Propane tanks 10 years old, what is best choice ???

gbopp wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
Where I worked we had gas cylinders dating back to WWI, yes one. Re-certified every 10 years and in fine shape.

I wonder if the tanks built today will last that long :@

Quite likely, yes.

Propane (and other hazardous materials) cylinders are built to USDOT standards. Wall thickness and material are specified and the tanks have to pass pressure tests. So the tanks are all pretty much the same. The only really variable thing is the quality of the paint coating.

time2roll wrote:
If you can get an easy and cheep re-certification that is fine. I just bought new 30# cylinders from Costco.com to be done with it.

I bought 2 new ones from Costco as well. The price difference between new from there and recertifications was minimal and less hassle.

Deleted

agesilaus wrote:
I have never seen an exchange program for any tanks but 20#cylinders. And yes for 20# I just exchange it. My 30# cylinders got recertified. I see a 30# cylinder is $65 on Amazon, I'd expect recert price to be more like $10.

Exchange typically only gives you 15 lbs of propane.

Just go to a propane dealer and get them recertified.

Ken

agesilaus wrote:
Check the local propane vendors, I don't mean the cylinder swappers. One of them will do certifications and such. We got our tanks re-certified and since we got the tanks filled they didn't charge us for the service. No matter what it's cheaper than a new tanks.
Where I worked we had gas cylinders dating back to WWI, yes one. Re-certified every 10 years and in fine shape.

We have 2 100# tanks made by skellygas build dated in 1937 and 1941. No problem refilling them. Their tare weight is over 86# vs new tanks tare at 72#
Thats a lot thicker steel.
For our 20 & 30 # tanks, Amerigas recerts (5 yr) for free when we refill with them

I live on the salt water, and I'm lucky to get 6-7 years on my 20# propane tanks (for my BBQ). I take them to get refilled and they often say: This will be the last time. Rust is the enemy. I've found that it is cheaper to exchange the tanks than to get them re-filled and re-certified. Life is too short to remove the rust and repaint.

Besides the fixed propane tank in the MH, I carry (2) 1 gallon tanks for the BBQ, fire-pit, etc., and they do not seem to have a problem with rust?

When our 30 gallon tanks needed recertification both had leaking valves. The cost difference between the valve replacement and new tank, and 5 years versus 10 years, I just got new tanks.

I take my 30s to a bilk seller. Last time I had them filled they had 1 month left before needing re-cert. They told me they would do it when I brought them back next time. I think he said $12. Of course that will be like 3 years. We just don't use much propane.

And yes they check dates. Not sure if LP tanks are the same as SCUBA, but SCUBA tanks are most likely to fail during refill.

I also have 2 other 30s I keep in the shop (bought from Amazon). He did miss them being new but was glad I told him since they have to be purged.

It's not a bad idea to have them checked for recertification. In 2018, one of mine was found to have a slow leak around the valve. The valve was replaced and and the tank recertified.