Propane exchanges are for newbs.

[jlpred55]

The local Flying J truck stop is at around $11 for a fill of a 20lb tank the last time I got one.

 

[JVD_X]

Also - uhaul sells large propane tanks... up to 100 pounds. Then you can have you propane delivered.

 

[maxamuus]

I see online (by using this new-fangled googley-thingy that Irregular showed me) that the local Uhaul offers propane refills at $4.11 a gallon. I have no idea if that's a good deal or not.

I'd check around. That seems high. I dont the exact cost i pay but its roughly around the same price as gasoline.

 

[brewagentjay]

Anyone no any Bham, bama area places to get them filled. Cause walmart is high on exchanges.

 

[phatuna]

Or, you could 'T' off of your existing home nat. gas line (likely in your garage) and never fill another propane tank again. Using propane to brew beer is like using a propane tank to heat your bath water - old school

 

[rico567]

It can be lower than gasoline, because there's no tax except sales on it. You have to look around. We bought propane for our bulk tank two weeks ago at $1.75 / gallon- and you can be sure the supplier made a profit on it. So this works out to about $8 - 8.50 on a refill for a 20 lb cylinder. This gives you a good idea as to how much money some people are making on the cylinder exchanges at convenience stores, etc. Of course doing exchanges is more expensive for the supplier, because they have to purchase, maintain & replace the tanks. If you get it filled, then that's on you.

 

[jmkratt]

thanks for the thread.

I think next time i'll look into doing a refill. We've only done exchanges and brewing double batches nearly every weekend can get a bit pricey on propane.

Agreed.

I haven't had any luck finding a place in Parker to do re-fills, though I haven't put too much time into it just yet (I have called every U-Haul location and asked gas stations and hardware stores). If I do I will let you know. If you find any please let me know. My wife said she thought a place in Castle Rock will do them and was checking for a price.

 

[passedpawn]

Or, you could 'T' off of your existing home nat. gas line (likely in your garage) and never fill another propane tank again. Using propane to brew beer is like using a propane tank to heat your bath water - old school

Using gas to brew beer is old school Electric!

 

[rico567]

Using gas to brew beer is old school Electric!

Now we're talking! I'd love to go electric, but I've yet to see a good premade setup or kit, and no DIY plans I'd care to take on.

 

[Yambor44]

Can you take a Rhino tank to be refilled?

 

[rico567]

The one I use for brewing was originally an Amerigas, and I have it filled at Sunbelt all the time.

 

[Rossnaree]

It's only about $8 to fill at the local hardware store (actually, the Agway - pretty much a Northeast regional chain).

I agree with using either natural gas or electric as better ways (in ascending order) to go.

 

[Wrenchman]

Can you take a Rhino tank to be refilled?

As long as it has the new OPD style valve, it's within its hydrodate, there are no nasty rust spots, and no big dents, then yes it can be refilled.

 

[Yambor44]

As long as it has the new OPD style valve, it's within its hydrodate, there are no nasty rust spots, and no big dents, then yes it can be refilled.

Sweet. They are all 3 like new (swapped within the last 6 months). I use NG to brew but have a gas grill and a fire pit/table that both use propane.

 

[northernlad]

I am surprised and amazed that so many people claiming to be OLD don't know about something other than exchanges which are relatively new to being on every street corner.

If you are fliing at anywhere other than a Propane place chances are you are STILL paying too much. $4.11 is ridicilous

 

[Pappers_]

I am surprised and amazed that so many people claiming to be OLD don't know about something other than exchanges which are relatively new to being on every street corner.

If you are fliing at anywhere other than a Propane place chances are you are STILL paying too much. $4.11 is ridicilous

Well, it may be geographic. In my little bit of suburbia, inspired by this thread, I've done some calling around and no one except for the UHaul place fills propane tanks. No gas stations, no other rental places, no bbq grill stores/service places. And my patch of suburbia isn't tiny - about 50,000 people.

I can drive north into the city (about a 30 minute one-way trip) or south to a farther suburb (about the same time) to some propane service companies, but that's the closest I've found, so far.

And Irregular, the google results were carp. Also tried Dex, Bing, Yellow pages, etc. Found a national map of propane suppliers - only shows the UHaul place in my area.

 

[Wilsons]

I am surprised and amazed that so many people claiming to be OLD don't know about something other than exchanges which are relatively new to being on every street corner.

