How To Transfer Propane Gas From One Tank To Another

Video of me transferring some LPG from a 250 gallon stationary tank to fill a 20lb. OPD cylinder without any pumps or special equipment.

[@dhansel4835]

You can also to this with Freon 12, 134a or 210. Make sure the tank you want to transfer it to is cold. We would put the smaller Freon bottle in a bucket of ice and water for about 10 minutes to get it cold. Works great !

[@googlesbitch]

You don't need to cool tank with water, just open bleed off valve to remove excess internal atmosphere gas until a mist of liquid propane sprays out. The maximum safe level can't be exceeded since there is an internal straw that limits maximum amount of liquid propane while leaving a small void for expansion. All tanks have an internal float valve cutoff (OPD "overfill pressure device") to prevent over filling tank when a compressor motor is used to fill tank.

[@johnpalma7265]

Joe Blow: I'm no so sure all tanks have an OPD,i think that's a relatively newer feature.There are still tons of older tanks out there of various shapes and sizes that don't have an OPD.

[@googlesbitch]

All of the old tanks out there will not be filled by anyone who fills bulk propane tanks professionally since all tanks must be requalified every 12 years. This means any old tank must have its original valve (non OPD valve) removed and replaced with a new one when requalified. The date of manufacture is on tank carry handle and a requalified tank will have the original date struck out and replaced with new date stamped close to it.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

If you leave a valve open, air can enter, making an air/propane mix that is explosive. A propane tank should ALWAYS have some pressure in it to avoid the explosive mix.

[@lauramesser1810]

The large propane tank doesn't have a liquid port it only releases vapor.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Inverted, liquid will come out.

[@2paw1]

He is not transferring liquid, he is transferring gas and cooling the small tank so liquid will form in the cooler tank at the pressure that is supplied by the larger (un-cooled) tank (called critical pressure temperature). His science is valid. AND, since only tanks with the type valve shown have the OPD device (older tanks do not), the bleed valve is piped to the 80% level of the small tank and will indicate an overfill condition. Some of you need to learn about what is happening and stop running off at the mouth until you do. He is correct that it can be dangerous, and a correction to one thing he said is that a 20 pound tank should only be filled with 16 pounds of LPG (the 80% level). I found this useful although I already knew how to do this.

[@funkencool]

2paw1 Solid comment but 20 lb propane tanks are in fact for safely carrying 20 lbs of propane. The 80% is already factored in. That means a 20 lb tank could technically fit 25 lbs of LP (25 * .8 = 20lbs), unsafely of course. The reason places began filling them to 15 lbs at exchange stations was an increase in propane cost. When you fill it professionally they still fill to 20 lbs or just under 4 gallons.

[@darrylsiemer5666]

The propane transfer approach described in this video is simultaneously practical, affordable, and well-explained. Good job!

[@codycroghan4035]

And wrong

[@WBOWLER126]

What you need is propane and propane accersories.

[@thunderbird97]

or go see Hank Hill

[@HuskyCorp]

It’s good that you gave a disclaimer at the start. No one should try this at home if they are inexperienced. Transferring propane is dangerous and could lead to accidents if not done properly.

[@SpectrumSurvivalist]

+Husky Corporation And how do you get experience, O' wait.

[@aberhan]

This method works, but it works much better to connect to the valve on the big tank that the propane company uses to drain the tank for transport. That allows you to transfer liquid from one tank to another. The adapter needed will have to be purchased from the propane supplier, and that can be difficult unless you have a legitimate reason such as a farmer or tradesman who refills his own tanks on tractors or other types of utility equipment. If you don’t have a propane pump, then the gravity, temperature difference applies to both methods. It is generally much quicker to transfer liquid than gas.

[@sailingsolar]

Another YT expert giving incorrect information.

[@aron6998]

And compounded by all the commenters giving their false/incorrect information....you are correct though one of very few I’ve seen

[@jenniesgarage]

I will watch for one of those. I think it would be really handy, and safe, to see the liquid level. Thanks!

[@Robnord1]

Originally, I made a comment (now muted) saying how this wouldn't work and rude replies to a couple of people who replied (since edited). I was wrong. This does work if the temperature differential is kept up and you're patient and give it time to work.

