Campingaz (pronounced as 'camping gas', from the French), formerly Camping Gaz, is a brand of compressed, mixed butane/propane^[1] gas supplied in small, lightweight, disposable cans^[2] designed for use as a fuel while camping and caravanning. The fuel gas is compressed to a liquid and sold in characteristic blue metal containers. For the larger refillable cylinders the contents are butane.^[2] The brand name is also used on appliances manufactured for use with the gas: cookers, lanterns, heaters, grills, refrigerators, etc. as well as more general camping equipment such as sleeping bags.

Company history

Early history

The Camping Gaz company was founded in France in 1949.^[3] Introducing a small, blue, refillable gas cylinder, directly fitted with special stoves and Welsbach mantle lanterns, the company rapidly expanded to foreign markets. In 1996, Camping Gaz became part of Coleman, Inc.^[4] (now part of the Jarden Corporation). The brand name was changed to Campingaz in 1998. Starting in 1952, lighting and burner stoves are launched designed for campers, with the company’s first portable stove (named "Bleuet") released three years later.

Late 20th century

In 1994, the first range of gas barbecues (the “Ranchero”) were released, becoming one of the first gas barbecue models to be built and sold in Europe; soft coolers are also added to the company’s portfolio around this time. The company was acquired by The Coleman Company in 1996, who specialise in outdoor recreation in the United States.

In order to expand on production capacities, the company moved its barbecue production to the Italian manufacturing facility CGIT in 1997, which produces the majority of thermoelectric and passive hard coolers. A year later, the brand name was changed to Campingaz.

Contemporary history

In 2005, the company was acquired by Jarden Corporation. Due to the growth of gas grilling in Europe, the Campingaz barbecue range was relaunched in 2014 with new 3 and 4 Series barbecues. Jarden Corporation was acquired by Newell Rubbermaid in April 2016 and Newell Brands was founded. The following year, the company launched its premium gas barbecue collection, the Master Series.

Sizes and availability

The small disposable Gaz cartridges are constructed of thin metal and typically used in portable camping stoves, small cooking rings and gas lamps. Inserting an original Camping Gaz cartridge into the device pierces it and, once the appliance's valve is opened, allows the fuel gas to flow. Pierceable cartridges must be completely empty before they are removed from the appliance, otherwise the remaining gas will escape and become a fire hazard. There is also a range of "Plus" self-sealing valve-type cartridges, such as the CV 300 Plus, which can be disconnected and reconnected when not empty when they are fitted to compatible devices with the Easy Clic plus connection.

Larger Gaz refillable butane cylinders come in three sizes. The 901 cylinder contains 0.454 kilograms (1.00 lb) of gas in a 161 mm (6.3 in) high cylinder with a 110 mm (4.3 in) diameter, the 904 contains 1.81 kg (4.0 lb) in a 188 mm (7.4 in) high cylinder with a 202 mm (8.0 in) diameter, and the 907 (the largest commonly used size) contains 2.72 kg (6.0 lb) in a 250 mm (9.8 in) high cylinder with a 202 mm (8.0 in) diameter.^[2] They are self-resealing, so they need not be empty when disconnected. The container is fitted with an M16x1.5 internal screw thread^[5] onto which a specific Campingaz pressure regulator is connected (or on recent installations a pigtail hose leading to the regulator). This is followed by the appliance (lamp, cooker burners etc.) attached either by a short rigid pipe or a longer flexible hose. These are typically used for applicances like multi-ring cookers, gas refrigerators, grills or heaters and are frequently used in boats, caravans and motorhomes in Europe.

See also

• Coleman Company - parent company, which started out making lamps and camping stoves
• Newell Brands