Flogas has recalled gold butane gas cylinders sold between 6 and 22 November 2024 across East Anglia, East Midlands, the Home Counties and the South East, and has withdrawn the product from the market1. The recall was notified by Local Authority Trading Standards and published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards on 3 December 2024 under notification 2411-0181, with a risk level of low1.
The affected products are gold and red butane bottles in 4.5kg, 7kg and 13kg sizes, made in the United Kingdom1. The hazard is that the cylinders were filled with a mixture of butane and propane outside the parameters for commercial butane defined in BS4250, which results in higher vapour pressure inside the cylinder than usual1. Butane regulators are manufactured to BSEN12864 or BSEN16129, which require them to be designed for a maximum inlet pressure of 7.5bar; if inlet pressure exceeds the design pressure, this could lead to leakage of joints, failure of components or gas or flames being emitted from the appliance itself1. The product does not meet the requirements of The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 20181.
Flogas said the problem was found during a recent production run, and that only gold butane bottles from a specific batch are involved; red and green propane bottles are not affected2. The two accounts differ slightly on the selling period: the recall notice gives 6 to 22 November 20241, while Flogas' own notice gives 6 to 22 November in one place and 6 to 20 November in another2. Flogas states that it is contacting customers it has identified by phone and email, and is making all stockists in the region aware2.
"stop using the butane gas bottles immediately. Do not connect the gas. If already connected, disconnect it immediately."
The recall notice advises that, where possible, the cylinder should be kept outdoors, and if it must be stored indoors it should be kept away from sources of heat until collection is arranged1. Affected customers are asked to contact Flogas on 0330 041 6629 or at cylinder.recall@flogas.co.uk for collection and a free replacement1. Flogas offers collection by arrangement or replacement at its depots, and states that no receipt is needed, though it will verify where and when the bottle was bought2. Its published depot list includes Aylesbury, Cambridge, Eastbourne, Halstead, Ludham, Luton, Peterborough, Rainham and Sittingbourne2.
Why it matters for households
Households in East Anglia, East Midlands, the Home Counties and the South East that bought a gold Flogas butane cylinder in the affected window may hold a bottle with higher than usual internal pressure. Flogas advises that anyone who has already connected an affected bottle should stop using the heater and disconnect the bottle straight away, and sets out steps for disconnecting the regulator: open the back door of the heater, turn the control knob to the start position, turn the regulator switch to off, wait for the heater to turn off completely, press the button on the regulator, lift the regulator off the gas bottle and replace the safety cap on the bottle valve2. It says its team will guide customers through the steps or send someone to help if they are unsure2. Flogas states that households relying on a portable heater as their only heat source should say so when calling, and their replacement will be prioritised2. The recall notice carries a risk level of low1.
What happens next
Flogas states that it is contacting identified customers by phone and email and is making stockists in the region aware2. Replacements are arranged by calling 0330 041 6629 or emailing cylinder.recall@flogas.co.uk, either by home collection or at a depot1. No end date for the recall has been reported. Households can follow official product recall notices through the staying-informed hub.
