Make sure you check the date on the propane bottle that you exchange next time. We've noticed that both Blue Flame and AmeriGas are using outdated bottles. We went to Walmarts the other day and the young man pulled a Blue Flame bottle with a 02/00 date on the bottle. I told him I wanted a bottle with a current date to which he said what date. We went threw half the rack before we found one with a 12/10 date. Most were 02 and earlier. Propane suppliers will not refill outdated exchange bottles so you are therefore stuck with exchanging them only. This same thing happened to us up north at a campground with AmericGas and the newest bottle they had was 06/97 in there rack and again the individual did not know about the date. They were also filling bottles on site and not checking dates. Bottles are good for 12 years from manufacture date and then need a re-inspected sticker that are not being done on these exchanged bottles!!

Good advice...and beside that, "exchange" propane is at least twice as expensive as owning and refilling your own tanks.(at least it is around here.)

So far I usually get away with re-filling my tanks here at home before going on our trips. Still have my same 2008 propane bottles. We usually always use the camp ground 20AMP pedestals for our oil-filed portable electric heaters when camping so it saves a bunch of propane use for us on the trips. Very seldom run the propane furnace. Way too noisy for us. Keeps me AWAKE all nightRoy Ken

That's really lousy. I used to sell Blue Flame and we weren't supposed to accept out-dated tanks.

The exchange tanks are almost always light on fuel by at least a gallon! Not a bargain.

I asked a retailer this question and he stated that tanks are certified for 12 years and then could be recertified for an additional 6 years but outdated tanks could be inspected and refilled each time. It doesn't seem right but that is what I was told. I am sure someone will have more knowledge about this and will hopefully share.

Before you accept an exchange 20# propane bottle

downtheroad
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Good advice...and beside that, "exchange" propane is at least twice as expensive as owning and refilling your own tanks.
(at least it is around here.)
RoyB
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2014
So far I usually get away with re-filling my tanks here at home before going on our trips. Still have my same 2008 propane bottles. We usually always use the camp ground 20AMP pedestals for our oil-filed portable electric heaters when camping so it saves a bunch of propane use for us on the trips. Very seldom run the propane furnace. Way too noisy for us. Keeps me AWAKE all night

Roy Ken
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 13, 2014
That's really lousy. I used to sell Blue Flame and we weren't supposed to accept out-dated tanks.
LynnandCarol
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
The exchange tanks are almost always light on fuel by at least a gallon! Not a bargain.
MeandMyLabs
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
I asked a retailer this question and he stated that tanks are certified for 12 years and then could be recertified for an additional 6 years but outdated tanks could be inspected and refilled each time. It doesn't seem right but that is what I was told. I am sure someone will have more knowledge about this and will hopefully share.
BuckBarker
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Walmart(s)? Yep, I can tell you are from MI. Me too. It took years to drop the s from Ford(s), Kroger(s), etc.
rv2go
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2014
OK...On the other side.
If someone had an outdated tank, could they exchange it for a tank that was in date?

PS: I have not had a 20 lb tank in over 12 years since fulltiming. I do have a 5 lb tank for the grill.
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 13, 2014
rv2go wrote:
OK...On the other side.
If someone had an outdated tank, could they exchange it for a tank that was in date?

PS: I have not had a 20 lb tank in over 12 years since fulltiming. I do have a 5 lb tank for the grill.

We were trained to watch for out of date tanks and reject them but the sales rep from Blue Rhino told me they won't say anything if they occasionally get one. We were also to reject them if they were too rusty.
I never worried about the date.
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2014
BuckBarker wrote:
Walmart(s)? Yep, I can tell you are from MI. Me too. It took years to drop the s from Ford(s), Kroger(s), etc.
Out west it's Boeings and Nordstroms.
mpfireman
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Tanks are certified for 12 years when NEW, and require a re certification every 5 years thereafter,
But many places that re fill those tanks, never check the dates.

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Before you accept an exchange 20# propane bottle

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