Any standard gas grill tank will be accepted by Blue Rhino as long as it is in good working order. For exchange, we accept all brands of propane.
Pros:
- Convenience. It’s simple and quick to exchange your propane tank at a Blue Rhino partner, and it may be done at any time of day. You can throw an unexpected BBQ and find the propane you need right before the grilling starts. You merely need to drop off your old tank and pick up a new one to complete the process.
- Exchanged propane tanks are tested on a regular basis, so you’ll know that the tank you pick up has plenty of life left in it and has been thoroughly inspected for any problems.
- Blue Rhino accepts any brand of tank, so simply place your empty tank next to the display, have a store clerk swap your tank for a full one or two, and go about your day.
Cons:
- It is less cost-effective. In two aspects, exchanging a propane tank is less cost-effective: higher per-gallon prices ($5-6 vs. $3-4 per gallon) and the possibility of not using all of the propane before the swap.
Is it possible to exchange an old tank for a Blue Rhino?
However, certain propane exchange firms, such as Blue Rhino, will gladly accept and recycle your unused propane cylinders at no cost to you. If you don’t want your propane tank, simply set it next to a Blue Rhino exhibit and we’ll take care of the rest.
Is it true that all propane tanks are the same?
Customers who need a propane tank for a single usage and those who need to be able to use their tank several times are the two primary sorts of propane tank customers.
A single-use propane tank may be preferable for persons who just need to utilize a propane tank on a one-time basis.
After you’ve used your single-use propane tank, make sure you properly dispose of it.
If you’re concerned about the effects of propane emissions on the environment, keep in mind that propane is an approved clean energy source.
However, due of its ability to be reused, the great majority of individuals will require a refillable propane tank rather than a single-use one.
Reusable tanks are more likely to be found in home heating systems, and they are built to tolerate significantly more abuse.
It’s All In The Size (And The Valve)
After deciding whether you want a single-use or refillable tank, you’ll need to figure out what size and valve your tank requires.
There are four standard propane tank sizes on the market today. In a recent blog post, we discussed all of them, as well as which one is best for you.
As a rule of thumb, the more energy you use from your propane tank, the larger it must be.
However, in addition to the various sizes of propane tanks available, there are many valve kinds. The valve connects the tank to the fuel supply that will be utilized to refill it.
Propane tanks come with three different types of valves:
Today, tanks with a POL valve are uncommon, as they are the oldest design and thus the least safe of the three-valve options.
ACME valves vary from previous POL valves in that they have exterior threads. They are more practical than the POL valve since they may be tightened by hand.
The ACME valve, most notably, has better safety processes to ensure that no gas spills from your tank.
If you buy a new tank today, you’ll almost certainly find one with an OPD valve, which stands for Overfill Prevention Device.
These are the safest valves on the market, and they can be adapted into many older tanks. For many tank owners, however, this may not be the most cost-effective solution.
Because OPD valves use an internal float mechanism, they have a similar safety protocol to ACME valves, but it is more secure.
If you have a POL valve on your tank, you should replace it with one of the newer, safer valve varieties.
If you’re on the market for a new tank, look for one with an OPD valve for the most up-to-date design in your tank valve.
It’s critical that you keep your propane tank’s valve safely, regardless of which one it uses.
The Location/Installation Of Your Propane Tank
Propane tanks on the market today differ based on where they are located, in addition to their size, reusability, and valve type.
There are three more types of propane tanks on the market right now in terms of installation:
- Above-Ground Storage Tanks
- Propane Tanks Buried (Underground Tanks)
- Tanks that are vertical (Cylinders)
Some people believe that installing a hidden propane tank is far more difficult than placing one above ground. In actuality, the procedure isn’t as lengthy as it appears.
You’d also think that an underground propane tank would be safer than one that is positioned above ground, because above-ground propane tanks are exposed to weather changes.
However, you should consider where an underground tank will be built; if it will be in a flood-prone area, it may be preferable to purchase an above-ground tank.
Each tank type has its own set of protective measures in place to keep it safe from the elements, whether above or below ground.
In either case, a buried propane tank is likely to be more expensive, as you’ll need to acquire both the tank and the equipment for excavating land to install it.
Vertical propane tanks, often called cylinders, are typically smaller than horizontal tanks.
As a result, they’re more suited for tiny applications like a grill than for heating a whole house.
They are, however, far easier to transport than their counterparts as a result of this.
