Refilling "disposable" cylinders...

I know that I have read about this here before, but I can't find it. Does anyone have any information/experience on refilling those disposable propane cylinders from a larger bottle???

OBG

Well, OldBaldGuy, from another old bald guy, the general consensus is: Don't do it. However, I have studied the subject at length and ask many questions and to make a long story short, it works, but it is a ticklish operation.

First, you need a brass adapter. There has been one on the market for several years but I don't like it. To give you an idea, it is pictured on page 441 in Cabela's Master Catalog, Fall 2005, Edition II. Costs 19.99. I don't like it because one that is made with a 90 degree angle works much better. I have one I made and it works fine but I don't know how to post a picture. If you will PM me your email address, I will send you a picture of it. It is made of readily available brass fittings. Having said that, here's the general procedure:

Be sure and do this outdoors with plenty of ventilation. Attach the adapter to a preferably full or near full twenty pound bottle. Screw the empty cylinder onto the other end.
Turn the full cylinder upside down and the empty cylinder will be screwed on the other end of the adapter. With my rig, the empty bottle will end up with the top up. Open the big cylinder and let it run for 60 seconds then shut it off. Unscrew the filled bottle. Be prepared for a rush of gas that is trapped in the adapter. I suggest you wear gloves because the escaping gas can cause frostbite. It is recommended that you chill the empty cartridge in a freezer for an hour or two to get it well chilled. Seems that it takes the propane better than a warm bottle. Another precaution is DO NOT for any reason, attempt to pull the pressure release valve that is present on all small cylinders. I have never been able to get a cylinder completely full. Try to use a propane bottle that is nearly full as using a nearly empty one will only fill until the pressure equalizes and then stop. Full tanks have greater pressure than the nearly empty ones. Another precaution is to put some soapy water on the newly filled bottle and check for leaks. They don't always seal. I would also recommend not storing refilled cylinders in an enclosed area for just that reason. You can weigh the newly filled cylinder to see just how much you put in it. Holds a pound as I remember.

DISCLAIMER: This works for me. I do not guarantee it will work for you althought it should. I don't see any particular danger as long as there is no source of ignition nearby.

In rereading my post I see that I failed to mention wearing eye protection in addition to gloves. A must! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

There's a notice on the small propane bottles that it's illegal to transport bottles that have been refilled. Why is this?

The reason I'm interested in refilling these bottles is that they are pretty large chunks of metal, I hate to see them go to waste.

I don't really know, Benton. Perhaps our illustrious multimillionaire representatives in Congress think they must pass a ridiculous law now and then. Maybe this law is a follow up to the one that threatens life without parole if you tear off the dumb tag on a new mattress. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I sorta take the attitude that what I do here in Kentucky with my property, on my property, that doesn't affect anyone else comes under the heading of my business. I suppose as long as I don't "TRANSPORT" them I won't get hauled off by the marshals. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Benton, more thoughts on the subject. The more I read the more confused I get. Read on:

http://yarchive.net/car/rv/disposable_propane.html

From another web site. This is news to me:

Other Choices to Consider

There are alternatives to the single-use propane cylinder for camping and hobby use. White gas is a very inexpensive, readily available fuel. For those who want to use propane fuel, some of the larger camping stores/outfitters sell small propane cylinders that can be refilled. Also, there is a new gas fuel available for camping use: a mixture of propane and butane, sold in an all-aluminum canister. When the canister is empty (it won't support a flame) it can be easily recycled. This fuel mix burns hotter than propane, which means faster cooking and brighter lanterns. It costs about the same, and is becoming readily available.

Now ain't this Internet thing wonderful, or whut? <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I always thought you couldn't refill because the valve on top wasn't designed for that many uses. I have a couple things that use the 1lb and have a hose adapter now to hook them up to a 25lb but was looking at refilling the 1lb for easy of transporting, I guess I need to find a couple 1lb reuseable ones then.

Thanks kyboonefan, that helps a lot.

One other issue I have is that I bought one of those new Weber Q grilles. It uses the 1 lb disposable cylinders, but it expects the narrower shop kind, rather than the wider camping type. It has a support hoop to hold the cylinder, and the camping cylinder won't fit. Fortunately, I tested the shop cylinders on my camp stove, and it works fine, so now I only keep the shop type cylinders around. I got a 20lb tank adapter for it, and that's what I usually use when grilling in the back yard.

I think I'm going to get one of those refill adapters, but only use it in a pinch.

By the way, does anybody know if recycling places take empty propane cylinders? That would make me feel a lot better about not reusing them.

PM is on the way, thanks,

OBG

One final comment on these disposable cylinders. I read, I believe on another forum, that they make great catfish bobbers. Paint em black and go at it. For the uninitiated, I am referring to "jugging" on the Mississippi River where you release a bunch of baited jugs/lines and let them float with the current. You follow in a boat and grab the ones that are bobbing. Great fun and you can catch some monster cats. Of course any old river will do. I just happen to live on the Mississippi. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />