One Pound Propane Re fill Adapter

[Irish2]

Has anyone used the adapter to put on your 30 lbs tank to enable you to refill the 1 lb disposable tanks. I was looking into purchasing one to avoid lugging around the 20 lb tank for my BBQ.

[AZDesertRat]

Been using one for years and they work great. Place the 1# cylinders in the freezer for 30 minutes or so, screw it on the adapter which is tightened on the 20 or 30 lb cylinder, turn it upside down, open the valve until you hear the bubbling and sound stop, shut it off, trun it over, disconnect and do it all over again with another.

I have found some brands like Coleman fill better than off brands for some reason but I have 10 or so 1# I have been refilling for several years with no issues. As someone already mentioned, it sucks when the Buddy heater runs out in the middle of the night and it 4 degrees outside. Beats running the furnace or generator and an electric heater.

[beemerphile1]

Peg Leg wrote:
...I don't even try to get them full, no need with extra bottles available....

My Big Buddy can go through two FULL bottles in a night on high. Bottles that are 75% means no heat at 3 a.m.

[beemerphile1]

tvman44 wrote:
When filling the 1# tank does the source tank need to be right side up or upside down? 🙂

The valve of the source tank should be down. You want to be transferring liquid, not gas.

[Big_Katuna]

tvman44 wrote:
When filling the 1# tank does the source tank need to be right side up or upside down? 🙂

Upside down and for best results, full. You can refill the 2.5 and 5 pound tanks too.

[tvman44]

When filling the 1# tank does the source tank need to be right side up or upside down? 🙂

[gmctoyman]

Refillable by design

[Irish2]

This why I have a member of this site since 2003. All excellent information and advice. It is much appreciated

Thank you all.

[Big_Katuna]

I have propane Tiki lights that require the one pound tank. No way to use a hose plus they are many feet apart.

I don't think they have a safety release valve. That is a bleeder valve.

I made a valve tool so I can bleed the tank.

I made my fill device with a flexible hose so I can set the 1 pound tank on a food scale.

[Bumpyroad]

scbwr wrote:
Another option is to buy a smaller tank and adapter hose. I bought a 5 lb. tank to use with my Weber grill.

that's what I did.
bumpy

[12thgenusa]

1. Works very well. Not really much hassle.
2. Refill about $0.89. New never less than $2 where I live.
3. Follow the directions exactly and the refil will be just slightly less than one lb.
4. There is no risk of the bottle rupturing. There is a built-in relief valve.
5. Not illegal to refill and transport unless done commercially.
6. No empties to throw in the trash.

[Peg_Leg]

I'm with BillyW. I carry 4 bottles in a metal case along with the adaptor. I don't even try to get them full, no need with extra bottles available.
I try to set the empty bottles in a shady or cooler place than the full cylinder. I listen and can hear when the gas is flowing. Once the flow stops or one minute (checked via watch second hand) I stop filling and move to the next bottle.
Always check for leaks. If I have a bottle that won't seal I'll leave it hooked up to the grill this seals it from the atmosphere. Or I'll leave it burning until empty to help clean the grill and then dispose of it. If I catch bottles on sale I rotate out all of my old ones. I've had 2 bottles than wouldn't seal in 15 yrs.

[coolbreeze01]

Good info. I bought an adapter, but haven't used it yet.

[TurnThePage]

I do it all the time year round. It works very well. It's true that it's difficult to get those canisters completely full, let alone over filled. I average around 75% full, which is good enough for me. I re-use them until they quit holding propane reliably, but store them in the garage which has plenty of ventilation. I don't find the process arduous at all.

[wcjeep]

I freeze the small disposable when empty. After a few yours in the freezer it's ready. Wear leather gloves and eye protection. Perform this outside. When refilling the ice on the side of the small container will slowly disappear. You can also hear the transfer in progress. When full turn off the big tank. There is a small chance an ice crystal can develop in the small container. You'll know. If an ice crystal develops set container down outside away from the building. In a few minutes it will empty. Give the small empty an hour to melt the ice crystal. Refreeze.

As mentioned before only reuse so many times. If an ice crystal develops on a container more than once toss it. Leather gloves are required in case of leak. Leaking propane will hurt bare skin.

[Irish2]

Yes that is another option to look at also. I thought refilling the tanks would make give me a cheaper option than buying the small tanks but more so, with age comes a degree of difficulty climbing up into the back of the truck to haul out the bigger propane tank.:)