Refillable 1lb Propane Bottles

[Perry Butler]

Rather than clutter up the Curious About Propane Refilling thread I've started this thread.

Originally Posted by padamas

After reading through this thread, I think I know what answer I'll get, but...

Have any of you ever refilled those small green propane cylinders from a 20 lb tank?

There are several videos on YouTube demonstrating how easy it is, and claiming that there is a substantial saving to be had by reusing those tanks.

First of all those green propane cylinders were NEVER intended to be refilled.

We have six Flame King DOD approved propane tanks. These tanks are filled with Flame King's 1lb Easy Fill Device using our 13# LP tank that we have for the Weber.

I've easily filled each tank 6 or more times (why would I count?). They fill easily and using a mail scale I get .9 to 1 # back in each tank. I have learned to use heavy rubber gloves, because that LP gas is quite cold.

The tanks are used in our Buddy and Weber heaters, our Camp Chef two burner stove, and sometimes in our Weber grill, however we usually use our 13# LP tank for the Weber.

Works for us.

Perry

[Perry Butler]

There are numerous videos on YouTube about Flame King's refillable cylinders.

Enjoy,

Perry

[rbryan4]

Refillable cylinders are just that - refillable, regardless of capacity, and safe.

The problem arises when folks try to refill the throwaway ones. Just because they can, doesn't mean they should.

[Donna D.]

I have some friends that had a basement-style 5th wheel. They could have lost it due to those cheap disposable cylinders. They leaked. When Terry opened the basement hatch, the propane smell was STRONG. One spark and it could have been disastrous.

Nope, nope, nope. Not to save a couple of bucks.

[dosby]

When tent camping, we have been using and re-using 1 lb green "disposable" bottles all the time, refilled each more than 20-50 times, easily.
Obviously, I kept them either in a garage or in a trunk while driving, never smelt any propane. Never kept them under direct sunlight while camping, just in case.
Refilling them does save a trip to the store and the hassle of properly disposing the empty ones. All you need to do is to buy an adapter to a 20 lb tank. Put the empty 1 lb ones in the freezer just before refilling, and use scales to make sure they get refilled with no more than 1 lb.

[gbaglo]

You can save yourself the trouble of refilling ten 1lb. tanks by buying one 10 lb. tank, and you won't run out while cooking a steak

[dosby]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

You can save yourself the trouble of refilling ten 1lb. tanks by buying one 10 lb. tank, and you won't run out while cooking a steak

I know, but 10 lb is not useful when tent camping, or backpacking
We did our steaks on wood fire.

[gbaglo]

Carry on.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

You can save yourself the trouble of refilling ten 1lb. tanks by buying one 10 lb. tank, and you won't run out while cooking a steak

We never cook steaks, or any meat, on our Weber grill. We cook meat on our BioLite Firepit with charcoal or wood for that wonderful carcinogenic flavor.

Small tanks won't work with our Weber heater and I'm not going to drag a 10# tank and hose around for our Mr Buddy. We usually use our 13# tank with either the Camp Chef Everest stove and/or Weber grill using a splitter, but sometimes we just have each too far apart to use the large tank.

Besides, filling the tanks gives me something to do at the campground, and have found it's a new way to meet other campers!

Enjoy,

Perry

[Jim Bennett]

I have not hauled around a 1 lb propane bottle, or one of any other size since picking up my 19 early in 2009. The convenience of the low pressure system using the trailers two tanks is a fantastic way to go.

I have carried around a hose and regulator to use should I want to use the firepit, BBQ or stove more than 8m from the trailer. This has yet to happen so I recently pulled this out of the trailer.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have not hauled around a 1 lb propane bottle, or one of any other size since picking up my 19 early in 2009. The convenience of the low pressure system using the trailers two tanks is a fantastic way to go.

I have carried around a hose and regulator to use should I want to use the firepit, BBQ or stove more than 8m from the trailer. This has yet to happen so I recently pulled this out of the trailer.

Everyone's different!

Too often we cook more than 8m away from the camper (our ETI provided hose was less than 8m long though), especially when we cook at friends campsites or at the "Kazeck/Pelikan Family Campout", so have never used our low-pressure ETI installed connection.

I will be purchasing a manometer to hook to the low-pressure outlet so when we have LP problems at high elevations I can adjust the pressure regulator.

It's nice that there are options for all styles of camping.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have not hauled around a 1 lb propane bottle, or one of any other size since picking up my 19 early in 2009. The convenience of the low pressure system using the trailers two tanks is a fantastic way to go.

[emoji736]

[dosby]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have not hauled around a 1 lb propane bottle, or one of any other size since picking up my 19 early in 2009. The convenience of the low pressure system using the trailers two tanks is a fantastic way to go.

We have that, too, and I am planning to do some plumber's work to install a regulator bypass on our portable camp stove and whatever grill we end up buying.
Our tent camping days are gone, and backpacking are still far ahead b/c the kids are still too little for that. I will keep my 1lb bottles until then