The RIGHT way to refill little green propane bottles and SAVE $$ 

Federal law prohibits transportation if refilled-penalty up to $500,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment (49 U.S.C. 5124)

2-18-‘24. Thanx. Exactly what I was looking for! I also appreciate the tactical instructions w/o a bunch of yakty yak! & that buddy heater is why I looked for a vid.

There is a « snorkel » tube inside the flame king that is connected to the allen wrench operated valve. When you see liquid going out of th hole, it is full (with 20% space on top for expansion/safety).

Yes Jamie, hubby and I look for these green bottles while camping. People throw them away all the time. He taught me and it is so easy. There are tricks to it.

Flame king setup is a very nice and well thought out piece of equipment. Very happy I went this way, I have saved a lot of $. Nice video!

I find it awesome. One of your first videos i watched was on refilling the green bottles. This is the new improved version. Ive been thinking about using a filter due to having to clean out a few regulators and buddy heaters. They seam to collect the odorant in low spots and with the tank upside down you get more than you should in the small tanks

The Schrader valve is the Achilles heel of 1lb bottles. I've found it's best to leave em alone and purge thru the top to release air.

Thanks Jamie! I can never figure out where to find these pieces.I know what I want and need but I never know what they're called. You've made it so much easier for me to have the listings. 👍👍

great video letting ppl understand the price that are paying for those small green bottles vise the cost of propane

Thanks a lot Jamie! In my opinion, Flame King is the way to go. Stay safe and the bus wheels mudless (lol)!

The little green bottles are .125 or 1/8th of a gallon so for refill cost start with the cost of 1 gal of propane and then divide it by 8 or multiply it by .125. So if you paid $2.00 for a gal of propane your refill cost is about $.25 cents per bottle. Now if you compare the cost of a new green bottle that’s anywhere from $3.50 to $6.00 with the cost of refilling them its 14-25 times more expensive to buy new ones rather than refill them.

Another money saving tip ! Thanks for keeping us’ins informed. Keep sippin that LP.

Good idea and you can save a lot of money, plus not have to throw away the bottles. Does anyone know what ever happened to Lee with the Fantastic Van Build ? He had the best van build and was the smartest engineer I have seen on RU-vid dealing with van builds. Thank you.

A little micro hand drill set might clamp down on that valve just right and not scar it up and next time you do it, take the can that you're filling up and put it in the freezer first. It will almost create a negative pressure inside the canister to pull in the propane

No,no better way,new to the nomadic life. Love it. Ty so much for ur time and effort.

Always a way around! Thanks for showing us this.

Been using flame king for three years now . Love them !

My local Menard's in IN, carries this Flame King refill kit and the refill tanks

Excellent vlog thanks for sharing your insights. Many blessings

I've already bought the flame King setup. I haven't used it yet. It came with one refillable bottle. I ordered 4 additional bottles when I ordered it.

great idea thanks 4 sharing.. be safe out there.

A good information trying to refill bottles right now. I think I'm out of got lucky on this I had several neighbors give me some I got like 50 bottles for around yourself like empty.

thank you for sharing I'm going to show my customers this video 😃😃

Great demo.

The valve in the big cylinder goes down a fair way into the cylinder so you can only fit them to 80%. This will stop any impurities in the cylinder from going down the pipe. Assuming you let it settle before starting. I would assume the small cylinder has the same feature so it wouldn’t matter if it was upright

Exact video I was looking for. I bought the flame king set and several of their 1 lb tanks because it's a great product. Sizable investment at first though. Kit with 1 bottle was around $45 and each extra bottle is $20. Will pay off in time though. I also have 17 "green bottles" that I didnt want to just throw out. I will more than likely recycle them after 4 or 5 refills though. I have never considered the filter though. Thank you for this video. I didnt want to be the one who had to make it for those of us looking to do this very same thing. Upload a video? Make/edit a video? I'm good, I can watch videos...life's not bad. Thankx again.

