I'm just a weekend camper. I'm happy to have the small tanks. I only go through about two a year and it's so easy to go almost anywhere and exchange them for 20 bucks.I do like the convenience of it.
There is only one place that I know of within 40 miles of me that fills the 30 pound , or larger, propane tanks. They can only do it from 9-5 on the weekdays. I'm sure there are more if I go out to the 70 mile range. But, I don't get to those places that often.
If I have the time I can fill any tank myself from the large tank hooked to the hog barn on the farm. I do this for the ones I use for my backyard grill. I have to. They are still the old style tanks and you can not get them filled in town anymore. I'm not even sure the exchange place will take them.