skip to main content

Cooking Outdoors

Propane - Refills better for environment than exchange

12 years ago

1- Refilling may be done at many service stations, garden/nursery center, etc. This is likely to be closer to your home than an exchange location like blue rhino.

2- Tank exchange is much less environmentally friendly than having your tank refilled. Trucking around a bunch of small blue rhino propane tanks is much less efficient than trucking a big propane refill truck that will fill up your local dealer's big tank, then yours. Think about it - by refilling, you completely eliminate the blue rhino mass refill center too.

3- A tank designed and certified by the government as a 20 lb tank should accept a fill for the full 20 lbs. If you pay for 20 lbs don't get 20 lbs, you are getting ripped off and that company is unscrupulously profiteering out of your wallet. Don't do business with them.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

vanole
12 years ago
princetonz,

Your typical cylinder (not tank)used with a grill has and OPD valve that only allows the cylinder to be filled to 80% capacity. This allows for expansion and lessens the probability of venting of propane.

Jeff
wildboar
12 years ago
You are paying a surcharge for convenience with any of those exchange programs.

I got my own Worthington tank and it actually holds 5 gallons instead of shutting off at 4.x like most do. The local, family owned propane dealership charges a whopping $15 for a 5 gallon fill. The other day when there was still a small amount in the tank and it took 4.2 gallons, it cost me $10.

Any of the exchanges would have been $19.97+ for that.
Related Discussions
Grill Propane Tanks, how much left
Q
Comments (15)
It shouldn't matter who fills it....only how much was left in it when it was taken in to be topped off. We looked at the tare weight of the tank, (empty weight), and added 20 lbs. to whatever that figure was. The tank was set on a scale while being filled, and the sliding balance weight on the scale was set to whatever the tare weight + 20 lbs. figure was. (Usually 37 or 38 pounds.) Didn't matter who was filling the tank....once the beam on the scale balanced, that was followed immediately by the OPD valve closing on its own and not allowing any more propane into the tank. Keep in mind that that's the *short* way to do it. What's actually supposed to be done, is the WC rating, (water capacity), is looked at. There's usually a chart next to the filling station that shows different sized tanks on it. "20 pound" tanks are usually stamped with a WC of 47.1 pounds. The chart then shows what the propane capacity in pounds is, and that figure is combined with the tare weight in order to come up with a "weight when full" figure. ;-)
...See More
Propane Weed Wacker
Q
Comments (4)
He is talking about a line trimmer with a 4 stroke propane fired engine. It is a gimmick but like most gimmicks there will be a market. With the weight of the bottle it must be poorly balanced. There will also be a 10% loss of power with a corresponding increase in fuel consumption, that is the way with propane as a motor fuel. Plus it's gonna stink.
...See More
Auto Refill Propane Mess Up
Q
Comments (5)
We've done it both ways with no real problems although when critical planting time comes, we tell them to come EVERY TWO WEEKS AND THEY'D BETTER COME AT 10 DAYS RATHER THAN 15. They got the message, of course we were using a lot of fuel at the time with two 1000 gallon tanks and four full greenhouses plus a 500 gallon at the house. Still, you have to keep a watch on the gauges. We just filled up at the lowest cost in the past 5 years. This year we'll start planting a lot later just to save fuel. We continue to fine tune our operation. You might want to change gas dealers. I don't know where you live but around here [in SW'ern VA] there are several to choose from and we're very rural. Check around for prices too---they'll vary a LOT from dealer to dealer. We found that out when we changed companies. Regards, Tom
...See More
Buying a propane tank
Q
Comments (5)
When you first buy a grille it comes with a propane tank, however that tank is empty. You then have two options; 1.You can take the tank to an LP Gas supplier, Recreatonal vehicle/camper dealer, Welding Gas supplier or in some instances a Farm supply store and they will have the equipment to fill your tank. Or 2.You can take advantage of the convenience of exchange services. Generally you will see a large metal rack in front or on the side of your Home supply center, Major retailer such as Walmart or K-mart, many gas stations or corner convenience stores where they keep "Exchange tanks". When you use the exchange service if you do not have a tank they will charge your for a tank plus the propane gas, but if you have a tank you turn the empty in and you get a full tank in exchange and you are only charged for the gas. Exchanging tanks has one slight advantage. By law all flamable gas pressure vessels must be hydrostatic pressure tested at least once every 5 yrs and some are more often. If you continue to use the same tank when the test date expires you will have to pay for the hydrostatic test before they will refill the tank. When you exchange tanks they are certified by the supplier to have all the required inspections and current hydrostatic tests so you only pay for the gas.
...See More
palmpooh
12 years ago
there are a few misconceptions about the propane business. Not only did Blue Rhino drop the level of propane in their tanks, but they were the last ones to do so. Amerigas, and other regional tank exchange companies did so first. Consumers have been continually blaming Blue Rhino for the price of the exchange. Blue Rhino does not set the price. The proprieter at each location sets the price. That is why if you shop around town you will find a cheaper price for Blue Rhino tank exchange. Blue Rhino has dropped their price to our customers. The customer has not dropped the price to the consumer. Blue Rhino is training their customers to not accept tanks that have been serviced at other locations for even exchange because the valve no longer working. If the tank leaks around the valve connection, use plumbers tape to help seal the connection. It is a brass valve and it has a tendency to contract and expand due to temperatures.
homefyres
12 years ago
20 LB tanks can not be filled to a 20 LB capacity. They are not permitted to be filled over 80% capacity for the reasons mentioned above (expansion and contraction).

If you get a fill station that puts more than 80% in they are definitely risking their licenses.

Simple solution - don't prepay when you get your tanks filled. Pay for what they put in, which will never be 20 lbs.

Related Stories

BATHROOM VANITIES Better Places to Stash That Soap

Banish gloppy bars and flimsy pumps, and the only things you’ll need to clean are your hands

FIREPLACES Rumford Fireplaces Are Hotter Than Ever

By Liz Miller Interiors

Higher efficiency and good looks are leading homeowners back to this 18th-century fireplace design

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Update Your Windows for Good Looks, Efficiency and a Better View

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Great home project: Replace your windows for enhanced style and function. Learn the types, materials and relative costs here

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Install a Urinal at Home?

By MyFixitUpLife show

Wall-mounted pit stops are handy in more than just man caves — and they can look better than you might think

HEALTHY HOME Get Cleaner Indoor Air Without Opening a Window

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Mechanical ventilation can actually be better for your home than the natural kind. Find out the whys and hows here

FIREPLACES Updated Woodstoves Keep Home Fires Burning

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Better technology means more efficiency than ever for modern woodstoves

LIFE 10 Ways to Boost Creativity by Doing Less

By Laura Gaskill

You heard right. Sometimes the best way to refill your creative well is by taking a step back

FEEL-GOOD HOME 10 Ways to Make Your Home a Haven

Set up a comfortable environment that encourages relaxation and rejuvenation

BEFORE AND AFTERS Kitchen of the Week: Classic White Farmhouse Style Restored

By Sarah Greenman

A couple remodel their kitchen to better match their 19th-century Oregon home’s style

KITCHEN DESIGN Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

By Laura Gaskill

Would you rather sip wine and read than cook every night? Consider these kitchen amenities

More Discussions

Electric smoker with bluetooth

14

Warning about red paint on 'Modernist Pizza' case

0