Refill or exchange
Which one is actually cheaper?
The short answer
Refilling is cheaper per gallon because exchange cylinders are filled to 15 lbs, not the 20 lbs the tank holds. Exchange wins on speed, and on tanks that are out of date or damaged. We do both.
This is the question we get asked at the pump more than any other, and the answer is not complicated once you know what is in an exchange cylinder.
Side by side
| Refill | Exchange | |
|---|---|---|
| Propane you get | Full 20 lbs, about 4.7 gallons | 15 lbs, roughly three quarters |
| How you pay | Per gallon, metered | Fixed price per cylinder |
| Partly full tank | Pay only for the top up | You forfeit whatever was left |
| Time | Three to five minutes | Under a minute |
| Your tank | You keep it | You give it away |
| Out of date tank | Cannot be filled until recertified | Exchange it and walk away |
| Needs an attendant | Yes | No |
A simple rule
If your tank is in date and in good shape, refill it. You get a third more gas and you pay for what you take.
If your tank is out of certification, rusted, or you just do not want to own it any more, exchange it. Recertifying a tank often costs more than the tank is worth.
If you are turning up at nine at night and you want to be home, exchange is the quick one. We are open late either way.
Common questions
Is refilling propane cheaper than exchanging?
Per gallon, almost always yes. An exchange cylinder holds 15 lbs of propane in a tank built for 20. When you refill you get the full 20 lbs and you pay only for the gallons that go in, so you are not paying a fixed price for a partly full tank.
Then why does anyone exchange?
Speed, and tank condition. Exchange takes under a minute and needs no attendant. It is also the cheapest way out of a tank that is past its certification date, rusty or damaged, because you hand the problem over instead of paying to fix it.
Do I lose my own tank if I exchange it?
Yes. The tank you hand in is gone and you take whichever one comes out of the cage. If you have a good tank you looked after, refilling keeps it.
Which should I pick for a barbecue?
Refill, unless your tank is out of date. A 20 lb cylinder gives you around a third more cooking out of a refill than out of an exchange, for less money.