Save Money by Refilling Your 1lb Propane Tanks 

I have filled and refilled all kinds of pressurized gas cylinders. Never had a problem refilling any liquid cylinder. Never refill past 85% of capacity!!! The danger of hydrostatic burst is just too great, and could kill you. Just be sure that you carefully inspect any cylinder that you are about to refill, for and outward signs of rust or mechanical damage that could compromise the tanks structural integrity!!! All pressure vessels are safety tested/designed to withstand much more pressure than they are rated for, as a safety item. So recycling propane cylinders, is not a problem, if they are not mechanically compromised by corrosion or mechanical damage. Be aware, that it is against federal law to transport a refilled nonrefillable cylinder. But then again, how does anyone know that you refilled it, unless you tell them!!! Most LE professionals have no knowledge of gas cylinder laws, save for Highway patrol folks, who are trained to inspect gas hauling tankers. I worked, for a time in a plant that refilled high pressure welding cylinders, with acetylene, and oxygen, as well as other high pressure gasses, and so we had to be sure that the bottle we were refilling had a current hydro test, and was not physically damaged!!! The pump that pumped acetylene gas into the cylinder, operated underwater, and the cylinders were sprayed with water to cool them as they filled. Acetylene was diffused into acetone, held in a porous medium, like balsa wood or diatomaceous earth. This prevents deflagration, as there is no free space for the acetylene to deregulate into. ( unfilled spaces will cause self detonation) that's why the gas is defused into acetone. Something like CO2 ( Carbon Dioxide) being infused into water to make carbonated drinks. I had a former student fill a large ammonia tank 100% full on the night shift, when it was cooler. As the first rays of sunlight hit the tank, it burst!!! killing both him and his helper, and causing a secondary explosion, and subsequent fire in the cold storage plant. Ammonia had both an explosive range and a flammable range in the atmosphere. DO NOT EXCEED 85% fill, as it will kill, even with small 16 oz. containers!!! Refilling cylinders is about as safe as any other operation. Just not for the careless or fools!!! Tim

Thank you!

Thanks

I heard a couple of days ago that when doing this, it is actually illegal to transport the one pound bottle anywhere beyond your house if it's not DOT approved with a humongous fine.

awesome and spoken simple so I can understand . lol

My steak-saver cans thank you for this information!!!

Hello from Creator Wizard!

Sheesh....."risky", "trouble", "fire", "fines", "insurance adjuster" ??? Whatever....I guess if you're incompetent and have zero mechanical skills then maybe you should just stay away from anything propane powered. Been doing this method for years. Usually only get about 60-70 percent fill, but I bring like 8 bottles that are in good condition. Just be aware that some vendors may have fuel that can have rust, trace oils and other junk from the refining process. So get a screw-on filter if you have sensitive equipment. (Like a Buddy heater). Also, you can get these nice brass screw-on caps with gaskets that protect the threads and keep junk from getting into the center seal/valve. (Amazon)

freeze the 1lb tanks first and above all you need to WEIGH it beforehand to get to 1lb

Do you not like to use the adapter to use the larger tanks?

When is the best time to refill these, winter or summer?

I am curious - when you let some gas out, more liquid propane becomes gas to fill the space. You will be able to add more, but not a lot much than you have let out.

I'm Surprised that you didn't mention that this is illegal and that you should proceed at one's own risk.

Don't stick anything in the valve seat !! No allen wrench no screw driver. If you need to bleed off some pressure use the adapter

I wish him a long life. I hope he decides to use propane tanks that are designed to be refillable instead of the one he refilled in this video.

Link to product?

🤔....... all that time and all that trouble, and all that risk, plus the cost of the parts, and Incredibly you're doing it inside of the garage ? And you can get those for five and six dollars each anytime. And what's the point of all this?

Sorry chief, my life and that of my family are worh more than the $4.99 you save per bottle. Like buying used tires, not worth the risk.

Thank you!