Refilling LP tanks

[GpaVader]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 pound LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks

[Altavia]

The Walmart by Colony usually has the lowest cost for an exchange.

I prefer exchange so aI don't have hunt for someone to do the job and then wait around for a refill.

Many of the True value stores offer refilling.

[Ecuadog]

For refills, I like the ACE hardware store in Wildwood. They will top off a tank that's not empty yet and charge accordingly. Good if you suspect you're running out and have big cook coming.

Wildwood ACE hardware store... click here (https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/03126)

[laboutj]

I've had both and the tank exchange is the much easier way to go. And I echo what a previous poster said, the Walmart gas station at Colony plaza is pretty convenient for doing the exchange.

[coffeebean]

Ace Hardware on 466 does refilling of your tank. I prefer to have my own tank. Some of those tanks that are available for exchange have rust that has been painted over. My tank has no rust and I it now 13 years old.

[stevecmo]

I could be wrong but I don't think any of the places mentioned exchange 20 gallon tanks. I've never seen that anywhere. A full 20 gallon tank is heavy! Do you have the means to wrestle that in your car/van/suv?

How much LP does your pizza oven use for a normal cook? If less than 5 gallons I would consider just getting a couple 5 gallon tanks and exchanging those.

[villagetinker]

You are correct, I had not thought about the weight of a 20 GALLON tank, that has to be well over 100 pounds.

[Caymus]

I could be wrong but I don't think any of the places mentioned exchange 20 gallon tanks. I've never seen that anywhere. A full 20 gallon tank is heavy! Do you have the means to wrestle that in your car/van/suv?

How much LP does your pizza oven use for a normal cook? If less than 5 gallons I would consider just getting a couple 5 gallon tanks and exchanging those.

The poster probably made a typo (20 gallon instead of 20 lb). Consumer pizza ovens, such as Ooni's, use 20 lb tanks.

[vintageogauge]

A lot of the tanks like Blue Rhino are on 15 lb. tanks for some reason. I also use Ace in Wildwood refilling my own tank.

[Topspinmo]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 gallon LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks


IMO easier to just exchange tank where ever the closest. In my can Walgreens mile away. Take empty tank get full one and done. Now if ace was right around corner then yes.

[Altavia]

Ace Hardware on 466 does refilling of your tank. I prefer to have my own tank. Some of those tanks that are available for exchange have rust that has been painted over. My tank has no rust and I it now 13 years old.

The tanks have expiration dates stamped on them (in case not aware).

[village dreamer]

lp tankshave to be recertified evey 10 years.

[Topspinmo]

A lot of the tanks like Blue Rhino are on 15 lb. tanks for some reason. I also use Ace in Wildwood refilling my own tank.


Pressure less with less weight?

[Michael G.]

Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank.

Does BJ's fill the tanks there or just exchange them??

[Bill14564]

A lot of the tanks like Blue Rhino are on 15 lb. tanks for some reason. I also use Ace in Wildwood refilling my own tank.

Pressure less with less weight?

A change made in 2009; basically shrinkflation. "Filled" the tanks with less fuel in order to maintain price when the cost of propane was increasing. When the cost of propane came back down - no change in price or practice.

Refilling should be cheaper than exchange(anyone have real numbers?) but exchange is definitely more convenient.

[ton80]

A change made in 2009; basically shrinkflation. "Filled" the tanks with less fuel in order to maintain price when the cost of propane was increasing. When the cost of propane came back down - no change in price or practice.

Refilling should be cheaper than exchange(anyone have real numbers?) but exchange is definitely more convenient.

I agree that Blue Rhino and Amerigas used shrinkflation to keep same price but deliver less LPG.

A previous poster asked "Pressure less with less weight?". The answer is no. The pressure is the vapor pressure of the stored pressurized liquid at the storage temperature..

For those that like numbers:

LPG max fill is 80% 0f the tank volume to allow for liquid expansion from typical ambient temperature to the vapor pressure at the LPG tank pressure relief set point.

So in a 5 gal LPG tank with LPG weighing 4.23 lbs per gallon the weight of the LPG is = 5gal * 0.8 fill times 4.23 lbs per gallon = 16.92 lbs which was the original fill.

