Anyone been refilling 1 lb propane tanks?

[WaltBennett]

Prices for them have gotten too high for me to keep getting them without going to something else. We've a table top grill and a Big Buddy heater that I'd really rather not lug a BBQ tank (or a shorter version either) around for. Heard a lot about refilling small ones, but has anyone had experience doing so?

[dirt33]

I took one to my local small town propane dealer, and they said that they do not refill the 1 pound tanks, and they don't know anyone that does. I asked them if I could just leave the empty tank with them for recycling, and they said nope, take it home and throw it in the trash.

[hankpage]

They sell adapters to refill them from your 20 or 30lb. tanks. I have not tried it but it seems to be a straight forward process. (as to the legality ????) I use a 15' hose off my 30 lb. and it works for me.

[bg71361]

Get the correct adapter/fitting and it's easy to do. Record the empty weight of a empty cylinder 14.9 oz rings a bell, put your small bottles in the freezer, install adapter/fitting in mother bottle - invert the mother bottle on a table so it's near the edge. Install small cylinder directly from freezer open mother bottle valve takes between 45 and 60 seconds to fill (you) can hear it filling, once filled weigh again to make sure you don't overfill.

Of course it's not recommend to refill them, I refill a bottle about 10 times before pitching them. Hope all that thing makes sense.
Good luck!

[Rocky_3]

I don't cool/freeze them, I open the bleeder stem. Once propane comes out I close the screw. As bg71361 said you can over fill them. Not an issue unless you leave them somewhere hot.

[LZScout]

I bought a 1 gallon (4.5 lb) propane tank from Camping World to use with my Weber 1200 Q grill. Easy to carry, store and get refilled.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...b-1-gal-/56052





Lantz

[dcg9381]

I refill them all the time. Get the adapter, you'll need a spare external tank (BBQ sized). Takes a while for them to fill, so I let them fill overnight.

[Mike484]

Our Passport (and I'm sure many other models) have a line that runs from the tanks all the way to the back with a quick disconnect for the gas grill that comes with the trailer. I would think that running a line on yours and installing a quick disconnect to hook your grill up to would be much easier than filling small bottles. Not sure how to make it easier for your heater, don't know what you use the heater for.

[GaryWT]

Originally Posted by Mike484

Our Passport (and I'm sure many other models) have a line that runs from the tanks all the way to the back with a quick disconnect for the gas grill that comes with the trailer. I would think that running a line on yours and installing a quick disconnect to hook your grill up to would be much easier than filling small bottles. Not sure how to make it easier for your heater, don't know what you use the heater for.

I second this, add a quick connect and the T off it to whatever you want, just remove the regulators on whatever you connect to.

[chuckster57]

Been doing it for years. Got my adaptor from Harbor Freight. And I do freeze the cylinder before refill. I only use it for my torch in the garage since I carry an extra 20lb cylinder for the Camp Chef and stuff.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

I refill them all the time. Get the adapter, you'll need a spare external tank (BBQ sized). Takes a while for them to fill, so I let them fill overnight.

I've also refilled the 1 lb tanks using the adapter and a 20 lb tank. Not sure what method you use after you have the two tanks "hooked up" but it takes only 1 or 2 minutes for the small, one pounder to fill - certainly not overnight.

[PerryB]

Originally Posted by Festus2

I've also refilled the 1 lb tanks using the adapter and a 20 lb tank. Not sure what method you use after you have the two tanks "hooked up" but it takes only 1 or 2 minutes for the small, one pounder to fill - certainly not overnight.

Agreed. And you don't need to weigh them before / after, you can't overfill them. They will only reach the pressure of the supply bottle.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by PerryB

Agreed. And you don't need to weigh them before / after, you can't overfill them. They will only reach the pressure of the supply bottle.

That's been my experience.

[Garyl53]

Anyone have a link to the adapter mentioned several times in this thread?

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Garyl53

Anyone have a link to the adapter mentioned several times in this thread?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Enerco-Mr-...apter/21799898

[Steve S]

I've never done this before, I'm not too sure that I would either as the small bottles are dirt cheap and less hastle.
I have 2 of those small table top tanks, nice and light, easy to store and cheap to refill.

[Garyl53]

Thanks for the link. I now see how easy it is.

[Tom N OH]

I have done it in the past. Only refilled them a half dozen times before tossing them. The cylinders will "grow" with repeated refilling. The steel stretches a little bit each time you do it. Kinda scary. You know that eventually the steel will fatigue & fail. Will it be this time? Next time? 10 times from now? Roll the dice. Like I said, I've done it. BE CAREFUL!

[Jgkopp]

Just install this tee onto your rigs propane tank and use the hose to hook up to your BBQ. You will find it lasts longer pulling off the rig.



http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...low-plus/24020

[fla-gypsy]

Just not worth the risk for a few dollars.