How To Fill Propane Tanks (Prepare for Global Food Crisis Famine 2022) 

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You have to PULL on the Schrader Valve. To bleed off the air space on top.... I've refilled many of them to over a pound. Don't recommend overfilling as they may not be designed to hold over 1#. Love your content.

Warning: 20 lbs tank may sometimes contain welding spatter debris inside at the bottom - some lazy workers don't remove these debris before installing the tank valve. When you put the tank upside down, these debris may clog the tank valve or worst, a tiny metal spec may travel and block the valve of the 1lb bottle - the bottle will spray all propane when it's disconnected from 20 lbs tank. Tilt the 20 lbs tank to 45 degrees and listen inside for the spatter sliding at the bottom of the tank - it sounds like sand sliding inside. If you hear this, I suggest not using that particular tank to refill 1 lb bottles.

Your humility when you learn something new is respectful. I truly realize you have the option to not share those shortcomings with us. Much respect sir.

You CAN use that schrader valve and evacuate the extra air in the tank WHILE your filling it. I’ve refilled about 25 of them last winter with my amazon purchase refill kit for 1 lb tanks. BUT be sure to ONLY fill them to 80 % to allow for expansion. I weighed mine before and after as well and it WORKED. I now have ALL of my 1lb tanks filled in my shop, ready to go hunting with my buddy heater once again!

Like many others have said, throw those canisters in the deep freezer and then fill them up after they've sat in there for a day or two. I've filled mine up over a pound in about a minute easily with that method. Just wish my refiller had that handy nozzle instead of having to open and close the main valve on the bigger tank.

LP is meant to be used in its gaseous state. LP weighs @ 4 lbs. per gal. and boils (turns to a gas at @ -44 deg F. LP usage cylinders like these and the bigger ones you may have for your grill, RV, home, etc. are designed to only release the gas under their own pressure. Modifying these cylinders by inverting them or adding a tube to the valve which extends to the lower portion of the tank will allow you to access the LP (I installed a liquid tube and valve in my 300 gal home tank for refilling my cylinders). I used to haul LP, inspect cylinders and refill cylinders as a job which required a license to do so, so I have a little knowledge and background with this topic. Cheaper, simpler transfer tools can be built and bought. A scale is handy but these tanks will typically not overfill due to the tanks equalizing pressure. That is if they are starting out at the same temperature. If you cool the receiving tank it will have a lower internal pressure allowing for greater liquid volume but beware of overfilling. LP tanks are only filled to 80% capacity to provide a margin of pressure safety as the liquid expands and contracts with changing liquid temperatures. Be careful. These 1 lb tanks are made of light material and could fail with repeated use and especially if overfilled. These little tanks are not intended for reuse and have no certifiable inspection like your larger cylinders and tanks require. Refilling these single cylinders is actually illegal because of this. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, just giving facts. The little Schrader valve on the top of the cylinder is an over pressure release device. You can vent pressure created when filling using this device but that is not its design. It is only designed to release outward so pressing in on it with a small tool can damage the valve rendering the tank useless. Now you know. Be safe and smart Professional Homeowners!

I have the Flame King refillable cylinders. They have both 14 and 16 oz versions. They have a purge set screw to allow the tank to fill all the way. If you use them enough you can recoup the cost. God bless.

The freezer method works, I've also filled past a pound by accident, works best when your 20lb tank is over half full and warm, and the 1lb tanks sit in the freezer, but they don't need to sit in the freezer for much more than 10 or 15 minutes. Every spring when I get all my 20lb grill tanks filled I fill my 1lb tanks and use about 25% of my 20lb tanks, leaving me with a bunch of 3/4 full 20lb tanks..... Very worth it! I have the same device. I also fill 1lb tanks for friends and family, it becomes very easy once you get the system down. Put your 20lb tanks in the sun and your 1lb tanks in the freezer and it'll work like a dream upside down!

Those wide bottles are nice for the torch because they are more stable when you put them down. For some things it's worth the lower BTU output for the convenience.

The key is to make sure you don’t overfill. A cylinder that is completely liquid filled can leak or even split due to thermal expansion when temperature rises. Using the scale is smart. Also, of course, inspect to be sure cylinder isn’t damaged or corroded.

