November 23, 2022, 10:08 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Demand is high, and the situation is tense: Four major hardware store chains in Germany report to myHOMEBOOK on the status of gas cylinder supplies.
The Ukraine war, energy crisis, and now the onset of winter–there are many reasons why gas is not only expensive but also in high demand. This applies not only to piped gas but also to portable gas cylinders from hardware stores or specialty retailers. But is this really the case? myHOMEBOOK checked with the largest players among hardware stores to see how the situation currently stands.
Are customers currently buying more gas cylinders, possibly to stock up?
In response to an inquiry from myHOMEBOOK, Thorsten Lewandowski from Obi can neither confirm nor deny whether gas cylinders are currently becoming scarce. Reliable figures will only be available after a more detailed analysis in a few weeks and months. In contrast, Bauhaus reports a general rush on gas cylinders–and this has been the case for some time. A spokesperson for the hardware store chain says, “Bauhaus has been observing an increased demand for propane gas cylinders nationwide for months.”
Daria Ezazi from Toom Baumarkt also confirms that gas cylinders are currently in high demand. However, she also notes, “Besides the classic grilling season, they are generally in demand year-round.”
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Are gas cylinders becoming scarce in hardware stores now?
Whether there are still gas cylinders in stock depends on the product, explains Preuß from Hornbach. “The issue is less about the raw material and more about the cylinder itself. Red deposit cylinders, Alugas, and Tenneker grill gas are currently scarce in our stores. This is because fewer cylinders are being returned than we sell.”
One reason is general stockpiling. However, the Bauhaus spokesperson sees a danger in improper storage: “In this context, Bauhaus explicitly points out, in the interest of safety, to observe the applicable regulations for the safe and limited storage or proper use of gas cylinders in private settings.”
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Are gas cylinders only available in exchange now?
Yes, that happens. At Hornbach, Alugas, Tenneker grill gas, and red deposit cylinders are only available in a one-to-one exchange. However, usage cylinders and purchase cylinders in gray are less critical, explains Florian Preuß.
The other major hardware store companies are taking a similar approach. Daria Ezazi from Toom: “The availability of gas is still given, as propane comes from the North Sea. However, the availability of the gas cylinders themselves is limited. This leads to the fact that sometimes only a ‘one-to-one’ exchange is possible. Here, too, the exchange is sometimes only possible against a used cylinder.”
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Why are so many customers buying gas cylinders?
Some grill enthusiasts indeed fire up the grill even in winter temperatures. However, for most Germans, the grilling season is long over. So the question arises as to why many customers are increasingly buying gas cylinders.
Hornbach spokesperson Preuß: “Propane gas is used for grilling and, in winter, primarily for heating. The customer base is large. Not to forget: gastronomy, caterers, market vendors, and Christmas markets.” Additionally, there is the fear of a power outage. “In case the heating should fail or a blackout occurs, many customers have acquired a gas cylinder as an emergency reserve,” says Florian Preuß.
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Where else is liquefied gas used?
Liquefied gas or propane, with which the sought-after gas cylinders are filled, is versatile in private households. Besides heating and cooking, for example, it is also used for gas fireplaces. Liquefied gas is also used as a propellant in spray cans or as a refrigerant in refrigerators or air conditioners.
In the garden area, a portable gas cylinder and a flame weeder can be used to tackle pesky weeds–without chemicals. Popular–but also controversial–are patio heaters, also known as mushroom heaters, which are powered by propane gas. Mobile gas heaters, which can be hung or installed outdoors, also provide cozy warmth. And for many DIY projects, liquefied gas is indispensable. It provides the necessary energy for the welding torch and soldering iron.