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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Propane (Page 1 of 2)

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7/5/2016 10:07:35 PM EDT
I have a couple 20lb tanks and for my usage that's enough. This being Arfcom enough isn't enough, because overkill is best kill. How many tanks, and what size, do you keep on hand?

Also, it's definitely worth it to refill instead of exchange. Getting more and paying less is always preferred. Has anyone shown friends and family the light, steering them away from exchanges?
7/5/2016 10:10:12 PM EDT
[#1]
I have in 20lb in use and 3 on back,up
Bought them empty at Costco
7/5/2016 10:10:17 PM EDT
[#2]
I have two one hundred pounders.



In before one of these cats has a 100,000 gallon tanker in the back yard.
7/5/2016 10:10:26 PM EDT
[#3]
I have one propane tank for one of my grills, but I never use it.



It is over fifteen years old and still almost full.

When it is empty I will no longer have any use for propane.
7/5/2016 10:11:29 PM EDT
[#4]
I keep three 20 lb tanks and rotate through them, filling as needed.
7/5/2016 10:11:32 PM EDT
[#5]
I have st all times 12 2 pounders on backup, probably 3  in use in grill and camper.
7/5/2016 10:12:07 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
I have one propane tank for one of my grills, but I never use it.

It is over fifteen years old and still almost full.
When it is empty I will no longer have any use for propane.
View Quote

Why wait?

7/5/2016 10:13:49 PM EDT
[#7]
I just bought a 40lb tank for a  small duel fuel generator. Got a 120 on the barn, and a few 10lbers
7/5/2016 10:14:56 PM EDT
[#8]
I keep 3 20lbs

The house is propane heated. 2 175 gallon cans.

I want a 500 gal tank and a 10kw gen set. Soon.
7/5/2016 10:14:59 PM EDT
[#9]
1 Tank, 500 gal., feeds my grill, gas logs and furnace back-up. I have 3-20lb. tanks for gas stoves and lanterns.
7/5/2016 10:16:32 PM EDT
[#10]
A couple of 20's. Looking for 30's.
7/5/2016 10:16:59 PM EDT
[#11]

7/5/2016 10:17:28 PM EDT
[#12]
Two 20's and a 30.
Reminds me now that I need to get the 30 recertified.
7/5/2016 10:18:14 PM EDT
[#13]
You must buy, you must buy, you must buy...



...Propane.
7/5/2016 10:21:14 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:
Two 20's and a 30.
Reminds me now that I need to get the 30 recertified.
View Quote

Does your 30 fit under your grill? Adding capacity to the grill seems like a good idea.
7/5/2016 10:26:53 PM EDT
[#15]
I'm a charcoal guy myself but if I had a gas grill I would have it plumbed in.
7/5/2016 10:27:27 PM EDT
[#16]
House runs on a 500 gallon tank with a wet leg.  I fill 20 pound bottles when I need them, propane is $.89 a gallon now.
7/5/2016 10:33:23 PM EDT
[#17]

Quote History
Quoted:


House runs on a 500 gallon tank with a wet leg.  I fill 20 pound bottles when I need them, propane is $.89 a gallon now.
View Quote

That's the way to do it. Buy in bulk and fill up your portables out of your bulk supply.  



I used to have a company pick-up that also ran off of propane. I could fill portable bottles off the trucks 250 gallon tank.



 
7/5/2016 10:37:38 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Quoted:

Does your 30 fit under your grill? Adding capacity to the grill seems like a good idea.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Two 20's and a 30.
Reminds me now that I need to get the 30 recertified.

Does your 30 fit under your grill? Adding capacity to the grill seems like a good idea.


Yes it does, barely.

I use it more for my turkey fryer though, I can cook 6 turkeys with that tank and then use it for large chickens or a crab boil and whatnot.
If my 20's are empty I can grab the 30 and it always seems to have gas in it.
It's worth having around.
7/5/2016 10:40:29 PM EDT
[#19]
9 20lb tanks, one is usually hooked up to the grill. Don't use it often so the tank lasts about 6 months at a time. Only time I burn through them is crawfish season.

Been meaning to get a propane conversion for the Generac 8000XL but haven't got around to it. When I do, probably move to 12 or so tanks. Finding gas after Hurricane Ike was a bitch.
7/5/2016 10:43:40 PM EDT
[#20]
7/5/2016 10:44:43 PM EDT
[#21]


Quote History
Quoted:



I keep three 20 lb tanks and rotate through them, filling as needed.
View Quote
In this case rotation is not needed - though we are all anal. I've been told propane doesn't have a shelf life unless we are talking decades.



