Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I was walking out of Lowes and saw the Blue Rhino truck driver loading up a couple of rusty out of service bottles into his truck. He told me that Lowes does such a high volume with them that they swap out junkers for new, just to get new customers. A new filled bottle costs over $45.00 if you don't have an exchange.
Inflationary pressures, including the volatile costs of steel, diesel fuel, and propane, have had a significant impact on the cylinder exchange industry. In 2008, to help control these rising costs, Blue Rhino followed the example of other consumer products companies with a product content change. We reduced the amount of propane in our tanks from 17 pounds to 15 pounds.
To ensure our consumers are properly notified, Blue Rhino clearly marks the amount of propane contained in our tanks, right on the package.
At one time Blue Rhino was using a special valve that prevented many places from refilling them. They had a triangular indentation on the body of the valve that required a specially ground magnet to release a ball that blocked refilling. You can make one if you get any of these valves but it is a good thing to know ahead of time.
I do not know what their current practice is so just an FYI
Problem is that they are NOT "filled", they only contain about 3.57 gallons of propane, not the full 5 gallons. This is NOT due to the expansion room required, it's so they can charge less but you get less also. Propane weighs 4.2# per gallon.
Old style propane tanks make good air tanks once you get them cleaned out. You might smell like rotten eggs for a few days if your not careful.
Mike
To refill from a large tank, like in a gas station with no power, you need a pump for liquid propane. You need to be pretty careful about grounding and using the proper style of pumps for flammable liquids too.