I just bought a new grill and I asked for a propane cylinder.  They rang it up with the grill and when they went to load the grill, they tossed in a Blue Rhino cylinder, which is full.

They charged $49.99 (at Lowes).  I looked around town and found:

1.  It's going to be $22-$25 to exchange it again.

2.  I've found empty cylinders with built in gauge at Costco for $26.  The Blue Rhino has no gauge.

3.  It's difficult to find a place that will refill (not exchange) the empty cylinder.

4.  I've searched the internet and CANNOT find the price of propane.  How do you shop for propane?  A lot of places listed in the phone book just do exchange.

Since you all seem like very serious grillers, what's a boy to do?  I hate the idea of getting screwed via exchange, but where do you get your cylinders refilled (or do you exchange?) and how much should it cost?

Thanks.

m

The BluRhino is a good deal

Hi Larry,

If it costs $12 to get my cylinder refilled, how can the Blue Rhino at $25 be a good deal?  I bought a brand new cylinder so it will probably be 5 years before I need a new one, and then I can do an exchange if I want.

Also, can you have ANYONE refill a Blue Rhino or does is have to be Blue Rhino?  I've heard some of their cylinders cannot be refilled by anyone but them.

Comments, anyone?

I said it was a good deal as you were buying it outright. they do not charge 25 for exchange (at least not here where it's like 15 or 16) to exchange the tank. An EMPTY tank will run near $30

Also anyone can fill it but my refiller charges me as much or more than a BR exchange and I have to drive further so why bother

Hi again, Larry,

In Los Angeles, I've seen about 6 displays of either Blue Rhino or Amerigas.

Both were $21 - $26 for EXCHANGE.

Lowes charged me $49 for the full Blue Rhino, while those exchange places (local gas stations) were all $59 for a new, full cylilnder, and $30 for exchanging a different brand.

Out here, we call it Sunshine Tax.

I'll keep looking for a more reasonable price.  If I could find it for the price you're paying, I'd do the exchange, too.

Where do you live?  Maybe I'll just drive out there and exchange mine near you.

mike.

I live in NW IL about 100 miles from Chicago come on over and I'll fix a mess o ribs too :-)

Hi Michael,

I live in East Texas (Hallsville) and bought my own propane tank (5 gallon type) and it cost me probably about $49.00 about 2 years ago but here it cost $15.00 (as of 7/25/08) to refill it verses Blue Rhino that wants $25 for exchange. I use it 1 of them on my grill and 2 on my pop-up camper.  Hope you have a great day!

In New Jersey, I pay $18.73 (includes 7% sales tax) for a BR swap. I pay $21.40 (also includes 7% sales tax) to fill up a tank. Larry's right - BR is a good deal.

I live in South Jersey, and we have about 10 campgrounds in the county. They are always open on the weekends, and charge the same as the local hardware stores. Also, look for an RV dealer in your area.

I live in the Boston, MA area, and while I see some exchange services, I haven't bothered.  This is due to my purchasing my tank(s) at BJ's wholesale club, where I've found that many stores have propane refill service on-site.  Of course the price of propane fluctuates almost daily, like most petroleum based fuels.  My last refill cost about $14, the BJs member price.  Non members would pay about $3-4 more.   Just my 2 cents.

SER

Be advised that cylinder exchanges rarely actually fill their tanks to capacity.  They're usually about 15-20% below capacity by my experience.  Even more crazy is the fact that they charge you more for less propane.  I go to a propane dealer and pay $15 per tank and I can feel the difference when I lift the tank.

If you're in a pinch and can't make it to a propane dealer or if you don't have one nearby, sure, go ahead and exchange a tank, but if you've got a tank and will be making a pass at some point by the propane place, save some money and get more propane by buying from your local propane dealer.

If you do choose to do an exchange, don't be afraid to feel the various tanks and pick the heaviest one...in many cases, you can have tanks next to one another that are both "Full" according to the tag but are noticably lighter than others and it has nothing to do with the tank weight.

In Arkansas, it's cheaper to go & exchange it at Wal-Mart (about $20) than it is to go to Uhaul & have them fill it.  It wasn't always that way but for about the last 3 years, Uhaul cost more just to fill.  Where does the guy go in Hallsville, TX to have it filled?  My in laws live there, my wife was born & raised in Hallsville!

paid $20.00 for a tank and have never paid more than $15.00 to fill it.  I already had 1 tank ,so I have one spare while I am actively using the other.  To me BR is a ripoff.  You pay a ton for convience of having propane when and where you need it (redundant).  but what some of you guys are paying at BR, I can fill one of my propane tanks and still buy some beer for the bbq. 

That is YOU. For some of us the opposite is true

Have you tried "U-Haul" ?

Hey Mike ,

i've just got my first gas grill, I PURCHASED THE TANK with the gage ..FROM COSTCO....@$29 had it filled at U-Haul.... renters...for $14.......hope this were helpful

Each spring, Southern States (Agway) runs a sale if you buy a 20lb propane tank for regular price (about $30) they will fill-it for free. Watch their sales circular around Memorial Day.

I am in the gas grill business and I HIGHLY advise you against trading in your new costco tank when it runs out. When you trade in an empty tank for a full one, it may seem easier but you can end up with a much older tank and you might even have problems with it matching the particular regulator on your grill. ALWAYS have your tank refilled.

Propane prices are public, but the filling costs may be variable.

In Minnesota, currently propane is $1.32/gallon.  I heat with propane and use about 1000 gallons per year for heating and hot water.

I believe it is only legal to fill a propane cylinder to 80% due to vapor pressures as the tank is exposed to varying temperatures.  Most co-ops and propane companies have the capability to fill tanks, if they are properly cared for and kept in good condition.

Blue Rhino is a rip off.  The only advantage might be the convenience of getting a re-fill 24/7.  They charge a premium over what you can get at any welding supply store or LP dealer and they don't fill the tank completely generally short filling by 2-4 pounds.