Edit - I've dumpster dived 3 of 4 of my 20LB tanks and traded them at Lowes for good dates.  Their morons never check...anything.  Check a stamp date past 2014 and fill it at tractor supply.  They fill them for about $8.
7/5/2016 10:50:42 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Quoted:
That's the way to do it. Buy in bulk and fill up your portables out of your bulk supply.  

I used to have a company pick-up that also ran off of propane. I could fill portable bottles off the trucks 250 gallon tank.
 
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
House runs on a 500 gallon tank with a wet leg.  I fill 20 pound bottles when I need them, propane is $.89 a gallon now.
That's the way to do it. Buy in bulk and fill up your portables out of your bulk supply.  

I used to have a company pick-up that also ran off of propane. I could fill portable bottles off the trucks 250 gallon tank.
 

Not using the propane grill much now.  Bought a pellet grill and use it instead.
7/5/2016 10:51:26 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote History
Quoted:
You must buy, you must buy, you must buy...

...Propane.
View Quote


When you've got a bun but your burger's not done, propane.
7/5/2016 10:52:29 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote History
Quoted:
I have two one hundred pounders.

In before one of these cats has a 100,000 gallon tanker in the back yard.
View Quote


no, just an 18,000, a 33,000 and a 6,565 gallon
7/5/2016 10:53:14 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Quoted:
I keep three 20 lb tanks and rotate through them, filling as needed.
View Quote


you don't really need to rotate stock, propane never goes bad
7/5/2016 10:54:07 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote History
Quoted:
I have two one hundred pounders.

In before one of these cats has a 100,000 gallon tanker in the back yard.
View Quote


Funny you say that, not quite 100,000, but quite a bit in several different storages, and quite a bit on wheels at most any time. Family business.
7/5/2016 10:56:20 PM EDT
[#27]
We have 2 40# tanks.

It was getting hard to man-handle the 100#.
7/5/2016 11:01:47 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote History
Quoted:


you don't really need to rotate stock, propane never goes bad
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I keep three 20 lb tanks and rotate through them, filling as needed.


you don't really need to rotate stock, propane never goes bad


I've told myself this a million times, but I still make sure to FIFO the tanks -- first in, first out. Probably because there is so much other stuff around the house that actually needs rotation that its just become habit.
7/5/2016 11:05:16 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote History
Quoted:


I've told myself this a million times, but I still make sure to FIFO the tanks -- first in, first out. Probably because there is so much other stuff around the house that actually needs rotation that its just become habit.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I keep three 20 lb tanks and rotate through them, filling as needed.


you don't really need to rotate stock, propane never goes bad


I've told myself this a million times, but I still make sure to FIFO the tanks -- first in, first out. Probably because there is so much other stuff around the house that actually needs rotation that its just become habit.


well if it's with the faggy new tanks with the bitch valves it's probably a good thing because of the rubber o-rings they rely on to get a seal

the gas might be good but if your super great .gov mandated awesomesauce safety valve won't make a seal it's irrelevant

ETA:  if it's a real valve with a brass on brass connection don't worry about it
7/5/2016 11:52:29 PM EDT
[#30]
I have one 20# for the grill, one 20# for my deer blind



two 20# for the camper and one 100# for my garage heater.
7/6/2016 12:15:50 AM EDT
[#31]
I have a 500 gallon, a 250 gallon with a fill hose and a 30 gallon. Main source of heat is a wood fireplace insert with propane furnace for backup or until I get the fire going if we've been gone.
7/6/2016 12:19:58 AM EDT
[#32]
250 gal. tank in the yard for the stove and dryer.   One 20# for the grill, one empty to be filled.  I always keep at least one extra 20# on hand for the weed burner, whatever else comes up.
7/6/2016 12:40:11 AM EDT
[#33]
Just the one that fuels the stove in my van, and it's ancient. I need to replace it.

7/6/2016 12:54:52 AM EDT
[#34]
I have one 20lb tank for my Sam's Club Brand (tm) portable grill, and a 4 pack of them cans you stick on the bottom of a torch.

Ballin' up in here.
7/6/2016 1:07:07 AM EDT
[#35]
I have several, mostly picked up from curbside from people ditching them.  I think I paid for one, but have five now.

Date good, no rust, refill and carry on.  

Aside from grill and fireplace fuel, they're good with an oxy torch for gas cutting and brazing and silver soldering.  No go for welding but that's fine.  Acetylene tank is handy for that.

