1lb propane tank shootout Flame King vs Fuel Keg vs Coleman 

I refilled the disposable tanks for over 30 years. The last time I refilled some the tanks bulged so that was the end of that. I purchased the Flame King tanks.

1. I remember about 15 years agp going to the st cloud fleetfarm and getting a 4 pack for 5.99, then about 10 years ago they switched to the 3 pack for 5.99 2. i have had the disposable cans also vemt when threading on to my buddies.. i just learned to thread them faster after i line it uo

I have 26 Flame Kings 1lb tanks and 2 out of the 26 when bad so far, but has been refilled many times. Remember either Flame King or Fuel Keg use Propane Refill Fitting Adapters that will not work on both. Flame King has been at this for a long time and Fuel Keg just came out maybe two years ago if that long. I will stay with Flame King, their tech support is the best. They sent me a repair kit for the 2 that broke and are now working like new.

Thanks for putting out all these buddy heater videos. Very helpful and informative.

Thank you for the tests, you ansered a lot of questions.

Interesting study as I've pondered the right decision abit lately on those 3. Nice

I would recommend using a digital kitchen scale, to weigh each cannister after refilling. This ensures they are properly filled up!

I just purchased the flame king and I like them 🤗💞

Thanks for the math on that. I heat full time with a Big Buddy in my RV during winter but run off a 20lb usually on low so I know how long it will last but this helps tons when running on higher settings

Thanks for all your knowledge on this. I recently emptied and took the schrader valves out of a Coleman 1lb and noticed the o-ring under the plastic insert was damaged. It looked like maybe it was dry when the nipple made entry and took off part of the o-ring. I see this as a problem with all these screw in portable tanks however as long as it seals when fully screwed in I don’t see a problem as experienced this for decades off and on using 14oz bottles soldering copper pipe and using it for all kinds of other applications. Great video 👍🏻

I think almost every propane tank I have ever used (both the little single use ones and the refillable 20lb tanks) have showed that same slight leak behavior when they are not fully tightened. Have I just had bad luck my whole life or somehow been doing it wrong?

I returned all my fuel kegs and fuel kit…None of my non Mr. heater equipment (ts8000 torch, jetboil, msr pocket rocket deluxe) worked with the fuel keg. Looks like the threads are way longer than the regular green propane bottles. Interesting development with the fuel keg leaking…

Thank you for sharing. I would be interested in a video measuring the propane in a new disposable tank vs the Flame King & Fuel Keg after being filled per manufacturer instructions. Different amount in each tank could explain different run time for each and leaking propane in Fuel Keg if it was over filled.

I really appreciate the time you took on this experiment. I wasn’t even aware of a Coleman option, so thanks! My experience with Coleman is they also leak a bit when I am attaching a canister to my stove and heater.

I've been told that instead of tossing the old regular tanks in the trash it's advised that we drop them off at a propane refill station. Oh on the leaking when threading tanks that seems to be normal on mine too. I'm not comfortable with that either, but try to screw faster. My wife is always advising me to screw faster too.

My local Walmart was selling the Coleman tanks for $10.00 each. So, the refillable tanks are the way to go!

I am sure the small tanks would have a expiration date like to 20,30+ lb tanks which you would have to get re-certified if possible.

Nice sturgeon picture!

Tanks a lot!

I've refilled 1 pound cylinders for a while now and in my experience, they all leak a little air pressure when attaching them to my big buddy. If they leak actual propane liquid they're usually slightly over filled. I'm just guessing due to attaching them at sharp angle. It may be possible the Schrader valve is a little lower in the fuel kegs bottles as well, causing the liquid to leak when tilted.

The presure release on screwing the fuel keg on is the silver pressure release valve being pushed down. Can't fix that except screw it in fast as possible. Those fuel kegs do seem long winded screwing in. Oh I tested my new fuel keg on low setting and got 4hrs run time.

The price of these refillable are way to expensive, I'll continue to fill my empty bottles. I never fill my bottles full and is why I've never had any of my bottles go bad or leak.

Is there actually 1# of propane in a new Coleman bottle ? I’ve had some of the Coleman’s hiss out propane for a second before too.

Colemans are fine to refill. I stick mine in the freezer for about 20 minutes and refill them with a kit that has a gauge. The Flame Kings are the best. Fast and easy refills. the Colemans I have for backup.

Do you suppose there's any safety problem with spray painting my Fire Kings to be a nicer color?

I would NEVER use the Fuel Keg.

Is there room under the Flame King bottle to have a small magnet and the allen wrench? Looks to me that the Flame King is slightly cheaper but I really like that the Fuel Keg is tool less.

save your money just learn the right way to refill the old throwaways . half of you tube hasn't figured it out but its out there keep watching .

I would suggest contacting the manufacturer and let them advise on the leaking issue. Somehow the insert is pushing in on the valve earlier than the others before hitting the seals. Wouldn’t hurt to contact their support, just maybe you have a faulty unit or something they are not aware of for this issue. Drop me a comment should you do such to hear the results. Thanks!

If you pause at 6:04 you will see that it looks like the buddy heater has a crack where the bottle connect to it. That might the reason it is leaking.

I picked up one yesterday and I put it on a lantern and win I started screwing it on the tank it did start letting some gas out Tell I got it tight . I have some little camping stoves At runs on the little cans mix gas and win I screw the tank on they all let gas out tell I get it tight . But I have had at happen on the offbrand tanks

The leaking seal could be a very bad moment. Such as a smoker being a little careless when switching a tank. Seams the threads are not a good match up and allowing the gas to pass by them until the tank valve face seals tight.

I think... those fuel kegs have the bleeder valve in / near the threaded neck. So your heater's gas tank nozzle may not play well with just those tanks!? But, I wouldn't use them with that heater anymore! That S#!+ is to dangerous!

Get a filter and a 10 ft hose and run a 20 lb tank and it will run 74 hour's on low.

Was told you need to get the tanks you refill cold by putting in a freezer before filling. Is this true?

you should have weighed them before and after filling

Your fitting on the heater that the tank screws into is cracked!

1lb = 1lb Doesn't matter which tank it is in!

I refill my coleman canisters....

I bought 1, it leaks whenhooing it up, wont fill up, the black insert isn't in the top. I don't like it.

Probably your seal as frosen wen you took of the other can