Gas Rant (propane)

[daepp]

I can't speak for the rest of the country - perhaps our another CA law has spread beyond our borders - but our propane tank rules have been changed a couple of times in the last decade. We have been forced to turn in our old tanks and get new ones - first I think for a new universal fitting and then due to some pressure relief valve requirement. Might have been a new max age rule too - not sure.

I have been using them for 30 years without a problem, but now we all have the new ones (for some time in fact).

Then the DIY stores started offering exchange programs where you brought your empty tank in and they sold you a full one. I resisted at first, but I ended up getting the newly compliant tanks for free that way so I didn't complain too much.

My bbq is tied into the house natural gas, but I have two patios heaters and a "fire-table" that use tanks. My heater went out, so I disconnected the tank and as I took it and an extra to the car I noticed that neither were all the light.

Out on the driveway where it was safe I opened the valve on the one I had just disconnected as it seemed heavier - but nothing came out. The more I moved it around the more convinced I was that liquid was still in it.

So I got out the bathroom scale and weighed them.
"Empty" #1 weighed 21.2 lbs.
"Empty" #2 weighed 17.4 lbs.

They look identical - same markings etc - so I remembered that when I used to get them filled the attendant would open a valve with a flat bladed screwdriver. When I opened empty #2 it released some gas.

I re-weighed it, and now it was 16.5 lbs.

So I guess due to temperature etc I am not getting all the propane out with my typical usage.

I have since learned that the tanks all have a "tare" weight on them - so I will be looking for that next time.

But unless you go to a refill station - which are getting rarer with the increase in exchange programs, many many people will be giving propane back to Blue Rhino etc.

I mean, how many people, about to have a party, replace their tanks to make sure they don't run out? I know some may question this, but I think I am of reasonable intelligence (mechanically and otherwise) but I'm now sure I have probably returned tanks that were 15-25% full. So it goes...

Caveat emptor (and let's hoep the RV crowd never starts doing exchanges with their tanks!)

[Bill Douglas]

[Dantilla]

Tanks here need a pressure test after 12 years. The cost of the test is about the same as buying new tanks. I never exchange- Always refill at the local gas station that sells propane separately.

[wdfifteen]

If it's a common 20 pound tank (like Hank is holding above), according to this guy it should weight 17 lbs empty and 37 pounds full.

http://www.orangecoat.com/the-truth-about-filling-20-lb-bbq-grill-propane-tanks

[Nostril Cheese]

I never exchange my tanks. Plenty of places to re-fill in Oregon. They havent put the nanny state restrictions on most things yet. We tend to use a lot of propane up here.

[Gogar]

My tank just expired and no one will refill it; the price to get it "recertified" or whatever is more than buying a new one.

[red-beard]

Around here, U-Haul refills the tanks directly. They charge less than the exchange places and fill them fully. The only reason to do an exchange is if one of your tanks expires.

[BeyGon]

I went into the local station last month to get one refilled, been doing it at that same place for 10 years. A new guy looked at my tank and said he couldn't refill it, it was too old. He showed me the date stamp.
So, I went to Home Depot to buy a new one and they said why not exchange my old one for another filled tank and it would cost $21, I went home, got the tank and took it in, no lie, 21 bucks, a full tank, A LOT cheaper than the gas station. I will be doing this from now on.

[Joe Bob]

IT IS NOT a full tank with the exchange Blue Rhino kiosks. They fill them 3/4 full and charge the same price retail that you pay for a full fill up.

I did a thread on this within the last year. Blue Rhino puts a sleeve over the tank and you will see it is a short fill. The only advantage is fast exchange, newer tanks and the privelege of paying a higher price per gallon.

Be advised some refillers have a minimum charge that can exceed the posted price per gallon rate for the standard BBQ tank. So you can get screwed by the refiller as well.

It is a scam that BR is getting away with because technically they ARE telling you much you are getting but no one reads the fine print on the label.

[Vipergrün]

I did a thread on this last year too. I always get mine re-filled now.

[LakeCleElum]

Lots of places in my small town re-fill.......If one doesn't think my valve is up-to-date, I just go the next next place.....They wink and fill them....I only get charged for what it takes....I it's 1/2 full, I only get charged for 1/2 tank........No drama...........

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by daepp

My bbq is tied into the house natural gas, but I have two patios heaters and a "fire-table" that use tanks.

Why not convert everything to NG?

[5String43]

Right, here in California we've had to replace tanks a couple of times in the last decade. As I recall, this was because of new rules regarding the valves. So, OK, fine. If they're "safer," I guess that's a net gain.

We've got two tanks, both used for our grill. I make sure one of them always is full and ready to go. As for refills, we have a commercial propane joint just a couple of miles from our home. (This is immediately adjacent to a set of railroad tracks, a fact that greatly worries the local authorities, but that's another topic.) When a tank goes empty, I just haul it down to this place and have it filled. The cost is between $9 and $11, depending on the price of propane at the moment. The replacement stations around here want $20 to $25. I like refill deal better, tightwad that I am.

[daepp]

The more I've read now the madder I get - at others AND myself.

I will be supporting the re-fillers as long as they're still around. Thank God for the RVers not having an exchange program!

What pisses me off is, in my head, the stereotypical "grandma"s etc who don't have the wherewithall to deal with this. Or what if you live in the inner city - are there RV place that'll refill them there.

Programs/people designed to rip people off due to lack of knowledge really chap my ass!

/rant

[porsche4life]

Thanks for the reminder, I need to find a place to go get my tanks filled!

[Joe Bob]

David if you are in So CA, and I think you are......just start calling the local propane retailers in your area. Google or the yellow pages if you still get them.

Ask them if they have a minimum, what the rate is per gallon, IF TAX is included.....you should be able to get a FULL fill for around $18 bucks. I have found the UNOCAL 76 stations have the best rates (at least in the OC). I have one next to my gal pal and one around the corner.

I only use Blue Rhino when my tank nears expiration and I cherry pick the dates on the exchange. Cheaper than buying a new empty tank. I have four tanks, two at the GF and two at my house....I hate running out in the middle of a tri tip.

BTW, the BTU rating on NG and propane is diff and exchanging tuned burners is a good idea for proper burn and temp regulation.

[osidak]

around my parts I get a full refill for $12 on a 20lb tank

[Bill Douglas]

I do the exchange thing. They get a bit fussy about rust at times and I can't bring myself to pay nearly $50 for a new cylinder (it's the Scottish in me ) so I pick up free one at the dump (recycling center) and exchange that one.

[daepp]

Finally - someone taking action! The local U-Haul:

[daepp]

I know I probably look like an obsessed crazy, but I detest when people are taken advantage of with programs designed to confuse and hide the truth.