Refilling 1 lb propane bottles

[Wolfpack Fan]

Just curious if there's anyone on here that uses the adapters made for refilling the baby 1lb propane bottles from a larger bottle.

I watched a couple of videos on YouTube of it being done and it looks pretty effective. I've heard people say you can't refill them to capacity, but in one video the guy chilled the 1lb bottle and weighed it before and after and got a full pound of propane in the little bottle. I ordered an adapter but I'm still wondering.

Anyone have experience using these?

[Wayne M]

Ever considered the 5 lb propane refillable bottle? Small and easy to store. I keep a couple 1 lb on hand as a "back-up" supply should I run out in the 5 lb tank. There are all kinds of adapters out there.

Not an answer to your question, but an option to think about.

[HD4Mark]

I have done it many times. Just get the adapter from Propane Refill Kit - Refill Propane Bottles with Ease! put the little bottle in the freezer for a while, turn the 20 lb bottle upside down, screw them together and open the valve. Shut it off when it is done filling and that is it. I am not sure they get completely full but close enough.

We went to taking a 20lb with us and using an adapter hose for the BBQ grill but I still fill a little one so if the 20 runs out in the middle of cooking there is a backup.

Some will say it is dangerous but I never had a problem. Use common sense and you can do it safely and save a bunch on those little bottles.

[CampDaven]

This works. 4.5 lb

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

This works. 4.5 lb

I have one too.

Handy little thing. Stores in bay where main tank fill is located. Top off when filling the main or easy to carry over to fill station. Keep a couple of green cans on hand too. May get a second little one for lantern. Have room for it - and lantern is secondary to food. Don't want to use a 20 lb (bigger / heavier) or connect into house propane. Filling house requires moving house - and don't want to run it down anyway. It's a choice - but filling green cans doesn't sound like fun to me.

[Old Scout]

Thought the "newer" bottles have an internal valve/float device that shuts off the flow of propane if the bottle is tipped over? Still see the refill adaptors for sale at CW but wondered about the new valves. Do know that most propane dealers wont fill the old style tanks unless they are marked for welding use only--ya right!

PS--I've looked at the 4.5 lbs tanks several times but at $40-50, I can buy a bunch of the little green bottles for my occasional grill use.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

Thought the "newer" bottles have an internal valve/float device that shuts off the flow of propane if the bottle is tipped over? Still see the refill adaptors for sale at CW but wondered about the new valves. Do know that most propane dealers wont fill the old style tanks unless they are marked for welding use only--ya right!

PS--I've looked at the 4.5 lbs tanks several times but at $40-50, I can buy a bunch of the little green bottles for my occasional grill use.

My Weber gets used a lot, and my camp stove too.

The 1 lb bottles are about 3 bucks. Propane is less than that per gallon. My 4.5 lb tank didnt owe me a thing very quickly.

Just sayin......

[glarnold]

My experience with them, was like with unhooking the little 1 pounders. Half of the time they leaked. Both expensive and dangerous. So we just use a 20 pounder.

GL Arnold

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by glarnold

My experience with them, was like with unhooking the little 1 pounders. Half of the time they leaked. Both expensive and dangerous. So we just use a 20 pounder.

GL Arnold

The 4.5 has the same hookups as on a 20. I have had both. No leaks

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

The 4.5 has the same hookups as on a 20. I have had both. No leaks

X2 and even made by the same company. They may have had a problem before but I don't have any problem with the 4.5. Side by side they are identical - like Honey I Shrunk the Propane Bottle identical. YMMV but me thinks not.

[tompen]

I bought the adapter and tried it several times. If the bottles were very cold I could get 12-13 oz. in them. If they were not cold only about 8-9 oz. That would be fine except they all leaked out over time. The only way it was effective was to have a device ready to screw them right on. I did that for a while and kept some new ones for back up. I don't use it so much any more.

[az99]

Just be careful when chilling the bottle before filling. You have to use a scale and do not overfill.
The 1lb. tanks just make it easy to move around rather than dragging a tank and hose. I just switched mine back to 1 lb. tanks. Unless you use a lot of propane, the big tanks are too much hassle for the minimal cost savings.

[bob213]

You might want to check, but I thought I read somewhere that once you refill the green bottles it is illegal to transport them. Insurance companies tend to look for anything to deny a claim.

[Gearhead383]

I've used the adapter years ago and couldn't figure out how to get the bottles completely filled. Then I thought about what happens when I take any propane tank in to get it filled... the tech opens up a bleeder to let the air escape so the LP can take its place. Guess what the little valve core looking thingy is <technical term= pressure relief valve>??? I have been using the technique described here for many years and have had no problems. I back out the pressure relieve valve to allow the air to escape so the LP can fill the bottle. CAUTION, common sense goes a long way here, so this might not be the best solution for everyone. I believe the link does a pretty good job of explaining, in detail, the steps and precautions needed to perform this task. Best of luck and be safe!