I'm the type that I'll pull the trigger real quick if I want something, I tried slowing down and asking on this sub and I'm glad I did. Solid wisdom my man.
5lb Propane Tanks: before I spend $70+ for one, how much did you pay and where?
- Thread starter Misaruiz
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Yeah, I want to eventually get one of those propane fire pits. California fires are kicking our butts, but a fireside chat with friends is my romanticized version of camping. Hopefully this can hit the spot.
I had a composite propane tank years ago (Lite Cylinder Brand). It was recalled and then the company went out of business. They were great because you could actually see the contents. However, there are negatives.... cost, for sure. Plus you have to have them requalified at 5 years (vs 12 years for steel and aluminum). And places to to get them requalified are not close nor convenient for many people. BLEVE is a real thing but not common at all. There are no 5 lb composite tanks that I know of... so I won't consider them at this time.
Explorer I
If you are only moving from the 1 lb bottles due to the waste factor-and I agree with you on that and same for butane-you might be interested in this bottle which is a refillable 1lb bottle. Seems you could take advantage of the cheaper refills on the big tanks but safe room in your rig and only take what is needed.
flameking.com
1lb Refillable Cylinder + Kit 16.4 oz., Green Model #: YSN1LBKT - Flame King
FAST REFILL KIT – Includes 1LB cylinder, cylinder cap, 2mm (5/64″) Allen Key, refill adapter device, and refill stand; REFILL STAND can hold 20LB tanks REDUCE WASTE – Keep disposable propane tanks out of the environment by using Flame King 1LB refillable cylinders SAFE TO USE – Flame King...
flameking.com
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Between the 4.5 lb Worthington and 5 lb Flame King, I'd recommend the Flame King for it's smaller foot print and 0.5 lb more capacity. However, the Worthington tank is a bit heavier... steel might be a little thicker. My Flame King came with a nifty little gauge but I don't see them like that anymore.
Member III
I'm surprised by some of these prices. I got a few from Canadian Tire for $49.99 CDN which is $39.96 USD at today's rate. A 20 lb. tank goes for $44.99, no doubt higher volume / lower cost.
Flame King OPD Barbecue Propane Tank, 5-lb Canadian Tire
Flame King OPD Barbecue Propane Tank, 5-lb Canadian Tire
Influencer III
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The flame king is what I have. It fits into the bracket for a 20# fire extinguisher, so no overland tax to inflate the bracket price.
Found an almost new one on Amazon just before covid started for $30 shipped.
Refill myself with the $20 20 lber at local store. Just get an adapter and fill. Get 3 or so fills before exchange the 20 lber and can use the 5 lber forever.
Check offer up and Facebook marketplace.
Refill myself with the $20 20 lber at local store. Just get an adapter and fill. Get 3 or so fills before exchange the 20 lber and can use the 5 lber forever.
Check offer up and Facebook marketplace.
lhoffm4
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Advocate I
they may not refill it but they will take the expired ones in trade at the gas stations that sell them, then you pay like $25 and get a new filled tank.
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I got the flame king 11lb tank, currently $70.85 at Amazon for more than twice the propane of a 5lb and not much wider, just taller.
Member III
I have an 11lb Manchester. I guess I didn't realize how long I've had it. I went to get it filled last month & 3 locations here in South Jersey wouldn't refill it as it's now over 12 years old.
Keep this in mind as it won't last you "forever".
Keep this in mind as it won't last you "forever".
Enthusiast III
This is very useful information :)
I've been on the lookout for a 5lb tank for months. I was able to get an order in on overstock.com, and it looks like they still have some:
5 lb Steel Propane Tank Refillable Cylinder with OPD Valve - Overstock - 32558466
Shop for 5 lb Steel Propane Tank Refillable Cylinder with OPD Valve. Free Shipping on Everything* at Overstock - Your Online Garden & Patio Store! Get 5% in rewards with Club O! - 32558466
The description says it's a Flame King. $62 or $55 "with coupon" (whatever that means - there was no coupon when I ordered :( ) which is a pretty darn good price actually.
Kris
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they have been out of stock for months now, but would love to get my hands on a 11# safe tank
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I had to do some adjustment to the retention strap, but otherwise good to go.
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Expedition Master I
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lhoffm4
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Advocate I
Does anyone know how long propane can sit in a tank and still be useful? A buddy of mine recently bought a pop-up camp trailer, probably from the 70s - 80s, and it had some of the 30lb tanks full strapped onto the tongue. They worked when he tested the stove in it, and I'm reasonably sure his have not been sitting that long. But it did raise the question if the tanks had been sitting for decades, would they still be good to use?
Member III
The gas inside is probably okay. He probably can't get them refilled, especially if they're so old that they have a standard handwheel shape on the valve. That would indicate it's a non OPD tank (Overflow Protection Device) which I don't think anyone can legally fill. An OPD tank has a 3 sided hand wheel on the valve.
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It was in the ground for how many millennia before it ended up in that tank?
lhoffm4
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Advocate I
So my buddy let me know he found a place to have the tanks recertified with new valves. He was told to use the tanks till they were emptied, then he could get the empty tanks recertified for $75 but that would include a full tank of propane, or he could trade them in at any reseller but would likely only get 20lb tanks from them. Seems like a racket for sure!
