SWAP’n’GO FAQ • Frequently Asked Questions • BBQ Gas Bottles • SWAP’n’GO Gas Bottle Prices
Have questions about LPG for your home? See Home LPG FAQs
The following are frequently asked questions about SWAP’n’GO®, BBQ gas bottles, LPG gas cylinder exchange and SWAP’n’GO Prices from customers and online forums.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to send us an Online Enquiry.
Questions that have general interest, and the answers, will be added to this FAQ page.
SWAP’n’GO Prices: Questions
SWAP’n’GO Gas Bottle Prices – How Much Does SWAP’n’GO Gas Cost?
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SWAP’n’GO®
Gas Bottle Sizes
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Swap Price
Low Range*
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SWAP Price
Upper Range*
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8.5kg
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Upper $20s
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Mid $40s
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3.7kg
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≈$20
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Mid $30s
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Prices vary as they are set independently by the dealers and are indicative only.
Some prices may be outside of these ranges, particularly in remote areas.
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Typical SWAP’n’GO gas bottle prices range from the upper $20s to the mid $40s for 8.5kg gas bottles.
It varies because SWAP’n’GO gas bottle refills are sold by independent dealers who set there own SWAP’n’GO gas bottle prices.
ELGAS does not have a SWAP’n’GO Recommended Retail Price – RRP – meaning the SWAP’n’GO prices are totally under the control of the dealers.
For this reason, it may pay to shop around, as SWAP’n’GO gas prices can vary quite a bit, as previously mentioned.
The bottle you receive belongs to you.
“Swap and Go Prices” is just another way to say the same thing but SWAP’n’GO® is the registered trademark.
Why are SWAP’n’GO prices slightly more than refilling?
SWAP’n’GO prices are a bit more than refilling.
The simple reason is that you are getting much more than just the gas.
- No waiting
- Refurbished gas bottle
- Accurate filling on electronic scales
- Safety inspection
The SWAP’n’GO prices reflect this added value.
New to SWAP’n’GO Questions
LCC27 Gas Bottle for POL Gas Bottle Swap?
You can swap in an old style POL gas bottle for the newer style LCC27 gas bottle at SWAP’n’GO for no extra charge.
Is an LCC27 Adaptor safe to use?
Using an LCC27 adaptor should be avoided as they create extra opportunities for gas leaks.
Also, combining left-hand and right-hand threads makes it difficult to tighten one without loosening the other and vice versa.
It is much safer to swap for an LCC27 gas bottle and you save money by not having to buy the LCC27 adaptor, as well.
What kind of gas is in a SWAP’n’GO gas bottle?
Please see What is LPG?
Why should I use SWAP’n’GO instead of refilling?
It’s faster
It’s safer
The bottles are always in date
You know it has been filled correctly and double leak checked.
Swap any 9kg or 4kg gas bottle at your local SWAP’n’GO dealer
What if I don’t have a gas bottle to swap?
No problem.
You can select your preferred purchase method, including the purchase of the gas bottle as well as the gas.
You can purchase a full SWAP’n’GO gas bottle without a trade-in at any of our convenient SWAP’n’GO Locations.
What gas is in a BBQ gas bottle? What if it says to use Propane?
Propane? LPG? What’s what? Also… What is Propane Gas?
Does it matter what size gas bottle I use on my BBQ?
No, the BBQ Gas Bottle Size is not an issue as long as it is fitted with the LCC27 gas bottle valve.
An LCC27 gas bottle is backwards compatible with POL BBQ connectors. However, POL gas bottles cannot be connected to a new LLC27 BBQ connector.
However, an undersized gas bottle will not last very long in actual use.
An 8.5kg bottle is recommended for most BBQs. 3.7 kg is better as portable gas and is popular for camping gas.
Do I own the gas bottle I receive?
Yes, when you purchase or swap a gas bottle from us, you own the SWAP’n’GO gas bottle you receive.
Also, you are free to choose swap or refill when it is empty.
Can I return my bottle and get a refund if I don’t need it anymore?
When you purchase or swap at SWAP’n’GO you own the bottle.
Unfortunately, there is no basis for issuing a refund.
You might consider giving your bottle to family or friends.