[@jenniesgarage]

Thanks a lot for the follow up. Be careful though because on a really hot day you can fill a 30lb bottle in less than an hour.

[@damonjager2408]

Or instead of using water, just build a fire under the big tank XD

[@PepeDeezNutz]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@lJUSTwanaCOMMENT]

LOL, RIGHT? THAT IS TOTALLY WHAT I PRESUMED WHEN I HEARD THAT DISCLAIMER. I FEEL JIPPED!

[@lightrailbo]

Lmao

[@glenchadwick420]

Thanks to you I blowed up my car and wife🤬😡!! Wife can be replaced but I loved my 1965 ford mustang 😭

[@pixelpatter01]

I have an LP powered truck and fill my own 20# tanks from the truck tank. I have the liquid line hooked up to a valve and it takes me 15 minutes to fill a 20# tank by letting the liquid fill the tank as the vapor escapes through that little bleeder screw you point to. I applaud your attempt, but you and I both know it won't work that way unless you are on the liquid line. Hooking to the vapor just won't result in much more than a tank with vapor in it.

[@dandunkin2892]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that. His garden hose is not cold enough to condense propane back into liquid.

[@pixelpatter01]

​@Robert matheny I'm not sure what kind of tank you are talking about.40 pound tanks (10 gallons) or 400' (feet) gallons? What are you putting it into?

[@penrynbigbird]

How do you account for the increase in weight in the smaller tank? Just curious because you sound like you know what you're talking about...

[@pixelpatter01]

@@penrynbigbird I don't know what to say. I could speculate about all the truthful things on the internet. As in my original comment, liquid transfer is the only practical method. Maybe he is using a liquid line and doesn't realize it. Theoretically gas could transfer propane from one side to the other but imagine how much heat would have to be transferred as well. Propane is an excellent refrigerant; warming up a 250 gallon tank enough to vaporize 20 # of propane wold be fairly easy, but condensing propane gas would require a sub zero receiving tank and would still take a long time. I am envious of his 608K views though LOL.

[@95thousandroses]

@@pixelpatter01 You don't know what you're talking about. At equal pressure, the temp difference for condensation of propane is minimal. Cold well water vs a sun-warmed tank would absolutely be enough to transfer via condensing.

[@daledenisetheel7290]

His first sentence is all you need to listen to "Do not do this you will blow yourself up and hurt innocent by standers." If you want to fill off of your big tank get the right fittings, connectors, hose on the big tank, proper tools and gloves. He is a accident waiting to happen.

[@sholstein]

Very informative, thanks. You couldn't resist the passing gas pun, ha.

[@jenniesgarage]

haha, yeah. Simple minds :P

[@gumarro72]

Best disclaimer ever and very effective!!!

[@npbamboo]

Thank you - that's a very concise and informative video which is of immediate direct use to me. Not many people would have bothered to air that, but I for one am very grateful indeed. Knew such was possible, but live in the UK where the "Nanny State" health & safety laws forbid any such practices. You reassured that, done with all due care it is safe enough for me to carry out with confidence. Thanks again. (P.S. - you've got a great voice-over voice - worth money I reckon!) Love, Neal.

[@cephasmartin8593]

Pretty slick. My way is quicker and easier. Years ago I bought a valve to draw the liquid propane from the 500 gallon tank. After connecting the tanks I open the valves and draw the liquid from the large tank into the small tank. Then I open the little port on the small tank and wait for it to start spewing liquid. Tank's full, close port and valves. Bleed propane from transfer line. Carry bottle to garage. Have a beer to celebrate a job well done.

[@brandonnolff1920]

Cephas Martin exactly right

[@dannieo516]

And that is the right way

[@cephasmartin8593]

@mich torrie The fill valve on a 500 gallon propane tank is also a wet leg. So you need a valve that will attach the fill valve and has a plunger that can be turned to depress the check on the fill valve. Check with your propane supplier.

[@jenniesgarage]

I'm just pulling from the regular gas line. Good idea about the ice, that would definitely speed things up. Thanks!

