camping gas bottle connections?
There are basically two things that are needed for connecting gas bottles or camping gas cylinders to your stove.
One is a regulator that helps the gas to flow out from the camping gas bottles to the gas stove. The regulators also help in stopping the gas flow whenever it is not required. It is important and indispensable. The regulator is connected to the gas stove by means of a pipe that is made from special material including special rubber. The pipe ensures the smooth flow of gas from the regulator when it is switched on.
Of course, then you have the gas stove that comes with plugs that help in regulating the flow of gas to the burners. You also can go in for a gas bottle without tubes if you choose an option that directly connects the gas regulator to the stove.
Do I need a connection piece for my US camping stove?
You can use a camping stove with or without a connection and this depends again on your preferences and comfort levels. When you are camping it is quite obvious that you will be looking for something that is lightweight or portable. You have modern-day camping stoves that can directly be attached to the source of fuel and it could also be from gas cylinders that are small and used for camping purposes.
They come with knobs that can be turned on and you are ready to use them. There are a few unique things about these stoves. First and foremost, they are easy to carry, and secondly as the cooking happens the liquid fuel gets transformed into vapour continuously. This process certainly means that you need much less heat when cooking.
The final word
Camping in New Zealand can be great fun provided you have the right cooking apparatuses, stoves, canisters, and gas cylinders. The above would have helped the readers to get some idea about the things to be kept in mind while choosing between one type of cooking or heating gas over the other. For example, both LPG and natural gas have their own uniqueness and advantages, and being aware of the same may help them to make the right choice, keeping their requirements in mind.