Just be sure you have the right hoses, some don't like propane.
7/6/2016 1:33:52 AM EDT
[#36]
Three 20 pounders and a 500 gal tank. Looking to buy a couple 1000 gal tanks.
7/6/2016 1:33:58 AM EDT
[#37]
I think I have 4 20lb tanks, and a 10lb tank, and a 5lb tank. They're almost never full at the same time. The latter two are for camping.
7/6/2016 3:57:04 AM EDT
[#38]
Quoted:
I have a couple 20lb tanks and for my usage that's enough. This being Arfcom enough isn't enough, because overkill is best kill. How many tanks, and what size, do you keep on hand?

Also, it's definitely worth it to refill instead of exchange. Getting more and paying less is always preferred. Has anyone shown friends and family the light, steering them away from exchanges?
View Quote

I have 2 30lb tanks in the camper and 3 100lb tanks that run the house stove and a backup boiler for heat in the winter should the wood boiler run out of fuel.
Be careful with the refill places, some charge a flat rate for tank size, doesn't matter if it's empty or half full when you bring it in.
7/6/2016 4:45:52 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote History
Quoted:
House runs on a 500 gallon tank with a wet leg.  I fill 20 pound bottles when I need them, propane is $.89 a gallon now.
View Quote

$.95 here.  I need to fill our (300 gal) house tank.  A couple years ago we were paying around $4/gal.  
7/6/2016 4:53:58 AM EDT
[#40]



1000gal tank for the house and two blue rhinos for the grill (one back up)



7/6/2016 5:53:31 AM EDT
[#41]
7/6/2016 6:11:16 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote History

appropriate username is appropriate
7/6/2016 6:06:49 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote History
Quoted:

I have 2 30lb tanks in the camper and 3 100lb tanks that run the house stove and a backup boiler for heat in the winter should the wood boiler run out of fuel.
Be careful with the refill places, some charge a flat rate for tank size, doesn't matter if it's empty or half full when you bring it in.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a couple 20lb tanks and for my usage that's enough. This being Arfcom enough isn't enough, because overkill is best kill. How many tanks, and what size, do you keep on hand?

Also, it's definitely worth it to refill instead of exchange. Getting more and paying less is always preferred. Has anyone shown friends and family the light, steering them away from exchanges?

I have 2 30lb tanks in the camper and 3 100lb tanks that run the house stove and a backup boiler for heat in the winter should the wood boiler run out of fuel.
Be careful with the refill places, some charge a flat rate for tank size, doesn't matter if it's empty or half full when you bring it in.

Oddly enough, it's a U-Haul/storage place sells me the refills. They put your tank on a scale when they fill it. All the refill places use a scale here and only charge by what they actually pump.

I've been told that the exchange places short customers a healthy percentage. The guys at the place I like top off a lot of exchanges for people "wanting to make sure."

The Home Depot across the street sells a lot of tanks to their former exchange customers because of it.
7/6/2016 7:22:30 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote History
Quoted:

Oddly enough, it's a U-Haul/storage place sells me the refills. They put your tank on a scale when they fill it. All the refill places use a scale here and only charge by what they actually pump.

I've been told that the exchange places short customers a healthy percentage. The guys at the place I like top off a lot of exchanges for people "wanting to make sure."

The Home Depot across the street sells a lot of tanks to their former exchange customers because of it.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a couple 20lb tanks and for my usage that's enough. This being Arfcom enough isn't enough, because overkill is best kill. How many tanks, and what size, do you keep on hand?

Also, it's definitely worth it to refill instead of exchange. Getting more and paying less is always preferred. Has anyone shown friends and family the light, steering them away from exchanges?

I have 2 30lb tanks in the camper and 3 100lb tanks that run the house stove and a backup boiler for heat in the winter should the wood boiler run out of fuel.
Be careful with the refill places, some charge a flat rate for tank size, doesn't matter if it's empty or half full when you bring it in.

Oddly enough, it's a U-Haul/storage place sells me the refills. They put your tank on a scale when they fill it. All the refill places use a scale here and only charge by what they actually pump.

I've been told that the exchange places short customers a healthy percentage. The guys at the place I like top off a lot of exchanges for people "wanting to make sure."

The Home Depot across the street sells a lot of tanks to their former exchange customers because of it.

they will always put it on a scale to fill it. thats how they tell when it is full.
but if your places are just charging what they put in thats great.
7/6/2016 9:05:53 PM EDT
[#45]
now that I have converted my small generators to propane I have 6 20# bottles around..  previously i kept 2 or 3 for the grill and smoker

I only exchange a tank when i have a tank that is expired - and then I look through the racks  of filled tanks to get the most recent date that i can.