The 15 lb shrinkflation results in a ~ 2LB LPG loss or about 11.3%

Based on what I have seen at refillers, the refillers have a set price per gal delivered and measure the actual gallons delivered into the tank since they will fill a partially filled tank on a scale to avoid overfilling past the 80% limit.

[EdFNJ]

Does BJ's fill the tanks there or just exchange them?? They just sell EMPTY tanks. You have to fill them elsewhere.

I don't exchange mine, I refill it at ACE because they charge by the POUND (yes, they weigh it) not by the FULL TANK and the tank I bought years ago at Sams has an actual gauge on it which is somewhat accurate. Up north if it was half-empty (or half-full :) ) they charged for a full tank, same when you exchange it. At ACE you pay for only what you need (like Liberty Mutual). Last time it was just $9, another time $17.

[jimkerr]

Don’t exchange. It’s a ripoff. They don’t fill up your tank but charge you for a full tank. Any Ace Hardware will refill it.

[JeanC]

I could be wrong but I don't think any of the places mentioned exchange 20 gallon tanks. I've never seen that anywhere. A full 20 gallon tank is heavy! Do you have the means to wrestle that in your car/van/suv?

How much LP does your pizza oven use for a normal cook? If less than 5 gallons I would consider just getting a couple 5 gallon tanks and exchanging those.

Bluerhino.com/delivery will come to you and do an exchange. It will cost more but is convenient.

I use ACE in wildwood to refill my tanks. Oftentimes my tank isn’t empty so an exchange would be a waste. I hate running out of gas in the middle of grilling. No spare tank.

[Birdwatch]

I have a tank for sale $30. Good condition and partially filled. You can take a look and decide. Good deal for $30.00
Djfelt66@gmail.com

[thevillages2013]

Don’t exchange. It’s a ripoff. They don’t fill up your tank but charge you for a full tank. Any Ace Hardware will refill it.

Most Ace Hardware stores refill but not the Ace on 441 at Avenida Central. I went over there on a Sunday ( because the Ace on Wedgewood is closed) ASSUMING they filled LP tanks and left very disappointed!

[Duppman]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 gallon LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks

If you're a Veteran use your 10% discount at Lowes for the tank and refills.

[bowlingal]

coffeebean....10 years is the max for propane tanks for safety. I hope yours doesn't explode.

[banjobob]

I think Home Depot charges less $ for new 20 lb. tanks . Refill at Ace Hardware . Exchange tanks are less than full, making it a poor value.

[Bill14564]

coffeebean....10 years is the max for propane tanks for safety. I hope yours doesn't explode.

10 years is the max for the tanks BEFORE RECERTIFICATION. A visual recertification by an authorized provider is good for another 5 years. I don't know if there is any limit on the number of visual recertifications that can be performed.

[irishwonone]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 gallon LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks
Please see attached link. Prices are near end of articles.

Where To Fill Propane Tank For Grill - GrillProClub.com (https://www.grillproclub.com/where-to-fill-propane-tank-for-grill/)

[me4vt]

Most standard Tanks are 20 lbs, 30 lbs and 100 lbs not gallons. It’s less than 30 lbs for Full a 20 lb tank!

[Retiredsteve]

A change made in 2009; basically shrinkflation. "Filled" the tanks with less fuel in order to maintain price when the cost of propane was increasing. When the cost of propane came back down - no change in price or practice.

Refilling should be cheaper than exchange(anyone have real numbers?) but exchange is definitely more convenient. That is not true. Tanks are filled by weight and have an OPV valve to prevent overfill. The valve was the big change and it wasn't for "shrinkflation", it was for safety.

[Retiredsteve]

10 years is the max for the tanks BEFORE RECERTIFICATION. A visual recertification by an authorized provider is good for another 5 years. I don't know if there is any limit on the number of visual recertifications that can be performed. The original certification is for 12 years and 5 for every recertification after. They can be recertified more than once

[jimschlaefer]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 gallon LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks
I just picked up a new tank and had it filled at the Ace Hardware on 301 just North of 44. It was about $70 complete and it took all of 5 minutes to get it all done. They also have exchanges there if that's the way you want to go.

