This might be a thread of "warning" depending on what everyone thinks.

Here's the scoop...I'm in Erie and don't know where to get my 5 gal or whatever standard BBQ cylinder refilled, so I've been going to King Soopers and just exchanging for a "full" one. This cost today $19.77. Well, after handling at least half of their supposed "full" cylinders I was convinced I was being cheated (I don't think by King Soop, they are clueless and apparently have no way to ensure the propane supplier actually gives them fully charged units back except to point to the "blue" safety cap installed on recharged units).

I SWEAR one of these should weigh about 45-50 lbs. full (tank is about 15 lbs, and the liquid propane is about 6lbsx5gal).
So when full I handle it via bicep. Well today I could take every one and pick it up and lift it straight up with my arm, no bicep grab. No way could I do that with a 50 lb full container. I'd guess they are filling them 70%. I say this because I have grilled a LOT for many years and have handled more than my share of these.

Am I messed up? Have I been secretly weight lifting to take on Arnold:muscle071 ? Or do we have some scamming going on here :lowblow???????????:popc1:

Not sure on the weight but I do know that a percentage of the tank must be left empty for expansion purposes.

Not sure on the weight but I do know that a percentage of the tank must be left empty for expansion purposes.

yes. what was nice in Oregon is that you could refill tanks at many gas stations that had the onsite propane tank. Typically I'd see them fill em up to about 4.8 gallons max as I recall. So if a 5 gal tank that would be a 4% or so non-fill.

I just checked on line and propane is actually supposed to weigh about 4.25 lbs/gal. So "full" that would be about 35 lbs including tank....that's still not a light weight by any means if you want to try and hoist it via just the arm instead of bicep action.

I've gotten a couple that have only lasted maybe 2-3 BBQ's and some that will last about 2 months worth. I think your right about this whole thing and I started going to the propane station to fill mine. My empty's came from walmart

Get one of these and you'll know how much you got! http://www.lpgastanks.com/images/lc20_1.jpg

what the hell is that ??????????????????????????????????????????

:doh0715:See through propane tank. Whatcha think it was?

was not sure but now i see. the problem we have here is it is hard to find someplace that will fill the tank. all we find is exchange points at area stors. looks like it would work great if I had someplae to refill it

It took me a couple of seconds to realize what it was too. I'm going to do a propane conversion on my BKO, I wonder if they make see through tanks like that for auto use LOL

It took me a couple of seconds to realize what it was too. I'm going to do a propane conversion on my BKO, I wonder if they make see through tanks like that for auto use LOL


Yes they do. They are $$$ (320 each) but they do exist. Just search for "clear forklift propane tanks. I just went with standard lift tanks.... since i am dual fuel, if i run out of 'pane i just switch to gas and call it a day.

We've got 2 clear tanks. They kick ass. To fill them though, you have to go to a place that will just fill the tank and give it back to you. Since the guy that helped design these tanks lives here, he owns a true-value store that will fill them. Maybe other true-value stores do the same, I'm not sure. :shrug

One thing I didn't realize with propane that is kinda cool is that gal for gal it weighs less than gas. Not a huge deal, but let's say your rig is packing 25 gallons of fuel:

weight of gas is 6.25 x 25 = 156lbs of fuel.

weight of propane 4.25 x 25 = 106lbs. 50 lbs less

Yes they do. They are $$$ (320 each) but they do exist. Just search for "clear forklift propane tanks. I just went with standard lift tanks.... since i am dual fuel, if i run out of 'pane i just switch to gas and call it a day.

Doug, I was searching one of the other threads about propane conversions and I was wondering what kit you got. I just moved to Frisco from CS and am always going back down. If it's cool with you I'd like to see your set up some time and get some advise if you don't mind me picking your brain.

yes. what was nice in Oregon is that you could refill tanks at many gas stations that had the onsite propane tank. Typically I'd see them fill em up to about 4.8 gallons max as I recall. So if a 5 gal tank that would be a 4% or so non-fill.

I just checked on line and propane is actually supposed to weigh about 4.25 lbs/gal. So "full" that would be about 35 lbs including tank....that's still not a light weight by any means if you want to try and hoist it via just the arm instead of bicep action.
there is a refill place at hwy 287 and hwy 66 by the walmart in Longmont. I think they charge around 12 or 13 for a refill.

there is a refill place at hwy 287 and hwy 66 by the walmart in Longmont. I think they charge around 12 or 13 for a refill.

Thanks Don, you remember the name of the place so I can google?

Gas station at 55th and Arapahoe in Boulder does refills also I think there is a place just west of Sheridan on 120th in Broomfield but not sure aboeut that one. Maybe give one of the RV stores a call those guys can not trade in their tanks, at least not the big guys. I will check with my dad he also is in Erie and fills the RV somewhere.

When I upgrade to a gas grill I think I am going to run natural from the house, no tanks to fill up. :)

I don't but thats all they do is natural gas. If I think about on my way to work tommorrow I'll get the name.