Local clubs that do sausage sizzle fund raising would also appreciate the donation.
You can also dispose of them at a local council recycling centre or you can leave the bottle at your nearest SWAP’n’GO depot.
Where can I swap my bottle?
Determine your nearest store and swap any 4kg or 9kg gas bottle at your local SWAP’n’GO dealer
You can set your store by using the suburb or postcode.
Gas Bottle & Regulator Questions
Why are the cylinders filled with 8.5kg or 3.7kg of gas?
Please see Are BBQ Gas Bottles 9kg or 8.5kg?
This also answer the same questions about 4kg and 3.7 kg gas bottles.
How much does a 8.5kg or 9kg gas bottle weigh when full or empty?
The full weight of gas bottles can vary based on the weight of the empty bottle.
The weight of the empty bottle, or tare weight, is stamped on the neck ring of the bottle.
To calculate the full weight, you add 8.5kg to the empty (tare) weight of the bottle and the total is the full weight.
Full Weight – Tare Weight = Gas Remaining
What does a BBQ regulator do and how does it work?
Please see Gas BBQ Regulators & Hoses
How can I tell if the gas bottle I will receive is full?
Every SWAP’n’GO gas bottle is precision filled, on a digital scale, to either 8.5kg (large bottles) or 3.7kg (medium bottles) and leak tested by Elgas technicians.
Look for the yellow seal on the neck of the gas bottle which indicates that it has been quality checked and filled to safe industry standards by Elgas SWAP’n’GO.
Be aware that we are not transitioning away from the yellow seals to the newer tamper resistant plugs, so look for that as the indicator of a full gas bottle.
What is a Primus gas bottle?
A Primus gas bottle is a gas bottle fitted with a Primus valve.
These are not very common and are not offered as part of the SWAP’n’GO programme.
“How To” and other BBQ Gas Supply Questions
How do I clean my BBQ?
Please see: Easy Way How to Clean BBQ Grill – Gus Shares Tricks & Tips on BBQ Cleaning or
Watch this short 2:56 video for some amazing BBQ cleaning tips including the ‘Great Steam Trick’!
How do I swap my gas bottle with SWAP’n’GO?
Swapping with SWAP’n’GO is quick and easy:
Please see How to Swap Gas Bottles
How do I detach or attach my BBQ gas bottle and turn it on?
For detailed instructions with illustrations, please see : How To Attach and Operate Your BBQ Gas Bottle
or watch this short (1:01) video:
How long will an 8.5kg BBQ gas bottle last?
That depends on the gas consumption rating of the BBQ or patio heater being used.
For an easy to use duration table showing common BBQ and Patio Heater sizes, please see:
How Many Hours Will a BBQ Gas Bottle Last
How do I check how much gas is left in my gas bottle?
Unable to determine how much gas is left?
Please see How Much Gas is Left in the Gas Bottle
How often do gas bottles require testing before they are out-of-date?
Australian Standards determine how often gas bottles must be tested.
For info on gas bottle testing & expiry see Gas Bottle-Cylinder Testing Facts
Does SWAP’n’GO accept out-of-date bottles?
Yes!
We accept out of date bottles at no extra charge.
Please see How to SWAP’n’GO
I am moving & the removalist won’t take my gas bottle. What can I do?
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SWAP’n’GO offers a mover’s transfer service, with which you can to take your BBQ gas bottle to your nearest Elgas branch and reclaim another one at the Elgas branch nearest to your destination.
It can also be used if you are putting your home contents into storage. Please see:
Removalists and the Moving or Storage of BBQ Gas Bottles
I still have a little gas left but not enough for a BBQ, what can I do?
Everyone wants to get the full value out of their gas bottle.
The simple solution that many people use is to have a second gas bottle.
Then, you can run your first bottle completely dry and quickly switch bottles without a frantic run to your local servo. You can then swap the empty bottle at a more convenient time.
Don’t have a second bottle?
No problem.
You can purchase a second full SWAP’n’GO gas bottle without a trade-in.
Why are there less places to refill now?
Due to the popularity of SWAP’n’GO, staffing issues and safety concerns, all of the major oil marketing companies removed refilling from their company owned sites a few years ago.
The remaining refillers are independent service station operators and multi-site groups, although some have major oil company branding.