[Michael G.]

coffeebean....10 years is the max for propane tanks for safety. I hope yours doesn't explode.

If this is true, how do they get by with Buring a LP tank in the ground for generators use here in Florida??

[mikreb]

Sparr on hwy 44 does tank exchange.

[Rodneysblue]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 gallon LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks
I think I saw refill LP station at BJs

[CosmicTrucker]

BJ’s has a propane tank fill station next to the fuel pumps. Go inside to the tire department to buy the propane.

[Windguy]

Refilling should be cheaper than exchange(anyone have real numbers?) but exchange is definitely more convenient.
I ran the numbers about a decade ago. Exchange tanks were filled to just 15# and cost about 25% more than a refill. That would make it 1.25/(15/20)=1.66 times as expensive to replace than to refill. And, that assumes you completely emptied your old tank. If the OP was trying to save money by asking what would be the cheapest, then refilling is the way to go.

I’ve wondered if they put only 15# in the exchange tanks was because 20# might be too heavy for some folks. But, it might just be so exchanging didn’t seem so expensive.

I have two tanks so I don’t have to be worried about running out and refill them at the Wildwood Ace.

[Bill14564]

That is not true. Tanks are filled by weight and have an OPV valve to prevent overfill. The valve was the big change and it wasn't for "shrinkflation", it was for safety.

My information is correct. Feel free to Google the 2009 statement from AmeriGas and Blue Rhino.

[Bill14564]

The original certification is for 12 years and 5 for every recertification after. They can be recertified more than once

This US DOT page (https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/pressure-vessels-approvals/requalification-guidance-propane-cylinders) contains a PDF fact sheet which states, "Area for date requalified/retested (no date is shown indicating that the 10-year requalification is overdue)"

[Bill14564]

If this is true, how do they get by with Buring a LP tank in the ground for generators use here in Florida??

I *believe* there are different requirements for portable tanks and fixed tanks. There are likely inspection/requalification requirements for the fixed tanks too.

[bilclif]

Go to Walmart. Pick out one of their newer tanks out of the exchange cage because you are going to keep it, they don't care. When you need a refill take it to Ace Wildwood or Ace Sothern Trace and have them fill it. They don't know or care that it is an exchange tank as it is exactly the same as the one you would buy at lowes. This is the best value because when you exchange a tank you do not get credit for the residual you left in the tank and as mentioned above exchange tanks are not full. I am in the business.

[themarinos]

BJ's and Ace Hardware most everywhere else does a tank exchange
or Walmart has new and tank exchsnge

[Marykess1802]

Blue Rhino delivers. Picks up empty and leave brand new full tank.

[OhioBuckeye]

Yea, pay the deposit on one!

[joelfmi]

Go to Home Depot

[Luggage]

you mean a 20 lb tank obviously - but actually they fill them 15 lbs - better off to get a refill at ace - cheaper . In a pinch most convenience stores and supermarkets do exchanges all within a few bucks of each other. 18.99 - 24. I expect you won't need to refill for a LONG time if its just pizza...

[Miboater]

I would check the gasket in the valve on the propane tank when doing an exchange. I went with my neighbor and we both purchased full Blue Rhino tanks at Lowe's and they both leaked. Mine much worse and definitely not safe. Looking at the rubber gasket in both tanks they were both cracked and rotting. We took them back and got tanks with newer looking gaskets and didn't have another problem. I would have thought Blue Rhino would put new gaskets in when they refurbish the tanks but apparently that isn't the case.

[Altavia]

Go to Walmart. Pick out one of their newer tanks out of the exchange cage because you are going to keep it, they don't care. When you need a refill take it to Ace Wildwood or Ace Sothern Trace and have them fill it. They don't know or care that it is an exchange tank as it is exactly the same as the one you would buy at lowes. This is the best value because when you exchange a tank you do not get credit for the residual you left in the tank and as mentioned above exchange tanks are not full. I am in the business.

This is the way to go.

