IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: defish on Jan 26, 2023, 09:00 AM
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Always been a charcoal guy for grilling so no experience with LP tanks.
What are the advantages of refilling or exchanging 20lb. tanks?
Thanks.
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Cheaper to refill for the most part ..Some tractor Supply do it ...but may be cheaper and/or easier places in your area . Exchanged tanks usually are not full.
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If you have a good refill place you get more for cheaper. Personally I exchange, local refill stations are slow so I pay a bit more to exchange. My local gas station exchange is pretty much as quick as walking in to pay.
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Always refill. I have 4 20# tanks so I've always got at least 1 working on and another full in reserve while the other two are being refilled. Also have an 11# and 5# for travel and now the capability to refill the little green bombs myself.
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Not sure if it's true, but it sounds believable.
I've heard that the price of LP determines how full they fill the exchange tanks.
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we use our local farmers coop to fill ours. takes less than 2 minutes and is half the price or less than exchange where we are at. around 18$ or less to fill. they do inspect for leaks and will not fill old tanks without opd valve. exchange those first.
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I believe the exchange tanks are only filled to 75% for transport/safety reasons
Information on your tanks expiration date
https://www.ferrellgas.com/tank-talk/blog-articles/how-to-tell-if-your-propane-tank-is-expired-and-what-to-do-next/
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If my tanks are expired I exchange them. Else I save empty tanks until we have either a sale on propane (50% at Murdoch's ) or we have a local place that offers a discount if you purchase over 100 lbs if I need to fill before the sale.
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Expired 20# are easy to exchange. I have my small tanks recertified. Costs a fraction of buying another new one and is good for another 5 years.
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I believe the exchange tanks are only filled to 75% for transport/safety reasons
Information on your tanks expiration date
https://www.ferrellgas.com/tank-talk/blog-articles/how-to-tell-if-your-propane-tank-is-expired-and-what-to-do-next/
Yup always get 15# when you exchange 20#. Wish my local refill places were more ambitious
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I refill at a locally owned LP dealer. Always full...always cheaper.
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I take good care of my property. Many of the exchange ones are old and rusty, and I don't necessarily trust others to be reasonably careful or gentle with how they use the knobs and threads.
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I refill them until the expiration date then trade em in! ;D
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I always got a kick out of the exchange ones. they just spray paint them to look new!
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Where I live its 30 miles to Mio Michigan and there is an Amish general store there. They refill tanks for a lot less. Last time I went there it was $8.50 to fill and it WAS filled.
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Where I live its 30 miles to Mio Michigan and there is an Amish general store there. They refill tanks for a lot less. Last time I went there it was $8.50 to fill and it WAS filled.
Sometimes "over filling them" can cause the valve to get wonky . Always best to check its operation before heading out for a day of fishing .
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Always been a charcoal guy for grilling so no experience with LP tanks.
What are the advantages of refilling or exchanging 20lb. tanks?
Thanks.
If you read on the exchange ones is something like filled to it 85% due to safety reasons. They’re about $27.
Tractor supply refills by the liquid gallons not weight. Usually around $13. JMO.. ;)
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I like to refill instead of exchange. A refill will cost you a few $$ less. Also a refill will get you your own tank back where as an exchange will get you someone else's tank just painted over and it my only have a short time left on its useable life.
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I like to refill instead of exchange. A refill will cost you a few $$ less. Also a refill will get you your own tank back where as an exchange will get you someone else's tank just painted over and it my only have a short time left on its useable life.
Thats true. Better to have your tank than someone else's misery. I have seen that before.
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I refill and the guy always says, your super old tank there is in a very good condition.
I always worry cuz it's super old. LOL.
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Thanks everyone - a lot of great into!
Looks like I'll go the refill route for a 20lb tank.
Starting out from scratch would I be better off to buy a new empty tank than to buy an exchanged tank?
I'll be using the tank to refill 1lb Flame King cylinders - is it worthwhile to have a pressure gauge on the 20lb tank?
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Some Dollar General stores do exchanges...and offer discounts from time to time .Appears to be one going on now.
I know that some DG offer $5 off $25 on Saturday with digital coupon ...
https://www.dollargeneral.com/deals/weekly-ads
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20# tanks are only filled to 15# in the exhange for pre-filled tanks. People think that they're getting a full tank. They're not.