[@thomasjordan5483]

There is a bleeder screw on the side of the valve that will lower the pressure on the small tank without water etc. You will be able to tell when it is full by the bleeder discharge turning to frost as the escaping gas hits the tank PLUS this safety type valve has a float that will stop the transfer when full. Be sure to close bleeder valve when done. The safety valve can be identified by it's 3 point handle vs a round handle. THIS IS NOT FOR AMATURES! You are risking your and your families life by doing this! A refill is a cheap way to stay safe.

[@thatbme35]

Come here! hold my beer im gona show ya how to do it.

[@Manmodor007]

The "don't do what I am going to show you, you'll blow yourself up" disclaimer kinda told me everything I need to know about this guy...

[@Vgp-rp4iu]

I used to fill my own tank all the time. I had a 500 gal tank for my rv when we lived in north dakota and had 2 100# bottles, a few 30 and 40# and some 20# grill bottles. I had the main line running to my rv with a T on it. I had a 10 ft hose with a ball valve on the end with a male pol. All I did was open the relief valve and open the ball valve and transferred the lp. If coarse you won't be able to get it completely full without a pump but it was a hell of alot cheaper than taking my small bottles to get filled at 2.50 a gal since the big tank was only 90 cents a gal. I used to pump propane at the co-op I worked at

[@nobs846]

All u need is to make sure the bulk talk has a liquid hookup if it doesn't u must make sure wherever the valve is, it must be lower than the gas (at liquid level) if the tank is small u can tip it on its side so there is liquid at valve level after that no need for anything but flathead screwdriver to open bleeder valve on tank you are filling once u see liquid coming out its full, close all valves jobs done iv done it many times ..

[@robert0380]

I've see all of 2 videos on filling propane tanks (1 with liquid transfer and this one transferring gas) and it's funny to see the number of comments from people that don't understand why he's not opening the valve while filling the tank and why this works. Under pressure, the gas he's moving will be condensed to a gas. He cannot fill the tank with the valve open because he's relying on the pressure to convert the gas into a liquid. Maybe I just had a good education, but this seems very basic to me....like high school Physical Science basic. You don't even have to get heavy into physics before you're taught about gas being converted to a liquid under pressure. It's also crazy to me that people think you somehow filled a tank that size with just 15+ lbs of gaseous propane, lol. Seriously?

[@amaroq69]

R. You don't condense to a gas...you condense to a liquid...

[@agod8058]

or do you boil to a solid...lol

[@jnmsal3146]

Very nice, I am going to try this tomorrow. will let you know how it all works out for me. Your explanation was very understandable so I feel I can accomplish this task with ease. thnx -a-bunch

[@riverraisin1]

I guess you didn't live to reply? RIP

[@salemcripple]

all of that, and you fail to have a flathead screwdriver....

[@dougiequick1]

lol ....dang AT LEAST take file or something and if create a broad enough blade on the corner of that scrap piece of bracing he used! Ya know instead of a point that barely engages the slot! I would use it for anot emergency (cant find right screwdriver) in a heartbeat after I did that

[@cardoctor1959]

very professionally done.

[@nathandean1687]

yes they do weight them (the tanks) to get a accurate measurement on how much they need to charge you. plus its easier to return and old expired tank to a exchange place to get a new tank.

[@GeorgeBonez]

Not all places weigh them. I go to one place that does and I go to another place that doesn’t. They simply charge a flat rate according to your tank size.

[@aron6998]

@@GeorgeBonez legally they are supposed to be filled by weight only but they can charge anyway they want to

[@GeorgeBonez]

@@aron6998 Well I’m not going to complain because the place that doesn’t weigh only charges me about $23 bucks per 30lb tank while the other place changes me about $26 for my smaller 20lb Bar-B-Q Grill tanks.

[@aron6998]

@@GeorgeBonez both places are overpriced honestly, find a tractor supply they sell per gallon and it’s usually 1.79-2.89 gal, so maybe you have that option

[@josephwright8002]

he should have hooked up to the liquid fitting. then you open the refill valve on the side of the service valve. the liquid will boil and get cold. then you can fill the tank. i do this all the time on my propane tractor at the farm.

[@mystuff1405]

Sammy Ontwan Look who has a couple million dollar farm plus millions in the bank. You don’t.