If you are fliing at anywhere other than a Propane place chances are you are STILL paying too much. $4.11 is ridicilous

You do understand propane costs different prices geographically right, 4.11 might be a ripoff where you are at, but in some places its very cheap. It costs alot more money to run a propane station in different parts of the country, depending on the state/county regs

I am a state certifier for propane in Florida, and work for corporate U-haul, exchanges are the biggest ripoff since junk bonds, whatever you do, get em filled, either by uhaul or whoever is convienent to you. If your looking for someone to fill, we have a search feature that may help you, just go to this link, put in your zip and click the propane box.

http://www.uhaul.com/Locations/

Just remember, propane prices fluctuate weekly just like gasoline, if you notice for example Uhauls propane prices will go up and down with the local market, where exchange tank prices do not. Since their price does not change, its not to hard to understand that its the amount of propane in the tank that is changing.

 

[v2comp]

@Pappers http://gas-propane-wholesale.dapeem.com/Oak-Lawn-IL.html
have you seen this page?

 

[Captain_Bigelow]

Just a reminder that if you are looking for a new or additional tank, you can get $20 off at Lowes via mail in rebate (link below). It costs me about $15 to refill, but $25 to exchange in my neighborhood.

http://images.lowes.com/2009/moving/BR-12762HiRes_Rhino_on_the_Move_final.pdf

 

[Pappers_]

@Pappers http://gas-propane-wholesale.dapeem.com/Oak-Lawn-IL.html
have you seen this page?

Thanks, V. Yes, I had found that page. Most of them are a little more distant, athough there is a rental place (A & H) listed in a neighboring suburb that I couldn't get a hold of on the phone yesterday.

 

[northernlad]

Well, it may be geographic. In my little bit of suburbia, inspired by this thread, I've done some calling around and no one except for the UHaul place fills propane tanks. No gas stations, no other rental places, no bbq grill stores/service places. And my patch of suburbia isn't tiny - about 50,000 people.

I can drive north into the city (about a 30 minute one-way trip) or south to a farther suburb (about the same time) to some propane service companies, but that's the closest I've found, so far.

And Irregular, the google results were carp. Also tried Dex, Bing, Yellow pages, etc. Found a national map of propane suppliers - only shows the UHaul place in my area.

I forget thet since I live in a fairly rural place, Propane Companies are more common. There is obviously no reason a person would use propane in Chicagoland

You do understand propane costs different prices geographically right, 4.11 might be a ripoff where you are at, but in some places its very cheap. It costs alot more money to run a propane station in different parts of the country, depending on the state/county regs

I am a state certifier for propane in Florida, and work for corporate U-haul, exchanges are the biggest ripoff since junk bonds, whatever you do, get em filled, either by uhaul or whoever is convienent to you. If your looking for someone to fill, we have a search feature that may help you, just go to this link, put in your zip and click the propane box.

http://www.uhaul.com/Locations/

Just remember, propane prices fluctuate weekly just like gasoline, if you notice for example Uhauls propane prices will go up and down with the local market, where exchange tank prices do not. Since their price does not change, its not to hard to understand that its the amount of propane in the tank that is changing.

I know prices vary indiscriminantly for fuel. Does not change the fact that $4.11 is RIDICULOUS

 

[Wilsons]

I forget thet since I live in a fairly rural place, Propane Companies are more common. There is obviously no reason a person would use propane in Chicagoland




I know prices vary indiscriminantly for fuel. Does not change the fact that $4.11 is RIDICULOUS

That just what you dont get, just becouse propane is 4.11 does not mean the retailer is ripping of the customer. I live in WV now, and propane here is much cheaper then in florida where i had my store, part of it is becouse alot of people here use it for heat, but MOST of the cost difference was the annual licensing fee for a propane dispersing facility here in WV is about 200$, and it was north of 5 figures in Florida (way north), here nobody has to be certified to dispense propane, in Florida, every employee who touched that machine had to take a state class, with the amount of employee turnover a large company has, do you know how much that costs? While the price may be high, it does not mean the company selling it to you is the one getting rich.

 

[japhroaig]

That just what you dont get, just becouse propane is 4.11 does not mean the retailer is ripping of the customer. I live in WV now, and propane here is much cheaper then in florida where i had my store, part of it is becouse alot of people here use it for heat, but MOST of the cost difference was the annual licensing fee for a propane dispersing facility here in WV is about 200$, and it was north of 5 figures in Florida (way north), here nobody has to be certified to dispense propane, in Florida, every employee who touched that machine had to take a state class, with the amount of employee turnover a large company has, do you know how much that costs? While the price may be high, it does not mean the company selling it to you is the one getting rich.

