Propane Tanks; Exchange or Refill?

[Scott F]

I recently saw the Blue Rhino propane tank exchange only puts 15 pounds of propane in the 20lb tanks you get when you do an exchange. I verified this from Blue Rhino’s web page. This the first I found out about this. I assume all the companies operate this way to cheat people out of 25% of the lp they thought they paid for. Has anyone checked to see how much propane they get when doing a tank exchange? A 20lb tank should weigh 38lbs when filled. My local Ace Hardware actually refills and weighs the tanks so I’m only doing actual refills now instead of exchanging tanks.

[J Francho]

I only ever filled my tank when I had propane. The place up the street is gone now, but I've been using charcoal for over a decade. 

[Jig Man]

It’s not as bad as you think.  Propane tanks can only be filled to 80% and they are filling up to 75%.  I heat with propane and they never go above what it takes to make 800 gallons in my tank.

[A-Jay]

@Scott F

Filling a tank to 100% is not a good Idea. 

 

When it comes to filling propane tanks, it's important to adhere to the 80% filling rule. 

The 80% Filling Rule Explained: The 80% filling rule stipulates that propane tanks should not be filled beyond 80% of their total capacity. This means leaving a 20% vapor space at the top of the tank. For example, if you have a 20-pound propane tank, it should only be filled with approximately 16 pounds of propane.

 

Safety Considerations: The 80% filling rule is primarily a safety measure. Propane, like any other gas, expands as its temperature rises. By leaving room for expansion, the vapor space acts as a buffer to accommodate the propane's expansion and prevent excessive pressure build-up within the tank. This helps minimize the risk of tank ruptures or other hazardous situations.

 

Preventing Overfilling: Overfilling a propane tank can lead to several safety issues. When a tank is filled to 100% capacity, there is no room for expansion, and the pressure inside the tank can exceed safe limits, potentially resulting in leaks, valve malfunctions, or even explosions. Adhering to the 80% filling rule ensures that propane tanks have adequate space to accommodate expansion, preventing these risks.

 

Optimizing Propane Usage: The 80% filling rule not only promotes safety but also maximizes propane usage efficiency. Leaving the vapor space allows the propane to vaporize and provide a steady flow of gas to appliances. You can measure the propane you have left in your tank thanks to our Flame King Gauges and Smart Propane Scale

 

Compliance and Regulatory Standards: The 80% filling rule is not just a recommended practice; it is mandated by regulatory agencies to maintain safety standards. Propane distributors and refill stations are obligated to follow this rule to ensure compliance with regulations and provide safe propane services to customers.

 

Adhering to the 80% filling rule for propane tanks is a critical safety practice that should be followed without exception. By leaving a 20% vapor space, the rule allows for expansion, preventing overpressure and potential hazards.

 

Additionally, it promotes optimal propane usage, ensuring efficient combustion and consistent performance. Remember, safety should always be the top priority when handling propane, and following the 80% filling rule is an essential step in maintaining a safe and reliable propane system.

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

BP up the street from me does refills as well as Blue Rhino exchange, and they adhere to the 80% rule...like A-Jay stated, it's to allow expansion if the temp increases...don't want to blow the tank.

 

[slonezp]

80% is standard to allow for expansion. I worked at a RV dealer for a short stint, years ago and I'm in the hvac industry and deal with tanks all the time. There's a bleeder valve on the tank valve. I was taught to open the bleeder, and when liquid ticked out the bleeder, the tank was at 80%. Don't know if that is true, it's the way I was taught. As far as a full tank weighing 38lbs, that's not necessarily true. The tare weight is going to be different from different tank manufacturers. 

[padlin]

I used a Blue Rhino tank earlier this year for the first time after my 2 aged out, I was amazed at how old and beat up the tanks are. It did feel like the bottle went mt faster then normal but no idea if that impression is a fact.

 

I went out and bought a new one, no more Blue Rhino’s for me.