[ton80]

I ran the numbers about a decade ago. Exchange tanks were filled to just 15# and cost about 25% more than a refill. That would make it 1.25/(15/20)=1.66 times as expensive to replace than to refill. And, that assumes you completely emptied your old tank. If the OP was trying to save money by asking what would be the cheapest, then refilling is the way to go.

I’ve wondered if they put only 15# in the exchange tanks was because 20# might be too heavy for some folks. But, it might just be so exchanging didn’t seem so expensive.

I have two tanks so I don’t have to be worried about running out and refill them at the Wildwood Ace.

As I stated in post #16, LPG tanks can not be filled more than 80% for safety reasons. The math works out to about a little less than 17 lbs net LPG. The 15 lbs was an illegal collusion by Amerigas and Blue Rhino to fix prices.

I agree that going to a refiller is typically a little cheaper especially if you are refilling an LPG tank with some remaining LPG. Your 1.25 factor may be in the right range but it will vary with the LPG market. The 15/20 factor assumes that the tank can be filled completely and this is not correct. Consequently, the claim that it is 1.66 times as expensive to replace than to refill. is wrong.

[Bruceg0028]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 gallon LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks

I found the best price for a new tank filled was Sam’s Club. It’s a self serve kiosk outside the store. Everyone I checked with at the time was $70+ for a filled new tank without exchange. Sam’s was about $50.

If you just need the tanked filled ACE is the place. However the tank exchanges are very convenient.

[Greg L]

We have an Ooni koda. Let’s get together and make some pizza

[Old Bob]

For refills, I like the ACE hardware store in Wildwood. They will top off a tank that's not empty yet and charge accordingly. Good if you suspect you're running out and have big cook coming.

Wildwood ACE hardware store... click here (https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/03126)

There is an Ace Hardware i Southern Trace Plaza on 466, that refills them also.

[jimorus]

This is the way to go.
After Ace tells you it needs to be inspected exchange it instead and start the process again. Last I looked it was less expensive for the loss of 5 pounds of propane in the exchange than to get the tank inspected and recertified

[Altavia]

Another option is to install a natural gas line to your grill and convert the grill from LP to NG.

I think this was about a $250 add on for a new home.

[Lea N]

We recently bought a Pizza Oven for the patio. It uses a 20 pound LP Tank, but didn't come with one. Looking at BJ's they want $50 for a new empty tank. Questions are:

1) If I buy this where around here can I get them filled?
2) Am I better off just going to an exchange and getting one there and paying the deposit on it?

Thanks

Try calling Recreation Plantation RV Resort at 352-753-7222 or The Blue Parrot RV Resort at 352-753-7222. I'm not sure if they'll do it or not but they might. They refill propane tanks. Check and make sure they'll do it if you aren't staying there.

[kkingston57]

Not quite on subject, but can not believe that LP gas price has not changed in a long time. Even if the LP gas cost is the same. other costs of the supplier/retailer have gone up.

Best exchange price around here is Sams. U Haul and other companies who re fill the tanks are less but not as convenient.

[kkingston57]

Most Ace Hardware stores refill but not the Ace on 441 at Avenida Central. I went over there on a Sunday ( because the Ace on Wedgewood is closed) ASSUMING they filled LP tanks and left very disappointed!


Bet that they want to but landlord may not allow. Most Ace stores are in free standing buildings

[EdFNJ]

Another option is to install a natural gas line to your grill and convert the grill from LP to NG.

I think this was about a $250 add on for a new home. Great option ................................. if your property has gas service and is a new home being built. Most do not and are not. :)

[Garywt]

BJs will fill it. When we bought in the Villages it was the first time I used exchange tanks. Felt it was easier than finding a place to refill rapt the time. We have 3 tanks and either go to Lowes or Walgreens to exchange them.

[coffeebean]

The tanks have expiration dates stamped on them (in case not aware).

Thanks. I will check that.

[coffeebean]

coffeebean....10 years is the max for propane tanks for safety. I hope yours doesn't explode.

Yikes. I'll replace it for sure. Thanks.

[WingedFoot78]

Today, I filled my completely empty tank at Ace in Wildwood. It took 4.5 gal @ $4.39 per gal for $19.76. I have two tanks since I ran out during a long cook. I also use Ace to fill the propane tank on my RV.

