Propane Pricing

[SolarPoweredRV]

I just received a message from a friend who just spent $23 for an Exchange tank of Propane. For those who do not know this the Exchange tanks only hold 15 lbs of Propane versus a full 20 lbs of propane in a 20 lb Propane tank, that is 5 lbs of pure profit for the Exchange company.

Anyway, I just had my 30 lb tank refilled last night, so I thought I would do some quick math on the cost difference between refilling a tank versus using an Exchange program.

My friend spent $23 for 15 lbs of Propane, that works out to $1.53 per lb for the Exchange tank.

I spent $15 filling my 30 lb tank, that works out to $0.50 per lb.

Just something to consider as you are making the decision to use an exchange service versus find a refill station for your Propane.

[SolarPoweredRV]

I just received a message from a friend who just spent $23 for an Exchange tank of Propane. For those who do not know this the Exchange tanks only hold 15 lbs of Propane versus a full 20 lbs of propane in a 20 lb Propane tank, that is 5 lbs of pure profit for the Exchange company.

Anyway, I just had my 30 lb tank refilled last night, so I thought I would do some quick math on the cost difference between refilling a tank versus using an Exchange program.

My friend spent $23 for 15 lbs of Propane, that works out to $1.53 per lb for the Exchange tank.

I spent $15 filling my 30 lb tank, that works out to $0.50 per lb.

Just something to consider as you are making the decision to use an exchange service versus find a refill station for your Propane.

In case you did not believe me when I said that the Exchange tanks only hold 15 lbs of Propane, here is a copy of a FAQ directly from Blue Rhino's Website (Blue Rhino is a Large Exchange company in my area).

How much propane does Blue Rhino put in its tanks?

Inflationary pressures, including the volatile costs of steel, diesel fuel, and propane, have had a significant impact on the cylinder exchange industry. In 2008, to help control these rising costs, Blue Rhino followed the example of other consumer products companies with a product content change. We reduced the amount of propane in our tanks from 17 pounds to 15 pounds.

[GeoffnCheri]

Most refill sites only fill to 80%. Even with a 30# tank they will only fill to 24#.

You are absolutely correct that refill is more $$$ efficient than exchange

[Ynot4me2]

I think its law that they can only fill 80% to compensate for expansion.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[SolarPoweredRV]

Most refill sites only fill to 80%. Even with a 30# tank they will only fill to 24#.

You are absolutely correct that refill is more $$$ efficient than exchange

I have never had that experience. I have tanks filled by weight and by gallons. If my 30 lb tank is empty, I receive ~ 7 gallons of Propane. Never has anyone tried to tell me that they can only fill my tank to 24 lbs.

Propane weighs 4.2 lbs per gallon, 30 / 4.2 = 7.1 gallons for a 30 lb tank.

A 30 lb Propane tank is Engineered to safely hold 30 lbs of Propane. There is no 80% fill for safety or expansion requirement.

Same goes for a 20 lb tank, they are designed to hold 20 lbs of Propane.

[SolarPoweredRV]

I think its law that they can only fill 80% to compensate for expansion.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

I believe that many retailers have been told that to explain why the exchange tanks are only 15 lbs vs a full 20 lbs.

In reality, all Propane tanks that are rated for a certain poundage are Engineered to hold that poundage.

[geotex1]

Walmart is the cheapest for exchange. 20# bottles are just under $15, and they are always on BlueRhino's yearly rebate list so you can exchange for $11 with the mail-in. Refilling is always the way, but when your tank date is coming due, exchange is more cost effective by far - I just cycled out two 20# bottle because of this. When the 30# and 40#ers come due - trade the trailer for new!

[orbiker]

Propane out west is sold by the gallon.
The cheapest I have found, is $1.49 a gallon in Redmond, Oregon. Most everywhere else, the price is $2.59 to $2.79 or so. KEN

[[email protected]]

I have never had that experience. I have tanks filled by weight and by gallons. If my 30 lb tank is empty, I receive ~ 7 gallons of Propane. Never has anyone tried to tell me that they can only fill my tank to 24 lbs.

Propane weighs 4.2 lbs per gallon, 30 / 4.2 = 7.1 gallons for a 30 lb tank.

A 30 lb Propane tank is Engineered to safely hold 30 lbs of Propane.

Same goes for a 20 lb tank, they are designed to hold 20 lbs of Propane.

This is correct. Depending on the temperature of the tank (and the accuracy of the meter on the filling system) you may see 6.8 to about 7.4 gallons go into a 30# cylinder.

The safety is built-in above that number. The OPD shuts of the fill before it gets into that space.

[SteveTN]

I always try to find someone who charges by the gallon on the refill. In our area Tractor Supply seems to be the best.