20 lb propane tanks

[EagleJoe]

I am involved with a local Boy Scout troop. We have multiple 20 propane tanks. Our local vendor for filling charges the same rate no matter how empty the tanks are. Another vendor only charges by the pound and says it is now illegal to charge a set price for filling. Anyone know who is right in Michigan. Thanks EagleJoe

 

[PJDiesel]

If you have a "Flying J" truck stop around you, they charge by the gallon (the only way anyone should be.

It's up pretty high now, I think just under $3.00 a gallon, still only $13.00 for a 20lb. cylinder near me.

 

[NO1SMAD]

EagleJoe, I cant help you with the ruls on filling but I will bet you could find a vendor to help the local troop with a good cost reduction or donation. So does EaglJoe mean you are a eagle scout?

 

[jmack]

If you have a "Flying J" truck stop around you, they charge by the gallon (the only way anyone should be.

It's up pretty high now, I think just under $3.00 a gallon, still only $13.00 for a 20lb. cylinder near me.

I see you are in Cecil County. instead of flying J, try amerigas- $1.39 per gallon.


To OP - find someone that charges by actual fillage. Also check you local warehouse club (ex BJs) - I'm guessing if you have a scout troop severl people have cards for when you do the food buying for camping. BJs has member pricing on propane tank fills.

 

[malibu101]

I take mine to a local gas station that has a bulk tank on the side.
They set my cylinder on a scale and charge me for what they put in. This summer it was ~$13-14 to fill my cylinder when it ran out. I've taken it there to be topped off numerous times when I knew it was low and would not last for when I needed it and was charged accordingly less.
You guys were talking about gallons. I know my place uses a scale. I guess there is a formula to equate pounds into gallons-- But why??

 

[jmack]

I take mine to a local gas station that has a bulk tank on the side.
They set my cylinder on a scale and charge me for what they put in. This summer it was ~$13-14 to fill my cylinder when it ran out. I've taken it there to be topped off numerous times when I knew it was low and would not last for when I needed it and was charged accordingly less.
You guys were talking about gallons. I know my place uses a scale. I guess there is a formula to equate pounds into gallons-- But why??

The formula depends on the temperature. This goes back to high school science - gasses and liquids and their volumes vary at certain temps. Usually it is priced at a gallon @ 60 deg F.

The small tanks do not have gauges like the big tank in your yard might. Thus a scale is used to fill it to a consistent level (avoid overfill)

 

[D KRAGER]

LP weighs 4.24 #'s per gal at 60 degrees

Also, I agree with what someone said about a donation, you would think you could get a local propane company to fill them for you as a donation of sorts....

 

[v8garage]

I always just use mine until it runs out and then get it filled or exchanged. Is there some reason you can't just use it all up before changing cylinders?

 

[malibu101]

I always just use mine until it runs out and then get it filled or exchanged. Is there some reason you can't just use it all up before changing cylinders?

When your going to hunting camp that's far from anywhere for a week and that is your source of cooking-You make sure it's full. Plus the truck is loaded enough to not want to carry 2 cylinders when we know that a full one will last.

 

[malibu101]

The formula depends on the temperature. This goes back to high school science - gasses and liquids and their volumes vary at certain temps. Usually it is priced at a gallon @ 60 deg F.

The small tanks do not have gauges like the big tank in your yard might. Thus a scale is used to fill it to a consistent level (avoid overfill)

My "new" OPD cylinders, I think, stop themselves. The "old" ones needed an eye on them.
I know the gas jockey where I normally go is not making those temperature to gallon conversions in his head Nor do I put much faith in the rusty old scale that is used.
EDIT- If gallons matter-Why are they called 20 pound tanks???

 

[Brad54]

I always keep two on hand, because you will always run out of one in the middle of burgers or on a cold night when you're heating the garage.

To travel with them, put them in a milk crate. They fit perfectly, and they won't roll around in the back of your trunk or pick-up truck.

-Brad

 

[walrus]

I know the gas jockey where I normally go is not making those temperature to gallon conversions in his head Nor do I put much faith in the rusty old scale that is used.
EDIT- If gallons matter-Why are they called 20 pound tanks???

The meter makes the conversion, the rusty scale should be certified by the state dept of Weights and Measures if its being used for retail

 

[PJDiesel]

Honestly, I haven't seen a scale used in three years. Since they came out with the OFPD, there is no need for it. Fill it up till liquid liquid comes out the breather.

 

[fireball 440]

I just had a new 20lb tank filled for $23.00.

 

[Torque1st]

Eaglejoe, run the tanks down until they are empty. They can be changed out quickly if needed. Put the tanks in milk crates as was suggested. Have an adult leader check the tanks before you go on an outing and take an appropriate back up supply of full tanks.

Use the vendor that charges by the pound or gallon. Either way of measuring can be used. The weight of the liquid does not change enough with the temperature to worry about.

If you run out of propane the boys can work on fire building skills.

 

[bostonae22]

i used to work at a hardware store in MA and we filled them at a flat fee didnt matter if it was empty or not. when i left in june it was 20$ for a 20lb tank about 3 years ago when the store opened it was around 9$ for a 20lb tank. the only tanks that we filled by the pound were RV trailer tanks. also here in mass it was outlawed about 8 8-10 years ago to fill any of the old style non opd tanks

 

[PJDiesel]

I just had a new 20lb tank filled for $23.00.

I just got TWO filled for $26.00. (Truck stop, $2.70 a gallon)