Options and advice to keep your grill tanks ready for action!
If the past year is any indication, something tells us that entertaining at home is not just a passing fad. Maybe you’ve really upped your grilling game, added a fire pit for family and close friends to gather around, or installed heat lamps for anytime dining on the patio. Whatever the choice, outdoor living is year round, and it’s here to stay.
There’s just one thing you really need to keep on top of: your propane supply. The last thing you want is to cozy up in front of the flame and watch it sputter out. Fortunately, you have options for keeping your propane tank filled. Be prepared with this cheat sheet on the pros and cons of refilling versus exchanging your propane tank. It’ll help you know when, where, and how to get a fresh tank -- plus tips on making the most of your outdoor propane appliances.
Option 1: Refill the cylinder. If you don’t have a fuel gauge on the collar of your propane tank, one reliable way to tell if you're running low is to observe the flames it’s producing. If your grill or heat lamp has a sputtering flame or is just not generating enough heat, that’s often a signal that the tank is low. It’s also a good idea to keep track of how often you run out of propane and then build refills into your household routine -- you’re less likely to be stuck without propane.
Another way to monitor the tank level is to simply pick it up. (A standard grill tank filled to standard capacity -- about 15 pounds’ worth of liquid propane -- should weigh about 32 pounds. That’s about the same as an average 4-year-old.) If it feels light, it’s probably time to have fuel added to the tank.
Another tip: Keep a spare propane tank on hand; that way you can easily rotate in a fresh tank whenever you need to and refill later. This is especially useful if you don’t have a fuel gauge, since it can be tough to estimate tank levels.
Pros: You’ll probably save some money. The price of propane refill and exchange services vary widely regionally and over time, but in general refilling your tank is the most cost-effective option, given the added costs of exchange such as tank inventory and retailer markups.
Cons: You’re responsible for monitoring the tank, keeping it in usable condition, and having it recertified on the schedule indicated on the cylinder . And there may be fewer propane refill locations than there are exchange locations (check our locator for options). Plus, refilling takes a little time, especially compared with a grill tank exchange, which is essentially grab and go.
Option 2: Exchange your propane tank. Unhook your spent cylinder. Take it to your neighborhood supermarket or convenience store. Walk out with a fresh cylinder. What could be easier? Over the years, we’ve added many propane exchange locations, so you always have access to safe, convenient propane exchanges near you.
Pros: Next to seeing your personal propane supply delivered to your door (we can arrange that), it’s the most convenient way to refill your propane.
Cons: As noted above, it can be a little more expensive to exchange versus refill your propane tank. This is because, in addition to the propane itself, the cost also includes things like the replacement cylinder, recycling or refurbishing your old one, and retailer costs.
Option 3: Think about getting a bigger cylinder. If you’ve invested in, say, a professional-grade grill that you keep in heavy rotation, and you have the space, you could swap out your standard grill tank for a larger option such as 40 lb or even 100 lb (contact AmeriGas for advice and pricing on the best tank sizes for your situation).
Pros: Fewer trips to the store for a propane refill or tank exchange. A larger tank may be a good choice if you’re using it in cold weather. Since propane’s vaporization rate is much higher in a larger tank than in a smaller one in general, and propane vaporizes more slowly as the temperature drops , a tank that will burn strong when the temp drops to zero might give you added peace of mind.
Cons: There’s some set-up cost: In addition to purchasing the tank itself, you’ll also need to secure it in a safe spotand install adapters to connect the tank since the cabinetry of most outdoor appliances such as fire pits and heat towers are designed specifically to accommodate smaller tanks. Not all retailers offer larger cylinders for exchange, and you have to make sure you can transport the tank safely for refilling (or arrange for delivery).
No matter the size or number of propane tanks you select for your outdoor entertaining needs, remember that just a little planning can keep your marshmallows toasting and burgers grilling … all year long.
Find out how to usepropane for safe, convenient outdoor entertaining.
Related articles:
The Benefits of Cylinder Refill
What’s the Difference Between Propane Refill and Propane Exchange?
How to Buy, Exchange, or Dispose of a Propane Tank
Propane TanksGo to blog list page filtered for the category
FAQs
Exchange tanks are partially empty to allow room for the gas to expand, but exchange tanks are only filled about ¾ of the way. An exchange tank is only guaranteed to be about 15 pounds out of a max of 20 pounds. A refill tank can be filled more, and the cost per gallon is quite a bit lower.
