OutLore
Well-known member
With the purchase of a gas grill:
http://www.homedepot.com/hdus/en_US...Grills-Propane-Tank-Exchange-Content-Pod3.pdf
http://www.homedepot.com/hdus/en_US...Grills-Propane-Tank-Exchange-Content-Pod3.pdf
Free propane refill/exchange @ Home Depot
- Thread starter OutLore
- Start date
Zeke
Well-known member
You're as good at making a leader as the big box itself. So, they're gonna give you 14 bucks for taking one of those POS's off their hands. Probably a Brinkman.
Er, Brokeman.
Er, Brokeman.
Not a Hot Buy. You have to buy a grill, then they exchange a tank, with maximum of $19 towards the refill.
If you need a propane exchange for some 4th of July grilling, here are a couple mail in rebate coupons that you don't need to buy anything, just the exchange. I personally don't ever exchange. I just filled 3 tanks at BJ's for $13.33 each yesterday (including tax), and a propane fill is 20 pounds. The exchanges are only 15 pounds.
$13.33 (including tax) for a 20 pound fill is a much better deal than $19.99 (plus tax) exchange for 15 pounds.
But if for whatever reason you want to exchange (which I don't recommend), here you go with a couple coupons.
$3 off Amerigas rebate:
http://www.amerigas.com/pdfs/RebatePad_3Dollar_3XPWEB13.pdf
$3 off Blue Rhino rebate:
http://www.bluerhino.com/Tank-Exchange/Coupons/Blue-Rhino-Rebate-Coupon.aspx
If you need a propane exchange for some 4th of July grilling, here are a couple mail in rebate coupons that you don't need to buy anything, just the exchange. I personally don't ever exchange. I just filled 3 tanks at BJ's for $13.33 each yesterday (including tax), and a propane fill is 20 pounds. The exchanges are only 15 pounds.
$13.33 (including tax) for a 20 pound fill is a much better deal than $19.99 (plus tax) exchange for 15 pounds.
But if for whatever reason you want to exchange (which I don't recommend), here you go with a couple coupons.
$3 off Amerigas rebate:
http://www.amerigas.com/pdfs/RebatePad_3Dollar_3XPWEB13.pdf
$3 off Blue Rhino rebate:
http://www.bluerhino.com/Tank-Exchange/Coupons/Blue-Rhino-Rebate-Coupon.aspx
djb2
Well-known member
I took advantage of this over the memorial day weekend.
I happened to have a mostly-empty tank to exchange, but it's clear that the expectation is that you will need a tank, and this is really a discount off of a $40-$50 pre-filled tank.
Tank exchanges still have value to those that prefer a real fill -- tanks need to be reinspected every dozen years. An exchange likely gets you a newer tank.
I happened to have a mostly-empty tank to exchange, but it's clear that the expectation is that you will need a tank, and this is really a discount off of a $40-$50 pre-filled tank.
Tank exchanges still have value to those that prefer a real fill -- tanks need to be reinspected every dozen years. An exchange likely gets you a newer tank.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I am amazed how most people don't know that the exchange tanks only have 15 lbs instead of the full 20 lbs.
The only time it is a "good deal" is when you can swap an old pre-OPD valved tank for a newer tank with the proper valve !
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djb2
Well-known member
You can only get about 18 lbs in a tank with a modern OPD (over-fill protection device).
But exchange tanks gets you as little as 13 lbs, with 15 lbs being typical.
A gallon of propane is about 4.25 lbs.
A 15 lb fill is about 3.5 gallons.
Right now delivered bulk propane is about $2/gal on the west coast, down from about $3 over the winter.
But exchange tanks gets you as little as 13 lbs, with 15 lbs being typical.
A gallon of propane is about 4.25 lbs.
A 15 lb fill is about 3.5 gallons.
Right now delivered bulk propane is about $2/gal on the west coast, down from about $3 over the winter.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I have been told that if you are a commercial operation that uses a lot of propane (fleets of buses/trucks) that you can negotiate a price of UNDER $2/gallon on a yearly contract.
Also, places like Tractor Supply, True Value hardware, and some others will fill your tank at a $/lb price from their big tank. Doing that, you can usually get the propane at a lower cost while only paying for the amount that they actually put in the tank. I have found that I'm paying almost twice the price for the "convenience" of a tank exchange.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I live in a vacation community... $20 to fill a 20lb at the local trailer park. They actually put about 18lbs in.