The numbers have now stabilised and no further significant reduction of refiller sites is expected.
ELGAS wants you to be able to select your preferred purchase method.
Elgas is one of the largest suppliers of LPG to refillers and we support them as well as our SWAP’n’GO network.
In fact, many of our independent customers have both SWAP’n’GO and Elgas refill gas.
Safety Questions
How do I know a SWAP’n’GO gas bottle is safe?
At Elgas, we pride ourselves on our bottle quality. We comply with all Australian Standards.
All SWAP’n’GO gas bottles are either new or quality checked and have been refurbished by trained technicians.
Please also see BBQ Safety Tips
Does it matter if my BBQ gas bottles are left in the sun?
Please see Gas Bottles in the Sun
What is the best way to safely store a gas bottle?
- It is best to store gas bottles outdoors in a well ventilated space.
- Gas bottles should never be stored indoors.
- Gas bottles should always be stored upright.
- Do not store gas bottles near an ignition source.
- If you store your BBQ or patio heater indoors, when not in use, you should always detach the gas bottle first and store it separately outdoors.
Please also see Safe Gas Bottle Storage
Why is SWAP’n’GO safer than refilling?
Manually refilled cylinders can be incorrectly filled causing the cylinders to vent gas through the pressure relief valve that is part of the main valve.
This can happen, with an overfilled cylinder, as the gas gets warmer and the pressure builds.
Venting can be a very dangerous situation if it occurs near people or an ignition source and especially in vehicles.
SWAP’n’GO® fills the cylinders by weight on very accurate digital scales.
The total fill weight is calculated based on the empty weight of the cylinder plus the gas.
The scales are reset for each cylinder to achieve the proper full weight. So, you can rest assured that the bottle you buy from SWAP’n’GO is safely filled.
SWAP’n’GO also performs two leak checks on each cylinder before it is delivered to your local dealer.
We always check the inspection date on every cylinder we fill and only those with valid dates are filled.
Cylinders with expired dates are inspected internally and externally, have new valves fitted and have a new date stamp applied.
Why do I need to do a soapy water leak test and how do I do it?
Please see BBQ Gas Leak Test
Why is it important to turn the BBQ off at the gas bottle first?
Turning your BBQ off at the gas bottle first is both safer and could save you money! Please see:
Turn Your BBQ Off at the Gas Bottle First
How can I safely dispose of an old or damaged gas bottle?
Please see Safe Disposal & Recycling of Gas Bottles – Cylinders
What about using a gas BBQ on a unit balcony?
There may be By-Law and lease restrictions on using a BBQ on a unit balcony.
There are also a number of other issues that need to be considered.
Please see Using a Gas BBQ on a Unit Balcony for more details
Are there special gas bottles for caravans?
Is there a special type of gas bottle required for caravan use?
How many gas bottles can you have on a caravan?
One of the requirements is to ensure suitable restraints are available to transport cylinder in a secure and upright position.
Please see Facts About Gas Bottles for Caravans
What should I do with my BBQ gas bottle in a bushfire?
Cylinder features include a pressure relief valve in the event that heat causes increased pressure inside the gas bottle.
Please see Bushfires and BBQ Gas Bottles
Can freezing weather affect a BBQ gas bottle?
In Australia, this is a very unlikely problem, as the temperature would need to be far below zero.
Extremely cold sub zero conditions can affect your BBQ gas bottle, particularly as it gets low on gas.
There could be liquid gas within the bottle that will not come out.
The reason for this is that the liquid gas absorbs heat from the metal walls of the gas bottle to achieve vapourisation, which is the process of going from a liquid to a gaseous state.
As the volume of liquid gas gets lower, there is less metal surface area providing heat to the gas so it may not ‘boil’ and vapourise in extremely cold conditions, when the metal gas bottle become very cold.
The best solution for this is to keep the bottle in the sun, on cold days, so it absorbs as much heat as possible.
Alternatively, switch to a full or near full bottle.
You can use the lesser filled bottle on another day, when the temperatures are warmer.
SWAP’n’GO is Close & Convenient – Fast, Safe & Easy
There are thousands of SWAP’n’GO® retailers around the country so you never have to go very far to find a fresh full LPG bottle.