You can freeze the tanks and get more into the tank per fill. Also bleed some gas (air propane) from the tank and keep filling. You can get them 100% full

Hey my brother...love your channel...i already started stocking and prepping up since 2019....Here in California...Weve already converted our above ground pool as a Fresh water source....i made homemade water filter out of 2 ltr soda bottles with activated charcoal...we have tons of Purifying tablets...canned goods...tons of beans, rice, flour, powdered milk for 2 years...Started growing our own fruits and vegetables since 2019.... We have 8 large propane tanks...( overfilled )...and 10 of those 1lb tanks ( overfilled also )...We stocked up alot also on Antibiotics....medicine, vitamins, epipens, albuterol even Trauma kits.... I was with the U.S Forest service with Crew 77 Type 2 Roadrunners from 2008 - 2012... God bless you and your family brother...Always in my prayers...

Place the "Empty" 1 LB tank in the freezer for a period of time. I left them for an hour or more. Then do as you did and you should get 1 LB of propane. I've been doing it for years, after filling check with leak fluid or soapy water for leaks . If they leaked I would screw them onto something with a shut off and chuck that tank after it was empty. I be able to refill tanks 3 - 5 times before they started to "leak" so as you say "Act accordingly"

Chuck em in the freezer before filling and you will be able to put a bunch more propane in them. Love your videos, keep it up.

Big tank needs to be warmer than the small tank. Schrader valve pulls out. Can’t really go wrong around a pound. If it expands too much, the valve releases the gas. Spray the valves down with soapy water and if the schrader valve bubbles, put it in the sunlight outside and test for leaks again in a little while. If the main valve leaks, put an implement on it.

There’s a set up from a company called flame king. They make refillable bottles that are better at taking a full refill. But most of us have tons of these coleman ones rolling around. Also the reason you can’t refill from an upright position is because propane in the tank is in liquid form so I will settled to the bottom of the tank. Thanks and God bless.

I have been doing that for 50 years, Built my own with two fittings and a length of hydraulic hose. You can fill them up to capacity. You can buy brass screw on caps to fit those cylinders.

I have been camping for 25 days short of a year. Most our stoves and heaters take the 1lb bottles. We run adapters for 20lb tanks, but we keep a few 1lbers for back up and touches. To refill more just press the center of the main opening down and let the gassiated propane escape to make room for more liquid. You'll know you got it when liquid is coming out. Just top it off after that.

Hey brother, here's how ya do it. (I've been filling these with that for almost 3 years now) 1.Get some needle nose pliers (those Schrader valves pull to release) 2. Pull out on the Schrader valve the whole time you're filling, up until it starts spewing out liquid almost steadily. 3. Stop right then with the filling and the purging. 4. Check by sound and smell for leaking main and purge valves. If no leak, ya good! If it is leaking, I've always found that just messing with it, opening it and letting it slam shut works. My wife and I have lived off grid for these years, and cook exclusively by propane. Filled these hundreds of times now. This is what I have learned. Be blessed brother.

Cool, You can bleed off some pressure by unscrewing the transfer valve off the supply tank, and leave transfer valve on the one pound, use it to bleed off the pressure. A scale is neccessary, without it you'll over fill. If you over fill, you can bleed off the excess by using the transfer valve.

When I refill my tanks I use a multi step process to get them to a full pound. The problem is adding liquid to a tank that is already full of gas. I fill the tank until it stops, that usually gets me to about half, then I use a long handle hex wrench and bleed off some of the gas, then put the bottle back on the refill. It can take 2 or 3 times to get it full, but I have more patience than money so I don't mind the time. I don't like messing with that Schrader on the side, first of all it's a pressure relief valve so it works in reverse, pull it to activate. Second, I've had to throw away a couple bottles because the side valve started leaking after I was messing with them.

Surprisingly as an East Coast guy, I DID know that those little bottles work as a torch; Keep up the great vids and glad to see the leg is mending.

Been filling mine this was for years. Wear gloves, that propane is very cold Wear eye protection Don't get distracted Use a digital scale The colder the small bottle the faster the refill Don't use the cheaper Chinese adapter it goes bad real fast. Fork out the money for the better adapter. Squint like Clint Eastwood during the process and nobody will meass with you. Have fun and be safe. Thank you Mr. Cody for supplying the classroom.