Most exchange places around here now sell a 20# tank that is about 3/4 full, so beware of that..


my last refill at the Farmers coop was $2/gal - so a its less than $10 for a refill.


7/6/2016 9:17:15 PM EDT
[#46]
3 100lb, 1 40lb and 5 20 lb
7/6/2016 9:28:51 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote History
Quoted:
now that I have converted my small generators to propane I have 6 20# bottles around..  previously i kept 2 or 3 for the grill and smoker

I only exchange a tank when i have a tank that is expired - and then I look through the racks  of filled tanks to get the most recent date that i can.

Most exchange places around here now sell a 20# tank that is about 3/4 full, so beware of that..


my last refill at the Farmers coop was $2/gal - so a its less than $10 for a refill.


View Quote

How much runtime can your generator get from a 20lb tank? For SHTF would a guy be smart to get a couple 100lb tanks for his generator?
7/7/2016 6:10:13 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote History
Quoted:

How much runtime can your generator get from a 20lb tank? For SHTF would a guy be smart to get a couple 100lb tanks for his generator?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
now that I have converted my small generators to propane I have 6 20# bottles around..  previously i kept 2 or 3 for the grill and smoker

I only exchange a tank when i have a tank that is expired - and then I look through the racks  of filled tanks to get the most recent date that i can.

Most exchange places around here now sell a 20# tank that is about 3/4 full, so beware of that..


my last refill at the Farmers coop was $2/gal - so a its less than $10 for a refill.



How much runtime can your generator get from a 20lb tank? For SHTF would a guy be smart to get a couple 100lb tanks for his generator?



Based on what I can find online..  which varies.. some say propane puts out less BTU's vs Gasonline.. other says is close to the same..  

I have Honda EU2000's - and it will run a 5,000 btu window air conditioner (or kitchen fridge) for just over 7 hrs on a tank of gasoline (a little over 1 gallon)..  Im expecting to get at least 6 hrs per gallon of propane - so at 4.7 gallons in a 20# tank = 28 hrs or so per tank..

I considered 100# tanks.. BUT taking them in to be refilled would be an issue for me - since they need to stay upright..  I have to haul them on a hitch mounted cargo carrier..  

IF 30 or 40# tanks werent so expensive compared to 20#, id go that way.. 20# tanks are about $40.. the 30 and 40# are double that from what i found..

Also i read something about larger tanks and too much or too little pressure when using a larger tank.. since i have the 20#'s i didnt research it much more

Brian
7/7/2016 6:40:20 PM EDT
[#49]
it's not disputable, propane has less BTUs per gallon than gasoline.  you'll get about 15% less work out of a gallon of propane than gasoline

100# don't need to be shipped upright, they say that because if there's a leak at the valve it's better to be vapor than liquid, which expands 200x.  if it's not leaking and not inside a vehicle it doesn't make a damn (i'm just joking of course, i would NEVER recommend that propane not be shipped in a super safe upright manner!)

the smaller the tank the less able they are to supply a large demand

ever had a tank form an ice ring around the liquid level?  then you weren't using enough tank for the job
7/7/2016 6:53:03 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote History
Quoted:

they will always put it on a scale to fill it. thats how they tell when it is full.
but if your places are just charging what they put in thats great.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a couple 20lb tanks and for my usage that's enough. This being Arfcom enough isn't enough, because overkill is best kill. How many tanks, and what size, do you keep on hand?

Also, it's definitely worth it to refill instead of exchange. Getting more and paying less is always preferred. Has anyone shown friends and family the light, steering them away from exchanges?

I have 2 30lb tanks in the camper and 3 100lb tanks that run the house stove and a backup boiler for heat in the winter should the wood boiler run out of fuel.
Be careful with the refill places, some charge a flat rate for tank size, doesn't matter if it's empty or half full when you bring it in.

Oddly enough, it's a U-Haul/storage place sells me the refills. They put your tank on a scale when they fill it. All the refill places use a scale here and only charge by what they actually pump.

I've been told that the exchange places short customers a healthy percentage. The guys at the place I like top off a lot of exchanges for people "wanting to make sure."

The Home Depot across the street sells a lot of tanks to their former exchange customers because of it.

they will always put it on a scale to fill it. thats how they tell when it is full.
but if your places are just charging what they put in thats great.



The ones I use weighs it. But, I still pay a flat rate.
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Propane (Page 1 of 2)

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