Buying propane for the grill

[JHZR2]

It seems that the business model that most people follow is the propane tank exchange service. When I bought our first propane grill, we didn't have a tank and so I bought one out right and got it filled myself. We don't grill a large amount and use one 5 pound container maybe every two years.

One of the places I sometimes drive takes me by a flying J truck stop. They sell propane by the pound, while most gas stations around me seem to only sell propane by the full container. I would much rather buy by the pound, because since I only have one tank, notionally I have not completely depleted it to the point where nothing is left, and so if I pay a flat rate I may well be getting a lot less than I paid for. I would rather not have a spare tank on hand just in case another runs out, just like in your car. So I have a gauge on my tank and I take it to the flying J when it's getting low and it is convenient for me to go by.

Does anybody else just go buy propane by the pound? The price by me was $3.099, for what it's worth.

The problem with flying J is that twice now I have lost the key to the propane area and have not been able to fill my tank. I'm not keen on being without propane nor am I keen on driving around multiple times with the propane tank in my car.

What is everybody paying for a propane refill? To most people just swap out tanks or does anybody else actually get theirs refilled by the pound? Do your local stations play the game of a flat rate for a refill?

 

[Kruse]

$3.10 a pound?
My local propane filler charges $16 to fill a 20 pound tank. They do not exchange cylinders, they just refill the containers that people bring in while you wait.

 

[MrHorspwer]

I get my propane filled at a local rent-all place. Last I payed was a flat $22 for a 20 lb tank and I get to watch the scale. 37 lbs every time.

I am convinced that the exchange places under fill their tanks.

 

[2oldtommy]

I have a 20# cylinder which I have refilled about twice each year. I have it filled at the local Gas Hous e filling spot for $20 + tax. They set it on a scale while filling so I believe the weight is accurate. Had it filled last week so price is up to date. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Quest]

here in my area: bringing your own 20lbs tank to the station for refill works out pretty much the same as participating in a tank-swap program, price-wise.

I'd rather participate in tank swapping instead, due to the fact that my local refill station "cheated" us by not weighing the tank before and after refill but still charges 20lbs for only 16lbs worth....hard to prove to the store owner that he shortchanged me.

Q.

 

[DrDusty86]

If they make you pay by the gallon it would be hard to cheat you on weights. Say 4 gallons in a 20lb cylinder= 38 pounds when full-accounting for hose weight and they charged you $3.99/gallon= $15.96. How would you get cheated. That's how they do it here anyway.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I have used Flying J and other bulk propane fill locations for years. Flying J, at least around here, measures and charges by the metered gallon as does Tractor Supply Co and the local Coops. The pound weight is used to verify that the fill is about right for the capacity of the tank. I have found that propane fill of this type is a couple of dollars per tank cheaper than the tank exchange places.

 

[Tdbo]

The last couple of times that I have needed propane, I have swapped tanks @ Menards. They were @ $14.82 for a swap (which is right at where a fill is) and I was headed there anyway.

Generally I go to Flying J for the very reason that I can buy what I pay for as well. Problem is that it gets to be somewhat of a PITA to track someone down + the interrogation about what I am using it for + having to ID my vehicle so they can copy down my plate # gets tiresome, as well.

 

[JHZR2]

It may be 3.099 per gallon.

 

[Donald]

TSC charges by the pound or maybe gallon for any size tank.

A local hardware shop charges by the fill for tanks less than 100 lbs and by the gallon for 100 lb. For my 20 lb tank they seem to stick in a screwdriver into the side of valve to allow it to fill a little extra I assume. Or maybe faster.

I have about 50 gallons of propane. Mainly for a generator.

 

[eljefino]

$14.95 for a full 20 lb tank here. I let it run out b/c I'm spacy that way, so I always get my money's worth but occasionaly have to finish a BBQ in the oven.

 

[Astro14]

My neighbor owns a Shell station...I fill them at his place (along with buying much of my gasoline there) where he measures by the gallon (or so I thought...).

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
$14.95 for a full 20 lb tank here. I let it run out b/c I'm spacy that way, so I always get my money's worth but occasionaly have to finish a BBQ in the oven.

How do you know its a "full"? They never put 20 lbs in a tank.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

A proper fill is 80%, so a 20 lb tank should contain not more than 16 lbs of propane, plus the original tank weight. That is all you should pay for if they sell by weight vs gallon.

The bleeder valve, opened about a half turn, allows the tank to fill faster and is basically set up to hit the 80% level when the propane comes out of the valve in a small stream.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
$14.95 for a full 20 lb tank here.

That's more or less what a tank exchange costs around here.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
one 5 pound container

Never seen a 5 lb container. What's it look like?

Are you sure it's not the standard 20lb one?

 

[Chris142]

By the gallon here. My little tank holds 4.4 gallins and costs around $13 to have filled.

 

[JimPghPA]

If you take a close look at what you are calling a 20 LB tank, you probably will find that now days with the new design that does not allow a tank to be filled %100 with liquid propane, these tanks are actually holding 15 LBs of propane when full.

 

[Slick17601]

Wow, a garden center around here has a special on 20lb tank fills...$10.99. The local hardware store's regular price is $12.99.

 

[Cutehumor]

I usually exchange an empty tank, costs almost 20 bucks at home depot. walmart has blue rhino, I haven't checked. although, I may check odd places for exchanges to see if there is a sale. I think I saw a propane gas tank exchange machine outside of a walgreens here.