Leading gas supplier, Calor, is to phase out its 6kg Lite cylinder, promising it will be superseded by a new “leisure” cylinder.

It also says demand for its standard 6kg cylinder is still growing. It is investing an extra £1m in this for this year.

Calor suppliers have been authorised to offer standard cylinders to Lite customers returning for refills, as stock requires.

For owners with payload issues, it’s worth noting the tare (empty) weight of a 6kg Lite is 4.1kg to 5kg, and 10.5kg when full. For a standard 6kg cylinder, it’s 7.3kg-10.9kg, and 15kg to 17kg full.

There is also still a product recall in place for Calor Lite cylinders manufactured between 2008 and 2011. It’s in force until July 1 of this year (see November 2014, p29), although any Lite cylinder recall vouchers presented by customers after this date will still be honoured.

Paul Downes, Calor’s National Account Manager - Leisure Sector, confirms to MMM: “During the course of recent years we have been finding increasing numbers of the 6kg Calor Lite are failing our quality inspections and are therefore being removed from circulation. This is impacting on cylinder availability, causing customers to experience local difficulties in obtaining cylinders. 

“After considering a number of different options, we’ve now taken the decision to stop purchasing the 6kg Calor Lite cylinders and instead increase our investment in the standard 6kg cylinder in order to ensure improved overall availability of this cylinder.”

He also confirms a “new, modern, lightweight successor to the 6kg Calor Lite” is being planned, adding: “It’s currently with our business development team and Calor will hopefully be able to provide an update towards the end of 2017. Sorry but I’m not able to commit on timescales at this stage.”

Meanwhile, dealers are backing Calor, while also using it as a chance to suggest alternatives. Brownhills of Newark, for example, has issued the following: “We will continue to supply existing 6kg Calor Lite customers with replacement bottles when stocks are available. However, without new cylinders being produced, availability will be limited. If there are no 6kg Calor Lite cylinders in stock we will exchange the Lite cylinders for a standard 6kg cylinder. 

“Alternatively, customers may consider changing to the Gaslow system, which allows for refills rather than the exchange of cylinders.”

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