diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor1.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor1.py
index c2f263c26e..a7347a3dc2 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor1.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor1.py
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@
 
 import cantera as ct
 
-gri3 = ct.Solution('gri30.xml')
-gri3.TPX = 1001.0, ct.one_atm, 'H2:2,O2:1,N2:4'
-r = ct.IdealGasConstPressureReactor(gri3)
+gas = ct.Solution('gri30.xml')
+gas.TPX = 1001.0, ct.one_atm, 'H2:2,O2:1,N2:4'
+r = ct.IdealGasConstPressureReactor(gas)
 
 sim = ct.ReactorNet([r])
 time = 0.0
-states = ct.SolutionArray(gri3, extra=['t'])
+states = ct.SolutionArray(gas, extra=['t'])
 
 print('%10s %10s %10s %14s' % ('t [s]','T [K]','P [Pa]','u [J/kg]'))
 for n in range(100):
@@ -33,15 +33,15 @@
     plt.xlabel('Time (ms)')
     plt.ylabel('Temperature (K)')
     plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
-    plt.plot(states.t, states.X[:,gri3.species_index('OH')])
+    plt.plot(states.t, states.X[:,gas.species_index('OH')])
     plt.xlabel('Time (ms)')
     plt.ylabel('OH Mole Fraction')
     plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
-    plt.plot(states.t, states.X[:,gri3.species_index('H')])
+    plt.plot(states.t, states.X[:,gas.species_index('H')])
     plt.xlabel('Time (ms)')
     plt.ylabel('H Mole Fraction')
     plt.subplot(2, 2, 4)
-    plt.plot(states.t, states.X[:,gri3.species_index('H2')])
+    plt.plot(states.t, states.X[:,gas.species_index('H2')])
     plt.xlabel('Time (ms)')
     plt.ylabel('H2 Mole Fraction')
     plt.tight_layout()
diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor2.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor2.py
index 74c820cfa8..9f72f49ec2 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor2.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/reactor2.py
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@
 env = ct.Reservoir(ct.Solution('air.xml'))
 
 # use GRI-Mech 3.0 for the methane/air mixture, and set its initial state
-gri3 = ct.Solution('gri30.xml')
-gri3.TP = 500.0, 0.2 * ct.one_atm
-gri3.set_equivalence_ratio(1.1, 'CH4:1.0', 'O2:2, N2:7.52')
+gas = ct.Solution('gri30.xml')
+gas.TP = 500.0, 0.2 * ct.one_atm
+gas.set_equivalence_ratio(1.1, 'CH4:1.0', 'O2:2, N2:7.52')
 
 # create a reactor for the methane/air side
-r2 = ct.IdealGasReactor(gri3)
+r2 = ct.IdealGasReactor(gas)
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Now couple the reactors by defining common walls that may move (a piston) or
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
 csvfile.writerow(['time (s)','T1 (K)','P1 (Bar)','V1 (m3)',
                   'T2 (K)','P2 (Bar)','V2 (m3)'])
 states1 = ct.SolutionArray(ar, extra=['t', 'V'])
-states2 = ct.SolutionArray(gri3, extra=['t', 'V'])
+states2 = ct.SolutionArray(gas, extra=['t', 'V'])
 
 for n in range(n_steps):
     time += 4.e-4
diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/sensitivity1.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/sensitivity1.py
index 1fa30b642f..8604c12ffe 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/sensitivity1.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/examples/reactors/sensitivity1.py
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@
 
 import cantera as ct
 
-gri3 = ct.Solution('gri30.xml')
+gas = ct.Solution('gri30.xml')
 temp = 1500.0
 pres = ct.one_atm
 
-gri3.TPX = temp, pres, 'CH4:0.1, O2:2, N2:7.52'
-r = ct.IdealGasConstPressureReactor(gri3, name='R1')
+gas.TPX = temp, pres, 'CH4:0.1, O2:2, N2:7.52'
+r = ct.IdealGasConstPressureReactor(gas, name='R1')
 sim = ct.ReactorNet([r])
 
 # enable sensitivity with respect to the rates of the first 10