old propane tanks

Francesca Knowles wrote:
My recertified tanks have a sticker pasted on there by the recertifier. Costs five bucks a tank, and has to be done every few years. Nothing much to the process- they inspect for valve soundness and rust etc.
It's against my principles to get into that long-term trade off relationship with Blue Rhino.(Principle being I don't like to get taken).

I have a tank that is 23 years old that has been recertified twice. Just a sticker was added with next time due in 2015. 12 years from mfg date then 10 years then 5 years I think is the timing. Just a simple visual inspection and I was charged $5 the first time but nothing the 2nd time. The big thing they look at is how rusty the tank is and appearance at the seams. Randu

BobsYourUncle wrote:
I'd rather have the older tanks re-certified with the new valve than the cheap new ones.

The steel on the old tanks is thicker than those cheapo WalMart and other places tanks.

I remember doing some research on this a number of years ago when the stop fill valves became mandatory.

I did not give it a thought that the steel on the new tanks is thinner than the old tanks, has anyone else experienced this?. I will have to do some further research on this.

Who else besides Blue Rhino offers a tank exchange program? I'm with Francesca on this. You get gyped with a Blue Rhino tank exchange.

WoodGlue

Nest time one of them needs a refill.. Google Propane {zip code} and look for a "Store" with pictures of Propane Delivery Trucks on their web page.

If there are more than one in your area call around.

They generally do re-cert at these types of places.

Have the tank as empty as possible when you show up They will, for a small fee, inspect and re-cert the tank for you (assuming it meets requirements).

I usually get propane at 2 or 3 places,, One of them I've seen do it,, One of them CAN do it but I've only been there once.. The other one can not do it (Hardware store).. The park I'm in now.. Believe it or not, can do it. but I do not buy propane in RV parks as a general rule, (Higher prices).

Francesca Knowles wrote:
My recertified tanks have a sticker pasted on there by the recertifier. Costs five bucks a tank, and has to be done every few years. Nothing much to the process- they inspect for valve soundness and rust etc.

It's against my principles to get into that long-term trade off relationship with Blue Rhino.(Principle being I don't like to get taken).
I'd rather do the recertification than smile while I do that pay-them-for-twenty-and-get-fifteen thing Blue Rhino sticks its customers with.

You do know that the trade-in is a one time thing and you can get those tanks filled at your friendly neighborhood propane dealer, no need to get in a cycle with Blue Rhino.

I have a 10+ year old tank sitting back in the yard connected to my Bar-B-Que. Maybe I should take it and trade it in sometime soon.

Thanks for the reminder 4aSong!

WoodGlue

When one of my20# tanks is empty I set it out by my garage. I look the next day and there is a full exchange tank in its place. BTW my neighbor manages the local propane company.
Dave

I'd rather have the older tanks re-certified with the new valve than the cheap new ones.

The steel on the old tanks is thicker than those cheapo WalMart and other places tanks.

I remember doing some research on this a number of years ago when the stop fill valves became mandatory.

My recertified tanks have a sticker pasted on there by the recertifier. Costs five bucks a tank, and has to be done every few years. Nothing much to the process- they inspect for valve soundness and rust etc.

It's against my principles to get into that long-term trade off relationship with Blue Rhino.(Principle being I don't like to get taken).
I'd rather do the recertification than smile while I do that pay-them-for-twenty-and-get-fifteen thing Blue Rhino sticks its customers with.

Yep you can exchange them......then your old tanks will be re-certified by the exchange company

If they have been recertified the date of recertification will be stamped on the collar.
Propane cylinders are to be recertified 12 yrs. after date of mfg. and then every 5 yrs.
The relief valve should also be replaced at 12 yr. and every 10 yrs after.

With 20# cylinders just exchange them........recert fees vary ($15-$35) and relief valves are $55(+)