Not to derail this conversation (mods feel free to delete if so) but do you think certification adds any value? Is it safer? Less accidents? Less waste? Just curious.

p.s. for what it's worth here in Oregon you aren't allowed to pump your own gas.

 

[Wilsons]

Not to derail this conversation (mods feel free to delete if so) but do you think certification adds any value? Is it safer? Less accidents? Less waste? Just curious.

p.s. for what it's worth here in Oregon you aren't allowed to pump your own gas.

No, i dont think certification is neccesary for every employee, I think the manager/owner etc should be certed on proper weighing/dispersing etc, but i dont see the reason for every employee to attend a course. Honestly, when was the last time you heard of a propane dispensing station exploding? It just doesnt happen, its a bureaucracy and the state makes money off it, thats the only reason it exists.

Alot of old wives tales fuel the fire, like talking on the cell phone while pumping gas etc, you know i lived in Italy for 3 years, every gas station there is full serve, and it was a rare day when you pulled up to the pump, and the guy pumping your gas was not smoking, and guess what, they dont explode.

The new propane tanks with OPD valves are not inherently dangerous, your house can burn down with a propane tank inside it, and it will not explode. Yes you should take precautions, but they are not a bomb sitting at your house by any means.

 

[northernlad]

That just what you dont get, just becouse propane is 4.11 does not mean the retailer is ripping of the customer. I live in WV now, and propane here is much cheaper then in florida where i had my store, part of it is becouse alot of people here use it for heat, but MOST of the cost difference was the annual licensing fee for a propane dispersing facility here in WV is about 200$, and it was north of 5 figures in Florida (way north), here nobody has to be certified to dispense propane, in Florida, every employee who touched that machine had to take a state class, with the amount of employee turnover a large company has, do you know how much that costs? While the price may be high, it does not mean the company selling it to you is the one getting rich.

I am pretty sure there is nothing about this I don't get. Perhaps it is you having trouble "getting it". At no time did I even remotely imply that it had anything to do with a customer getting ripped off by a retailer. I quite simply stated that $4.11 was a ridiculous amount to pay for propane.
I know you want to flaunt your knowledge of the subject, but I could not care less and it really has nothing to do with what I was saying.

 

[Pick]

Propane is a big ripoff in Florida. I've heard of some folks paying $5.75 a gallon to have their HOME tanks filled.

As far as the "technical reason" for filling a 20# tank to 15-18#, simple, GREED. No technical reason in the world to NOT to refill a 20 to 20. Vapor pressure is the same whether there is 1 pound or twenty in the tank.

Speaking of gas, I found my local CO2 supplier filling 5 Lb to 3 and 20's to 17. Called them on it, and I am supposed to next fills for half price. Watch it guys, lots of rip offs out there!

 

[northernlad]

Propane is a big ripoff in Florida. I've heard of some folks paying $5.75 a gallon to have their HOME tanks filled.

As far as the "technical reason" for filling a 20# tank to 15-18#, simple, GREED. No technical reason in the world to NOT to refill a 20 to 20. Vapor pressure is the same whether there is 1 pound or twenty in the tank.

Speaking of gas, I found my local CO2 supplier filling 5 Lb to 3 and 20's to 17. Called them on it, and I am supposed to next fills for half price. Watch it guys, lots of rip offs out there!

If they are only charging you for what they put in...
I have been told they don't fill all the way due to the pressure changes resulting from temperature fluctuations. Like leaving it in your car on a summer day.

 

[Bullshivit-brew]

Pappers I have my tanks filled at a rental place "rents tools trailers and the such" just across the river in ill. Call around the LP company's will fill them also but cost more.

 

[TwoWheeler]

it’s usually faster to have them refilled than to wait around for employees to find keys and hope that the exchange service has some full tanks available.

This alone was enough to convince me to start refilling instead of taking the lazy way out.

EVERY %^%#$ TIME I went to (b)Lowe's to exchange, the ball got dropped between the mutant at the register and whoever was supposed to come outside. I'd stand around for ten minutes, get pissed and then have to go back inside and go "Uh......Hello???"

 

[broadbill]

Propane exchanges are good when you have an old tank that needs to be hydro-tested again (costs more than the new tank to do) or if you have a broken valve. Go turn in the crappy one and get a fresh one! Otherwise, have them refilled.

Awhile back I read that BR was going to switch to tanks that had special valves to prevent refilling. I've yet to come across one though.