[@Accumulator1]

Using the 80% full bleed off valve is a sure way to make sure it is not overfilled. My propane dealer uses both platform scale and open check valve when filling. He shuts the gas filling hose off when LP starts to spew out. The scale should also show a filled weight. Watch for the crooks that check the empty weight of the tank with the scale reading then put on a heavy filling hose. What they are doing is cheating you out of propane for what the amount the hose weighs.

[@nathandean1687]

they use a specialized pump to force the L.P. from the bulk tank to the smaller tank.

[@fotlitbowfotlitbow5514]

I had the gas company install wet line on my tank and. It dont take but a few minor feel bleeding the vapor off

[@tfoley7553]

The water company must like you, you would be better off packing the tank in ice or Dry Ice would be even better. Also you do not have to worry about over filling the tank the OPD will take care of that and even if that should not work there is a pressure relief valve on the tank that will vent the tank if it gets too much pressure.. You can also if you have a freezer put the tank in there and get it cold. I would consider buying a hose with a double male POL fitting as moving that copper line too many times may weaken it and cause a leak then you will have to get a new line and those are a little hard to find with out paying an arm and a leg for one from the propane company. A lot of propane companies have gone to a POL to 3/8 fitting on the regulator side.

[@JohnAdams-xc5yk]

Propane is in liquid form when put into the tank, you are usually pulling vapor for grills you can buy valves that you connect a dip tube and get liquid

[@peggyrbaldwin]

Amazing video. Thanks for explaining how it works, so we are empowered!

[@codycroghan4035]

Too bad he is 100% wrong

[@myothernewname]

We did this with Freon years ago. We just dropped our bottle in a big bucket of ice.

[@publicbenefit7431]

DANGER! Escaping propane vapor can freeze skin, but escaping liquid is far worse and can freeze skin causing sever burning and freeze eyes causing blindness. If the bleeder or a loose connection shoots out liquid propane one can be in big trouble. ALWAYS wear protective clothing, safety goggles, and heavy gloves, just like the pros. The shot of opening the bleeder screw with bare hands is a serious problem with this video. He should have been wearing protective gear at every stage. Those who do not understand the principles of what he is doing should not even think of attempting this. Every year houses blow up, fires get started, and people get hurt. For instance he had to disconnect the house line to connect the transfer line. That means any lit pilots must be relit. PLEASE do not attempt this unless you really know what you are doing.

[@amaroq69]

What if there are pilotless appliances?

[@hardtaill70]

Vapor will not freeze skin. Liquid will, but vapor no. FYI... I fill propane tanks for a living.

[@bobminer2929]

I must be a tough old SOB because I get liquid propane on my hands all the time. Yes it is cold but there is NO way you can get large enough volumes to freeze yourself. Government types have got you scared over nothing.

[@steves7896]

You could create a greater temperature differential between the two tanks if you start a campfire beneath the larger tank. Bathroom scales increase with accuracy over time, each time they're exposed to flowing water. By the way, you have closed shoes on. You should be wearing flip flops.

[@dutch1589]

Found this video helpful and compared to other videos this seems to be a relatively safe method. That said, he can afford a phone with a camera feature but not a screw driver?

[@TufRiverboards]

would putting the propane tank in a bucket of ice speed up the process? you could set the bucket and tank on the scale.

[@jenniesgarage]

***** That definitely speeds things up. The ice melts pretty quick though.

[@jstagzsr]

what im trying to do is the opposite of what you did here. With winter coming up in a month or 2 and with me living fully off grid in a camper on a 5 acre wooded property im gonna be going through propane constantly. last winter was my first winter in the camper and it was a nightmare.. ALWAYS cold.. ALWAYS stopping air leaks.. ALWAYS dingy air in the camper. having 2 dogs doesnt help with the dirt and smell. but mainly im sick of going to lowes 5x a month to buy 2 tanks at a time. I wanna get a couple 100lb propane tanks but you cant take those to a lowes. you can ONLY get 20lb tanks all over the place. so im starting the research process of seeing if its possible to transfer the contents of 20lb tanks into the 100lb tank and ill just go once a month and buy several 20lb tanks and refill the 100lb tanks myself so i dont have to have ANOTHER expense of paying someone to do it and only getting to have heat when they have time to come out.. last winter i ran a space heater 24/7 and it helped a lot with the cost of propane but now im off grid and 100% of my electricity is solar. i have 400AH 48v bank on a 5kw inverter and 100A mppt. if i have to run a space heater ill have about 3 hours a day of heat then be screwed and unable to have power. and if the battery dies at dusk or if its a cloudy day ill be really screwed. grabd design would be to build a cabin and have a fireplace but the 26 foot, no slideout camper is too small to have a fireplace. not with 2 dogs always wrestling and bumping into everything. so propane is my only option and thats gets very expensive very fast without a space heater. pre space heater i was going through 40lbs of propane a week. sometimes more. thats 400$ a month roughly just to have heat. cant do that again this winter. any insight from OP or anybody in the comments would be helpful.