I just use the 20 pound tank with a regulator on all my propane appliances. Coleman sells a “tree” that has several hookups for your heaters, stoves, lanterns or whatever else so you can use them all at once.

500 gal propane tank. 50 potato plants to can along with the regular garden. Been buying meat and chicken on sale, flour in the fridge. Most importantly, hunting and fishing license along with the reloading gear. Depression era grandparents taught us well.

You are a true professional homeowner.

FYI after the normal upside down filling, you can further filled the 1 canister up to its maximum 1 pound. Next to your canister nozzle there is a gas escape valve and slowly with a tweezer pulled up the small knob and you will hear a hissing sound as air will be released from there . Then continue filling, after repeating the process about 4 to 5 times your gas canister will filled up fully. Thank you.

I did know about torch on the green bottles cuz I’ve done it. Good to learn something new every day.

This is why I still love RU-vid.

Try putting the tank in the freezer prior to filling + purge the air space.

Use some stats to “pull” the schrader valve plunger out to allow it to vent till it’s full

I get mine completely full by pulling on the schrader valve and not even freezing the tank. Works like a dream. Small needle nose works the best.

You need to purge the oxygen that has gotten into the bottle built at the top when you fill the tanks. Use a Allen wrench and push 2 or 3 times the spring valve in the neck then fill further. The valve on the shoulder is a pressure release so you need to pull it, but I don't mess with those since pliers muck up the valve stem and prefer not to mess with the fail safe.

I did not know this either! Hooking up the Benzomatic trigger to a camping cylinder! Brilliant!!

I knew that you can put the torch nozzle on the small propane cans. I just like the heat i get with the MAP gas bottles. You can also use either map or propane as a cutting torch instead of acetylene. They are safer then acetylene and has a cleaner cut in when I used to do metal work. It only requires a different nozzle/ tip for the different gas to convert over.

Yes you're definitely the only person that didn't know that in the world my grandfather showed me it we've been using in our tractor trailer shop for probably 40 years

I've heard having a temperature gradient is supposed to improve this process, where the receiving tank should be cooler than the source tank. Warmer means it'll expand & theoretically push more into the receiving tank. I'd like to see you revisit the issue & try this again.

I just started refilling these about four months ago and I've saved a good amount over the cost of the set up on the first round of refills. PLUS, 10 thumbs up for alerting me that you can use propane on the Benzene torch.

I've been refilling 1# bottles for about 30 years using a 20# bottle. I put the empty in the freezer for about 15 minutes, Turn the 20# upside down, attach the empty to the adapter and open the valve. When you can't hear any more transfer, it's full. The little needle valve is where it's filled at the factory. Don't mess with it. Sometimes the main connection valve doesn't seal all the way (you'll either hear the leak or smell it). Therefore, either keep an appliance connected or buy the brass screw-on caps (Amazon) that will seal the bottle until ready to use (keep up with that little brass cap).

I like the little 5 pounder bulk cylinder. Best of both worlds. 4 "green" bottles worth, costs ~5 bucks to fill, less than the cost of one green bottle.

Yes, you are the only person in the world that didn't know that. :) Try the fill test again. Pre chill the bottle in the freezer. After a few minutes disconnect, push the valve on top of the small bottle to bleed off air and displace it. Continue to fill. You will get the whole pound of gas. Don't mess with the valve on the side. Thats the pressure release safety valve. Screw that up and everything goes boom!

My dad taught this to me last winter! Thanks for the refresher- I took notes but it’s nice to see it demonstrated again

" you learn something everyday " that's why i watch your channel.

Better than freezing, release the pressure buildup by unscrewing the tank and using a screwdriver or needle nose pliers, press the center pin (NOT the Schrader valve) re-attach and fill to 90%~ no freezing necessary!

I seriously love your channel. All blessings from you and your family.

I have one and I have been able to get mine over 90% full by putting the small canister in the freezer for awhile and meanwhile heating up the big tank. I have found it works best in the summer when I can leave the big tank out in the hot sun for a few hours while the little one cools off in the freezer. Maximizing the temperature difference is critical to getting the best transfer.

Love these short practical videos.

If you wrap the large tank in an electric blanket or a heating pad it will also raise the bottle pressure to help filling the smaller frozen tanks Same way we fill nitrous bottles Also you have to pull out on the Schrader valve to help purge the air

That's why I enjoy watching your channel- you're honest ( putting the fire lighter onto the propane tank "...I didn't know...."). Keep well, mind your leg - you've a family to consider ( not just the You Tube family).

