If you’ve ever stood under a camp shower on a chilly outback morning and thought crikey, this water’s straight from the snowmelt, you’re not alone. For many Aussies who love camping, caravanning, off-grid living, or who call a rural property home, reliable hot water is the difference between gritting your teeth and actually enjoying the evening rinse. The Camplux 5L Portable Gas Water Heater promises a compact, no-dramas way to bring a proper warm shower to the bush, the beach, and the back paddock.
This review walks through real-world setup, performance, safety, simple explanations of the tech bits, and who the 5L suits best. By the end, you’ll know if it deserves a spot next to the swag or inside the caravan boot.
Why Hot Water Off the Grid Matters
Australia’s outdoors is magic, but cold water can turn washing up, rinsing the dog, or cleaning fishing gear into a chore you keep putting off. Electricity is often scarce, generators are noisy, and relying on powered amenities isn’t always practical. A portable LPG system that lights instantly and heats water on demand gives you independence and comfort, wherever you pull up. It means rinsing salty gear after a sunrise surf, washing red dirt off the kids, or taking a proper shower after a long hike—too easy.
In short: Hot water makes outdoor living feel like home.
Meet the Camplux 5L: Small Size, Big Convenience
The Camplux 5L is a lightweight, hangable heater designed for fast setup. Pop it on a sturdy hook, the side of a caravan, or a simple bracket, hook up an LPG bottle and a water source, and you’re basically there. It’s small enough to stash behind the ute seat or in a caravan cupboard, yet powerful enough to deliver a toasty shower after a dusty day.
- Typical uses: Camping, caravanning, outdoor kitchens, off-grid cabins, rinsing pets or horses, cleaning tools on a farm.
- What’s in the box: Heater unit, shower head and hose, fittings to connect water and gas (regulator and bottle not included).
- Who it suits: Solo travellers, couples, and small families who value portability and quick setup.
Key Specs Explained without the Jargon
5 litres per minute flow rate. That’s about half a typical household shower, which is more than enough for a comfortable single-person wash without chewing through your water tank. It hits the sweet spot between comfort and conservation.
Heating power around 34,000 BTU. BTU is just a fancy way to say how much heat it can push out. Picture a decent backyard BBQ burner focused on water—plenty of grunt to warm cold tank or creek water fast.
LPG fuel. Same style bottle you use on the barbie. No mains power required, so you can set up in the scrub, on the beach, or at a bush camp miles from anywhere.
Automatic ignition. The moment you open the shower handle and water flows, the heater sparks up. No matches, no buttons, no swearing.
Temperature control. Adjust gas and water flow to dial in your sweet spot. Cooler arvo? Bump the heat. Hot summer day? Ease it back so you’re not cooking yourself.
Low-pressure start-up. Works with a small 12V pump, gravity feed, or low-pressure tanks common on rural properties and off-grid setups.
Setup: From Box to Hot Shower
Getting the Camplux 5L humming is straightforward. Hang the unit on a stable surface, connect the LPG regulator to your bottle, clip your water hose to a tank or a compact pump, and attach the shower head. Crack the gas, open the water, and it lights itself. If you can set up a BBQ and a garden hose, you can set this up—no dramas.
Water Sources That Work
- Portable tank + 12V pump: The most flexible option for camping and beach days.
- Gravity feed: A raised container can do the trick, though a small pump keeps the flow steadier.
- Garden tap or rural drum: Great for sheds and farm blocks.
In short: Connect gas and water, open the handle, enjoy hot water.
Performance in Real Aussie Conditions
Out in the field—from crisp alpine mornings to windy coastal camps—the Camplux 5L delivers consistent, comfortable water temperature. The heat comes on within seconds of opening the shower. You’ll notice how steady it stays even when ambient temps swing across the day; a quick tweak of the gas or water flow keeps it just right.
Fuel use is modest. A 9kg bottle can last multiple weekends for a couple showering daily, plus a few dish-washing sessions. Noise is minimal—mostly the soft rush of water and a whisper of flame—so you can chat with your camp mates without yelling over a generator.
Use-Case Highlights
| Scenario | What Stands Out | Handy Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|
| Camping & Caravanning | Proper shower anywhere you park; quick pack-down for travel days | 12V pump, jerry tank, privacy tent |
| Farm & Rural Properties | Rinse dogs, horses, boots, and tools without trekking inside | Longer hose, clip-on mounts near the shed |
| Beach & Fishing Trips | Wash salt and sand off people and gear before the drive home | Collapsible tub, mat for sandy feet |
| Off-Grid Cabins | Hot water with solar battery + small pump—no mains needed | Inline filter, simple weather shield |
| Outdoor Kitchen | Warm water for dishwashing and prep without running inside | Fixed bracket, short sink hose |
In short: It’s a tidy all-rounder for showers, rinsing, and chores.
Pros and Cons
What We Love
- Compact and lightweight; stashes easily in a boot or van locker.
- Heats fast and keeps temperature stable once dialled in.
- Works with low water pressure; friendly for rural tanks.
- Efficient on gas, with simple controls anyone can grasp.
- Great value for first-time buyers and seasoned campers alike.
What to Keep in Mind
- Outdoor-only use; always ensure good ventilation.
- Back-to-back showers for a big group take some water and gas planning.
- Check fittings periodically—standard good practice with any gas gear.
In short: Plenty of upside; trade-offs are minor and manageable.
Camplux 5L vs Bigger Options
You might be eyeing larger heaters for more flow. Bigger can be bonza for families, but portability drops and gas use climbs. The 5L’s strength is balance: easy to carry, quick to mount, just enough flow for comfortable solo or couple showers.
- For small households or semi-fixed setups: Larger units deliver more flow but weigh more and suit permanent spots.
- For frequent travellers: The 5L hits the sweet spot—set up, shower, pack away in minutes.
In short: Choose the 5L for portability, bigger models for higher throughput.
Safety, Compliance & Peace of Mind
Use the heater strictly outdoors in open air. Mount it securely, away from flammables, and keep children clear while it’s running. Pair it with a quality, local regulator and hose, and give connections a quick check with soapy water—bubbles mean a leak. The inbuilt protections (overheat, flame-out, tip-over) are there as a safety net, but good habits matter most. Always ensure good ventilation.
If you want a compliance cue for reassurance, look for models noted as a CSA approved propane tankless water heater style of build and always follow the manual to the letter.
Maintenance: Keep It Running Sweet
- After salty or dusty trips: Rinse externals, wipe dry, and check the shower head.
- Filters: Clear any grit in the inline mesh so your pump and heater breathe easy.
- Storage: Drain water before stashing it, especially if nights get frosty.
- Wind management: A simple wind break helps maintain a steady flame in blustery conditions.
In short: A quick clean and drain go a long way.
Who Will Love the Camplux 5L Most?
If you’re a weekend warrior, van-lifer, or off-grid family who wants hot water without waiting for a caravan park hookup, this unit fits like a glove. It’s also brilliant on rural blocks for washing animals or gear. The controls are intuitive, so anyone in the crew can hop in for a rinse after a dusty track day—no PhD required.
In short: Ideal for campers, caravanners, and off-grid folk chasing comfort.
Final Verdict
The Camplux 5L Portable Gas Water Heater nails the brief: compact, friendly to set up, steady heat, and thrifty on gas. It turns campsite chores into quick jobs and makes showers something you look forward to rather than endure. If you want reliable hot water anywhere in Australia—beach, bush, or back paddock—this little workhorse is a top pick. Toss it in the ute, grab your towel, and you’re sorted, mate.
