Refilling Propane Tanks at Home

Don't throw away your used, empty propane cylinders. This vid shows how easy, and cheap refilling them at home is.
www.harborfreig...
or www.walmart.co...
cylinders.

[@bootslangley4875]

Hi Folks, I completely agree with PlatinumLawnServices comments. Having refilled the same green bottles for years, here's a few more added tips; This guy tightened the ($18 Harbor Freight) adapter more than enough. Tighten until just snug, do not torque it down (same with the "Greenie"). Says so in the instructions. It threads into the host tank counter clockwise (if you didn't notice). Don/t cross thread it or the fine (clockwise) Green bottle threads. Do not use a green bottle with a rust inside (top) like in the video. Recycle that one. Once refilled, do the soapy water test for leaks and if all is good, be sure the top is dry and put the little rubber cap it comes with on it (which help keep it from rusting and protects the fine threads). The empty bottle weighs about 16oz, and the refilled bottle shouldn't weigh more than 1 lb 12- 1 lb 14oz. When I refill from my 7 gal RV tank, I flip it (host tank with greenie attached) over "Carefully" and give it a 60 second count (It takes about 2-3min per bottle to install, refill remove, test for a leak and weigh). You get a slight "Ppfffsssttt" of gas as you (quickly) unscew the Greenie bottle, which is normal and unavoidable. Don't refill near an open flame. I weigh it using a postal scale (not an inaccurate at that weight human bathroom scale). If over, put the "Greenie" in whatever grill/heater, etc you are using it for and burn off a little of the propane/extra weight. You don't have to put the Bottle(s) in the freeze, (you can but) just the refer is OK (1/2 hour is about all that is needed), as long as there is a temp differential of at least 20-30 degrees. I use an infrared digital thermometer to check temps. DO NOT touch the little valve on the side!!! DO NOT. DO NOT store them in the sun/near a heat source other than the Buddy Heater/Grill etc it is attached to. THAT can over pressurized them with bad results. Although all that (Normally) will happen is that valve stem will vent the propane to atmosphere. It can't "Pool up" or explode unless you had it stored inside a closed space, with a heat source/open flame right next to it (don't do that either). BTW; I have NEVER, in dozens and dozens and dozens of refills from my large RV propane tank, had a greenie swell up. Even with 1 lb 17oz in it (when New, they weigh 1 lb 16oz). If you do the above and be smart/safe about it, you get years of use and not spend the ($3.25+ ea @ Wallyworld) over priced $$ that all these price gouging camping stores want to charge. I pay about $3.50/gal (6/2019) to have my propane delivered to my RV park, and I've got the refilled Green bottle price down to about $.75-.80 ea, On High, in my 4 yr old Little Heater Buddy, I get about 6-8 hours heat time. On low, even longer. Transporting is illegal? Well I suppose, but if it was a real problem, then they would also ban RV's from carrying the big tanks (which also get refilled in the same way. ie from an even larger tank) and all propane would be banned as well. These are as safe as you make them. Remember they had to be filled at the factory in much the same way as we refill them ourselves. Be safe and have fun. cheers Boots Langley La Mesa, Ca

[@an3582]

This is pretty cool. we go camping to the beach every summer and i can tell you, me and my dad are gonna do this from now on.

[@Jsellers1965]

That's Awesome!!! I would have loved to seen the weight of the empty before and after to see how much it took and compare it to a new one. Could be very useful when camping as well! Great Job!

[@fencekid]

I thought about how sweet it would be to have a scale to be able to show that. Just feeling by hand, they are as heavy as a new tank, and last just as long.

[@Jsellers1965]

I don't doubt it. Looked heavy in your hand. I bet you may have gotten a little more so it would last a little longer

[@bootslangley4875]

see my above reply for info cheers Boots Langley La Mesa, ca

[@SACMP6]

These one pound bottles are not constructed to be refilled. Read the warning label. There are refillable one pound cylinders that are safe.

[@kevinrochford6842]

I always put a bbq lighter near it to check for leaks 💥

[@gforsyth4]

You're channel is awesome man. Thanks!

