How to Refill LP Tanks

Propane is an excellent energy source for outdoor living.

Using propane on your RV, camping or boating trip will keep you warm, cook your food and cool your refrigerator. However, propane can explode, so understanding how to handle it safely will protect you and your belongings from harm. When you are going on a longer trip or living in an RV, having more than one tank will allow you more time to go between filling the tanks.

Instructions

Filling Your Propane Tank

1. Inspect your tank for any defects that would make it fail. If you find defects, discard your tank and get a new one.

2. Find the tare weight and water capacity of your tank. The tare weight, "TW," is how much your tank weighs when it is empty and the water capacity, "WC," is how many pounds of water the tank would hold if you were to put water into it. These numbers will be stamped on your tank.

3. Disconnect your propane tank from its connections. Propane tank fittings and valves are turned in the opposite direction of normal plumbing. You turn counter-clockwise to tighten and clockwise to loosen.

4. Transport the propane tank to the nearest propane dealer. Propane tanks can only be filled by qualified personnel, due to the risk of explosion.

Tips & Warnings

• Dealers have two ways of charging for propane, by the tank or by the gallon. When paying by the gallon, it works just as if you were at a gas station. When paying by the tank, you will not get any credit for the gas you have left in the tank but will have to pay the same amount whether you have an empty tank or a tank that still has half its propane.

• Some home improvement stores or one stop shopping stores may sell already-filled propane tanks and you just exchange the one you have for a new full one.

• Spiders love propane and love to nest in the hoses between the propane tank and gas grill elements. When your grill doesn't light up, but the tank doesn't feel empty, check for spiders. A brush on a flexible wire can clean out the hoses.

• After reconnecting your propane, swab around your valve with a bit of soapy dishwater to see if there are any leaks in the connection and that it's tight enough.

• Make sure you bleed all the appliances or grill elements attached to the propane grill by turning them on and running them until the fire is out before you disconnect your propane tank.

References

• Propane 101: Propane Cylinder Requirements

Resources

• Propane 101: Pictures of Damaged Propane Tanks
• Propane 101: Pictures of Propane Tank Storage
• Propane 101: Water Capacity to Pounds of Liquid Propane