[ghost123123]

I know of a large propane company on the west coast that does the bottle exchange. They put no more than 3 gallons in each bottle for exchange. That’s why it seemed to you to not last as long, it’s because you had less propane to work with. Personally, I have my bottles filled for a third of the price that  they charge around here for exchange bottles. I usually am able to get a little over 4 gallons in my bottle and that is with the OPD (that ensures the bottle is not overfilled). Take it for what it is worth.

[DaubsNU1]

One business in my small village...a oil and propane dealer. He keeps my 500 gallon propane tank filled throughout the year (heats my house). 

 

He re-fills my 20 gallon tanks for the grille and 35 gallon tanks for the 5th wheel. No problems. 

[gim]

I always thought that it was due to shipping rules during transport that they couldn’t refill the tanks for exchange all the way.

 

I have been filling mine instead the last couple years since the station near me can do it. I don’t know if I get more than 80% or not, but it costs less than an exchange.

[GreenPig]

Always refill at Tractor Supply. 

[TnRiver46]

Well I live right next to ace hardware so I guess that’s good ! 
 

I have seen one propane tank start spewing like wild and freezing all the vegetation the spray touched on a hot summer day. 

[12poundbass]

Yup you NEVER  fill past 80%, that’s a given and always have been. I’ve been on propane ( almost exclusively) since leaving the nest 20 years ago.

[VolFan]

I refill at Costco by weight. Less than half the cost of exchange and they seem to last about twice as long. I bought my own tanks new.

[DitchPanda]

I've been out of the propane game for a few years going strictly charcoal. That said when I had propane my local body shop guy just filled my tank for me. As I recall he put 16lbs in and charged me $15.

[Jigfishn10]

I recently bought 2 tanks for my generac generator - it takes both gasoline and propane. I tried to fill tanks I had from previous grill purchases but after a certain amount of time you need to recertify them and I think you can only do it twice before you have to turn them in. 

 

The tanks were $80 per tank plus fill and like @slonezp mentions, they open the valve to fill and stop when it starts to spew out propane.

 

It's certainly cheaper to just fill an existing tank, but add in the cost of the tank and recertification(s) and it's probably the same as an exchange.

 

Happy memorial day weekend.

[LonnieP]

11 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Always refill at Tractor Supply. 

Me too

[volzfan59]

When I used tanks, I always had mine refilled. I have a line plumbed from the house now.

[Deephaven]

Refill unless my tank is old, then exchange.

[Woody B]

Refill is going to be more cost effective most of the time.   The price per gallon is usually lower at a refill station.  Also, depending on application many times an empty tank still have some propane left.  IE pay blue rhino for 15 pounds but your exchange had a couple pounds left in it.   

Modern tanks have overfill protection valves.  I suspect it would be difficult to get more than 16 pounds in a 20 pound tank.  

[J._Bricker]

It’s been awhile since I’ve had to deal with propane tanks. My biggest complaint was the tank seemed to go empty with half cooked meat on the grill during a family BBQ followed up by a hurried run to the gas station or hardware store.

[DaubsNU1]

Made this for my daughters years ago....no way I'm trading...

 

 

[gim]

4 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

It’s been awhile since I’ve had to deal with propane tanks. My biggest complaint was the tank seemed to go empty with half cooked meat on the grill during a family BBQ followed up by a hurried run to the gas station or hardware store.

On my old propane grill I encountered this a couple times. My Weber now has a spring loaded clamp for the tank and as it gets lighter, it moves the spring higher on the dial that it’s hanging from. It has 4 levels 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Once I see it down to 25, I go refill. It’s not a perfect or fully accurate system but it hasn’t caused the issue I had before.

[Bird]

The 80% makes perfect sense on low volume usage.

A company that I worked for many years ago had equipment that ran off propane and a refill station.

You opened the bleeder valve and filled the tank until propane ran out of the top.

 

I have all my tanks refilled at tractor supply.

 

[BrianMDTX]

Convienience? Blue Rhino

 

Cost savings? Refill