Refill one pound propane bottles

[path1]

We just like to cook outdoors. I guess you could say we sort of "car camp" with an RV. Little portable stove with lantern next to the Dutch ovens works for us. Going to start refilling one pound bottles and not trip over propane hose. For those that do refill their own, how many one pound bottles do you bring when you travel? My thoughts are: one in freezer, one working and maybe one extra just in case.
-What have you found to be the best number of one pound bottles to have on board? Is 3 about the right number?
-Do you bring a little scale along to make sure you don't over fill?
-Anything that would be helpful would be nice.
Thanks

[Dtaylor]

For me, it's a matter of convenience as the smaller bottles are easier to transport and take up less room. I do have a hose and connector to attach to the larger tank, but I do not use it.

[gotsmart]

Like a previous post, I recommend a 20 lb tank and one of these 5 foot hoses:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/5-propane-hose-assembly/30338

With a 20 lb tank I use a Grill Gauge to measure how much gas is left in the tank. I have a 2nd propane hose that taps the Stay-A-While Deluxe on the MH.
I ditched the 1 lb bottles 2 years ago.



Some fun facts:
Can I refill a Coleman® Propane Cylinder?
What is the shelf life of Coleman® Fuel?

[Gjac]

Thanks Path1 for the web sites, it looks straight forward to refill.I use mine in a Buddy heater which won't be until fall. I was going to plumb a line to the main tank but I like the flexibility to move it to different parts of the MH like the shower area when it is cold. I don't like the idea of a 10 ft hose to trip over either. The cheapest that I have seen these bottles is at Walmart for $2.60 per bottle but will only last 8 hrs on high. Sounds like a refill is about $.70 per bottle.

[path1]

How do you actually fill them? I have been following this thread to learn any tricks or things to watch out for. I bought the fitting from HF but have not tried it yet.

OP here. With me it was, why go shopping for something I don't have to, and why have more garbage to throw away. Price was good to compared to buying at store. What I did at the start was simply watch several youtubes videos. First time makes your heart skip a beat when you open the valve. Real easy after you do it a couple of times. From my limited experience: Gloves are a must, (I use my dutch oven gloves (harbor freight welding gloves), the colder the empty bottle the better. I put empty 1 pounder in freezer. If overnight I let it warm up a bit next day before filling. And make sure you put the fitting where you can find it for next time you need it and store in plastic bag. But I have never filled at a campsite with 1 pounder just being chilled in RV freezer at runs temp about 30 degrees and having wife complaining about blowing us up etc. (If your wife is one that gets upset at things like this, wait till she is gone). I watched about 3 vid's and had no problems. I noticed in the vid's that most don't have access to valve from underneath, which I wanted just in case. The first time I did it I placed big bottle between 2 picnic table benches so I would have more access to valve from underneath. And did it where I knew there was nothing spark wise or anything elec going on. My thinking was..So if anything goes wrong I would have more access to valve to shut off. Remember your access hole is plugged up by the 1 pound bottle on a regular flat surface and finger are clumsy with gloves on. That is my reason for getting access from the bottom. I don't refill till bottle is completely empty.

[Gjac]

How do you actually fill them? I have been following this thread to learn any tricks or things to watch out for. I bought the fitting from HF but have not tried it yet.

[Dtaylor]

I do refill mine. A 20lb tank cost $14 to fill. Based on that I can fill 20 one pound bottles at a cost about $0.70 each. On a average 5 day trip I usually go thru about 2 1/2 bottles.

[wincrasher65]

You don't buy the 1# bottles during peak season. You stock up when they go on sale or during the winter when they are cheap. They don't go bad, so a couple cases in storage is not a problem.

There are apparatuses you can buy to fill them, but I really don't see how they work that well - you are trying to fill a vessel at the same pressure that your filling tank is at. Sounds problematic.

[TenOC]

bukhrn wrote:
Where are you putting your grill, that you can trip over the hose?
My grill sits right next to the MH, I can't fit between it & the MH, so there's no way to trip over the hose.

A few years ago, a couple of ladies camping a few sites from me started up their grill and because of a leak at the hose connection, the hose/regulator caught FIRE .. .. :E .. .. I do not think I would want my grill that close to my RV.

I carry a 5lb propane tank for use with my grill. I also have a long hose that allows me to leave the 5lb outside and I can connect my Mr Heater RV heater inside when it is cold. I drilled a hole where my outside shower water hose is for the propane hose.

[timjcarter9]

I have a portable kitchen setup I got from Canadian tire and a quick connect plumbed to my trailer. Can put the kitchen whereever I like but keep it where I don't trip over the cord. No toting extra bottles.

[beemerphile1]

I'm about to give up on refilling the disposable bottles. I have been doing it for several years but there are definitely some downsides;
You have to plan ahead and put in the freezer.
Takes time
Some bottles leak wasting LPG
The bottles are never all the way full.

Don/Shar wrote:
The little green gas bottles? If so they are so cheap why take the chance of refilling them. Walmart sells 2 for $3.48....

I wish they were that price. Around here everyone charge $5 for two.

[path1]

Try putting the patio mat over the hose? But I guess if you are trying to set your grill on a picnic table vs. Keeping grill close to RV you could have issues

Very good idea. We have a patio rug that we put out, but another rug might help and would keep even more dirt out of RV.

[Lantley]

Try putting the patio mat over the hose? But I guess if you are trying to set your grill on a picnic table vs. Keeping grill close to RV you could have issues

[path1]

Funny this topic comes up. We had an old can that we used this entire camping season. It ran out at the start of our last trip. We put a new one on and cooked twice before it was empty. I'll be plumbing a line from my main tanks soon.

We feel that the wind plays a big factor in how much propane we use.
Coffee in morning perks in just under 10 min. When just a little bit of wind going wrong way perk time has been as long as 15 min. We have several lic plates hooked together with note book rings that we use as wind shield for the stove burners, really helps. If your cooking right next to rv you already have 2 sides protected, so that helps. When using Dutch oven, the wind screen also helps in keeping charcoal from getting blown around.

[path1]

Where are you putting your grill, that you can trip over the hose?
My grill sits right next to the MH, I can't fit between it & the MH, so there's no way to trip over the hose.

Depends on the campsite if we have to use extra hose. Some picnic tables(most)are just fine. But a few are not close to rv, and some picnic tables are chained to the ground. We also carry a knock down table.