Sodo
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 3,300
- Location
- Cascade Mtns of WA state
- Tractor
- Kubota B-series & Mini Excavator
====== Refilling the little 1-lb disposable tanks ========
======= (with Harbor Freight adapter) =========
======= "Propane Bottle Refill kit' Item 45989" ==========
I re-fill the little 1 lb (disposables) all the time. It costs about $1 in propane to fill them if you don't consider your time. New they are appx $3 so your pay for this effort is $2. But if your little cylinders run out, and you need it full, maybe it's more efficient than the effort to buy new ones. I have about 5 or 6 disposable cyls, I just "settle in" and fill them all.
I had to modify my brass adapter to get it to work, had to shorten the stem that depresses the schrader valve, screwed all the way into the cylinder, the seal couldn't engage (& seal) on some disposables. Mine was a "MrHeater" brand, same as HF but twice the price (probably same supplier) It was 5 years ago, maybe they've been refined.
The receiving cylinder should be as cold as possible. Use a nail to depress the schrader valve and purge it just before you screw it on. As mentioned above, freezing it makes a big difference. If your warm hands warm the 1-lb cylider less propane will transfer. The colder it is, the more will go inside.
Keep the large (20 lb) inside the house overnite or get it as warm as you feel comfortable doing. The donor cylinder should be as warm as reasonable.
I shake the 1 lb to guess how much is inside. If you shake a new one, you can guesstimate. They feel about 1/2 full of liquid, IIRC. Or you can weigh it if you wanna be safe, weigh empty, then add 1 lb propane. If you fill it (to what it will take) then freeze again, you can get more in it. It's common to have to do it 2x or 3x (cooling the receiving cyl in between) The number of times depends on what temp you are doing this at. This process works best when it's freezing outside or when there's a freezer nearby.
You should wear gloves, because if liquid propane blasts onto your skin it can freeze-burn your skin. If you unscrew it too soon, this can happen. Also gloves help to prevent your warm hands from warming the receiving cylinder.
The reason you wouldn't want to overfill it is because if it got hot the pressure could rise higher than the MFR wants, and at some point could explode. If you are not aware of the proper fill level perhaps you should be satisfied with half full.
======= (with Harbor Freight adapter) =========
======= "Propane Bottle Refill kit' Item 45989" ==========
I re-fill the little 1 lb (disposables) all the time. It costs about $1 in propane to fill them if you don't consider your time. New they are appx $3 so your pay for this effort is $2. But if your little cylinders run out, and you need it full, maybe it's more efficient than the effort to buy new ones. I have about 5 or 6 disposable cyls, I just "settle in" and fill them all.
I had to modify my brass adapter to get it to work, had to shorten the stem that depresses the schrader valve, screwed all the way into the cylinder, the seal couldn't engage (& seal) on some disposables. Mine was a "MrHeater" brand, same as HF but twice the price (probably same supplier) It was 5 years ago, maybe they've been refined.
The receiving cylinder should be as cold as possible. Use a nail to depress the schrader valve and purge it just before you screw it on. As mentioned above, freezing it makes a big difference. If your warm hands warm the 1-lb cylider less propane will transfer. The colder it is, the more will go inside.
Keep the large (20 lb) inside the house overnite or get it as warm as you feel comfortable doing. The donor cylinder should be as warm as reasonable.
I shake the 1 lb to guess how much is inside. If you shake a new one, you can guesstimate. They feel about 1/2 full of liquid, IIRC. Or you can weigh it if you wanna be safe, weigh empty, then add 1 lb propane. If you fill it (to what it will take) then freeze again, you can get more in it. It's common to have to do it 2x or 3x (cooling the receiving cyl in between) The number of times depends on what temp you are doing this at. This process works best when it's freezing outside or when there's a freezer nearby.
You should wear gloves, because if liquid propane blasts onto your skin it can freeze-burn your skin. If you unscrew it too soon, this can happen. Also gloves help to prevent your warm hands from warming the receiving cylinder.
The reason you wouldn't want to overfill it is because if it got hot the pressure could rise higher than the MFR wants, and at some point could explode. If you are not aware of the proper fill level perhaps you should be satisfied with half full.
Last edited:
