Xavier G
TVWBB Member
Hi Gang -
Long time no talk.
I just wanted to share a revelation I had - nothing groundbreaking or that you probably don't know already, but it really just sunk in for me this past weekend.
You could probably guess that refilling your tank is a better deal than exchanging for a freshie. But just how much better?
When I was last at the exchange place (Blue Rhino), I noticed a ton of fine print at the bottom of the sign. I initially was drawn to the sign as it advertised $15 for exchange which seemed like a pretty good deal.
The print basically said that due to market conditions and the increasing price of steel blah blah blah they NO LONGER FILL THE TANKS UP ALL THE WAY.
Yeah.
I also ran the math on what I was paying for the propane I actually got vs. refill at my local garden center. Verdict?
Pound per pound of actual gas delivered, the exchange gas costs about 70% more than fill gas.
SO
If you want the best price on propane, and you want your tanks to be actually full up to the 80% safety threshold, you gotta refill them yourself.
If your tank is high mileage, ugly or out of cert, or if you want a new(er) one, I still think exchange is a good deal.
-X
Long time no talk.
I just wanted to share a revelation I had - nothing groundbreaking or that you probably don't know already, but it really just sunk in for me this past weekend.
You could probably guess that refilling your tank is a better deal than exchanging for a freshie. But just how much better?
When I was last at the exchange place (Blue Rhino), I noticed a ton of fine print at the bottom of the sign. I initially was drawn to the sign as it advertised $15 for exchange which seemed like a pretty good deal.
The print basically said that due to market conditions and the increasing price of steel blah blah blah they NO LONGER FILL THE TANKS UP ALL THE WAY.
You: "Xavier, you dolt - of course they don't. Regulations dictate that they have to leave 20% of the space for expansion as a safety measure"
Me: Ya, I get that - I'm saying that they only fill 75% of the total that they COULD fill. Like, they CAN fill 20lb and they only do 15lb.
Me: Ya, I get that - I'm saying that they only fill 75% of the total that they COULD fill. Like, they CAN fill 20lb and they only do 15lb.
Yeah.
I also ran the math on what I was paying for the propane I actually got vs. refill at my local garden center. Verdict?
Pound per pound of actual gas delivered, the exchange gas costs about 70% more than fill gas.
SO
If you want the best price on propane, and you want your tanks to be actually full up to the 80% safety threshold, you gotta refill them yourself.
If your tank is high mileage, ugly or out of cert, or if you want a new(er) one, I still think exchange is a good deal.
-X