Community Forums

oregonhiker · 08-25-2019, 11:31 AM

We have been using 1lbs Coleman propane canisters since we started to RV for the stove and barbecue due to their convenience. A few years back we bought an adapter to refill the canisters from our 20lbs tank that we carry onboard. Up till this year we have been happy with that but this summer when I went to refill our 1lbs canisters we had a couple that leaked out propane and wouldn't stop. I am not sure if they are just too old or if it is time to buy the correct set up.

I have been looking into the Flame King refillable tanks and refill kit. I know these are built and rated to be refilled as the Colemans are not. Any one use this set up? If so, have you had any problems with them leaking? My other thought was just to buy a new set of Coleman canisters every couple of years and do as I am doing.

96Bounder1st · 08-25-2019, 11:39 AM

I would suspect they are only good for so many uses then the seal fails. By another set to refill or if you do buy the Flame Kit one let us know how it works.

Safe travels

Terry & Pat

Old-Biscuit · 08-25-2019, 11:40 AM

The 1 lb bottles were never intended to be refilled......throw aways/consumables

BUT the aftermarket saw a needed and viola....adapter to fill using a 20 LB cyclinder

BUT.......not being intended to be refilled they eventually LEAK
Nature of the beast.
Refill and if one leaks......toss it
Buy new and continue

OR
Use that 20 lb cyclinder you are already carrying to supply stove/bbq
They ARE intended to be refilled

KanzKran · 08-25-2019, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregonhiker

. . . when I went to refill our 1lbs canisters we had a couple that leaked out propane and wouldn't stop. I am not sure if they are just too old or if it is time to buy the correct set up.

This may or may not be directly related, but how do you know when a 1 lb tank is full? If it's filled to the very top and it warms up even just a little, it will overpressurize and presumably leak out the relief valve, which may be what you're experiencing.

Or not. That's why I'm asking, plus I'm curious as to how you know when to stop, unless you're also weighing them.

TXTiger · 08-25-2019, 11:47 AM

Those 1# cans are not designed to be refilled. I believe in some places it may be illegal to refil them. I use the adaptor and a 20# bottle that I exchange for a new one when empty. I carry two 20# bottles so that I will never run out. I also carry two of the 1# cans as a backup.

Ret Syntst · 08-25-2019, 11:52 AM

I'm using the Flame King refillable containers for a Heat Buddy ceramic heater. They work great and haven't leaked yet. Using the refillable containers eliminates the need for a filter to clean out the particles picked up in the rubber hose for a 20 lb tank to the heater.

LETMGROW · 08-25-2019, 12:58 PM

This is a very timely thread for me. I have been shopping for a suitable refilling set up to refill my 1# propane canisters. Now I am having second thoughts. I have bought several 1# canisters, emptied them and have saved them with the intent I would refill them someday. However some have said the tanks I have are not safe to refill as they will leak after a number of refills.
I carry my 1# tanks in the same compartment as my Coleman Road Trip grill. My concern now is if one of the 1# canisters developed a leak propane would fill the compartment. This leads me to believe I could be driving a bomb around.
There is no ignition source in that compartment but what would happen if two canisters banged together and caused a spark.
I have bought several 1# containers on sale at a local hardware store with their name branded on the canisters for $4.99 for 2 containers. I also have 20# propane tanks and a hose to hook the tanks to the grill. This is the set up I normally use. My son often goes with us with his camper and carries the 20# tank in his pick up. I simply don't have room in my MH compartments to carry a 20# tank and I refuse to carry it inside the coach.
I'll have to do the math and see if it's more economical to buy refillable tanks and the equipment to refill them or keep buying the 1# tanks when they go on sale.
Lynn

ransil · 08-25-2019, 01:09 PM

I weigh mine when filling, did overfill 2 last time, i just put them on the grill and cooked something switching the tank after 10 minutes.
I was going to pick up one of the 11lb propane tanks, easy to carry.

KanzKran · 08-25-2019, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransil

I was going to pick up one of the 11lb propane tanks, easy to carry.

My boat has a couple of 4.25 lb tanks, which is about 1 gallon at 80% full. Super easy to carry and made to be refilled, and they have the OPD. They can be refilled at any LP fueling place, which is what I do as I don't have a refill kit. But they cost more than a 20 lb tank, unfortunately.

oregonhiker · 08-25-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KanzKran

This may or may not be directly related, but how do you know when a 1 lb tank is full? If it's filled to the very top and it warms up even just a little, it will overpressurize and presumably leak out the relief valve, which may be what you're experiencing.

Or not. That's why I'm asking, plus I'm curious as to how you know when to stop, unless you're also weighing them.

Before I would just fill until the flow would slow or stop. Going forward I will start weighing the canisters and the Flame King has a screw like the big tanks to know when filled or I would think I could bleed off excessive pressure to be safe. This is the video I watched earlier and feel more confident about using this system.

https://vimeo.com/81833387

KanzKran · 08-25-2019, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregonhiker

. . . or I would think I could bleed off excessive pressure to be safe.

Use the bleeder. And do be aware that the pressure will depend only on the temperature (at equilibrium), as long as there is vapor space above the liquid. When the temperature goes up, the liquid expands and some of the vapor will condense back to liquid, and the overall resting pressure will stabilize at a higher value than before the temperature increased. There are published tables of propane pressure over a range of temperature. Tanks are typically rated 240 psi operating pressure, or something in that neighborhood, but can have a higher rating (300 psi I think). At 100 deg. F, it's approaching 185 psi, if memory serves.

But if the tank is full to the top, the expanding liquid has nowhere to go, and the pressure will shoot up and start venting liquid out the relief valve. Liquid propane expands 17 times faster than water with temperature increase, and will evaporate to something like 270 times it's original volume in a big hurry when vented, and get really cold in the process. That's why the 80% fill rule exists - to give that liquid somewhere to go as it warms.

So venting off excess pressure really doesn't do anything unless it's already hydrolocked. But venting off excess volume certainly is the prudent thing to do, especially if you're going to store them rather than use it right away.

mrboyer · 08-26-2019, 04:38 AM

We use a 1 gal/5lbs refillable tank. Have a 1lbs just in case the the large tank runs out. Whenever we have the onboard 27lbs tank filled, they fill the small tank. We grill quite a bit and only once did we use the 1lbs. We place the 5lbs tank in a 3 gallon plastic bucket and wrap hose on top to travel well.

apr67 · 08-26-2019, 09:20 AM

I've had new 1lbs tank lead after being disconnected a few times.

Which is why my 1lb tanks have these.

https://www.amazon.com/Podoy-Propane.../dp/B075WZSN7T