If you take a tank that has a date stamp on it and it's less than 12 years time from the present date, you can get it filled fully at a propane refilling station. The only time that I would exchange a tank is if the date stamp on the tank is older than 12 years since a propane refilling place wouldn't be able to refill it. I'd then look for the youngest tank on the rack if given a choice between date stamps on refilled tanks, and I'd turn in the expired tank.
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I refill at a locally owned LP dealer. Always full...always cheaper.
Me too and most will re-certify a tank that's "expired" and stamp it good for another 5 years (i think).
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Re certifiying a tank is just a visual inspection, logged serial # in the DOT book, and a sticker placed on the tank. Cost is usually a couple bucks. Most cage exchange tanks contain 15# and the local gas supply company fills to 20#. Exchange makes their money off a partial fill and full price or over priced. Convenience costs money.
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If you read on the exchange ones is something like filled to it 85% due to safety reasons. They’re about $27.
Tractor supply refills by the liquid gallons not weight. Usually around $13. JMO.. ;)
my tractor supply post price per gallon based on national cost,like a gas station.
GOD BLESS
mo
p/s my rich neighbors throw their grills out on trash day,unlimited p/u,i got 2 tanks one was full before the scrappers came.go figure.
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I do both, I usually go to Ace and get them refilled. It's cheaper and they have a punch card, 5th one is free. I'll do the exchange if the valve gets weird.
I have a 5# tank that works great. I took it to AAA Propane and got it filled, them f******s charged me the same as a 20#. They said that was the minimum charge they do WTH?? Last time I went there. Great policy dicks!
My brother works for a company that does hazmat cleanup. He said when they have to do cleanup on a meth lab they have to destroy all the LP tanks on the site. I guess the cops fight on which department gets the tanks. They take take them to their range and shoot them. Sounds like fun to me! :callcops: :o :flex: :clap:
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I believe the exchange tanks are only filled to 75% for transport/safety reasons
Information on your tanks expiration date
https://www.ferrellgas.com/tank-talk/blog-articles/how-to-tell-if-your-propane-tank-is-expired-and-what-to-do-next/
I don't think it's for transport safety. I remember when the exchange tanks were filled to 20 pounds. Then they went to 18 pounds when the price of propane went up. A few years later they went to 15 pounds but the price to exchange a tank stayed the same.
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My friend "Lippy" told me today that he went and refilled one. It cost $ 22.00. We exchange one for $17.00.
So, unless I'm topping one off, exchange is the way to go for me. :tipup:
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Exchanges are currently $22 here, but I guess I’m one that didn’t know they didn’t FILL the tanks. I’ll be checking into this further!
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Exchanges are currently $22 here, but I guess I’m one that didn’t know they didn’t FILL the tanks. I’ll be checking into this further!
Gotta admit, I'm with POK3s on this one. Always thought that I was getting 20 lbs on the exchanges. The is a gas station that can fill tanks near me - may have to look into this.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/hQKZn95G/Screenshot-20230127-095044.png) (https://postimg.cc/hQKZn95G)
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Here’s the other company around me available for exchange. Same story. PRI**S
(https://i.postimg.cc/yWPBKLN4/77268320-6-B8-D-40-CF-A3-BA-0-F173-FFF8442.png) (https://postimg.cc/yWPBKLN4)
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The only time I do an exchange is when my 20# tank no longer meets the standards for a refill. The exchange places can only use tanks that meet current standards so you give them your old junk one and get a new for the $20 and then fill that up at tractor supply.
I'd also suggest a 5# tank for ice fishing. You will save money in one season versus 1lb green bottles. You get 5 green bottles in the 5# tank and cost the price of 1 green bottle to fill.
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I learned something today. Thanks. Now, If I can only remember.
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The only time I do an exchange is when my 20# tank no longer meets the standards for a refill. The exchange places can only use tanks that meet current standards so you give them your old junk one and get a new for the $20 and then fill that up at tractor supply.
I'd also suggest a 5# tank for ice fishing. You will save money in one season versus 1lb green bottles. You get 5 green bottles in the 5# tank and cost the price of 1 green bottle to fill.
Been using the 5#er for a few years now. I think it was like $6 when I filled it last.
