Recycle/Refill your 1 pound LP tanks

[suncoasteng]

Using a 20lb BBQ LP tank to refill and reuse your small LP tanks for outdoor grills or heaters.
Saves lots of $$$

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb0dV-1397c

[nitzo]

I've converted most of my propane stuff to run off my trailers low pressure port and those that I can't convert, I'm using a hose extension and a 20lb tank. I won't use the 1lb green bottles anymore.

[GetawA-S]

I got tired of dealing with regulators that failed at the most awkward times on my Q grill and converted it to run directly from the A-S supplied low pressure port. Most other campsite appliances use too much fuel to run off the green toy bottles.
There have been many amusing (for a vicarious reader) posts on this forum about what happens when the process goes wrong. And those are just from the members that lived to tell the tale...
Why take chances? There are 5 and 11 pound cylinders available at the big box stores. Our local RV dealer, as well as Tractor Supply, charges by the pound, regardless of amount put in the tank. More convenient and WAYYY safer.

[rmkrum]

If you take the time to read the label on ANY disposable propane bottle, you will note that it is against the law to refill the bottles. The reason is these cheap bottles are filled very precisely by automated machines to an exact weight.

Any slight overfill will lead to excess propane in the bottle, and put it at a higher pressure, which can cause the bottle to swell or burst. In other words, refilling creates a bomb. Not a wise thing to do.

Bottom line, it’s a totally stupid dangerous thing to do.

You want refillable small bottles, buy a real, properly designed refillable bottle with a proper fill valve or ‘ten percent’ valve built in to fill it properly. This practice is one of those that seems safe, until it isn’t, usually results in an explosion or a fire.

I really get tired of seeing d*mn fools espouse dangerous and illegal practices on assorted media….

[DaveG]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

If you take the time to read the label on ANY disposable propane bottle, you will note that it is against the law to refill the bottles. The reason is these cheap bottles are filled very precisely by automated machines to an exact weight.

Any slight overfill will lead to excess propane in the bottle, and put it at a higher pressure, which can cause the bottle to swell or burst. In other words, refilling creates a bomb. Not a wise thing to do.

Bottom line, it’s a totally stupid dangerous thing to do.

You want refillable small bottles, buy a real, properly designed refillable bottle with a proper fill valve or ‘ten percent’ valve built in to fill it properly. This practice is one of those that seems safe, until it isn’t, usually results in an explosion or a fire.

I really get tired of seeing d*mn fools espouse dangerous and illegal practices on assorted media….

------------------------------
The only 1 lb bottle I have seen claiming it is refillable is Flame King and I believe they are in recall for a welding problem. Flame King has an entire refill kit available (but not available - maybe do to supply chain issues?). We purchase the Coleman brand bottle and discard. Also using just any hose right off a tank without a regulator in front of it is another issue worth research. If you use an item like a ceramic heater the wrong hose will cause failure from oil getting squeezed out (hose expands then contracts with pressure) of the hose material clogging the heating unit. Let's also agree it is dangerous to run an air driven impact tool off a propane tank People suggest some crazy things on assorted media.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

If you take the time to read the label on ANY disposable propane bottle, you will note that it is against the law to refill the bottles. The reason is these cheap bottles are filled very precisely by automated machines to an exact weight.

Any slight overfill will lead to excess propane in the bottle, and put it at a higher pressure, which can cause the bottle to swell or burst. In other words, refilling creates a bomb. Not a wise thing to do.

Bottom line, it’s a totally stupid dangerous thing to do.

You want refillable small bottles, buy a real, properly designed refillable bottle with a proper fill valve or ‘ten percent’ valve built in to fill it properly. This practice is one of those that seems safe, until it isn’t, usually results in an explosion or a fire.

I really get tired of seeing d*mn fools espouse dangerous and illegal practices on assorted media….

Actually the labels say it's illegal to transport a bottle that has been refilled.

Still i agree not worth refilling those bottle.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I refill the one pounder's until they fail the bubble test, usually 3-4 times.

POI I've never had an overfill problem when bleed filling from our Barbecue tank, they usually fill to just under 3/4lb.
I think it may be impossible to overfill without a pump.🤔

BTW....The 'tank inspector shows up at my site and asks to see all my 'legal' 1lb tanks, how's he 'gonn'a know the ones I've refilled 3 times?

Bob
🇺🇸

[TinShanty]

So, let me see if I can follow the logic....spend $70-$100+K on an Airstream, $70-$80K on a TV and it's the best thing to do is refill $5 LP bottles and use scrap lumber for pads....gotta think on that....

[Janet H]

FlameKing makes a dot compliant refillable 1 pound bottle (and refill kit)but the disposable tanks... no.

