Posted: September 7, 2026

Need a Propane Cylinder Exchange for the BBQ?

Why a Refill Is a Smarter Deal

When your grill tank is running low, a propane cylinder exchange may seem like the quickest and easiest option. But convenience doesn’t always equal value. With an exchange, you’re paying a retail price for a replacement cylinder, even if there’s still propane left in the tank you’re dropping off.

When you refill your own cylinder, you pay for the propane you actually need, and you keep the tank you already own. Over time, that can make refilling a much better value for regular grillers.

The Refill Advantage

When you opt for a refill over an exchange, you’ll save on the price of the propane. The difference can be up to $1.75 per gallon. That’s because with an exchange, you’re paying a third party who charges a retail markup for all their overhead: buying propane, maintaining and filling tanks, and more. When you refill your tank from a propane dealer like Superior, you aren’t paying that markup.

In addition, with a refill, you’ll pay only to replace the propane you’ve used. With a propane grill tank exchange, you’re charged for all the propane in the cylinder, including the propane that was left in the tank when you take it to be exchanged.

Think about it: When you see your propane cylinder is starting to run low, your instinct is to take it in to exchange before you run out. So unless you run tanks until they’re completely empty, you could be wasting half a tank or more over the span of a few tanks.

How to Check Your Tank

Most portable propane cylinders used with gas grills don’t have built-in gauges, but you don’t have to rely on guesswork to know when you need a fill-up. Here are four easy ways to check how much propane remains and avoid running out halfway through dinner.

1. Water trick: Fill a small bucket with hot tap water and pour it down the side of the cylinder. Run your hand up the side of the tank and feel for the point where the metal changes from warm to cool. That’s the level of the propane.
2. Weight check: Look for the tank’s tare weight, or TW, which tells you the weight of the tank when empty. A 20-pound tank usually weighs about 17 pounds when empty. To calculate how much propane is in the tank, place the cylinder on a scale, such as a basic bathroom scale, and subtract the tare weight from the amount shown on the scale. So, if your 20-pound cylinder weighs 27 pounds and the tare weight is 17, you have 10 pounds of propane, or about half a tank. You can also purchase a digital propane tank scale from a hardware store. Most come with a digital app to let you know when it’s time for a fill-up.
3. Add a gauge: You can buy a gauge to install between the gas line from the grill and the cutoff valve on the tank. It will measure the pressure and show you how full the tank is.
4. Keep a spare: Want the easiest way to avoid an empty tank on grilling day? Keep a second propane cylinder on hand. When one tank gets low, refill it so you always have a backup ready for your next cookout.

Ready for a Refill?

Whether you need a cylinder refill or you want to buy an extra tank so you always have a spare, let Superior be your go-to. With 10 convenient locations across East Central Alabama and Northwest Florida, it’s easy to get a quick fill-up.

We provide quick and easy, no-wait portable propane tank fill-ups at a competitive per-gallon rate. Contact us today for more information.