It's not just about saving money it's also about recycling and not having to throw good containers away and like you said if you live in a small town they may be sold out when you need them that's happened to me many times I wish I would have known they could have been refilled then

I’m going to shock u. I’m from Canada and to buy one 1lb tank is $8 dollars at Walmart. That’s the cheapest place to buy them. Thank you for this video. You’re going to save me tons of cash. 🙏

I avoid using the pressure release valve because they weaken with the method you used. I turn off the 20 pounder, disconnect the 1 pounder, after filling noise subsides. Then, use a small screw driver or Allen wrench to press the center pin, to release air pressure from the 1 pound tank. It works well. I think I've watched ten videos on this subject through the years. Everyone has their own method, including cooling the tank.

Thanks Jamie. I got some good info out of this video.

Jamie..you are a gem..cheers!

Didn’t know you could refill those... thanks Jamie...

Outstanding....I think the filter gets rid of oils ?? Great idea to have it Thanks for a great video sir.

Thank you!

Good vedio. Thank you ☺

Good information

Great idea. I used the green ones when camping with my motorcycle.

The valve on the Flame King tank is designed to begin spitting liquid fuel when the tank is 80% full if it’s upright.

The filter is not for refilling, but for many cheap extension hoses that leech out oil when exposed to high pressure propane. They now make a buddy extension hose that does not require the filter.

Thanks - great review.

Thanks!!

I have the SHINESTAR small adaptor to fill the Green 1Lbs but have yet to try it!

You can get a full charge by burping the small bottles with a punch or drill bit for 4-5 seconds. do it with the bottle upright, depress the valve inside the threaded nipple, then fill again with the large tank. DO THIS OUTSIDE WITH NO IGNITION SOURCES NEARBY🔥, DO NOT MESS WITH THE VALVE ON THE BOTTLE ITSELF, it's a safety blow off valve that works opposite of the main valve. only do it 2 times, and weigh the bottle. it should be between 15-16 oz net, if its a little over, bleed it down with your punch. I use these 1lb bottles with a big buddy propane furnace, and it's nice to get a full bottle run without having to get out of a nice warm sleeping bag :o)

Good to have this setup just to be able to hook yourself or random people up w a day or two worth of fuel if you're far away from town.

It is interesting there are videos warning of dire consequences of refilling regular 1 lb tanks, but have you ever heard or seen a report of someone getting injured or one of them exploding under normal use and circumstances? I have not, and neither has anyone I have asked nor have I seen any evidence.

The new Propane tanks have a float valve that prevents flow if the tank is upside down.

I'm thinking that using the filter is wasting fuel... I just purge the tank using the small adapter while the bottle is inverted.

9:28 You are one of the few if not one of the only people who show how to line them up or even bring it up.

I think you might want to put the pressure release on the lower side when you tilt the tank in order to not fill it all the way? With the release at the top, it looks like you're actually allowing it to fill all the way to the very top.

Im going camping by myself tomorrow. Can i borrow you to set up my "instant" tent, fly thingy, and refill my bottles 😂

Did you have to cut the plastic washer to be flat so the filter would fit?

