- The first and most important thing to do when filling a propane container is to examine the fill valve located on the container. The fill valve is built in such a way that liquid propane may only flow into the valve, but not flow back out of it. This prevents any sort of backwashing during the filling process. The larger tank from which propane is being transferred should have a hose leading out of it, and on the end of the hose there should be a coupling that will connect to the fill valve. Check the coupling at the end of the hose to be sure that the necessary black rubber gasket is present. This gasket creates a firm connection and ensures a safe propane transfer.
- The end of the hose is next connected to the portable propane container. The two ends screw together and should be closely examined. When the operator is certain that the coupling is secure, creating one long hose from the larger tank to the smaller, he opens up a second valve where the hose connects to the larger tank. This creates enough pressure in the hose when the liquid propane flows out to open the fill valve on the coupling on the end of the hose as well as the fill valve on the tank, which are now attached.
- Once the tank's valve is open, the liquid propane flows unimpeded into the portable propane container. This flow continues, with the operator watching the gauge on the portable tank to check the level. When the level of liquid propane in the portable container is nearly full, the operator shuts off the propane at the tank and drains the remainder in the hose into the container. Once this is complete, it's just a simple matter of disconnecting the hose from the fill valve. Once that's done, the portable propane tank is filled and ready to be taken away.