[@c1d2e]

This good to know if you ever have to get propane out of a large tank that doesn't have a "wet line". Probably a few people ion frozen TX right now wish they knew this because when the powers out your furnace will not run. A 20lb tabnk will heat your RV or little buddy style heater.

[@billybbob18]

Everyone should watch the "Shake Hands With Danger " safety video before attempting this.

[@jwatsjunk]

Thanks for the video. Nicely done,

[@daiiahi3403]

BTW....When I take my tank to refill...they do it from a very lage tank and use the release valve to reduce the pressure...when vapors start to come out, they shut the gas. Sees you don't need to use water to cool the tank.

[@alaskahermithomesteader9549]

Amazing nobody has picked up on the fact that is an OPD valve. The is a lever inside that when the tank is full shut off the gas being put into the tank. If you open the bleeder screw you defeat the purpose of the oner fill protection device.

[@DayClanTribe]

As stated in prior post put the tank in bucket of ice and on the scale. Add water to full bucket of ice for full contact so the gas will condense to liquid in the tank..

[@schueltar]

Every single gas line that I have seen has a copper hogtail (that's the line that runs from the service valve to the regulator.) only after that does it sometimes go to a plastic line (those became popular in the last few years) copper is still used for the underground lines when it is cheaper to run the copper then the plastic. It's cheaper for the propane supplier to run a plastic line in runs of over 50 feet or so (this is because of the connections required for the plastic line.)

[@TeamPlur1]

Can this be done in reverse? When thethey first came to fill my tank, the guy added about 20 gallons from a smaller tank. What do I need to do that?

[@jenniesgarage]

Emmanuel Ruvalcaba That way is easier. Just turn the little tank upside down and hold it above the big tank. It goes faster because you can transfer the liquid directly without having to condense the gas. the big tank should be cooler than the small tank too. once the small tank gets close to empty you'll have to shake it around to get the last of the propane because the OPD float will drop down and shut down the flow.

[@TeamPlur1]

***** thanks!

[@clasicradiolover]

That's what I want to see a video of. I just bought a 100Lb. cylinder I have two 20Lb. cylinders. I was thinking two trips would keep me from having to lift the big one!

[@ChickenParm152]

heres an oldie. here at the place i go to in upstate ny they use a scale :) Good to know you can do this. I will use this method to fill my 1lb bottles for ice fishing and cold weather camping

[@jenniesgarage]

In a pinch it works, but is slow.

[@ChickenParm152]

@@jenniesgarage thanks!

[@jeffstone7912]

put tank in deep freezer for a few hours before you begin.

[@bobminer2929]

You would have to do the freezer thing about 8 times. The bottle does not have enough mass. Playing the freezer game I can get 22 pounds of propane in a 20 bottle with an OPV. Without an OPV I can get it completely full. By the time the propane warms up the relief valve will pop.

[@truewealth50]

What about filling your home tank from a smaller tank,to maintain your lower gas level?

[@ScientistPrepper]

I see so Jennies Garage is condensing isobarically or following the constant pressure line on the mollier chart as he drops temperature. Or just filling a propane tank.

[@vincentvalle9697]

Thanks for the video

[@tony12345pl]

Hank hill would be proud!

[@jenniesgarage]

haha "yep"

[@melvincolbert6392]

Been doing it for years. Same set up but my fill lines comes out the bottom of tank.