Another tip to keep from overfilling these small tanks is to lay these tanks horizontal and clock the tanks at 10 or two so when the tank is full you get liquid propane out

My world was rocked today too! I knew something that Wranglerstar didn't. I prefer this green bottles for soldering. Much less likely to tip over when setting it down.

I cannot believe a professional home owner such as Cody didn’t know you could use Coleman style cylinders with a torch head lol.

My father in law showed me the torch one on our last camping trip. I was starting a fire with my torch, but sadly ran out of fuel…. I asked where he got the torch tip that fits on a 1lb can…. He’s like….. ummmmm, from your torch over there that ran out a min ago….. Learned that one from a great man!!!

I was the complete opposite on that last bit Cody, I had no idea they made the slim cylindrical bottles of propane/map gas. I enjoy seeing people educating themselves! Thank you for sharing with others sir

Raised on a big farm/ranch...ran propane equipment, good video.

Pull up on the Schrader valve to purge the pressure while filling. You can fill a tank 100% in 30 seconds. Best to do outside obviously. My grandfather would leave the bottle connected overnight and they will fill up all the way too.

I’ve always used the camping propane tanks on my blow torch. I like that it’s got a wider base and sits upright easier and don’t tip over like the skinny torch tanks

Thanks for the tip. I just added this item to my Amazon wish list since Christmas is coming up

Cody, I would think that it definently worked well especially for only $20. The issue about those 1lb tanks is availability. During the planned demic they have been very hard or scarce to come by. So even one filled to 60% is more useful than an empty one.

Been doing that for years, have the"expanded" tanks to prove it lol. When we go to the city dweller campgrounds I have the kids dumster dive for new tanks to refill. Endless supply!

Fill with the “filler” tank upside down so that fluid is directed into the refill. If the filler tank is upright, you are only pushing vapor into the refill.

Hey Cody, you need to add nut drivers to your tool box, for hose clamps,...the only way to stay on the clamp. 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16.

Been doing this now for a few years with that same “filler” turning the bbq tank upside down. Also grab that purge valve with a hemostat or needle nose pliers and pull it to purge air. When propane comes out……stop filling. It’s the bees knees!

Yes, you're the only person. In your defense, I didn't know it until about 2 years ago.

I would recommend not overfilling these disposable tanks. I've seen some pretty major swelling and possible explosion from an overfilled tank. 75 - 80 % fill seems like the safe bet. Maybe even less if storing them for any length of time. Anyways, that's just been what I've experienced with that.

Thank you Cody. That's why I love this channel Right there Folks. I learn something new everyday time I watch this channel.

Prayers to you and yours Cody

Johnny Prepp here, FIRST OFF LOVE YOUR CHANNEL You just made my day, at 64 I like to think im pretty well acquainted with STUFF. I'm shocked there is actually something You didn't know.

I like to use those green camping style ones on my torch because they don't knock over as easy

We've been being told of the coming food crisis for the past 3+ years.... but I'm still gonna watch your video :)

whoooo I knew something Cody didn't! I'm the smartest of all time!!

I learnt from this man in just a few videos more than any school I attended for years

means you can fill your torch bottles too. winning!

FREEZE THE LITTLE GREEN TANK (in your freezer, for 15/20 minutes), turn the big tank upside down, attach cold bottle, fill & shake the assembly - wait until you hear a second "boil off/bubble off" shake again, keeping assembly upside down - wait another minute, close the valve, turn back upright - remove bottle - Just filled 3 1lb bottles that way and they are ~100% full...

Brass is cheap when you melt down spent mil spec ammo casings. The South Koreans used to pick up the spent brass from our live fire operations. They'd melt the brass down and make candle sticks, brass plates, ship bells and other items.

My torch head I use is a horizontal head that I got at Harbor Freight. But I use the green bottles for that. It works great.