Is it better to exchange or refill a propane tank? ›
You can save up to $1.75 per gallon by refilling over the cost of an exchange at third-party retailers. You'll only pay for the propane you use if you own your own propane tank. Any propane left in your tank isn't lost as it is during an exchange –and even if it's a small amount, it'll return home with you.
Can you refill a tank traders propane tank? ›
Never fill a tank again
Simply visit one of our partners and exchange your empty tank for a full one. That's it.
How much propane fills a 20 lb tank? ›
Uses: Commonly used for resale and with propane grills, generators, patio heaters, and other outdoor equipment. 20 pound propane tanks are often referred to as grill cylinders and hold 4.6 gallons of propane when full.
What is the difference between old and new propane tanks? ›
New tanks often have a wrapper or label that says the tank includes the device. Tanks with an OPD also have a triangular-shaped hand wheel. Older tanks have a circular hand wheel. The triangular hand wheel cannot be removed and placed onto an older tank.
Is my propane tank too old to exchange? ›
How To Dispose Of Old Propane Tanks? Propane tanks of 100 pounds capacity or less have an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture. Once those 12 years are up, you can either exchange the tank for a replacement, or have it inspected for requalification for an additional five years of use.
How do I know if my propane tank needs refill? ›
To check the level of propane just pour warm water along the side of the tank. If it's warm to the touch. there's no propane. go further down when it starts cooling.
How does tank exchange work? ›
When you arrive at the store, drop your empty tank beside the propane display. Don't bring tanks inside! Next, purchase a tank from the cashier. A store employee will escort you back to the display and provide you with a fresh, ready-to-grill tank.
How much is a 20lb tank? ›
A 20-pound propane tank costs approximately $14 to $20. The refill rate will depend upon the cost – those changes with time due to this economy – which now is $3 to $4 per gallon. However, the price can vary wildly depending upon the area you're buying the tank.
Does Lowes fill propane tanks? ›
Lowe's does not refill propane; we only do exchanges. i.e. you bring your empty tank in and exchange it for a full one.
Yes they fill to 75% of 20 pounds which is 15 lbs of propane.
Does an empty 20 lb propane tank weigh 20 lbs? ›
A 20-pound cylinder is compatible with pretty much all propane refill stations. Typically, a full 20-pound tank weighs 37 pounds because the weight of an empty cylinder—also called the Tare Weight (TW)—is 17 pounds.
Why does my 20lb propane tank say 15 lb? ›
Virtually all of the tank exchange companies now only fill your tank to 15 lbs. They apparently started doing this when the price of propane went up with gas prices several years ago. This saved the propane companies money.
Is it safe to use a 20 year old propane tank? ›
Specifications vary from country to country, but in the United States, a propane cylinder is qualified for 12 years from the date it was manufactured. After that, it needs to be requalified before it can be refilled. After that initial requalification, cylinders require requalification again every five years.
Do propane tanks expire if not used? ›
While propane can't expire, it's important that the tank used for storage is maintained properly. That goes for large propane storage tanks as well as for the portable tanks used for grills and RVs. Tanks need to be inspected and recertified every 10 years or so, depending on the size and type of tank.
How do I know if my 20 lb propane tank is expired? ›
The easiest way to check your propane tank's expiration is to look at the handle area or collar of the tank. Those sections usually list the manufacture date or most recent recertification date for that propane tank.
What time of year is cheapest to fill propane tank? ›
Early fall is a “shoulder” season between these periods of peak demand – meaning it's often the best time to save money on your propane tank refills. Weather is more stable – Sudden cold snaps are common during late autumn and early winter, but they happen less often in the early fall.
When should propane tanks be replaced? ›
How To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Propane Tank. You may not realize it but your propane tank has an expiration date on it. It is between 10 and 12 years from the date of manufacture as seen on the handle of the tank – near where you find the tare weight.
Should propane tanks be stored full or empty? ›
The only time that it is safe to store a propane tank inside is if it is completely empty. If a tank is not empty, it should be stored outside as opposed to in a house, shed or garage.
Does it matter what propane tank you use? ›
If you purchase a tank that can't keep up with your heating needs, you'll have to refill the tank more frequently – leading to higher costs. A 500-gallon tank is usually the best option for homes using propane for heat and powering appliances.