[@aron6998]

If yours comes from the bottom you are transferring liquid he transferred vapor so two different strategies

[@JohnSmithZen]

I think I'd be a lot more comfortable with two or three bathroom scales stacked on top of each other. Made by 3 separate manufactures.

[@diesel4life7410]

In ontario they refill them way different they put them on a scale pretty much the exact way you did it be the use a compressor to pump the propane in here they don't tuch that lil screw

[@FixAllFixer62]

Very interesting man ,

[@jenniesgarage]

donald laisure yeah, it's kind of counter intuitive but it works if you have the patience

[@mariodouehi1284]

then use soapy water make sure no leaks no bubbles no leaks game over

[@kimwheeler4378]

This is dumb. You need to pull off the liquid port not vapor.

[@BWWGL9]

Safety calls for a EARTH GROUND, but what would I know...... 58 years doing Propane Conversions. With Don Bass and AK Miller

[@phillhuddleston9445]

Great safety advice Hank!

[@bobminer2929]

How many "professional" propane people use an ungrounded steel screw driver on the vent screw?

[@clintkysar1446]

BWWGL9 it's on the ground which appears to be the Earth if you have a spark you have a very small fire close valves and like magic they go out

[@jimfacteau4553]

just open the bleeder valve on the side of the valve, when liquid squirts out, its full

[@kcalvin66]

Yep as long as your hooked up to the liquid propane value not the vapor value ding dong tank full of propane vapors bogus ding dongers

[@factorvchick1829]

You said that the gas stations in your area do not fill by weight. Is that common where you live? In Texas, it is required to fill all DOT cylinders primarily by weight with a registered scale.

[@mrbear1302]

Some states require scales others do not. Where I live scales are actually not allowed.

[@waynehullihen3066]

You can't over fill with a overfill protection valve as demonstrated by the shape of your shut off valve handle.

[@bobminer2929]

OPV's do fail

[@MarvPerk3]

My big tank is empty and I'm looking for a way to put propane into it from a 20 lb tank (cause my propane service won't deliver for 10 days!). If I did the same hookup and warmed the 20 lb. with an electric blanket or pipe heater tape, would it flow from 20 lb to large tank (underground)?

[@carloslara9699]

If you over fill the tank above 80 percent of the entire capacity of the tank itself is not going to explode as you say. Is only will activate the over pressure relief exhaust valve when the internal pressure above 200 psi. When the pressure slow down due the exhaust relief automatically close avoiding any posible accident

[@aron6998]

Wrong, relief valve is set higher than 200

[@RedefineLiving]

Why not place the tank in a large container of cold water with ice possibly and compensate for the additional weight on the scale?

[@Amerikanin2numarali_ustasi]

make the smaller tank sit in a ICE +Water filled bucket, and OPD will prevent over filling... OPD: Overfill protection device...Not to be confused with OPP

[@aron6998]

Opds are known for failure never use them has a positive shutoff

[@alanreilly73]

thanks!...and I love that screw driver you used!...pretty high tech!

[@larryrussell4905]

At the gas station they "Pump" liquid propane into the tank. This only puts propane vapor into the tank which is WAY, WAY less volume.

[@cb-cj2ke]

Or you could just go to Tractor Supply and get it filled for 12 or 13 bucks.

[@cesarmolina2328]

Can you fill a large tank from a smaller 30 lb tank using the same method?

[@frankkociara4228]

while things were filling, i went and did some other chores around da house like throwing gasoline on the fireplace. i then went and checked on the transfer tanks and started to fart profusely as i smelled propane in da air; i decided there was no risk mixing butt air with propane air. i then started to light up my marijuana pipe to smoke around da tanks out of boredom. any questions?

[@elguerocomentero]

How did he run water for an hour and still have dry dirt under the tank?

[@dougiequick1]

Did you intentionally avoid showing the actual connections? LOL another THAT is what I wanted to see! I want to add a port onto my main tank ...not sure what that install looks like

[@thedavesofourlives1]

1. If you DID overfill it (which you cannot since this is an OPD valve) it would pop the safety and vent gas, not explode. 2. You can't over-fill a tank with an OPD valve (the three sided handle is a give-away). 3. Speed up the process and put tank in the freezer before filling.