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Been using the 5#er for a few years now. I think it was like $6 when I filled it last.
i didnt like the 5#er it was unstable,toppled easily on ice so i went the 20#er with a long hose adapter to supply heater and grill sounds heavy but we used to fish 6am to 6 pm on another note our cracker plant is operational so u would think propane would be cheaper here,as another plant sits idle on a mountain of ng.p/s you can refill your 1#ers from the twenty amazon sells and economical adapter.
GOD BLESS
mo
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i didnt like the 5#er it was unstable,toppled easily on ice so i went the 20#er with a long hose adapter to supply heater and grill sounds heavy but we used to fish 6am to 6 pm on another note our cracker plant is operational so u would think propane would be cheaper here,as another plant sits idle on a mountain of ng.p/s you can refill your 1#ers from the twenty amazon sells and economical adapter.
GOD BLESS
mo
(https://i.postimg.cc/JDVp362T/20230127-215503.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDVp362T)got this puppy as a back up 100#er
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I have only exchanged one tank as the one I had needed to be recertified at a cost of $10.00.
I put my 20lb tanks in a milk crate to keep them from rolling around when I transport them.
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Dang! Ive ice fished 25 times this season already and haven't needed to use a hut or heater! ;D
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Starting out from scratch would I be better off to buy a new empty tank than to buy an exchanged tank?
Check out Fb marketplace and CL first before you fork over the cash for an exchange tank. Even as an empty to trade in you will find better deals than the core deposit.
If you are going to refill cylinders, invest in a scale to weigh your green bottles. weigh them empty and then you will KNOW how much you put in.
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A lot of you should really do more research on the filling of tanks. They are filled the way they are not just for safety, they would not work if you filled them all the way. At best you would be putting liquid propane into your grill or heater and end up with a fire ball. Worse would be if the tank warms up even a little bit that safety relief valve is going to shoot liquid propane everywhere.
The standard fill for propane tanks is 80% of their capacity. This allows expansion of the liquid, as well as headroom for pressure changes from temperature. Propane tanks are filled by weight, that's why every place puts them on a scale. If you look at your tank, there should be a TW followed by a number. This is the tare weight, also known as the empty weight of your tank. Lets say your 20lb tank says TW 17.1. Your empty tank weighs 17.1 pounds. They have a capacity to hold about 20 pounds of propane, but with the 80% fill rule, they are filled with 16 pounds. So what the bait store or whoever fills your tank, they would fill your tank until the scale reads 33.1 pounds. It isn't a conspiracy or a scam. This is industry standard, and has been as long as I am aware of. All portable tanks today have an overfill protection float too, at least the ones that are supposed to be filled.
P.S. I get my 20lb tanks filled at a local place for $14. I then use them to refill my 5lb tank for the fishing heater. It gets filled with 4lbs of propane. It's kind of scary to see a thread like this considering how many people claim to refill those disposable 1lb cans that barely work the first time.
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You get screwed out of 5Lbs of propane doing a exchange plus pay more.
Go to a propane gas place and get a 20# tank filled you get 20 Lbs. a exchange you pay more and only get 15#
They usually have a sign at the exchange place that says they are 15#'s
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It's kind of scary to see a thread like this considering how many people claim to refill those disposable 1lb cans that barely work the first time.
I like the 1 pounders because 2 sit inside in my Big Buddy and that's usually all I need so no reason to carry a hose and a tank.
I don't risk messing with refilling those disposables. But the ones from Flame King are certified for refill and transport and have a "full" valve that lets out liquid when you've filled it to capacity (which is probably at the 80% that you mention). No scale needed.
Also much quicker than using a pin to purge/weigh-purge/weigh on the dispobables.
I didn't bother with their "kit". You only need an adapter (many styles available on Ebay and Amazon). But I think they're the only ones that make the bottles. I have 4 here.
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The biggest exchange company out there got sued for shorting their customers on the 20lb exchange tanks. Now, if you look at the side of the cages you will see a discloser about the amount of propane you get with an exchange. I always go to Tractor Supply, they are the cheapest refill around me anyway.
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You get screwed out of 5Lbs of propane doing a exchange plus pay more.
Go to a propane gas place and get a 20# tank filled you get 20 Lbs. a exchange you pay more and only get 15#
They usually have a sign at the exchange place that says they are 15#'s
No you do not. If you get them filled you get 15 to 16 pounds of propane. It's always been that way.
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I like the 1 pounders because 2 sit inside in my Big Buddy and that's usually all I need so no reason to carry a hose and a tank.
