Exchange tanks
Yes, we can refill a Blue Rhino or AmeriGas tank
The short answer
A Blue Rhino or AmeriGas cylinder is a standard 20 lb DOT tank. Once it is yours, we can refill it by the gallon, provided it is within its certification date and passes a visual inspection.
A lot of people assume an exchange cylinder is locked to the company whose sleeve is on it. It is not. The sleeve is marketing. Underneath it is the same tank everyone else fills.
Why this matters
Exchange cylinders are filled to 15 lbs of propane in a tank rated for 20. If you keep swapping the same cylinder back and forth you are buying three quarters of a tank every time, at a flat price, and forfeiting any gas left in the one you hand over.
Refill the tank you already own and you get the full 20 lbs, you pay per gallon, and a part full tank costs less to top up.
Common questions
Can you refill a Blue Rhino tank?
Yes. Once you have bought or exchanged a cylinder it is a standard 20 lb DOT tank and any licensed filler can refill it, as long as it is within its certification date and passes inspection. The brand name on the sleeve makes no difference.
Is it cheaper to refill it than keep exchanging?
Per gallon, yes. Exchange cylinders are filled to 15 lbs. A refill puts the full 20 lbs in, and you pay for the gallons rather than a flat swap price.
Will I get in trouble for refilling an exchange tank?
No. The cylinder is yours once you have paid for it. The exchange companies would rather you kept swapping, but nothing stops you refilling a tank you own.
What if it is out of date?
Then it cannot be refilled until it is recertified. At that point exchanging it is usually the cheaper move, and we sell exchange cylinders here too.