[@jenniesgarage]

What I've been doing lately is putting the small tank in a tub of water and dumping all the ice from the fridge in there. It really speeds up the transfer and it doesn't make the big mud puddle either.

[@factorvchick1829]

The OPD valve could be compromised; that is why you always fill by weight.

[@guitarchugga]

The main danger of over filling (apart from the relief valve popping a slug of liquid in your face, back of your car, or on your hand where it could give you a nasty freeze burn) is having liquid propane or butane going down the pipeline to your appliance, be that a bbq,patio heater or anything for that matter, they run off Vapour, Its extremley dangerous to overfill for this reason, lighting liquid is a drama. thats why videos like this shouldnt really be on here in my opinion, leave it to the pro's.

[@cj691]

Interesting video. That outter acme thread on your 20lb cylinder tells me it has a cutoff float valve, so you could have done it without a scale. I am not 100% sure why some places do it by weight and some places use the purge valve. I have only ever seen the weight method until watching some YT videos out of curiosity.

[@lattermanstudio]

Very good video..... !!!

[@carpenterbrown3949]

They do weight the tank for sure it is the only way to know for sure the volume in any propane tank

[@penfoldooo2160]

+Carpenter Brown Agreed. Weighing is the best way to do something like this. Don't know if I'd use cheap bathroom scales, but he left himself a 25% buffer so that's cool.

[@tonybotchagaloop2925]

You are taking a "gas" and waiting, and waiting, and waiting..... for it to cool enough and get enough pressure to turn it into a liquid again. I guess it's OK if you have an entire day to kill? Instead, if you have a 100lb tank, hook up a propane hose, or that copper contraption to it and turn it upside down. Hook up the little tank and fill it with LIQUID propane. Takes about a minute. You will feel the small tank get warm as the pressure increases, this is OK since it actually gives you a safety margin. The pressure of the propane is dependent on the temperature, so the little warm tank will actually stop filling before it's completely full, but it will get you by 2/3's full . You can't overfill it unless you make it colder that the larger tank. If all I had was that big tank, I would have had it plumed to the gas grill also, so you wouldn't have to waste a day. And if it's not plumbed to the grill, I'd rather pay extra to exchange a tank somewhere than to take a whole day to fill the small tank. I guess if you have nothing else to do, and the closest place to swap out a tank is a few hours away, yes, then go for it.

[@BWWGL9]

Next time just put the Smaller Vessel in the FREEZER 30 minutes prior, it works very well.

[@condor5635]

It's actually passing liquid not gaseous propane during the transfer. Nice video thanks

[@codycroghan483]

Not the way he has it hooked up

[@Badboy7357]

That means when I take my BBQ tank to the truck stop to get filled, I am not getting completely filled. They hook it up and are done in five min. The do meter the flow so I only pay for what transfers, but it isn't truly full.

[@jenniesgarage]

Hi, They're filling it with liquid so it goes a lot faster than the method in the video. Just watch the meter and make sure they're charging the right amount. The real ripoff is those propane tank exchange places.

[@Badboy7357]

Yea, but the exchanges are convenient and you pay extra for that. In my area, it is cheaper to buy a filled tank from the exchange than new from the hardware store and have it purged then filled at a truck stop. Sometimes I find discarded tanks and exchange them for one in better shape.

[@factorvchick1829]

Most bottle stations have pumps that pump the liquid at a set rate through a meter and into your bottle. This makes the filling process rather quick. Propane filling professionals should also put your bottle on a registered scale to fill it. They will take the tare weight of the bottle and add the amount of propane in LBS that the bottle can hold and add 2-4 LBS to that to accommodate for the hose and nozzle and set the scale to that. Also, as they are filling the bottle, they may or may not open the screw on the side of the valve which will release liquid when the tank reaches 80% which is full. However, the plastic tube inside the bottle that is connected to the valve that indicates that it is full can be compromised or have fallen into the bottom of the bottle. Propane professionals are required to fill primarily by weight. They are also not supposed to fill a bottle if it is out of date or in very bad condition. Exchange racks are convenient, but expect that most of the time you will not get a full bottle. Bottles in most exchange racks are called 20# cylinders. This is because they hold 20# of propane when they are full. Many exchange rack bottles only have 15-17# of propane. This will be marked on the bottle or the cage itself.