Good reading here: https://www.rvtravel.com/why-you-sho...ane-cylinders/

[davidz71]

I use Flame King 1 lb. refillable bottles on my Weber Q grill by using the Flame King kit and I am having no problems at all. I kept having problems with hoses and the 20 lb. tank on the Weber but 1 lb. tanks work fine. I got tired of the rising prices on Coleman lb. bottles and went the other route. I do use a 20 lb. tank with a Buddy heater/filter or an Olympian Wave 6 heater without problems. I also use a 6" x 6" x 12" chunk off a barn post under my trailer jack with perfect results. These work for me.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

...converted it to run directly from the A-S supplied low pressure port.
...Tractor Supply, charges by the pound, regardless of amount put in the tank.

^1 on TS and AS low pressure port.

A 20-foot propane hose (as previously mentioned) replaced the 20# propane tank.

There was a Tractor Supply in about every moderately-sized town we passed through this fall.

[jcanavera]

I ditched the 1 lb bottles when I bought my Q, Instead I carry a small 11 lb bottle with a long hose. Works great with the Q and gives me a lot of flexibility as to where I cook!

Jack

[DonRich7878]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

If you take the time to read the label on ANY disposable propane bottle, you will note that it is against the law to refill the bottles. The reason is these cheap bottles are filled very precisely by automated machines to an exact weight.

Any slight overfill will lead to excess propane in the bottle, and put it at a higher pressure, which can cause the bottle to swell or burst. In other words, refilling creates a bomb. Not a wise thing to do.

Bottom line, it’s a totally stupid dangerous thing to do.

You want refillable small bottles, buy a real, properly designed refillable bottle with a proper fill valve or ‘ten percent’ valve built in to fill it properly. This practice is one of those that seems safe, until it isn’t, usually results in an explosion or a fire.

I really get tired of seeing d*mn fools espouse dangerous and illegal practices on assorted media….

I think RMKrum wants to speak with a manager...

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by TinShanty

So, let me see if I can follow the logic....spend $70-$100+K on an Airstream, $70-$80K on a TV and it's the best thing to do is refill $5 LP bottles and use scrap lumber for pads....gotta think on that....

Don't hurt the brain locker...TETO.

The Airstreamers Credo...
“If you’re happy with what you’re doing…it’s good.
If other people are unhappy….it’s not”
RLC

Bob
🇺🇸

[Jeff7176]

Originally Posted by Fungus

^1 on TS and AS low pressure port.

A 20-foot propane hose (as previously mentioned) replaced the 20# propane tank.

There was a Tractor Supply in about every moderately-sized town we passed through this fall.

+2...the low pressure port is great and we are big fans of Tractor Supply.

[Mollysdad]

I looked into a 5 pound tank and the price was $115!
I can go through a lot of green bottles for $115.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

If you take the time to read the label on ANY disposable propane bottle, you will note that it is against the law to refill the bottles. The reason is these cheap bottles are filled very precisely by automated machines to an exact weight.

Any slight overfill will lead to excess propane in the bottle, and put it at a higher pressure, which can cause the bottle to swell or burst. In other words, refilling creates a bomb. Not a wise thing to do.

Bottom line, it’s a totally stupid dangerous thing to do.

You want refillable small bottles, buy a real, properly designed refillable bottle with a proper fill valve or ‘ten percent’ valve built in to fill it properly. This practice is one of those that seems safe, until it isn’t, usually results in an explosion or a fire.

I really get tired of seeing d*mn fools espouse dangerous and illegal practices on assorted media….

You actually read directions?

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I looked into a 5 pound tank and the price was $115!
I can go through a lot of green bottles for $115.

My 30 lb. cylinders have both expired but one was still full. I looked at buying a new one a couple years ago and the price wasn't much above a 20 lb. Now the price is about 50% higher plus the tank needs to be purged before filling, which is an extra charge. I took the empty one to our local LP gas place and they did a swap out, like Blue Rhino does. The guy said "are you sure it's expired?" because the tank looked in good condition. He checked the date and agreed. I got another one that was full but it looked like it had been through the wringer. For $39 I'm not complaining... too much, but I'll be using that one first.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by mojo

You actually read directions?

It’s been known to happen in a moment of weakness. I still keep my ‘man card’ handy.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I looked into a 5 pound tank and the price was $115!
I can go through a lot of green bottles for $115.

If you look at different outlets I found some as low a $50. I think I paid about $20 for my 11 lb tank many years ago. Average I have seen in this part of the country is about $65. Funny that the 20lb tank actually is priced as low as $32. I've save a lot of $$ over the years cooking with that tank rather than the disposables.

Jack