What size propane tank?

[ameyers41]

I'm getting sick of the 1lb tanks piling up in my garage waiting for a trip to the recycle place. Besides the cost, I feel somewhat guilty for not going with something a little more environmentally friendly like a refillable bulk tank. I currently have an Otter Cabin, which is dragged out by hand, along with all my other gear. I'm a little reluctant to pile on a 20 lber on top of everything else due to weight.

I've found the 20's for about $30 and the 11lbers for no less than $45.

What do you guys use, and have you found the smaller bulk tanks any cheaper than what I'm seeing? Do I suck it up and haul the bigger, heavier tank? I guess the benefit of sucking it up is that I have 2 20's sitting next to my gas grill...

I'm currently using a buddy, but I bought the hose and filter to use with a bulk tank.

Thanks all!

[Jeremy airjer W]

11# pancake style for me!

[Shack]

I seen some nice new refillable 4lbers at Fleet Farm the other week.

I currently use a 5lber I fill from my 20lber. It last's from 10-12 hours and is so nice to move around with. I use a Mr. Heater sun flower style heater.

[Scott K]

I have the 11 lb tank and it is nice, but if you run out after hours or on the weekend, its hard to find someone to refill it, and nobody has them for exchange. So I usually use the 20 lb'er.

[picksbigwagon]

I have a 5# but I wish I had an 11#

[ameyers41]

Hey Shackbash - How do you refill a smaller tank off a 20lber? I like the idea of having basically 2 11lb fills off a 20lb tank, or I could "top it off" after each time out.

Is this easy/safe to do? I understand it's illegal to transport refilled 1lbers (although they make an adapter for this purpose), but I like the idea of refilling an 11. I'm just wary of the safety issues and how I'd go about transferring gas from the 20 to 11 without over/under fills.

[ratmn218]

i would use the 20 pounder, i had a 5 pounder filled yesterday.price was almost 10 bucks, holds 1 gallon of propane.20 pounder cost 17 dollars to fill holds 4 gallons of propane, much more cost effeciant.4- 5 pounders equals 1 20 pounder. but to fill 4- 5 pounders would cost almost 40 bucks

[Draven422]

ameyers,

You can buy the fillers.

( Note from admin,please read forum policy before posting again,thank-you.)

[jwhjr]

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11# pancake style for me!

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That's what I've been using. I was lucky enough to get a spare through a buddy for $20 filled, so I have an extra.

[Shack]

ameyers41,

I have to top off my 5lber to night. I will post some images of what I do. I have been doing it of 2 years now and with a little common sense, its as safe as the 15 year old kid filling a 20lbers from a pump system at the local gas station.

Ventilation and weight are they key.

[blkfrg]

I have a 5#, 11# and several 20#. If pulling out my otter, the 5# is nice but the 11# last twice as long and does not add much more weight than the 5. The 20's can stay in the garage until I can drive out. Cost wise, it only cost $4 to fill the 5 and $9 for the 11. It is the initial outlay that makes the smaller tanks more of a challenge to justify. If price does not matter, go with the 11.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Happy B -Day 4wanderingeyes

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I have the 11 lb tank and it is nice, but if you run out after hours or on the weekend, its hard to find someone to refill it, and nobody has them for exchange. So I usually use the 20 lb'er.

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Its a lot easier when you have a key to the propane shack!

[CNCMike]

What do I need in order to use a 11 or 20# tank on my Mr. Heater that was meant for 1# tanks? I would love to use larger tanks but am not certain what all I need. I keep seeing a hose deal, but no one seems able to clarify if I will need anything other than a hose. Any help would be great!

[Draven422]

When I go camping by Brainerd in early May, I use the heater in the tent. All that is needed is the hose. Works great and doesn't go out in the middle of the night.

All it is, is an extension. That's all you need.

[Shack]

Just the hose. You can buy what you need at Menards. Go to heating (propane and wood stove area) and they will have Mr. Heater brand fittings and hoses. Should be around 12-14 bucks.

[CNCMike]

Really? So the hose, which essentially connects my 1# thread to a larger thread for the 11 or 20# threads is all I need?!?!? Cool. No filter, no regulator. Just hook up the Mr Heater to the hose and the hose to the bigger tank and I am set?! Yay!

[CNCMike]

Awesome., Thanks guys!

[Shack]

CNC,

I am postive that they will have a kit made up for you. You will not have to piece together a hose and fitting. They should be eye level and in a clear box. One end will have a 1lber male fitting and the other will have the larger male fitting that goes into the 20lber. The hose will be about 5 feet long.

good luck

P.S.,

You have a Mr. Heater/cooker right? If not, LOL! I hope you have a bracket to hang the sunflow from.

[CNCMike]

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You have a Mr. Heater/cooker right? If not, LOL! I hope you have a bracket to hang the sunflow from.

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Correct. I have seen the hose things, but no one ever seemed clear or confident that that was all I would need. I will trust the experts on here and pick one up tonight after work. I figure that the 20# for the grill could use something to do over the winter other than just sit there collecting snow.

[shooter_mcgavin]

Time for a dumb question:

Why are propane tanks measured in pounds? Its liquid propane, so why not gallons?

If you can really fill an 11-pound cylinder for $9, and that equals the amount of propane in eleven one-pound cylinders, then you would save about $18.50 everytime you fill the 11-pound cylinder (at $2.50 per cylinder). Sounds like it pays for itself pretty quickly......

[Scott K]

Thanks airjer,

Yes just a hose would be all you need, Menards, Gander, FF, ect... will all have what you need. You shouldnt need a filter for the cooker, but if you converted a Big Buddy heater I would reccomend one!

[CNCMike]

I just went out and got the 5' hose adapter thing. Tried it out in the garage and it works like a champ!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO! No more 1# cans rollin all over the truck, stacked up like cord wood in the garage or scattered about! Thanks for the help guys.

I got the last one in the local Menards.

Now, if were only not my wife's birthday I would try it out on the lake....stupid birthdays

[FishingWebGuy]

I pull 2 20lbers out with my house everytime we go. I really don't like running out of heat on a cold night when you are over a hot bite.

Plus they last a long time, are cheap to fill, and I use them both in the summer on a grill and mosquito thingy.

[Jeremy airjer W]

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Why are propane tanks measured in pounds? Its liquid propane, so why not gallons?

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Because they are filled by weight, not by volume. Some places still charge by the gallon but the tank is always on a scale to tell when it is full.

[fast40m]

Hey Shackbash- When you have time would you please post those pics.