Refill1 lb. propane bottles 

eBay has an adapter to refill portable butane bottles for $8.00 with free shipping.

I'd about given up finding one of these and threw away a lot of empty bottles a few years ago. It only took two days to get here from California, over 1000 miles away. eBay is great for finding things, and shipping cost are affordable, and I don't have to sign up for prime like amazon to get affordable shipping.

I'm going to be looking in trash cans for empty bottles when I go camping this year.

YouTube has videos that show how to fill the bottles, and has videos for doing almost everything.

Reply to
dangerous dan
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Your subject line says propane botles, and your text body says butane. Perhaps you wish to choose one?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

You can cobble one up at the hardware store but you might be out more than $8.

Reply to
rbowman

Almost certainly with the price of brass fittings - - particularly specialty parts like the fitting to connect to the 1 lb bottle and the

20 lb tank. (likely more than $8 each)
Reply to
clare

Butane or propane?

Why do you need to refill them?

Reply to
Don Y

Maybe because they're empty?

Reply to
Bo

I don't see many people using portable butane bottles in NYS. Hardly worth a refill rig. And, I would not know where to get bulk butane.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Where does one get a 20 lb tank of butane?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Center posted, as yours was.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

My experience is only with propane. About half the cost, in 20 pound tanks. Sadly, the valves tend to leak on the one pounder cylinders.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Half the cost? I'm pretty sure it's much less than that.

A quick on-line check shows that 1 lb tanks are going for $3-$4 these days. I just had a 20 lb tank filled for under $10. Even the more expensive Blue Rhino style exchanges are much cheaper than "half the cost" on a per pound basis.

I've had a refill adapter for 10+ years. You don't get anywhere near a full

1 lb refill, so you have to do it more often than you might like, but it does cut down on the cost considerably.
Reply to
DerbyDad03

The one time I checked, pounders were about two bucks a pound, and bulk was about a buck a pound. Of course, prices change. It may well be different, now.

Some devices, you can get a flexible hose, which cuts down on fussing with the pounders. I've seen someone put a bit of soapy water on the valve after refill, to check for blowing bubbles (leaky valve). Looked good, to me.

One friend tells me Coleman tanks refill better than Ozark Trail brand.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

...snip...

I have a T-adapter and 2 long hoses so I can use my portable propane grill and propane stove with a single

20 tank.

Whether I use that set-up or not depends on the camping trip. 4+ nights typically gets the full kitchen set-up, including 2 camping cabinets, plywood counter top, 20 lb tank, both cooking appliances, etc.

Weekend trips are usually a lot simpler and that's when the 1 lb tanks are used. Typically just the propane stove, one pot meals and a cowboy coffee maker.

I used to use the 1 lb tanks for my propane lantern, but I've upgraded to 12V LED strings looped through the frame of my pop-up canopy. Much better light, cheaper, easier, etc.

...snip...

Reply to
DerbyDad03

Did we hear back from the OP, why s/he wants to refill 1 pound pro-bu-pane-tane bottles?

The T / hoses sound like they pay for them selves in a couple tanks of propane. Good idea. I do have some kind of beanstalk thing, but not yet used it. Some day.

Propane is great for mantle lanters, heat and light. I loaned one to a guy for a winter power cut, and much appreciated. Lenny went through

25 or so pounders, I finally loaned him a 20# tank and a heater that screws onto the 20#. Neither of us knew it would be "that long" of a power cut.

Propane lanterns or Coleman fuel are less great for hurricanes, or other warm weather power cuts when you're already over heated.

LED string would be much safer for fire.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Where do you buy a 1 lb bottle of Butane. The OP is talking about propane - doesn't know the difference. In Europe you can buy 20 lb Butane bottles

Reply to
clare

My last 20 lb propane refill was under $12 including tax

Reply to
clare

Clearly my question was misunderstood. Let's put it in simpler terms: For *what* are you using 1 lb tanks in such quantity? Why would you want to go to all this hassle to save a few dollars? The tanks aren't designed with reuse in mind. If you're using so many of them that refilling is economical, why aren't you looking at other approaches besides 1 lb propane tanks?!

Reply to
Don Y

This video covers the costs, refill process options and just about everything you could possibly want to know about refilling the 1lb tanks.

His no-chill/pressure-release valve method is something I will try.

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Reply to
DerbyDad03

I have a heater that screws to the top of a 20 lb tank. I have used it in my attached garage, but I don't like it. I might be imagining it, but I always feel like I smell propane in the basement after it's been running in the garage for a few hours.

Maybe the fumes make it inside as I go in and out or something like that. SWMBO never complained (and she would if she smelt it!) but it worries me.

I also get a slight headache if I spend too much time in the garage with the burner going. Maybe I'm just too sensitive.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

Under $10, with tax, at BJ's last weekend. They charge a flat rate regardless of how much they add. I have a spare tank, so paying the flat rate at BJ's is fine because my tank is always bone dry. Plus, there is rarely any waiting in line.

The U-Haul near me is priced by the gallon (pound?) but you have to go inside, wait in line while some rookie decides how much truck they need to rent, then go back outside and wait by the tank, etc. I don't even know if it's cheaper than BJ's because I stopped going there because of the hassle. It can't be cheaper enough to be worth the hassle. I just don't have the patience for that.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

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