The best time to fill 20# propane tanks?

[bwframe]

I'm on my last propane tank of five. I use it for daily shop heat as I go. Haven't measured, but I'm thinking the grill/coffee roaster tank is mostly full also?

I'm wondering if I should risk letting tanks stay empty until the price of propane moderates with the warmer temps?

 

[snapping turtle]

Been using propane at the homestead for 25 years. You are good to let them be empty. Propane is a moist fuel when burned. In the past late summer and early fall were the big in demand times because farms dried grain with it so that is when price was increased.

We get fills on the big tank from our local co op. I take care of filling the smalls at a few places but we used to use a local gas station. When they re built the station propane refill was removed.

 

[gsxr219]

Here is a price history on Indiana residential propane price. If you stumble around the site you can find a weekly and monthly breakdown for any given year. I did some averaging some time ago, and I believe October was the cheapest month

Weekly Indiana Propane Residential Price (Dollars per Gallon)

 

[Hkindiana]

I think the best time to fill them is when they are empty

 

[Ingomike]

I think the best time to fill them is when they are empty

Part of my preps, empty tanks are filled when they empty…

 

[stocknup]

Part of my preps, empty tanks are filled when they empty…

Same goes for our vehicles ........Always keep them topped off .
Piece of mind is worth a lot more than taking a chance , IMHO .

 

[bwframe]

Good points folks!

I'm leaning towards going ahead and filling a couple tanks, then waiting until June/July for the rest?


.

 

[xwing]

I use propane to heat my home. Summer has been the cheapest time for me to fill it.

 

[jamin]

What size of tanks are you talking about? Reason I ask if you’re talking 20lb-40lb tanks, fill them when they are empty. There isn’t enough savings to justify playing the price game.

 

[Goodcat]

I think the best time to fill them is when they are empty

I came here literally only to say that. And I’m too late.

 

[VERT]

What size of tanks are you talking about? Reason I ask if you’re talking 20lb-40lb tanks, fill them when they are empty. There isn’t enough savings to justify playing the price game.

Here is the correct answer.

 

[Crandall Crank]

I fill them as soon as they are empty... Better have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

 

[MRockwell]

Went to Tractor Supply a few weeks ago to fill some tanks, a 40lb and two 20 lb.

Seems they have a new procedure in place for filling by weight, and not venting the tanks while filling. Usually my 40lb holds 9 gallon, ad 20lb holds 4.5 gallon. With them filling by weight, I got 15.6 gallon(compared to 18 gallon I would usually get). Looks like I am going to find a different place to fill my tanks.

Price was $3.89/gal. I was going through some receipts from a year ago, and the price then was $3.99/gal.

 

[dudley0]

I just got a dual fuel genny. Tested it out and all seems fine. I was storing a few tanks of propane for the mini heater, grill and burner but now I think I want to store some more for the life expectancy.

I know you get more bang for your buck in gasoline, but for mid range outages I am leaning this way. I still have about 30 gallons of stabilized gas to use as well.

The place I was getting my tanks filled from closed down. The guy decided to retire. How rude!

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I filled a 20 lb. tank yesterday. For free! Ace Hardware in Greenwood has a punch card deal where after 6 fills you get the 7th one for free. I had forgotten that the last tank I filled last year was my 6th. It was a pleasant surprise!

 

[***Ironhead***]

What size of tanks are you talking about? Reason I ask if you’re talking 20lb-40lb tanks, fill them when they are empty. There isn’t enough savings to justify playing the price game.

Got my summer fill today and was pleasantly surprised propane was the lowest it has been for a couple of years. Of course this was a 1000 and 500 gallon tanks.

 

[bwframe]

Tractor Supply was out of propane last Friday. Happily, the the store manager referred me to a local oxygen supply company that filled my tanks at +/- ten bucks higher price.

Nice guys, but pricy. Said they recertify outdated tanks for $25. Not real helpful when I can exchange a tank for a certified one that has some gas in it at a better price than that.

https://fox59.com/news/indiana-gove...ansportation-of-propane-in-the-hoosier-state/

 

[dudley0]

Unless they can recertify the larger tanks.

I saw some at auction once but didn't want to mess with them if they were close to out of date.

 

[dprimm]

Tractor supply in Danville has issues a their propane system. Ace hardware in Brownsburg had theirs frozen.