I don't risk messing with refilling those disposables. But the ones from Flame King are certified for refill and transport and have a "full" valve that lets out liquid when you've filled it to capacity (which is probably at the 80% that you mention). No scale needed.
Also much quicker than using a pin to purge/weigh-purge/weigh on the dispobables.
I didn't bother with their "kit". You only need an adapter (many styles available on Ebay and Amazon). But I think they're the only ones that make the bottles. I have 4 here.
And that's fine. Those tanks are certified for multiple use, they are designed to be refilled. It isn't so much that the filling of 1# tanks scares me, it's that apparently so many people are completely ignorant about filling propane that is the problem. It's not rocket science, but we are dealing with a very volatile liquid that sits at 100 to 200 psi in a tank at all times. It's appalling to me that in one thread there are a dozen guys that talk about how safe a buddy heater is, and how dangerous a sunflower is, and then in this thread there are a dozen guys pissed that they aren't getting 20# of propane in a 20# tank. It seems to me the only real danger is the ignorance of what they are using.
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Save a few bucks, who cares if it kills you? :P
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And that's fine. Those tanks are certified for multiple use, they are designed to be refilled. It isn't so much that the filling of 1# tanks scares me, it's that apparently so many people are completely ignorant about filling propane that is the problem. It's not rocket science, but we are dealing with a very volatile liquid that sits at 100 to 200 psi in a tank at all times. It's appalling to me that in one thread there are a dozen guys that talk about how safe a buddy heater is, and how dangerous a sunflower is, and then in this thread there are a dozen guys pissed that they aren't getting 20# of propane in a 20# tank. It seems to me the only real danger is the ignorance of what they are using.
Better talk to your propane guy I'm no expert but fill is much closer to 20 than 16. Claiming everyone else is ignorant doesn't make you right
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50 posts in a week, I'll get the refreshments...
(https://i.postimg.cc/Sx2MT0Rh/Jiffy-Pop-Almost-Ready.gif) (https://postimages.org/)
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Oh boy i stepped in here and now stepping out..
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Oh boy i stepped in here and now stepping out..
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
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No you do not. If you get them filled you get 15 to 16 pounds of propane. It's always been that way.
Wrong a 20# tank is designed to hold 20 Lbs. @ 80% full.
I have 3 - 1Lb. flame king refillable cans but still need to get the 20 Lber. filled to refill them. Last time I filled a 20# is was around $15
And yes I did notice the disclaimer at the 20# exchange cage, sign says 15 Lbs. You are conveniently getting screwed out of 5 Lbs. plus paying more.
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Oh boy i stepped in here and now stepping out..
Awww c'mon guys! It's fun in here ;D Plenty of popcorn to go around... :o
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Awww c'mon guys! It's fun in here ;D Plenty of popcorn to go around... :o
I'm not even sure if these guys are screwing with me anymore. I guess I'll just let Darwin sort it out.
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I'm not even sure if these guys are screwing with me anymore. I guess I'll just let Darwin sort it out.
Again arrogance doesn't mean you're right. You wanna call U-Haul and tell them they're wrong? Did blue rhino get away with selling overfilled tanks for years?
https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Propane/Propane-Refill-Vs-Exchange-9218/
https://bluerhino.com/propane-info/faqs/buying-blue-rhino-tanks-faqs/how-much-propane-does-blue-rhino-put-in-its-tanks#
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The U-haul link makes another good point about if your tank isn't really empty you get to keep and use what was still in there.
I'm very glad for this thread. Thank you all. I'll never do the exchange again (unless an emergency).
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The U-haul link makes another good point about if your tank isn't really empty you get to keep and use what was still in there.
I'm very glad for this thread. Thank you all. I'll never do the exchange again (unless an emergency).
Do the exchange when your tank's date is beyond the 12 year date-stamp mark on the tank.
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First time filling my Flame King 1lbers today. So easy and fast.
Well worth the money over risking it trying to vent/refill/weigh disposables, imho.
Be safe out there.
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Just took a fresh 20# exchange to my local propane dealer. 4# was added. There ya' go.
