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How to Refill Propane Gas

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Whether you're looking to top up an RV fuel tank or fire up your grill, it's important to know how to refill propane gas canisters. While it isn't difficult, you need to take care and use proper safety precautions whenever dealing with propane and propane accessories. If you use the guide below, you'll be filled up on clean-burning fuel and back to cooking or driving in no time at all.

Inspect the Tank

Remember, safety first. The first thing you should do before attempting to refill your propane container is to inspect it. Make sure that it is in good condition and there are no obvious holes. Check for dents or rusty spots that could lead to leaks. The fitting on top of the tank should be unbent and otherwise undamaged, and the nozzle should be clear of obstructions.

While you're inspecting the tank, be sure to take note of the date stamped on it. If the date is older than 12 years, don't use the tank.

Weigh the Tank

You don't want to be charged for any propane that's still in the tank, and you also don't want to exceed the maximum pressure of gas the tank can hold, so it's important to weight the tank before filling it. To find the tare weight, or how much the container weighs when empty, look near the date stamped on the tank. You should see the letters "TW" followed by a number. That is the tare weight.

A typical grill uses a 20-pound tank. The maximum weight of the tank when you're finished should then be whatever the tank weighs when empty plus 20 pounds. This will vary depending on the size tank you're filling.
Note that a full tank of propane is only about 80% liquid propane; the rest is propane vapor. For safety reasons, you should never overfill a propane tank to the point where it contains only liquid propane.

Fill the Tank

Now it's time to actually begin filling the tank. Securely connect the dispenser to the fitting on your tank. Slowly open the valve to begin the transfer.
Be sure to open the bleeder valve on the neck of the fitting. Just in case weighing the tank as you fill it fails, the bleeder valve will alert you when the tank is full. It will do this by spraying liquid from the bleeder port.

While it is not strictly necessary to use gloves, it is an excellent precaution. Liquid propane can cause serious burns. Be sure to use neoprene gloves, as rubber and other materials won't properly protect your hands. The gloves should also fit loosely so you can get them off quickly if the liquid propane comes into contact with your skin.

Close It All Up

Once your tank is full, close both the transfer valve and the bleeder valve. Take a moment to thoroughly inspect the tank once more. Listen closely for sounds of escaping gas. You may smell propane during the transfer process, but it's only a problem if it doesn't dissipate.

Exchange Your Tank

As you can see, refilling a tank is a simple enough process. However, not all propane gas suppliers have a bigger tank you can fill yours from. It's more common for propane gas dealers to have exchange centers rather than a place where you can refill your tank.

The big benefit to exchanging a tank over refilling it is convenience. It's fast, easy, and not messy at all. Even so, propane gas rates are less expensive when you opt to fill your own tank. If the price of propane gas is a concern, you'll want to go refill your tank if possible instead.

Macalister Fromeflow