Gas station at 55th and Arapahoe in Boulder does refills also I think there is a place just west of Sheridan on 120th in Broomfield but not sure aboeut that one. Maybe give one of the RV stores a call those guys can not trade in their tanks, at least not the big guys. I will check with my dad he also is in Erie and fills the RV somewhere.

When I upgrade to a gas grill I think I am going to run natural from the house, no tanks to fill up. :)

That would be nice, and probably a good amount cheaper. Plus you'd never have to worry about the tank being low when you are getting ready for grilling.

Wonder what that would cost to run a pipe line to the back? What would they do, run it out the side back of the house and then have some kinda safety/shutoff valve there, and then you'd run some of flex line from there to wherever the grill is?

Have to watch those exchange places as well for outdated or almost outdated tanks. Don't want to end up with on of those or you won't be able to get it refilled or some places won't allow you to trade it in.

That would be nice, and probably a good amount cheaper. Plus you'd never have to worry about the tank being low when you are getting ready for grilling.

Wonder what that would cost to run a pipe line to the back? What would they do, run it out the side back of the house and then have some kinda safety/shutoff valve there, and then you'd run some of flex line from there to wherever the grill is?

That is what my parents have. I think depending on the run it could be done for around 150-200 problem is you have to get a conversion kit for the grill, if they make one for your grill. If they do not then you need to get a new grill that is NG compatible.

Doug, I was searching one of the other threads about propane conversions and I was wondering what kit you got. I just moved to Frisco from CS and am always going back down. If it's cool with you I'd like to see your set up some time and get some advise if you don't mind me picking your brain.


I have the "got propane" dual fuel kit. And i have no problem with getting together and talking trucks. Acutally i have been wondering about a CS meet and greet.

Let me know when. I'll drive back the 2.5 hrs to do that. Besides I always need to check up on my other house and both sets of my kids grandparents are down there. I always have an excuse to come down. There were a couple of 78/79's in neigbourhood down there when we moved. Around Stetson Hills and Powers

Just went out to start up the BBQ tonight and once again nothing. This tank lasted only 3 grill sessions. I lifted the tank and it still felt full. Went to exchange both tanks and the guy at the filling station said that because of the altitude the bottle may not run out of propane but it will lose it's preasure. Anybody ever hear of this?
So $40 later (two tank exchanges, because the fill station was closed) and I'm back in buisness. So far I'm around $90 in propane just for the grill this year. thinking about going back to charcole at this rate.:banghead

I don't believe that aobut the pressure. My tanks last at least 3-4 months with 2-3 grillings a week. I take mine to a local propane supplier to be filled.

I don't believe that aobut the pressure. My tanks last at least 3-4 months with 2-3 grillings a week. I take mine to a local propane supplier to be filled.


I agree, I think that's BS and I seem to have about the same time/use (when I actually get a full tank to begin with).

That's what I thought. A friend of mine up here says he has the same problem though

take a fish scale with you and wiegh the tank before you buy it

The tanks I droped of felt heavier than the new one's. I went to a different place this time.

Mark the place at 119 and hwy66 is called northern energy

Currently propane is running 2.99 per gallon around here so it's cheaper to refill vs. exchange. I had two older propane tanks the refill station would not accept due to an out-of-date certification. I took them over to the local grocery and "exchanged" them for current certs.

Recently I had both tanks refilled and when I connected them to the grill neither would keep the grill burning though I watched the guy put nearly 4.5 gallons in each tank. After talking to a local propane supplier I found the problem is overfilling the tank. There must be room in the tank for vapor to collect. If the tank is too full the liquid does not vaporize.

What I did was to don leather gloves, use a screwdriver to turn the screw and release a small amount of liquid. The tanks worked fine afterwards.

Currently propane is running 2.99 per gallon around here so it's cheaper to refill vs. exchange. I had two older propane tanks the refill station would not accept due to an out-of-date certification. I took them over to the local grocery and "exchanged" them for current certs.

Recently I had both tanks refilled and when I connected them to the grill neither would keep the grill burning though I watched the guy put nearly 4.5 gallons in each tank. After talking to a local propane supplier I found the problem is overfilling the tank. There must be room in the tank for vapor to collect. If the tank is too full the liquid does not vaporize.

What I did was to don leather gloves, use a screwdriver to turn the screw and release a small amount of liquid. The tanks worked fine afterwards.

I've had that happen as well, some dumbazz while in Oregon, at the gas station tried refilling the tank and actually got the meter to read slightly more than 5gals.:shocked

On the other hand, that sucka was pretty heavy when full, and really any tank with 4.8 gals. (about what they should have full) is going to weigh: 4.8 x 4.25 + 15lbs about 35 lbs or so. I wish I had a scale, but I'd guess what I got back weight about 25 lbs max.

I'm gonna try that one. Thanks for the tip!!

Mark the place at 119 and hwy66 is called northern energy

ok great, I'll go look them up.

Edit: I also find this site listing all stations in Colorado (or any state for that matter):

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ind_state.php/CO/LPG