Propane refill
We fill your tank by the gallon
The short answer
Bring your cylinder to 5600 Baltimore Drive in La Mesa. An attendant checks the date and valve, fills it, and you pay per gallon. Around three to five minutes. Open daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Refilling means the propane goes into the tank you already own. You are charged for the gallons that actually flow in, which is why refilling almost always beats swapping a cylinder.
How it works
1. Pull up
Park at the propane tank and let an attendant know. No appointment, no queue system.
2. We check the tank
Date stamp, valve type and overall condition. A tank past its certification date cannot legally be filled, and we will show you where the date is.
3. We fill it
Filled to the correct 80 percent level. The other 20 percent is head space propane needs to expand into safely.
4. You pay for gallons
Metered, so a half empty tank costs less than an empty one. Nobody is charging you for a full tank you did not need.
What we fill
| Tank | Holds when empty | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 20 lb cylinder | About 4.7 gallons | Barbecue, patio heater, camping |
| 30 lb cylinder | About 7.1 gallons | RV, larger heaters |
| 40 lb cylinder | About 9.4 gallons | Commercial heating, food service |
| 33 lb forklift tank | About 7.8 gallons | Warehouse and yard forklifts |
| RV and camper cylinders | Varies by tank | Travel trailers, campers |
Gallon figures are the usable capacity of a correctly filled tank at 80 percent. Call ahead if your tank is an unusual size or fitting.
Common questions
How long does a propane refill take?
Usually three to five minutes once an attendant is with you. We check the date stamp and the valve, hook up, fill to the correct level and read the meter. You pay for the gallons that went in.
Do I have to be there while it is filled?
Yes. Propane is filled by an attendant and you stay with your vehicle. It is quick, and it means you see the meter.
What if my tank is empty?
That is fine. An empty 20 lb cylinder takes about 4.7 gallons. A tank is never filled to 100 percent by design, because propane expands, so 80 percent full is a correctly filled tank.
Can you fill a tank I just bought?
Yes. A brand new cylinder ships with air in it and needs purging before its first fill. Tell us it is new and we will handle it.
Do you fill tanks for other businesses?
Yes. Restaurants, landscapers, food trucks and warehouses around La Mesa and El Cajon refill with us. Ask about a running account if you come through regularly.