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What Size Gas Bottles Do I Need For Fish & Chip Van

by Minna
(England)

LPG Bottles Fish and Chip Van

LPG Bottles Fish and Chip Van

Hello, and thank you for very useful help here.
I am starting up as fish and chip van and wondered if LPG Gas would be best for all of the equipment? And if so how big of the bottles are? Do you know the usage in hours? To give an idea of cooking times

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Mar 10, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Fish & Chip Van Bottle Sizes
by: MobCater

Choosing the Right LPG Gas Bottle for Your

Hi there, and congratulations on starting your fish and chip van! LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is the preferred fuel choice for mobile catering due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ability to provide instant heat.
Is LPG the Best Choice for Your Equipment?

Yes! LPG is ideal for running:

- High-powered fryers for cooking fish and chips
- Griddles for other menu items
- Hot water boilers for drinks
- Ovens or Bain Maries for keeping food warm

LPG is readily available, provides consistent heat, and is cheaper than electricity when used efficiently.

What Size LPG Gas Bottles Do You Need?

The size of your gas bottle depends on how much gas your equipment consumes. Most fish & chip vans use either:

- 19kg LPG propane cylinders – Good for smaller setups or backup supply.
- 47kg LPG propane cylinders – Common for full-time catering vans.

Typical Gas Usage (Estimates)

Here’s an estimate of how long a 47kg LPG bottle lasts for different equipment:

Equipment Average Gas Consumption (kg/hr) 47kg Bottle Duration
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish & Chip Fryer (Double) 1.5 - 2.5 kg/hr 19 - 31 hours
Griddle 1 - 1.5 kg/hr 31 - 47 hours
Hot Water Boiler 0.5 - 1 kg/hr 47 - 94 hours


Example: If your fryer consumes 2kg of LPG per hour, a 47kg bottle will last around 23-24 hours of continuous use.

How Many Bottles Should You Keep?

1 x 47kg LPG bottle for use
1 x spare bottle to avoid running out mid-service

Safety & Setup

- Always use a qualified Gas Safe CMC engineer when installing or servicing your LPG system.
- Ensure correct ventilation to prevent gas buildup.
- Have a fire extinguisher & carbon monoxide detector in place.

Hope this helps, best of luck

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