The local ACE hardware is on crack... they charge $25 for an actual fill of 15lbs.
A local discount gas station has a fill tank but is known around town for seriously shorting customers and only accepts cash for propane.
I wish I could easily convert my Weber Summit to NG.
The local ACE hardware is on crack... they charge $25 for an actual fill of 15lbs.
A local discount gas station has a fill tank but is known around town for seriously shorting customers and only accepts cash for propane.
I wish I could easily convert my Weber Summit to NG.
cagullett1
Well-known member
There are only a couple gas stations and 1 Uhaul place that will fill a tank around me (I've checked around most of North Texas). It costs $17 to fill, and you can exchange here for $17 at Walmart. Either way, I still refill at the station until my tanks need to be inspected.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
My local place has a scale but doesn't use it !
They open the pressure relief valve and fill until liquid propane vents.
Buy a $3 luggage scale from ebay (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&LH_BIN=1&_nkw=luggage+scale&_sop=15) and obtain the weight, minus the tare weight (stamped on the collar of the tank), divide that by 4.24 which will get you the amount of gallon(s) in the tank.
I just started using propane for the first time recently. I weighed my options and bought a brand new 20 lb tank from Lowes and had it filled down the road at the Uhaul place. It cost me about $16 and they put about 4.2 gallons. They put the empty tank on the scale, set it to about 37 or 38 pounds (tare weight of around 17 pounds), and filled it until it began to tip the scale. It may have cost a bit more upfront, but I have a new tank, and will only pay for what I need when I get it refilled. I think it is the best way to go, but only if there is a place nearby that does refills.
ishiboo
Well-known member
$8.46 for 20 pounds out of my 1000 gallon tank, based on the average of my last two fills 
djb2
Well-known member
$8.46 for 20 pounds out of my 1000 gallon tank, based on the average of my last two fills
In California you aren't allowed to install a residential tank with a bottom draw, so filling from your home tank isn't feasible.
At least according to the propane guys around here. And I have no reason to disbelieve them, since they seem to have a direct path to writing the law.
ishiboo
Well-known member
Could be... It's California
The co-op that I use will install one for their cost.I don't have a siphon, right now the grill is hooked right up to the gas. Soon though id like one!
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Siphon ?
It is just a tube that extends to just above the bottom of the tank (well into the liquid propane) and connected to an external valve. Get a double ended hose. Hook to your home tank and then the portable. Open the vent on the side of the portable tank (screw) and then open both tank valves. When liquid propane starts to vent, close the vent and both valves.
ishiboo
Well-known member
Yes, that's why they call it a siphon?
I need the parts that connect to it, of course the tube/valve itself is already in the tank. That valve is only used for liquid removal, so it's not a normal fitting like a POL or Acme.
When I get the part, I'll probably use a bathroom scale or similar to properly fill versus using the vent for that purpose. (Obviously a small amount of gas venting is part of the filling process)
LindaLouise
New member
Same here on Aruba, filling from your home tank isn't an option either.
Spn1025
Banned
Holy 2 year old thread Batman!!
Do they have Home Depot on Aruba??? lol
Keep in mind most of the exchange/refill tanks are only partially filled.
Blue Rhino is down to 15 lbs in a 20lb tank! I can drive a couple miles down the street with any tank and pay 19.99 for a full 20lbs of propane.
I kept using Blue Rhino to exchange until I got a nice tank (seriously, it looked brand new!) then kept that one as mine and just go to the propane refill place now.
Blue Rhino is down to 15 lbs in a 20lb tank! I can drive a couple miles down the street with any tank and pay 19.99 for a full 20lbs of propane.
I kept using Blue Rhino to exchange until I got a nice tank (seriously, it looked brand new!) then kept that one as mine and just go to the propane refill place now.
ManzanitaBeach
New member
We live on the coast, and the salt air gives the propane tanks a huge beating. Exchanging tanks at Home Depot (or in our area, Rite Aid also has a tank exchange) works well. We never have the tanks around long enough to corrode and degrade like they do when you reuse the same tank and refill it at the local propane supplier.
Daniel_DePetro
Well-known member
I never knew the tank exchanges were shorting everyone!
No wonder they are $18.00 vs. $18-25 for "just" a refill.
No wonder they are $18.00 vs. $18-25 for "just" a refill.
Amphicar770
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2008
- Messages
- 135
Misleading title in that you first have to buy a grill. Hardly a hot deal. 