[@IansOddInterests]

Big safety factor. Don’t overfill the small cylinder as there must be expanded gas above liquid. If cylinder overfull of liquid and you attach this to your camp stove and switch on, liquid comes out of stove, it expands at hob and holding a match ….boom…expanding liquid turning into gas igniting at the match… kaaboom .. folks did this for home cylinders using lpg at filling station… went home connected to cooker and blew half their house down. Underfill , don’t overfill. !!! Must be gas inside cylinder not just liquid.

[@ichigo3223]

Transporting a refilled propane cylinder is illegal under federal law. (It says on the label) However, if you refill it and use it at home I think it's ok. The problem comes when you start transporting these around with faulty seals and they start leaking.

[@bjack6174]

Question. How will they know you refilled it?

[@ichigo3223]

@@bjack6174 It's not like the gas police is gonna stop you and ticket you.... it's in the off chance you happen to have an accident with a gas tank and police or whatever can prove you either refilled it or tamper it. Then you get fined. There is a refillable kit with a DOT approved tank and does the same thing but "safer".

[@darwin5763]

nice tip! always appreciate your videos

[@robertjahrling1877]

Thanks for the heads up on the leaking thing 👍

[@WaschyNumber1]

You have to weighing the correct weight and not overfill it.

[@tj84vinnie]

perfect example or recycle reuse good job

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

One of the few instances where recycling actually saves money rather than wasting it.

[@pbsexton5177]

Thanks, Appreciate your videos

[@FrugalFarmerChannel]

Excellent video. Does the possibility exist to over fill small canister? Thanks!

[@andrewsmart2949]

vapour pressure of LPG/Propane is the same in both size cyl(around 80-120psi),a fairly low pressure for a gas cyl

[@bbbmmm1713]

Yes, it is. I have had bulge out. That's right, metal being bent like it's a balloon. It is scary when you realize what is going on. Do not overfill the tanks

[@bootslangley4875]

@@RavenTheLabrador I'm not sure an exploding tank would be a "Pleasure"! What other videos are you watching? ;-)

[@OrgasmicalyGrown]

I've done this since I was a kid(currently 44 yrs old)and if ya take needle nose pliers or hemostats and pull up on the valve(tire valve core)that's in the top of the bottle you're fillin until mist(propane)comes out you'll get ya bottles totally full.....wear gloves since its extremely cold

[@dispatchforthwith]

Sweeeeeeet...to have you back ;-)

[@joseh2791]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@rgon9724]

dude youre awesome. Great public speaker. lol.

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

Dude! I miss your videos. Make some more please.

[@fencekid]

I would, but dam, my new career has me workin up a storm. And my computer software is all jacked up. Dam thing crashes every time I try to produce a vid

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

fencekid Thanks for responding back. Can’t complain about working too much with your new career congratulations on that. And computers are very frustrating I don’t even use mine anymore since I got an iPad LOL. Well you are just one of my favorite KZbin channels and I watch your videos over and over LOL but I’m not a stalker don’t worry 😉. Take care and maybe one of these days you’ll find time to make us a video so we can hear what other brilliance you have coming at us. Take care 😁

[@fencekid]

Right on. That's a hella cool comment. Thx! I've been meaning to get around to a vid about the new career, cuz it's kinda like a fresh start for folks that didn't make the best career decisions when they were younger, and find themselves in dead end jobs. Extremely high demand with tons of opportunity to make the kind of money never thought possible with only a high school education. Finally, a job where extra hustle pays off. Especially for the single, with no kids type like myself. I've been gathering footage as I go, and just need to knock the video out! Thanx for the motivation :)

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

fencekid that’s awesome! It’s great you can bust your ass and get paid for it .I know I’ve been in jobs where no matter how hard you work they don’t seem to compensate so I’m real glad for ya. $$$ is always a good thing. It’s not everything but it’s a good thing. Whoever said money doesn’t buy happiness is full of BS LOL. It sure does help. Cool, Will be looking for a new video when you can get it together. Anxious to hear about the new job. Take care

[@DiHandley]

You are the man!! Love it.

