Used a Vending Machine for my Blue Rhino Propane Tank Exchange


 
B

BPratt

TVWBB All-Star
Hi,

New to me - I used a vending machine for my Blue Rhino Propane Tank exchange at Walmart in Bellingham MA

Apparently it’s 24-7 availability with a credit card.

I used cash inside and the receipt give me an access code that opened a locker door for the empty tank first. Load empty in close door then the full tank locker door opened.

The vending machine did not care about my old hairy tank. I guess if you used a credit card and put something weird in the exchange locker they could track you down

No waiting for a person to unlock the cage saving time
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1457.jpeg
    IMG_1457.jpeg
    296.6 KB · Views: 3
They used to have the vending machine here at my Menard's but they did away with it to having to go inside and they also do refills. If/when I ever need a refill I just go to our local Image Pros garden center right here in Cherry Valley Township ( I think a couple people on the forum may remember it as the old Fritchen's Nursery). They have Tuesday special of $12.50 for a refill on a 20# tank
 
That is definitely convenient Cody. But you can get a tank filled at a fill place for about $15 a tank and they fill them full. All of those exchange places only fill them to 15 lbs instead of 20. I think they cite some safety regulation or something for cheating people. The only drawback to fills is that the tanks need to be within certification or some outfits won't refill them. They exchange places all do their own "certification" on each tank and just internally certify it for that one more fill.

When ever I get a tank with a grill, I check the certification date. If it is within ten years, I put it aside for refilling. Initial certifications are good for 12 years in Wisconsin and most states, I think. The others I give away with grills.
 
Bruce said:
That is definitely convenient Cody. But you can get a tank filled at a fill place for about $15 a tank and they fill them full. All of those exchange places only fill them to 15 lbs instead of 20. I think they cite some safety regulation or something for cheating people. The only drawback to fills is that the tanks need to be within certification or some outfits won't refill them. They exchange places all do their own "certification" on each tank and just internally certify it for that one more fill.

When ever I get a tank with a grill, I check the certification date. If it is within ten years, I put it aside for refilling. Initial certifications are good for 12 years in Wisconsin and most states, I think. The others I give away with grills.
Click to expand...
I exchange crappy tanks until I get a nice one, then I keep it and get it refilled.
 
I don't use enough propane any longer to have a need to exchange empties any longer. But, yah, the exchange places will even take tanks with the old POL style or quick connect connections on the tanks and give you a nice tank with the QCC1 (ACME) connector in exchange.
 
I have accumulated several tanks from picking up grills for sale or free. Sometimes they're full sometimes they're empty. I also fill up all the ones that are within certification date for $10 on Holliday long weekend special deal and the rest I exchange. The grills I advertise for sale I offer a free full tank of propane for full price offer. Cost me almost nothing but helps sweeten the deal on the sale and get me a higher offer most times full price.

I can just get rid of my beat up ones this way also.
 
Bruce said:
I don't use enough propane any longer to have a need to exchange empties any longer. But, yah, the exchange places will even take tanks with the old POL style or quick connect connections on the tanks and give you a nice tank with the QCC1 (ACME) connector in exchange.
Click to expand...
Yep, that's what I had to do when I aged out of my original quick connect tanks for my Genesis, Ace hardware wouldn't fill them anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top