[@Badboy7357]

Filling at a LP gas depot, they do put the tanks on a scale when filling. When done at a truck stop, they sit on the ground (Or on the RV) with nothing but the meter measurement. As long as I am paying for what I get, it is safe, and will not run out 15 min into a BBQ, I am fine with that.

[@williamsilva7425]

Pretty cool. Can you tell us what valve you are drawing from on the large tank? Also, how about putting the small tank in a styrofoam container or other container filled with ice. Check you tare weight with both the empty small tank and the ice filled container. Then start filling. Seems it would be a much quicker fill.

[@martywebster8833]

Great video!

[@joshg1244]

I wonder what would happen if you put a Vacuum on the small tank before hooking them up.

[@turbofiat]

I thought propane vapor condensed back into a liquid at -47F/-42C unless it was first mechanically compressed. Or I should say propane boils above -47F. How could you get the receiver tank that cold with a water hose? I would think you would need something like dry ice or liquid nitrogen. If that's the case then If you were to connect a full #20 tank to an A/C evaporator coil with a fan behind it, then connect an empty #20 tank from the discharge end of the condenser and place it in a deep freezer could you use this set up as an air conditioner? So as the liquid turns into a gas it absorbs heat. As you may know propane has basically the same heat absorbing properties as R-12 refrigerant. Only problem is it's explosive. The question is would you need to turn the full tank upside down and feed the liquid through an expansion valve? Or just crack the valve open just a bit on the source tank turned right side up?

[@aron6998]

While stored propane has a temperature of close to ambient temperature so the water is cooler than ambient so it allows the propane to refrigerate....propane liquid to the atmosphere is approximately -45 but if you were to view a temperature gauge on say a storage tank it would read within 10 degrees of ambient

[@ColettaHughes]

Damn i'm glad you don't live next door to me :(

[@jenniesgarage]

don't worry I wouldn't steal your gas :)

[@berad187]

@@jenniesgarage Lol 🤣

[@BlàckÐèàth]

Instead of leaving your hose on and wasting water for an hour how about just placing the small tank in a cooler with ice? Or better yet if you have a meat freezer place the small tank in there for 20 minutes or so ahead of time?

[@larryw7594]

Who has a meat freezer with enough room for a propane tank??? Who has a cooler setting around that is large enough for a 20 lb tank and ice???? Who has a water hose? = everyone. Smh

[@BlàckÐèàth]

@@larryw7594 Just put the tank in the kiddy pool along with all your Natty Ice.

[@donniecarrascosr.9912]

You need to use the bleeder valve to bleed the air out while filling. Good video though.

[@firstclass7070]

Sweet screwdriver

[@BrandonTWills]

Can you stick a small ice pack under the small tank? Would it cool too quickly, not enough?

[@NateBuck93]

Just lookin at the valve on the 20 pounder it looks like it is an OPD cylinder which means it can't be overfilled.

[@rickielarson4069]

You know just enough to be dangerous.

[@JCsflock]

Was concerned you were going to stoke up while waiting for the vapor to turn into liquid. are you a comedian?

[@chriscall7908]

Feeling kinda stupid. Maybe my tank is old, but I cannot for the life of me figure out the inside thread on the small tank. Pulled the hook-up hose off my grill and going to give it a try (not sure how the regulator will handle backward flow.) UPDATE: no go ....... Back to wondering how to hook up to my 30#

[@snuckyr]

can you put the small tank in a chest freezer before beginning the transfer?

[@outdoorrelaxation5511]

You went about this the wrong way. You should have used A propane Valve With a bleeder valve tapped into it That way as your filling it It allows the air to exit And your able to bleed off whatever is left in the Line. The scale method Is accurate somewhat. But if you want Max Capacity the bleeder valve method is best.

[@yyabay]

good and neat job

[@E.a.Z.S.e.n.T]

Now so can it work vice versa it's winter and we need propane for our heater n got a 5 gallon and need to fill the big tank before it's Bellow 25/%. So could u just basically have the big tank which is already very cold cause of snow n transfer from a warm 5 gallon a reply would be appreciated