If you're weighing up a portable BBQ, the gas system is usually the deal-breaker. Nobody wants to run out mid-cook, or drag a heavy gas cylinder around the bush. So here's the honest rundown: what gas to use, how long it lasts, what it costs, and how to stay safe.
The iKSPLOR Adventure BBQ runs on a 468g propane gas bottle — the compact canisters you'll find at Bunnings, Anaconda and most camping stores. It's the sweet spot between the tiny butane stoves that struggle in the cold and the big 4+kg cylinders that are a pain to pack.
The backpack has dedicated pockets for two bottles, so you can carry a spare without rattling around.
The main types of camping gas
Gas type | Best for | Watch out for
Butane canisters Ultralight stoves, warm weather, short trips | Weak output in the cold, fewer cooks per canister
468g propane Portable BBQs, camping, 4WD, beach, cold mornings | Disposable — buy a couple so you have a spare
4kg refillable cylinder Long trips, big groups, base camps | Bulk and weight, awkward to pack in a 4WD
LPG / BBQ cylinder Backyard setups and camper trailers | Overkill for a portable BBQ; needs a hose and regulator
What gas does the iKSPLOR Adventure BBQ use?
A standard 468g propane bottle. It delivers up to 12,200 BTU, which is serious heat for a BBQ that packs into a backpack. Propane burns hotter and handles cold weather better than butane, which matters on frosty high-country mornings and winter snow trips.
How long does a portable BBQ gas bottle actually last?
This depends on how hard you run the burner. As a rough guide for a 468g propane bottle:
Cooking style | Approx. run time per bottle
Full heat — searing steaks, boiling, high-output cooking | Around 1.5 to 2 hours |
Medium heat — bacon and eggs, sausages, stir fry | Around 3 to 4 hours |
Low heat — simmering, coffee, warming, slow cooking | Around 5 to 6 hours |
In real-world terms, that's roughly four solid cooking sessions per bottle, which lines up with what most campers report. If you cook a couple of big breakfasts and a dinner over a weekend, one bottle usually does it — but always carry a spare.
Numbers vary with wind, altitude and how high you run the flame, so treat these as a guide, not a guarantee. Cooking in the wind burns through gas fast.
What does it cost to run?
A 468g propane canister typically costs somewhere around $12 to $15 each in Australia, depending on where you buy.
At that price, a weekend of cooking works out cheaper than most people expect — and far cheaper than eating out on the road.
Where to refill or buy gas
- Disposable 468g canisters: widely stocked at Bunnings, Anaconda, BCF and most camping and hardware stores.
- Multi-packs: often better value and worth keeping in the shed for spontaneous trips.
- 4kg cylinders: refillable at service stations and camping stores if you're running a bigger setup or a longer trip.
Disposable canisters are not designed to be refilled. Use them once and recycle responsibly.
Butane vs propane in the cold
This is where a lot of campers get caught out. Butane loses pressure as temperatures drop, so output fades on cold mornings and can nearly stop in freezing conditions. Propane keeps its pressure far better, which is why it's the better choice for Aussie camping — especially in winter, at altitude or in southern states.
If your stove or BBQ felt weak on a cold morning, the gas type is usually the reason.
Gas safety: leaks, storage and transport
- Check the seal and connection before every cook. A drop of soapy water on the joint will bubble if there's a leak.
- Store bottles upright, out of direct sun and away from heat.
- Never cook inside a tent, swag, caravan or vehicle. Gas appliances produce carbon monoxide — always cook in a well-ventilated, outdoor area.
- Transport bottles upright and secured so they don't roll around.
- Check the expiry or manufacture date on the canister and replace old gas.
- Turn the gas off at the bottle when you're finished, then let the burner run down.
Going through gas too fast? Check these first
- Wind around the burner — a windshield makes a big difference.
- Cooking on full heat for everything, when most food is fine on medium.
- A worn seal or a connection that isn't tight.
- Boiling large volumes of water — it chews through gas faster than anything.
- Cold canisters — warm them gently with your hands or in your jacket, never with a flame.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a 468g propane bottle last?
Roughly 1.5 to 2 hours at full heat, around 3 to 4 hours at medium, and up to 5 to 6 hours on a low flame. Most campers get about four cooking sessions per bottle.
Is propane or butane better for camping?
Propane. It performs better in cold weather and holds a more consistent flame, while butane suffers in low temperatures.
Can you use a 4kg gas bottle on a portable BBQ?
You can with the right hose and regulator, but it defeats the point of a portable BBQ. A 468g propane bottle is lighter, easier to pack and enough for most trips.
How much does it cost to run a portable BBQ?
A 468g canister costs roughly $12 to $15, and one bottle covers about four cooks — so a weekend of cooking usually costs under $15 in gas.
Can I refill a 468g disposable canister?
No. Disposables aren't designed to be refilled. Use them once and recycle them properly.
The bottom line
Run a 468g propane bottle, carry a spare, keep the burner out of the wind and cook on medium where you can. Do that and a portable BBQ is cheap, reliable and ready for anything from a beach breakfast to a high-country dinner.
Ready to cook anywhere?
- Shop the Adventure BBQ
- See the full portable BBQ range
- Read: How to choose the best camp BBQ for your 4WD trip
- Read: Camp BBQ setup on uneven ground and windy sites