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Again arrogance doesn't mean you're right. You wanna call U-Haul and tell them they're wrong? Did blue rhino get away with selling overfilled tanks for years?
https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Propane/Propane-Refill-Vs-Exchange-9218/
https://bluerhino.com/propane-info/faqs/buying-blue-rhino-tanks-faqs/how-much-propane-does-blue-rhino-put-in-its-tanks#
I'm not being arrogant. I'm stating a fact that 80% fill is the industry standard. U-haul are morons, I wouldn't even ask their opinions on towing. What could they possibly know about propane? As for Blue Rhino, I don't doubt that one bit. 17 lbs is 85% fill, probably went right to where the float wouldn't let them fill anymore. Maybe I was taught by a moron. He only did it for a living.
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I can promise you that my local hardware store guy fills my tank to 20# because I watch the scale.
He even overfilled an old tank and it popped the safety valve. Not saying it's right or he's a brain surgeon but to claim nobody is getting a true 20# fill is actually the ignorant statement.
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Why overthink everything. Weigh the empty tank, make sure it’s completely empty. Weigh the tanks after it’s filled. Do a little math and KNOW exactly how much lp was filled. Much easier than arguing on a website
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Should be cheaper to refill. I now have a place that is 1/2 mile down the road about $10 cheaper to refill than exchange. another vote for exchanging ageing tanks and then go back to refilling.
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Best deal I've had is I drop it off at the bulk plant where the rural tank truck fills. Got my name on it, he has a scale there. Swing by and pick it up later and he sends me a bill.
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On a related but different note...
For my house I have a 120 lb. tank outside that feeds our stove & oven and a recently-added propane fireplace.
The propane co. that owns the tank set it here in October and topped it off. They showed up today and added 38 gallons.
At $5.99/gal. !!!!! $230 for the equivalent of two 20 lb. grill tanks.
I realize that they have to pay for the truck and insurance and a driver and ...
Anyway. I don't think we'll burn 100 lbs. per year. Can I go buy my own tank(s) and disconnect theirs and take my tank(s) to get refilled at U-Haul as needed?
Any advice appreciated.
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.and if I can go get my own tank(s) propane...
Would I want to rig up one 100 lb. tank that is 15" diameter or two 40 lb. tanks that are 12" diameter?
As I understand it, the surface area of the liquid propane sitting in the tank affects how much gas you can draw off.
So two 12" surface areas would put off more gas than one 15" surface areas. Correct?
Two 40 lb. tanks would involve more plumbing but they would put out more gas, if needed, and be easier to transport.
One 100 lb. tank would be more simple, and cheaper to buy, but a bit more effort getting into my truck.
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On a related but different note...
For my house I have a 120 lb. tank outside that feeds our 4-burner stove + oven and a recently-added propane fireplace.
The propane co. that owns the tank set it here in October and topped it off. They showed up today and added 38 gallons.
At $5.99/gal. !!!!! $230 for the equivalent of two 20 lb. grill tanks.
I realize that they have to pay for the truck and insurance and a driver and ...
Anyway. I don't think we'll burn 100 lbs. per year. Can I go buy my own tank(s) and disconnect theirs and take my tank(s) to get refilled at U-Haul as needed?
Any advice appreciated.
Your math is off a grill tank holds like 4.6 gallons
Also I'm no expert but if they put 38 gallons in I don't think it's a 120 lb tank. That math doesnt work either
Gallon of propane is approximately 4.2 lbs
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Your math is off a grill tank holds like 4.6 gallons
Holy crap. You're right. Thank you.
We're used to talking about buying propane in lbs. but my bill for delivery is in gallons. And I never considered the difference.
I will have to go do some math. lol
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Check your tank size, because if you're right you still may have gotten screwed. I added to my last post.
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No. You're right. I wasn't paying attention to the gallons vs pounds thing.
I have a 120 Gal. tank that they topped off. I was thinking it was pounds.
The receipt said $5.999/gal. for 37.2 gal. = $223 and I was thinking, "WTH? I can get two 20 lb. grill tanks filled for under $50. lol
So I just did the real math. They delivered 37.2 gallons which is @ 181 lbs.
At 5.999/gal. that equals $1.23/lb. so a 20 lb. grill tank would have cost $24.64 at this rate.
A bit higher than refilling at U-Haul. But it was delivered to my house.
And I'm burning more propane than I thought (due to the fireplace).
Thank you for setting me straight and saving me from buying tank(s) and hauling them around to get filled.
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All said, that's not bad. I'll pay for the convenience of delivery for something like that.