Choosing between propane and butane is one of the most common questions we hear at Gas Shack in Padstow. Cornwall’s mild coastal summers and cooler, damp winters make the wrong bottle choice frustrating — and the right one keeps heating, cooking and outdoor appliances running smoothly.
Both gases are LPG, but they behave differently in cold weather and suit different appliances. This guide compares them for Cornwall homes, caravans, holiday lets and small businesses, then points you to live bottles you can order online for collection or delivery.
Propane: the Cornwall all-weather choice
Propane stays usable at lower temperatures than butane, which matters when nights drop on the north coast or you are heating a caravan in spring and autumn. Popular sizes for Cornwall customers include the 6kg Propane Gas Bottle for portable BBQs and patio heaters, the 13kg Propane Gas Bottle for everyday domestic and leisure use, and the 19kg Propane Gas Bottle for longer run times. Larger properties and commercial sites often prefer the 47kg Propane Gas Bottle.
Butane: efficient for indoor and milder conditions
Butane burns cleanly and is widely used with indoor heaters and some cooking appliances when temperatures stay mild. Our live butane range includes the 7kg Butane Gas Bottle and the 15kg Butane Gas Bottle. If you mainly cook or heat indoors in summer, butane can be a cost-effective fit — but for year-round outdoor use in Cornwall, propane usually wins.
Quick decision guide for Padstow and North Cornwall
- Caravan, motorhome, patio heater, year-round outdoor BBQ: choose propane.
- Indoor heater or appliance rated for butane in milder months: butane can work well.
- Not sure: check your regulator and appliance plate, then browse all gas bottles or read our order gas online page.
Gas Shack supplies Calor-style LPG bottles with refill and exchange options where available. Need help matching a bottle to your appliance? Contact us — we are local to Padstow and deliver across Cornwall.
Local stock advice from Padstow
Gas Shack customers across Wadebridge, Newquay, Rock and the wider north coast often keep both a mid-size propane bottle and a patio cylinder so outdoor plans are never cancelled by an empty tank. If you manage holiday cottages, label bottles by property and schedule exchanges before Friday changeovers. Rural homes off the mains gas network rely on LPG year-round, so planning delivery or collection through Gas Shack avoids last-minute shortages when storms hit Cornwall.
