Before you accept an exchange 20# propane bottle

[past-MIdirector]

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 We've noticed that both Blue Flame and AmeriGas are using outdated bottles.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 Propane suppliers will not refill outdated exchange bottles so you are therefore stuck with exchanging them only.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!!

[Clay_L]

Those tanks are usually re-inspected and have a new date stamped on them somewhere.

[stuplich]

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

Correct!
Most 20# "exchange tanks" come with only 15# of propane, (read the label)!
When you get an empty 20# tank filled you will leave with 20# of propane.
Mel
'96 Safari

[Raymon]

Most of the pre-filled 20 lb tanks contain only 15 lbs of propane. This started several years ago when the price of propane skyrocketed. Many people do not realize when they purchase pre-filled tanks at Walmart etc, they are only getting 15 lbs. Some of the people selling the propane don't even know the tanks do not contain 20 lbs. I have found it is always cheaper to keep your newer tanks and have them filled to the maximum amount allowed.

Ray

[MitchF150]

I had good luck exchanging with Amerigas... Took my old, but not yet expired tanks (within a year or so of expiring) and paid $20 + tax for a new tank with some gas in it. I made sure to check the dates in the rack before I went to to pay. All were within a year and some were the current year.

Looking a new tanks in the stores, they want $30-$40 for them.... Then you have to fill them up!

I don't care if the exchange tanks are a little lite on gas when you first get them... Heck, I just got a new tank and at least a couple of gallons of gas for $20! I'll just keep refilling the tanks until they get to around the 10-11 year mark and swap again! 🙂

Works for me...

Mitch

[mpfireman]

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.

[2oldman]

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.

[ScottG]

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.

[rv2go]

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.

[BuckBarker]

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.

[MeandMyLabs]

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.

[LynnandCarol]

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

[ScottG]

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

[RoyB]

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

[downtheroad]

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.)