I hate writing negative stuff but this video is the reason why refilling tanks is prohibited. 1. When you refilled the 1lb tank, you tilted it at an angle with the valve being at the highest point. That way you can accidentally (depending on tilt angle) let in more than 80%. And the limit of 80% is not some arbitrary number. It has a lot to do with the thermal expansion coefficient. Anything more than 80% full and in warm summer months, in a closed car, you could have the release valve open and fill your car/van with propane. Open the door, make a spark and bye bye. 2. They are called 1lb tanks for a reason. They can safely hold only 1lb or 450g of propane. Only weight should be the determining factor. And empty tank is around 370g so a totally full tank should be no more than 800g. 3. There is no need to mess up the emergency release valve with pliers. You make it weaker, you risk that it will open before it needs to or it might be leaking a bit of propane all the time. A totally empty 1lb tank will easily accept 450g over the course of around 1 minute or a bit more. But you need to make sure the tank is empty so you need to press the valve in the middle. It is designed to be pressed numerous times, each time you screw-unscrew it from your stove. That way you do not release propane all over yourself and do not risk an explosion over your face in case there is a tiny spark. For example from your polyester shirt. 4. No need to worry about releasing pressure after refilling or during refilling. Propane is not artificially pressurized but it creates pressure itself. So no matter if the tank is 1lb or 200 gallons, the pressure is the same and will equalize. If you have air in the tank, you will simply fill it a little slower but it will always have the same pressure corresponding to the physical characteristics of propane (around 100-150psi in normal temps). 5. Safe refilling is doable but the steps are different. - make sure tank is empty by pressing on the valve nipple in the middle of the tank - connect 1lb tank to upside-down 20lb tank - open valve and wait 1min. - remove tank and CHECK WEIGHT. CANNOT EXCEED 800g. - if close to 800g, let it be, you are good. - if really low (500-600g), refill again until getting close to 800g. - ALWAYS WEIGH THE TANKS. - Always weigh the tanks. - Did I already say to always weigh the tanks? Transporting refilled tanks is illegal so do not do it.

With the "Orona-Cay Irus-Vay" thing now limiting our availability of certain goods, the small green bottles of gas might not be _available,_ so this video is even more pertinent.

I love the video. I can tell you catch grief from trolls or negative nancy folks. ❤ Dont worry i will troll tf outta them 😘 😂

Filter is mounted on heater,filter after it go through rubber hose from tank. Impurities from the hose?

I need that filler 🛠🇨🇦🛠🇨🇦🛠👍👍

Thanks. I seen one guy he just let out all the air. Then turned the valve. No bleeding.????

I love when you say I've never tried this as you make an instructional video

If you depress the valve on the top with a small Allen key you don’t have to worry about the little pull valve.

Do the flame king bottles last longer?

I dunno I could be wrong but if liquid is coming out I would be careful because it could be filled above 80% which is a problem. I don't think you need a fuel filter either and should be weighing it so it is no more than 16 oz.

Do i need a regulator on my refill hose when refilling?

i just fill them and when it wont take any more let the excess air out of the top with a nail or small screwdriver until the gas starts coming out and refill again.Because if i use the one the whole that you are using I have found that they leak gas some times.

Cheapest I found the Coleman tanks is 7 dollars near me. I use the Mr heater daily and rely on refilling or else I would freeze

On the Flame King, that release valve is way high up, so what happened to the need for the air gap for expansion? And can you refill from an almost empty bulk tank if pressure gets so low?

You pulled the valve out? I push it in and seems to accomplish the same thing. I fill a little then let some pressure off and repeat until full.

I thought he said he was going to get to the point quickly. WTF? This guy carries on and on.

I bought a cable that goes from the big tank to the little tank.

Remember that once you use the filter this way, you should never use it on the heater. If you do, all the impurities you caught in it will come out into the heater because initially you use it in the opposite flow direction that it is intended. You, could mark it as such so you don't plug up your heater orifice.

just hang it off the end of the table. how much does the flame king cost? To make the green bottles last longer and to fill them up, rather than pulling on the needle, remove green bottle, use the appropriate size screw driver or whatever, holding at an angle, depress center valve stem. It is illegal to refill and transport so only refill what you will use while stationary.

Here’s a list of the equipment used in the video: Flame King Refillable 1 lb Empty Propane Cylinder Tank - with Refill Kit: amzn.to/2ymmPsq Extra refillable tanks amzn.to/3sQPPRV Propane filter to use when filling: amzn.to/2VeWOo4 Hemostats to pull valve stem while refilling: amzn.to/2VfeUGu Adapter used in previous video found here: Stand alone refill adaptor: amzn.to/2VuVVGS

Where is the location of that forest you are at displaying your propane bottle?

