Posted: September 2, 2025

Propane Cylinder Exchange vs. Refilling

Refills Win When It Comes to Best Value

When you’re ready to grill but realize you’re out of propane, it’s easy to see the appeal of a swap-and-go propane cylinder exchange. But when you look at time saved versus money saved, you will find that refilling your own portable propane tank is the smarter choice. In fact, when you own your propane grill tank and refill it, you can save money in a couple ways.

Two Ways You Save

First, 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, etcetera. When you refill your tank from a propane dealer like Superior Gas, you aren’t paying that markup.

You also save because you’re only paying to replace the propane you’ve used.

When you exchange grill tanks, 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. Because 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 them until they’re completely empty, you could be wasting half a tank or more over the span of a few tanks.

When to Fill Up

Most portable cylinders don’t have a gauge—so it can be hard to know for sure when you’re running low. But there are easy ways to track the level of propane in your tank to make sure you don’t run out.

• Water Trick: Fill a small bucket with hot tap water and pour it down the side of the cylinder. Then run your hand down the side of the tank and find the point where it turns cool. That’s the level of the gas. (The liquid propane inside the tank absorbs heat from the water, which makes the metal wall of the tank cool to the touch.)
• Weight Check: Check the cylinder for markings that let you know the “tare weight” or TW, 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 (a basic bathroom scale will work) 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. Or, pick up a digital propane tank scale at your local hardware store. Most come with a digital app to let you know when it’s time for a fill-up.
• Add a Gauge: You can buy a gauge to install between the gas line from the grill and the cut-off valve on the tank. It will measure the pressure and show you how full the tank is.
• Keep a Spare: The easiest way to make sure you always have enough propane on hand is to keep an extra tank on hand.

Easy Refills Near Me

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 and a competitive per-gallon rate.

Contact us today for more information.