Propane Exchange vs Refill | Useful Knowledge.

Is there really a difference in 20lb tank propane exchange vs refill. We weigh the tanks and quickly prove that propane exchange vs refill shows a costly difference.

When you exchange your 20lb propane tank at the big box stores or the dollar stores, it's a convenience. Convenience costs extra money for anything but what does it cost in propane exchange vs refill? Does refilling propane tank really save you money?

In our video, we leave no doubt with the constant question in the difference of 20lb tank propane exchange vs refill. We weigh both tanks, get the empty tank weight, and show you the calculations to prove the difference.

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Man with the Knowledge: Jamie Hardy
Editor: John Andrews (UberonN)
Creator: Mark Davies

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Is there a cost savings when deciding on 20lb tank propane exchange vs refill?

[JB-]

Biggest advantage to exchange is if you have an old tank. The exchange tanks go through a thorough cleaning and inspection to replace gaskets and valves when needed. Otherwise refill is the best value.

[TheFlatlander]

All propane tanks have expiration dates which are stamped on the side of the tank handle. I almost always check the expiration date and when it gets close, I swap the tank for a more up to date one and spend the extra money for less propane. If the tank still has plenty of time before it expires, I have it refilled for less $$. Be sure to check the expiration date on your tanks as most refill stations do check it to make sure it is still usable. Our local Ace Hardware store refills my tanks.

[bobsmith]

In my area, NY, the exchange tank itself is physically smaller as well. Problem I ran into at my filling facility was tank expiration policy, which is currently 10 yrs. At the exchange facility they don't care about that and you'll at least be able to walk out with Propane, albeit a lesser amount.

[fatfred]

The cost of refill vs exchange is within a dollar where I live! I always get the refill because I thought you would get more with the refill, plus it helps keep someone working locally. Only time I did an exchange there is when the tank was expired! Thanks for posting, Glad I was doing it the cheaper way too!

[thirtythree]

3:45 I had read somewhere that a 20lb tank was a tank that could hold 20lb of propane and that was 80% of the fill capacity of the tank. That left 20% for the minimum space needed for propane expansion. That is the simple way to do it.

[Scotty_in_Ohio]

I'll exchange every few years to get a new tested/inspected tank. For refills I'll try to pick a day where I'll be gridling in the same day and I'll let the person know that when I go to get the refill done - while they're always safe and leave the required expansion they typically refill as much as possible (while being safe). The ambient temperature makes a difference too.

[BobG]

Where I live, the exchange tanks have 5 lbs. less than capacity. I go to a local hardware store and get a full refill for less than the exchange rate at other places. Additionally, if my tank is expired (due for servicing), the helpful hardware man will swap out my tank for one thatis still good -- at no additional cost. When the valve requirements were changed a few years ago, they replaced my tanks -- all four of them -- one or two at a time for no charge. For me, it's a no-brainer. I've been going in for refills for years. Ymmv. Check the prices where you shop.

[donhardy]

Well made video. I hate taking my new tanks that are in great shape to be exchanged for old junky tanks that have been cheaply repainted -- especially since they charge so much more.

[Andreyatl]

In our part of Metro Atlanta refilling is twice less expensive compairing to exchange .I'm using same good quality propane tank and Tractor Supply store w propane refill station is just around a corner

[jszocska]

You can also be sure when you exchange that your tank has been recertified - I just learned this today 😂

[julianapinho]

Thank you so much for the information.

[svbarryduckworth]

We live and travel on a boat and don't have a car to drive to the nearest refill station to where we are when we run out. Sometimes the nearest one can be 10 or more miles away but every little town has at least one business with an exchange locker within walking distance.

It is usually more convenient to do the exchange but it is often a roll of the dice for what condition the exchange tank will be in. Many of these exchange tanks are really beat up and rusty. The exchange companies will often simply slap some paint on the worst ones and slip a new plastic label over the tank which helps cosmetically but in a marine environment doesn't do jack to stop the rust. In fact a bad paint job is actually worse than exposed rust since flaking paint holds more moist salty air against the rust. Moisture is trapped under the label so usually I'll cut it right off and save it. I spray Fluid Film lanolin rust-preventitive all over the tanks and buff it in to slow down the rust. This works really well on a newer tank but only so-so on a beat up one and if it has really flakey spray paint peeling off it doesn't help much at all. Sometimes the employees will say they don't accept tanks from another brand so I keep a selection of the labels to bring in just in case.

We chose to exchange when the tanks get too rusty and refill places start to give us guff about it, or when there is nowhere near to have them filled.

We get more fuel for less money but it's hard to find convenient refill places. Most corporate U-Haul dealers fill propane and many co-op rural gas stations often have propane fill too. Google maps is often not helpful finding propane filling stations as their search is just not set up for that. It's best to ask around with the locals as they know. I've been offered a ride a few times to boot and offer to buy them a beer to pay them back. Most people don't want anything. People are very kind and generous to strangers new in town I have found -especially boaters like us.

[Tootsie]

Thank you! Well done. Exactly what I needed to know.

[Hazwasteboss]

That’s why I always refill my tank.. thanks Jaime!!

[Facefur]

The new code requires a fill float/valve to ensure there's no danger of overfilling. I've found that refilling is way less expensive than exchanging (unless you need to new/inspected tank), but where you get your refill can make a big difference as well. In my location the local Running's or Tractor Supply will refill at far less than the local propane supplier.

[carlosenriquez]

I allways recommend if you can afford it, invest in a second or third tank. I was at my friends house for fourth of July he fired up the grill only to se it peeter out five minutes late when he checked his other two tanks they were empty also. Get multiple tanks and fill em as they empty allways be. prepared.

[RunningSD]

hi ty for this video. I was wondering can i bring a brand name propane like blue rhino or american gas to get it refilled?

[jareddoesstuff]

I'm probably going to switch to exchange...one of my refills a while back I think got water in my tanks. Was SUCH a pain to diagnose the issue too. First I thought it was an issue with my grill. Then I realized the regulator had gone bad. Then after another year and another regulator going bad in the same way did I finally put two and two together lol. All it takes is someone at the refill not knowing what they're doing and not flushing their lines before filling you up, and you can end up with having to spend one or two hundred dollars on new tanks. Definitely more than the 30-40% cost saving you get from doing refills yourself.

[RichC]

The only time I would ever exchange a tank is when it's past it's expiration date and they would no longer refill it. I get mine refilled 4 at a time & they last me a long time for my barbeque grill.

[wes]

The best way to get the most out of a tank without running out of propane is to use two tanks and an auto changeover regulator like they use for RVs. Nothing worse than a bunch of partially used tanks laying around.Thanks for sharing.