By Federal law bottles are only filled to 80% capacity. The flame king bottles do this automatically if you follow the refill instructions.

Does the white stem in the fill valve impede in anyway the green 1lb cylinders from screwing on tightly?

I like to put them in the freezer for a hour or so before i fill them it fills much faster

Stuff I hear you correctly the Coleman green tanks are not refillable like lifetime but the flame King are

What happens if you don't have the 20 pound tank upside down

My flame king refiller says it only works with their bottles , i nerver tryed other bottles i just thought the little peice that notches to the small bottle did that , i will have to check

Definitely a NO SMOKING zone. Lol

Hey Jamie, have you ever made a video for newbies on how to find good campsites, preferably dry camping? It’s tough starting out and wanting to go to a state that I know nothing about and where should I go?? A little daunting at times. Do you have any advice?

Lot's of work... I think using a hose connected to the 20lb tank is easier. Like you say though... many ways to skin a cat. Thanks for the video!

Yes you can refill the "Coleman" type bottles. Also tell the people that if you get caught transporting them you can be fined $250,000.00 and get 10 years in jail, it says so right on the bottle. I have the Flame King kit and several of their bottles, DOT approved for refilling and transportation. Also much safer, why put your freedom and life in danger with the "Coleman" bottles. Also it is much easier to attach the Flame King valve to the 20lb bottle before putting it on the stand.

What is that "stand" you used ? Great video

Pulling valves manually, over flow " Full" spray, with a 1# bottle,. I don't have any of that, with my little refill connector i bought from Amazon

I'm trying to figure out how you got that filter (or any non Flame King bottle) to fit on that fill adapter. The Flame King fill kit has a plastic extrusion where you thread the bottle (or in this case the oil filter) to prevent you from filling anything other than a Flame King bottle. You even show this in the video and mention to line it up? Sincerely, I'd love to know.

What's that song say, Jamie? "God didn't make little green bottles, and it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime...."

Anybody else glaze over before 2 minutes in? A boyfriend laughed at me one time when i explained to him (just half-joking, ok quite sincerely) something was a 'man'-job. I'm probably going to need an IN-PERSON tutorial for this.... i still laugh that I was scared of my juicer when I got it the first time. I do fill the water and oil in my truck regularly tho (after an in person demo by a man-type 😀).

you can weigh the empty cylinder and weigh the full cyl. and if its more than 1 lb. press the valve on top that you fill thru to let some gas out until you have 1 lb.

Cant you just connect the heater to the 20lb tank? I'm kind of new to this, so just asking.

Hehehe huh bub. Love it.

Where is the best place to buy a refillable 1lb bottle? I see prices from 7 bucks to 39 bucks. I don't want to get scammed. Are they made in America?

Those filters are to catch oil breakdown from hoses, should not really help with all metal set up.

The price in 2022 has doubled since this video was made.

Why turn the tank upside down?

Try using a digital scales... Easy peasy.

Got a lite

I think you’re confused around the overpressure valve location and it’s inner workings. Both implements have a tube that goes down from the top of the bottle such that the liquid level reaches that tube (which is about an inch below the top of the bottle). That is where the extra venting happens if needed - tilting the bottle screws up where that liquid level interfaces with the bottom of that tube. Ideally the level of the liquid propane should be at the bottom of that tube when the tank is upright. This is in either case Coleman or Flame King. I can almost guarantee the way you had the Coleman tilted when filling that you had overfilled it once liquid propane started spewing out of the over press valve. Lastly there’s no way you would be able to hold these tanks and determine by feel ‘yeah that’s a good fill’! It is absolutely imperative that you weigh the bottle. The Coleman tanks should never be filled more than 29 1/2 oz total. This can only be done with a digital scale venting may be necessary to make that happenGreat video.

Nifty idea the filter you know but the truth be known is if the tank is Rusty on the inside it's worthless and they won't fil it

bought one at menards the other day for 5.86.

Put the green tank in the freezer for 30 min then fill it