LPG Cylinder Swap

[rodwha]

I've seen how some LPG tanks/cylinders are measured by lbs and some by gals so I wondered if there was some sort of typo or maybe I just misunderstood as I thought all cylinders were measured by lbs so I looked at our outdoor grill and noticed a 15 lb cylinder and not a 20.

I have assumed these (BBQ grill) were standard size and that when it came time to swap cylinders for an RV you would do so at the grocery store. So where do you swap out 20 and 30 lb cylinders?

Also how does the weight to volume compare? How many gals does a 20 lb cylinder hold?

[2oldman]

3oaks wrote:
They charge the same price to top off a partially depleted tank as they do to refill a completely empty tank.

That's to discourage people wanting a half-gallon 'fill up'.

How much is partially depleted to you?

[3oaks]

Some people think exchange tanks are a rip off? Try my local propane supplier.
They charge the same price to top off a partially depleted tank as they do to refill a completely empty tank. I like to start a trip with two full propane tanks. However I always wait until I find a propane dealer that charges by the gallon to refill a partially used tank. Shop local.......not in my home area.

[Sandia_Man]

The standard bbq tank are 20# tanks and commonplace on many RVs. When they are exchanged they are not fully filled and will contain 15# or thereabouts. We always have them filled where propane is available, but over the last dozen years we have run dangerously low on a Sunday or where there was no propane refill service in the vicinity which resulted in using the exchange method.

On both occasions exchanges were from Walmart and their low everyday pricing was within a couple of dollars of what 15# of propane would have cost at our local propane company. I don't fret the small stuff, exchanged tanks were in better condition, we were able to stock up on supplies, and on both accounts, we were able to continue our extended off the grid trips without issue.

[rodwha]

Reading a bit I see complaining about swapping and getting cheated, but then I also read the same of having them filled. Does anyone place a scale down at fillup?

I wouldn't want to swap out new cylinders for an unknown one...

We have a propane business not far from us. I'd go there for now. I wondered about other times such as when you are out all summer, which we are looking forward to doing. The grocery store sure would be convenient... As an aside I'm wondering about filling our grill's cylinder there now that I'm thinking about it, rather than swapping it (15 lbs for about $15). I'll be sure to weigh it just to see from now on.

[2oldman]

Let me google that for you.

[turbojimmy]

One gallon of propane weighs 4.2 lbs. A 20 lb. tank should hold 4.7 gallons of propane. Most "exchange" places only fill them to 75% or about 3.6 gallons. Total rip off. I have mine FILLED locally rather than exchange them. You can feel the difference between a full 20 lb. tank and the 3/4 full ones they give you at the big box stores.

[K_Charles]

I bought the tanks and have them filled, why would you swap a new tank with another one? I bet the "grocery store" you swap it with doesn't give you a full tank.