How long would a 20-pound gas tank keep you going?
Grills, water heaters, and fireplaces all use small, portable propane tanks, often known as DOT tanks. They can weigh anywhere from 20 to 100 pounds. Its lifespan is determined by the size of your grill and how frequently you use your heater or fireplace.
A medium-sized grill on high heat will use about two pounds of fuel per meal as a rule of thumb. On a medium grill, a 20lb propane tank will give 18-20 hours of cooking time if you follow this rule. In as little as 10 hours, a larger barbecue can burn through 20 pounds of propane.
What is the average life expectancy of a Blue Rhino propane tank?
It depends on how much demand the appliance places on the tank. Propane has a BTU content of 91,000 per gallon. If a client uses a propane tank to power a grill that consumes 30,000 BTU per hour, a 3 gallon tank would last for roughly 9.1 hours.
What is the capacity of a 20 pound propane tank in gallons?
Propane grills, generators, patio heaters, and other outdoor equipment are examples of its use. Find a location near you to buy or exchange a 20-pound tank. Grill cylinders are 20-pound propane tanks that store 4.6 gallons of propane when fully charged.
Can I use a 15-pound propane tank instead of a 20-pound propane tank for my grill?
The weather is finally breaking, and pleasant temperatures can be felt all around the country. The baseball season has officially begun, and lawn mowers can be heard mowing grass. All of these signs indicate to the beginning of summer, and thus the beginning of grilling season. Although the ideal hamburger recipe can be argued till the end of time, there are a few surefire ways to save money while filling up your BBQ tank.
A 20-pounder is another name for a common BBQ tank. This is due to the tank’s capacity of 20 pounds of propane. This is around 4.7 gallons of propane. Propane weights 4.24 pounds per gallon, thus the 20-pound figure is accurate.
So, how much does a full tank weigh? No, because the tank is heavy in its own right. This is referred to as the “The weight of an empty tank is known as the tare weight. Tanks have been around for a long time “T.W. (tare weight) is stamped on the tank’s collar. A propane tank’s tare weight is roughly 17.2 pounds on average. Some may be 18 years old, while others may be 16.6 years old.
What is the capacity of a Blue Rhino propane tank?
Gebo’s 20 Gallon Blue Rhino Propane Tank The Blue Rhino Pre-Filled Propane Tank will light up your grill. This cylinder is an excellent source of fuel for all of your cooking needs.
What is the weight of an empty Blue Rhino propane tank?
We’re in the midst of outdoor living season in Connecticut, which means it’s time to fire up your propane BBQ grill! Simply ensure that you have extra gas for your next summer BBQ.
However, as any veteran propane griller knows, most 20-pound propane barbecue cylinders lack a gauge, which means you’ll need to figure out how much fuel is left in your tank in another method.
Here are three easy ideas to get you started:
1. Make use of warm water. This safe and straightforward method for determining how much propane is left in your tank was given by the FiX IT Home Improvement Channel. To accomplish this,
- Fill a small bucket halfway with warm to hot tap water and set aside.
- Pour the water down the tank’s side.
- Feel for a cool location around the tank’s side using your hand.
The fill level of the tank is at the top of the cold spot (it’s cool because liquid propane inside the tank absorbs heat from the water, making the tank’s metal wall cool to the touch).
2. Check the tank’s weight. On the handle of most propane grill tanks are two numbers: the water capacity (“WC”) and the tare weight (TW), which is the weight of the tank when it is empty. When empty, most grilling tanks weigh around 17 pounds and store around 20 pounds of gas.
Simply weigh your tank on a scale and subtract the TW number to find out how much propane is left in it. If a 27-pound tank has a TW of 17 pounds, there’s about 10 pounds of gas left, or little more than half a tank.
3. Install a gauge on the outside of the building. Options for external propane tank gauges include:
- Installed between the gas line from the grill and the tank’s cut-off valve, inline pressure gauges measure pressures to determine how full the tank is.
- Analog propane scales resemble luggage scales and are pre-programmed to account for your tank’s TW.
- A digital display of remaining cook time and gas fill percentage is provided by digital propane tank scales. Some even have apps for smart phones.
Choose a gauge that you like (they’re available at your local hardware shop and on Amazon) and try it out!
Don’t let your propane cylinder burn you.
Before your next summer party, use these ways to figure out how much gas is left in your tank. Don’t panic if you run out of propane; simply visit one of our Connecticut showrooms for a propane cylinder refill!