[npwalters]

coffeebean....10 years is the max for propane tanks for safety. I hope yours doesn't explode.

Yep, a stupid federal government regulation based solely on age with no regard to condition.

I recently tried to refill my 40 pound RV tank at Ace. They couldn't do it because it was 2 months past the 10 year cutoff. The tank has always been stored in the RV compartment and looks like new. Had to pay a place in Bellview $25 bucks to recertify it.

[ton80]

Today, I filled my completely empty tank at Ace in Wildwood. It took 4.5 gal @ $4.39 per gal for $19.76. I have two tanks since I ran out during a long cook. I also use Ace to fill the propane tank on my RV.

WingedFoot,

Just looking at the 4.5 gallon LPG fill in a 5 gallon tank would suggest that the tank is filled beyond the 80% max fill point. I do not believe that the tank was overfilled.
I believe that at least 0.5 gallon of LPG was used to purge the new tank to make it suitable for LPG use. The discussion below provides the logic and background information.

Reading between the lines, I believe that your "completely empty tank" was a new never used in LPG service 5 gallon tank. New tanks are usually shipped filled with compressed air. They need to be purged of air and filled with LPG vapor before they can be filled with LPG liquid.

I assume that ACE has procedures to do the purging using vapor LPG and follows them. I also assume that your tank is equipped with an Overfill Protection Device (OPD) which is required on the LPG tank. This can be verified by reading all of the stamped information on the LPG tank or more easily by looking at the tank on/off valve handle. The correct OPD handle is "triangular looking" and has 3 lobes on the handle.

My suggestion is to check the handle to verify OPD is there. If you have questions send me a PM

[Bill14564]

WingedFoot,

Just looking at the 4.5 gallon LPG fill in a 5 gallon tank would suggest that the tank is filled beyond the 80% max fill point. I do not believe that the tank was overfilled.
I believe that at least 0.5 gallon of LPG was used to purge the new tank to make it suitable for LPG use. The discussion below provides the logic and background information.

Reading between the lines, I believe that your "completely empty tank" was a new never used in LPG service 5 gallon tank. New tanks are usually shipped filled with compressed air. They need to be purged of air and filled with LPG vapor before they can be filled with LPG liquid.

I assume that ACE has procedures to do the purging using vapor LPG and follows them. I also assume that your tank is equipped with an Overfill Protection Device (OPD) which is required on the LPG tank. This can be verified by reading all of the stamped information on the LPG tank or more easily by looking at the tank on/off valve handle. The correct OPD handle is "triangular looking" and has 3 lobes on the handle.

My suggestion is to check the handle to verify OPD is there. If you have questions send me a PM

I wonder if that is correct.

A 20lb propane tank is marked with a capacity of 47.6lbs of water
47.6lbs = 5.95 gals of water
5.95 gals water = 0.79 cu ft
0.79 cu ft = 24.4 lbs propane
80% of 24.4 lbs propane = 19.54 lbs propane (Perhaps "20lbs" *is* the 80% mark)
19.54 lbs propane = 4.75 gals.

A tank marked as holding 47.6lbs of water should be 80% full with 4.7gals of propane.

In any case, I don't care how much they put in as long as I'm paying by the gallon. 15lbs (3.6gals) in a BlueRhino for $23 (guess) would be about $6.38/gal compared to $4.39/gal at ACE. However, there is a lot to be said for the convenience of just exchanging tanks.

[thevillages2013]

Most Ace Hardware stores refill but not the Ace on 441 at Avenida Central. I went over there on a Sunday ( because the Ace on Wedgewood is closed) ASSUMING they filled LP tanks and left very disappointed!

Update on this post! I was at the Ace in Spanish Springs area today and they now have signs stating LEAVE YOUR PROPANE TANK OUTSIDE . Assuming they have gotten approved to fill propane tanks there now

[Jpetraus]

Do you still have your tank for sale? How old is it? Any rust on it?

I have a tank for sale $30. Good condition and partially filled. You can take a look and decide. Good deal for $30.00
Djfelt66@gmail.com