[@DaveScurlock]

Another cool video; thanks! How's the vegetable garden doing?

[@OffgridManiac]

Wal-Mart sells the adapter and if you turn big tank over it works better

[@DuncanCunningham]

did you watch the whole video before commenting? he turned it upsidedown before filling it.. or do you mean it is best on its side rather than upsidedown?

[@OffgridManiac]

+Duncan Cunningham no man. I just got excited about refilling propane tanks its awesome you can do it either way but you need a valve stem tool to loosen up the core on the small tank to fill It and close it when a frosty gas starts comin out the valve stem you loosened in the small can

[@bootslangley4875]

@@OffgridManiac NO NO NO NO. It's a relief valve only for overpressure from the inside. READ THE Greenie Instructions. Weigh it. 1lb 16 oz is when they are new, and you'll usually get 1 lb 12- 1lb 14oz per refill. Turn the host tank and greenie upside down, it's full of "Liquid Propane" ie LP gas.

[@WeatherNut27]

Whoa! Cool! Thanks!

[@angelene7281]

dude in every sentence😵

[@SirToomis]

Dude..... Boom!!!!! Sweet.....

[@DarinWixon]

Thanks fencekid!

[@mikeytython3222]

This dude is fucking awesome

[@bbbmmm1713]

This guys screen name should be Dude. Maybe ScoobyDude or DudeEDudeface.

[@Mc-nn6nj]

His Dudeness El Duderino

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

thx

[@lynnkjjones7066]

Dude???

[@DuncanCunningham]

So to test for leaks, fill it with vapors 1st and if it's ok, do the upside down after?

[@fencekid]

Naw, go right to the upside down thing. You don't want to push vapor in, just liquid. And test for leaks after you have filled it. I have found one that leaked among the 40 [or so I have filled.

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

All propane tanks will leak a little after you fill, especially if you cool them before filling. The valves allow the excess to bleed out to prevent over-pressurizing. One reason it is advised to store propane outside or at least for the first few hours after filling until they get to room temperature.

[@jj987987987]

is colder temperature really going to help you get more gas? just by looking at pv = nrt doesn't really make that claim true.

[@andrewsmart2949]

the liquid does'nt hit the sides of cyl and boil off so much if they are already cold,it reduces backpressure and lets more gas in quicker

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

Liquid is denser than a gas. Liquid occupies a state of lower temperature than gases. The ideal gas law has many limitations in direct real world application that may not be immediately apparent. In this case it does not transcend other states of matter.

[@Mc-nn6nj]

Dude... DUDE

[@philais]

Whoohoo!

[@apismellifera1000]

That is really cool. Be careful there is a warning that if you get caught transporting one of those after refilling you can go to prison for a few years and its on the warning label on the propane cylinder

[@bootslangley4875]

DUDE Please, no one has gone to prison for transporting a Greenie.

[@SuperCyril2]

These cylinders are not designed to be refilled. The safety relief valve on the cylinder is a one time use only set up. It can be done...but you are taking serious risks. The biggest risk is a leaking pressure relief valve. Someone not experienced with this should be careful.

[@bootslangley4875]

BS, they can be refilled over and over again. That "Warning" is so you go add profill to Coleman's bank account. Yes, be aware and safe when refilling but I've refilled the same bottles over and over again for years. Do the soapy water leak test frequently.

[@dpurplefox]

you are doing it WRONG. You need to open the valve on the small tank using a tire valve stem tool and open the valve and start filling like normal and wen it starts to spit out liquid then the tank is full close valve and your done. You must be careful and watch that the tank does not swell. When filling from the larger tank be careful to not open the valve to much to prevent swelling. You are much better getting a small tank that is designed for this purpose.

[@KylesYTU]

That's fricken ILLEGAL!!!! You can get fined $1000 and or be jailed for 5 years well only if you transport it when refilled.

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

It is not illegal at least in America. Read the law.

[@bootslangley4875]

DUDE Please, no one has gone to prison for transporting a refilled Greenie.