Tractor Supply and Blue Rhino

[copplecrown]

Until recently, the least expensive option for getting my 20# propane tanks filled was at my local tractor supply. It was like $10 to fill verses $20 to exchange at Blue Rhino, where I had inherited a couple tanks that were technically beyond the 12 year mark. They were not old from BR, but their inspection system is unusual and often inconsistent, as is Tractor Supply's fill policy.

Blue Rhino will often re-certify a tank with the "E" stamp, followed by the date, which is good for a number a years, but will also sometimes use a small white sticker with the date on that as an inspection. I went to my local Tractor Supply to get them filled and the tech explained the BR system and why he didn't like it, understandably. People could easily remove the sticker and put in on an old tank, making me wonder why BR would use such a system. But, he filled the tanks without any trouble, at least at that location.

Last week, I went to another TS location and the tech wouldn't bother to look at the tanks. He had a salesperson look at them and she said they were out of date. I showed her the stickers and she said she'd talk to the tech. Again, he sent her back out, saying it was against their policy. No big deal, but I explained they have an inconsistent policy if one store will fill and another will not. I would have bought new tanks right there on the spot if the tech had actually bothered to come outside.

I opted to exchange the tanks at a local store for $18 and the cashier allowed me to pick out tanks with actual stampings with this year's dates. So, I'm set for a while, but am a bit confused on Blue Rhino's usage of the stickers as opposed to an actual physical stamping, or Tractor Supply's policy on what is legally fillable. Has anyone else had this issue? Happy camping to all.

[eubank]

Filling and recertification, not manufacture of cylinders. There's a difference in the laws governing them.

In general, states can and often do use the recommendations in the National Fire Protection Assn, pub 58:

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?...

Many states simply adopt those recommendations in full, but others modify them (adding, taking away, etc.).

Lynn

coolmom42 wrote:

eubank wrote:
Regulation of filling and recertification is state law, not federal. You'd have to find out what your state's rules require, how those rules are disseminated, and whether neighboring states decide to abide by them. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that one state's rules are not acceptable to some other state.
Lynn

That is not correct. Cylinders (and everything else) used to transport hazardous materials are regulated by the DOT per CFR49, parts 171-177. The web site is down right now, or I could look up the exact citation.

I've never seen anything but stamped markings allowed. But it's possible Blue Rhino applied for and got a special exemption as a "consumer" item.

My advice is to spring for a couple of cylinders with stamped markings. They are not horribly expensive at a propane dealer, and will not have taken the abuse of a Blue Rhino.

[coolmom42]

eubank wrote:
Regulation of filling and recertification is state law, not federal. You'd have to find out what your state's rules require, how those rules are disseminated, and whether neighboring states decide to abide by them. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that one state's rules are not acceptable to some other state.
Lynn

That is not correct. Cylinders (and everything else) used to transport hazardous materials are regulated by the DOT per CFR49, parts 171-177. The web site is down right now, or I could look up the exact citation.

I've never seen anything but stamped markings allowed. But it's possible Blue Rhino applied for and got a special exemption as a "consumer" item.

My advice is to spring for a couple of cylinders with stamped markings. They are not horribly expensive at a propane dealer, and will not have taken the abuse of a Blue Rhino.

[copplecrown]

Thanks for the responses.

Both Tractor Supply stores were in the same state, and not far from one another. I was pointing out the inconsistency within a small region. I usually buy new tanks, but had inherited the Blue Rhino tanks. Had TS's tech actually wanted to talk face to face, I would have been inclined to buy a new tank, but he chose a clerk with no knowledge whatsoever to inform me that particular store would not fill the tanks. Decided I was done with them at that point.

My understanding was also that the sticker was good for 5 years, as well as the new certification stamp on the side, but apparently not all stores are aware of the sticker, which is admittedly faulty.

I believe our town recycling center charges for outdated tanks. I chose to exchange for newly inspected tanks, and have already found a good local alternative for getting them filled at a nearby hardware store. The newly inspected tanks look fine, but when they are up, I'll be 'donating' them back to BR and buy new ones.

[TenOC]

I have had tanks recertified at 2 different AmeriGas large propane dealership/distributors. Both used a paper sticker. Good for 5 (?) years.

[red31]

there seems to be a variance available for using a sticker

[Gdetrailer]

There ARE other places to get a propane tank filled.

Not ALL TS stores fill propane tanks, some like my local TS stores ARE "exchange" only.

Not to mention TS stores have over the last few years gone into the dumpster..

They are a shell of what they used to be, gutted by corp greed and barely carrying any inventory.

Mine USED to sell and exchange welding gasses, so I paid $250 for a Shielding gas bottle many years ago.. The last time I went to "exchange" that bottle they turned me away stating they no longer exchange nor will they buy back my welding gas cylinder!

They left me with an $250 orphan cylinder doorstop, welding gas cylinders are not typically owned, they are leased and the places that lease them WILL NOT exchange, buy or fill these cylinders.

Fortunately for me, a Rural King moved into my area and one call to them and found out that they handle the same brand and would be happy to exchange my cylinder.

Now to your issue, buy new cylinders or pay the recert fee and skip dealing with the exchange roulette. Then deal with a propane supplier that doesn't hire High School drop outs.. You WILL find your consistency will get better.

[eubank]

Regulation of filling and recertification is state law, not federal. You'd have to find out what your state's rules require, how those rules are disseminated, and whether neighboring states decide to abide by them. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that one state's rules are not acceptable to some other state.
Lynn