I literally purchased the same refill valve and love it. Use an old HVAC scale to weigh my cylinders

You also need to understand the different gas mix ratios that are available IE butane/propane. Here in NZ our domestic portable BBQ bottles are 60% propane 40% butane. Camping cannisters here are butane. Commercial gas fuelled vehicles are 100% propane. The reason for these mixes differ, but butane will remain a liquid below 0C while propane will liquify at -42C. Knowing this will help you understand what the limitations are in filling these mini bottles. Simply opening the purge valve to reduce pressure and get more liquified gas in may not work well if the mini tank temperature is well above the gases boiling point. The problem with mixes is that during winter months it may seem like you have an empty tank (no pressure) but can still feel/hear liquid sloshing around inside the cannister. That's because it's not warm enough to gas off the fuel inside (probably butane). If you go camping in the woods during winter and can't get a camping cannister to run properly that's probably because it's butane. NOTE: MAPP gas (propene) is very similar to propane with a boiling point of around -47C. Its most often found in small gas brazing/welding torches. MAPP burns at a slightly higher temp to propane.

that small valve is a pressure relief you will occasionally fill a bottle then find it leaks, if you don't have a heater or lantern ready to take that bottle it will all leak out. Amazon sells brass caps for the one pound bottles. I hand a hose made at a propane place 25 years ago and I've been refilling ever since. If you have a big house tank 250 500 gal. you can get a wet line to fill the 30-100 lb tanks from the larger tank then fill the 1-lb from the 30.

mind blown. best thing i've learned today possibly all week lol

You should mark the cans, since it's illegal to transport them in a motor vehicle in some states after they've been refilled.

The 1 pound bottles are $5+ these days. This is great.

Thanks. A real video. Not a short!!!

I just tried this out myself and if you set the refilled tanks upright on a table for a minute, purge the valve(by quickly pressing the center pin in the threaded connector with an allen key) a few times and then re-refill the tanks you can actually get over 16oz propane (empty tank weight about 13oz) fairly easily.

I appreciate your attitude. You are man enough to admit when you're wrong. My father taught me at a very age . It's nice to be right. But it takes a big man with character self assured in him self to admit to being wrong . And you prove to me you are of good character. BTW I did the same experiment you did. I was ignorant and didn't know. But i found out for myself . In one must invert the tank in order to fill the small ones. And no I never gave it a thought that you can use a 1lb propane bottle on a hand torch. So you taught this old man something. Thank You.

I've been using the green propane pounders for the torch for decades...

Thank you and God bless you too.

As a Michigan middle coast guy, all I use is those green canisters for my torching needs.

Yes ,you are the only one.

Hey brother. Thanks for this video. I think a lot of people are curious about this one. We've used it for a bit now, and it saves a lot!

I bought a 5lb refillable propane tank and an adapter hose for camping. Much better and far less waste. FYI I also heard you have to freeze your green tanks and they take more propane.

yep

I pull the Schrader valve out and fill it to a pound no problem been doing for years be careful I've got over a pound quite a few times. Love you're videos very much thank you for taking the time to watch you do it great 👍 love you and your family is always in my prayers 🙏

Been refilling those little tanks for decades now; for some reason I can get a full 1lb in them. I do fill them in winter tho so the tanks are cold and hold more, I get 12 small green to 1 20lb cylinder [1 green small lasts about a month cooking 2 meals on a single burner "10,000btu" stove for 2 people]. You can also get the gas hose or adaptor that has the same tread end to run a green bottle appliance OFF A 20-100LB TANK... bonus to propane is you can make & run wood gas with no change over...

Awesome bonus footage 👏 !!!!!!!

YES DEFINITELY WORTH IT. Refilling frozen canister render over 1lb. They are handy especially in buddy heaters..this winter, it will cost me 1500 a month for heating oil IF it stays at 5.89 for diesel. Any more and it will cost more than my mortgage (2098$)

Last year there was next to none around at the stores for months. These were gold around winter time

My understanding is that it is unsafe to refill the one pounder bottles as they are not designed to be filled and re-filled. There has been incidents in which folks have been injured. I have the Flame King one pound tanks and the construction is noticeably more robust and they are designed to be re-filled. Their kit comes with the device you have to refill and a holder to hold the 20LB tank upside down. The tanks also have a valve to be operated with an allen key. Check them out.

Yep, gotta pull that valve and keep it straight cuz it's easily damaged. BUT if ya wanna be slick with your mapp gas torch grab an inline filter for a little buddy heater and a long propane hose for the big bottle and run that torch of a BBQ bottle, works great for hobby stuff